When Hiking take a map...and know how to READ it.

[Eaglestudent]

Hello! I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I live in North East Georgia. just so there is no confusion my school (where i live) are the eagles and as i go there i am an eaglestudent (i am creative). I am not envolved in the boy scouts but my friends and i have been getting into hiking as a hobby. We have learned a bunch of stuff the hard way, like the subject above, i have some great storys i could tell if you're interested(ever gone snipe hunting? i have a story that can top all) but mostly i'm here for any hiking tips you can give me and just to hang out and have fun. Nice to meet everyone

[Mrw]

Even if you are not in scouting, you may want to pick up and read the hiking and backpacking merit badge pamphlets. First aid would be a good one as well.

These would be available at your local scout supplies place or possibly even at your local public library.

[jr56]

Many skills learned through scouting are valuable for life in general.

[Eaglestudent]

Many skills learned through scouting are valuable for life in general.

Yeah, I suppose some of them are though i am not familair with all of them. First aid though would be good to know, especially with my friends But the percent chance that you would need to use what you have learned seems pretty slim to me. I don't know. What else do ya'll learn? I've tried knot tying, i learned how to swim but forgot, i learned how to use a compus but forgot haha when someone asks me to start a fire without a lighter i use matches (clever, clever). I was thinking about joining a venture crew but i don't think i'm old enough and i can pretty much do everything they do already..hmm still thinking about it.

[Mrw]

You need to be 14 and finished in eigth grade to join a venture crew.

Each venture crew would be different in their activities as they would plan their program based on the interests of the group.

You may already camp with your friends or family, but our boys have been on week-long backpacking and canoe trips that not many families do together. So there certainly are other opportunities available through scouting for them.

Scouting and venturing also teach and enhance leadership skills in a way you will not get in your regular school. As well as some teamwork and problem solving skills. There is a reason why scouts who join the military tend to be the guys set early on as leaders - even as early as basic training.

[616kayak]

a few saftey tips that i stress to new scouts

1) Know First aid
2) carry a first aid kit
3) be in shape
4) Study the map
5) Pack light - my pack for 7 days is 30lbs with food and water carrying everything I'm going to use on my back.

[WVBeaver05]

5) Pack light - my pack for 7 days is 30lbs with food and water carrying everything I'm going to use on my back.

WOW! I hope you will be replenishing water along the way!!

[616kayak]

5) Pack light - my pack for 7 days is 30lbs with food and water carrying everything I'm going to use on my back.

WOW! I hope you will be replenishing water along the way!!

For sure

[Eaglestudent]

yeah water is important though i have to admit there is some confusion as to how much water you should drink while hiking. I've gotten dehydrated before and it's no fun. people say "well, that's easy! Drink water!" but it deosn't do any good if you don't know how much water to drink.

[riverwalk]

The better point to make about hydration, is to be as fit as possible before an outing. As a Nation, most of us aren't properly hydrated as a general practice. Then we enter into activities before being aclimated to it, and/or not replacing water. True, one hears different things about the amount of water to take in daily. There are many sources about that, and some skilled members in here that can offer tips as well.

But be aware that if you start getting thirsty, you're already behind in keeping hydrated. So the First Aid skills will be useful. If you live by Baden Powell's "Be Prepared", then you'll be in the best possible position to survive, AND help others.

[Mrw]

We bike tour and the general advice we give is a bottle of water per hour plus a couple more later on.

A good rule of thumb is to drink before you are thirsty though. That way you don't end up trying to play catch up and feeling icky.

[Eaglestudent]

I i don't live by the "be prepared" I think the slogan my friends and I usually use is "don't be stupid" Though we have broken it quite a few times (as you can tell by my signature) In all honesty I don't understand how you can be prepared without being paranoid.

[Lynda J]

If you aren't "prepared" than you are "being stupid". Sorry. As far as staying hydrated. If you are drinking sodas, tea and the such you won't stay hydrated. And sports drinks can also cause problems. You should drink 16 oz of water for each 8oz of sports drink.

[Mrw]

Be prepared means you have what you would likely need during an outing - like a tent with a water-proof rain fly if it is likely to rain, and extra inner tube and pump for a long bike ride, water on a hot day.

There is nothing paranoid about that. And as said above, not having the basics and knowing how to use them isn't very smart.

[Ridge Runner]

Both backpacking and hiking can be great fun. However, one should remember that the outdoors is an environment greater then we small humans, and can be deceiving and deadly.

Preperation begins with risk management. These are Objective Risks, and Subjective Risk.

Objective Risks are easy. They can be seen and/or understood and planned for. Examples - Heat, Cold, Altitude, Lighting, Cold Water, Swift Water, Wind, Weather....

Subjective Risks is what really gets us into trouble. Examples....Lack of Planning, Poor Planning, No Leadership, Poor Leadership, Fatigue, Indecision, Atitudes, Get Home Itus, Weak Skills, No Skills, Pushing the Limits, Egos, Lack of Training, Outdated Training.....it's nearly an endless list.

Take your time, do the easy stuff first improving your skills and knowledge base as you go along. There's a lot of great hikes and treks out there, such as the John Muir (250 miles of high Alpine without a resupply point) but, you need to be at the top of your game.

[scouter01]

on the drinking subject, I wish they made a tsatless purifier, like iodine without the horrible taste. it makes me not want to drink it, and at camp (not BSA) where I go, I have seen the cousnerlars have to make a kid drink water since they wopuldn't

[Ridge Runner]

A while back I talked to the folks who make Gator Aid on how to make a tablet that would both purify and serve as a sports drink. Guess they thought I was a nut case...maybe I'll give it another try