Some Bushwhacker Guidelines

[Neil]

Here are a few guidelines I put together for myself for off-trail hiking.

Your mileage may vary and the guidelines can easily be modified so as to fit nearly anybody and nearly any outdoors activity.

1. Every hike is a project
2. If the itinerary doesn’t intimidate you the trip is too easy.
3. Know thyself: find your zone of comfort then go beyond it.
4. Push your limits relentlessly, both physical and psychological.
5. Maintain the forward momentum of the hike continuously.
   
6. Go solo or in small groups to reduce inertia and drag.
7. Reduce your gear to the minimum. Are you hiking or what?
8. Eat little. Nibble sparingly on dark chocolate, nuts and a form of sugar. Keep your blood where you need it, in working muscle, not in your gut.
   
9. Eschew electronic gadgetry unless essential. Get your nose out of the screen and enjoy the hiking.
10. Master the map and compass and you, not Garmin, own the hike.
11. Start in the dark and finish in the dark.
12. Minimize hiking on trails. Trails numb your senses but may be good for access to good hiking.
    
    
13. If the peak you want looks easy find a tougher way.
14. If you are certain of the outcome the trip will be boring.
    
15. Compartmentalize pain and suffering. It’s only subjective.
16. Injuries: If no bones are sticking out keep moving.
    
    
17. When the hike is over take a rest day or even two then get right back to your training regimen.
18. If you don’t fall asleep immediately at night you’re not training hard enough.
19. Being in better shape only means you go longer and harder, not easier.
20. No matter how tired you get you always have something left to burn.
    
21. Be aware of your surroundings. Note the forest composition, soil and rock type. Listen to the birds. Relate what grows and how profusely to the direction of slope and prevailing winds.
    
22. Register every subtle change in the lay and degree of slope of the land.
    
23. Reach down and lend a mentoring hand to a friend.
24. Reach up and let yourself be mentored by a friend.

 

[Mats Roing]

I like to hear some of your trip reports Neil

 

[Tom Rankin]

I like to hear some of your trip reports Neil

Just try this one on for size!

 

[spencer]

Obviously this is one of those posts written only to greedily gather green squares.

Well, I will fall for it - hook, line and sinker.

Well done.

spencer

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I like No. 10. Thanks for posting, Neil. Also, thanks for posting Neil's ADk trip report, Tom. Sounds like we need to pick up the pace in the Whites?

 

[Barbarossa]

2. If the itinerary doesn’t intimidate you the trip is too easy.


11. Start in the dark and finish in the dark.


20. No matter how tired you get you always have something left to burn.

Can you write me a perscription for #11? I can show it to my wife when she says I got home too late.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

[16]Injuries: If no bones are sticking out keep moving.

I guess I kind of wimp out here. I most of the time, I call it a day when bones break. Must be old age.

 

[DougPaul]

[16]Injuries: If no bones are sticking out keep moving.

Guess I failed here.

2 bones broken, 3 break sites, ~10 fragments, but nothing sticking out. I stopped moving.

But I was on a trail so maybe it didn't count...

Doug

 

[timmus]

Maintain the forward momentum of the hike continuously.

Oh, that's where it's coming from...

 

[prino]

Very Good list Neil!
I personally recommend Cadbury's Whole nut Chocolate if you can find it.