NH Mountain Hiking
< Hikes Without Trails
NH Mountain Hiking
< Hikes Without Trails
| For even more information, see the magazine article: Those Crazy Bushwhackers |
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1. On a regular hike your body gets a workout but
your mind passively follows a trail. On a bushwhack
you get to exercise your mind as well as your body.
2. Bushwhacking is a confidence builder for regular hiking. In case you ever get lost on a trail hike, you'll know what to do. 3. As a kid did you ever have fun playing hide-and- seek or going on a scavenger hunt? Bushwhacking has the same appeal. 4. Of the many mountains in New Hampshire, not all have trails. Bushwhacking is the only way to get to some beautiful places. 5. On a trail hike you go where you're told; on a bushwhack you go wherever you want. In our society where life is too often constrained, it's fun to break loose once in a while and get away from it all. "There is pleasure in the pathless woods." - Lord Byron |
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- Bring a topo map and compass -- don't rely on
others to find your way.
- If you know how to use it, a GPS can help, especially on the way out. - Wear old clothes: long pants, boots and eye protection (glasses). - Carry extra protection (in case needed): long-sleeve shirt, thin gloves, hat with a brim. - Bring all your regular hiking stuff: water, food, sun/bug protection, rain jacket, hiking poles, sweat band, headlamp, etc. - Leave a change of clothes in the car. |
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Navigating is a group sport: the hike is easier/faster
with more eyes/brains solving route problems. Unlike geometry, in bushwhacking the shortest distance between two points is almost never a straight line. It's prudent to go around thick woods, steep cliffs, swampy areas and such! Going up is the easier navigation direction. If you know where you are and where you want to be, you can follow a compass direction between the two. Since your peak is the highest point around, a secondary travel clue is to favor uphill. Going down requires more care. The compass still works, and sometimes a distant landmark can be used as a beacon. But just "going down" could lead you anywhere! It is helpful to have a perpendicular target (road, trail, stream) you have to cross even if you are a little off course. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit is a good backup (but shouldn't be depended upon, since it can break). If you get lost, a GPS is the easiest way to find yourself -- but many eyes/brains can almost always find alternate methods. Being lost is a temporary state. While traveling through the woods it is best to move carefully (slowly). Let your old clothes take any abuse and be especially careful to protect your eyes. Avoid (go around) dangerous terrain -- an off-trail accident is unfairly difficult for your rescuers. If you are out here you should know what you are doing and be part of a competent group. |
Website: What is a bushwhack and why the heck would anyone want to do one?
YouTube: Mill Mountain
YouTube: Mount Lowell