Hikesafe: There and Back. Your White Mountain National Forest
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A Guide for Hikers and Backpackers in the White Mountain National Forest On Foot What’s inside page 2 Plan Ahead Rules & Regulations Hiker Responsibility Code page 3 Your White Mountain National Forest Stepping Safely in New Hampshire and Maine is a rich and varied resource. From clear mountain streams and hardwood forests, to rocky ledges and windswept alpine ridges, the Forest provides habitat for wildlife, water, wood, and a place for all of us to relax and enjoy the page 4 outdoors. There are more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest with trails to match Shelters & Cabins every ability level. This trail network includes portions of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,170-mile footpath stretching from Georgia to Maine. A safe and enjoyable hiking trip begins well before your boots hit the dirt. Careful planning is the key to any page 6 mountain excursion, whether day hiking or backpacking, so plan ahead and know before you go! Plan your route in advance by studying maps of the area. Plan alternate routes in case of bad weather. Maps Wildlife and guidebooks are available at most outdoor sporting goods stores and Ranger Stations. Alpine Zone It takes knowledge, planning and care to ensure a safe and fun hiking or backpacking trip. We hope this guide will help get you on your way. Happy hiking! page 7 Winter in the White Mountains hikeSafe: There and Back. page 8 By following the guidelines of hikeSafe, you can be fully prepared for a hike. Being prepared is the key to having a safe and enjoyable Leave No Trace from the equipment you’ll need and weather to be prepared day in the mountains. Here you’ll find help in planning ahead— Ranger Stations separated from your group. for—based on the seasons—to what to do if you’re lost or “Get out there... Before you set out, take steps to make sure you don’t become lost. Learn how to use a map and and ramble out yonder, compass. Call ahead, read a guidebook and study maps of the area you’ll be hiking to become and explore the forest, familiar with trails, roads, rivers, streams, mountains, and other features. Use these as climb the mountains, reference points as you hike. Once you’ve determined your route, leave your trip plan with family bag the peaks, run the rivers, and friends—then make sure you stick to this plan. breathe deep in that yet sweet lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious and awesome space.” Edward Abbey, The House on Your Back Rules & Hiker Regulations Responsibility Code Backcountry camping rules You are responsible for 4. To turn back. Weather hikeSafe: (Forest Protection Areas) yourself, so be prepared: changes quickly in the Because of damage from over-use, mountains. Fatigue and It’s your responsibilty. 1. With knowledge and visual pollution and to prevent damage unexpected conditions can to fragile areas, some restrictions are gear. Become self reliant also affect your hike. Know by learning about the terrain, in effect. Check the WMNF your limitations and when Backcountry Camping brochure conditions, local weather to postpone your hike. and your equipment before for current restrictions or ask at any The mountains will be Forest Service office. you start. there another day. Wilderness 2. To leave your plans. 5. For emergencies, even Tell someone where you These Congressionally designated if you are headed out areas are set aside to provide are going, the trails you are An injury, for just an hour. solitude, primitive recreation and hiking, when you’ll return severe weather or a wrong areas “untrammeled by man…” and your emergency plans. turn could become life Special restrictions include: no threatening. Don’t assume 3. To stay together. When motorized equipment and group size you will be rescued; know you start as a group, hike must be limited to 10 or less. as a group, end as a group. how to rescue yourself. Pace your hike to the 6. To share the hiker Fires slowest person. code with others. Permits to build fires are not needed on the National Forest. Fires are Recommeded clothing and equipment for White Mountain hikers and campers allowed unless otherwise prohibited, but backpacking stoves are strongly Weather in the White Mountains can change quickly. Even in encouraged. Fires are not allowed summer you may experience winter conditions at higher elevations. above the treeline. Ten essential items you Add for overnight trips: Other items to consider: should carry on every trip: If you will be camping on private • Sleeping bag and pad • Space blanket land, always obtain permission of 1. Map • Tent or tarp • Medication the landowner and a fire permit 2. Compass—Be sure you • Cooking stove and fuel • Watch from the local fire warden. know how to use your map • Extra food and water • Guidebook Recreation Pass and compass before you go! Add for winter: • Insect repellent 3. Warm clothing including The Recreation Pass program • Extra warm clothing • Sunscreen hat and gloves • Sturdy Footwear supports recreation across the Forest. • Balaclava Your purchase of a White Mountain 4. Extra food and water • Extra socks • Insulated boots National Forest recreation pass 5. Flashlight or headlamp • Overmitts • Extra Batteries helps support facility improvements, 6. Matches/firestarters • Snowshoes and or traction For above treeline education efforts such as the hikeSafe 7. First aid kit/repair kit such as microspikes and avalanche terrain: program, and trail maintenance. 8. Whistle • Crampons 9. Rain/wind gear • Face mask Groups 10. Pocket knife • Ice axe If you are leading a group and • Insulated Pants collecting money for the trip, you • Goggles may need an outfitter guide permit. • Shovel Contact any Ranger Station for more • Probe information. • Avalanche transceiver -For more information: www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain C A U T I O N As idyllic as the White Mountains seem, we do sometimes have problems with auto break-ins. It pays to be cautious.To help prevent car break-ins: Don’t leave your itinerary on the windshield of your car. Instead, leave your itinerary with someone back home. Let them know where you are going, what trails you plan to hike and how long you will be out. Avoid leaving valuables inside your car at trailhead parking areas. Empty the glove compartment and leave it open to show that nothing is inside. Don’t park your car with the trunk backed toward the woods. If your car has been vandalized, call the police. Page 2 Stepping Safely Hikers need to be prepared for emergencies, Electronicand prevention Devices is definitelyHeat the easiest way to go! Cell phones, GPS and other Overexertion on hot summer technology can be a great days can lead to heat injuries. Heat exhaustion will leave them to keep you safe. Cell you feeling tired, nauseous, phoneshelp—but don’t don’t work rely in on dizzy and headachy. Rest, many locations on the National rehydration and a good night’s Forest, and even when they do, sleep are the treatment for help can be a long ways away. heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is Always be prepared to help a life-threatening illness. yourself and hikeSafe! Symptoms include confusion, delirium and loss of Weather consciousness. The skin may White Mountain weather can feel hot but dry as the body’s be harsh and changeable. cooling mechanism fails. This Medical Water Crossings Expect the worst and enjoy is a true emergency. Cooling Emergencies In spring and after heavy rains, the best! Rain, snow and fog the patient immediately is Avoid over-stressing yourself streams can change from are possible at any time of the essential. Both heat exhaustion or anyone in your group. Set a trickles to torrents, quickly year. Remember that weather and heat stroke can be comfortable pace, rest often in the mountains is colder and prevented by avoiding and drink plenty of water. If an you ford a stream, be making crossings difficult. If more severe than in the valleys. overexertion on hot days. emergency occurs: Stay calm. extremely careful. Always check the forecast Pace yourself, rest often and If possible, have one person Keeping your boots on will before you leave. drink plenty of water stay with the injured hiker, and give you better footing and throughout your hike. You’ll send two people to the nearest prevent your feet from going staffed facility or phone with full numb from the cold water. Hypothermia know that you’ve drunk enough water if your urine information on the problem. Unbuckle your pack’s waist The lowering of your body’s belt before starting. Use core temperature below normal is “clear as mountain spring Call 911 - Give the location of common sense. If in doubt can lead to confusion, loss water.” the injured person and the don’t cross. nature of the injury. even in summer! Early signs Lightning Bugs of hypothermiaconsciousness may and be death— as Yes, it can strike twice! Pay attention to weather forecasts mild as a slight sensation runs from late spring to and avoid being caught on of chilliness, and trouble earlyBlack summer.fly season A usuallygood insect exposed ridges or above using your hands for simple repellent will help keep the treeline as thunderstorms tasks. Later signs can include worst of the biters away. approach. Know an escape uncontrolled shivering, (Some people claim that route in case fast-moving unconsciousness and death. eating raw garlic will also storms catch you off-guard. Prevent hypothermia by having do the trick!) If you do get caught in the warm clothes and dressing in Lyme disease has been open, spread out to minimize layers to adjust temperatures reported in New Hampshire the likelyhood of multiple as needed.