Hiking
In the United States and United Kingdom, hiking refers to walking outdoors on a trail for recreational purposes.[3] A day hike refers to a hike that can be completed in a single day, but not requiring an overnight camp. Multi-day hikes with camping is referred to as backpacking.[3] In the United Kingdom hiking is usually called rambling, which resulted in the hiking organization named Ramblers. Bushwhacking specifically refers to difficult walking through dense forest, undergrowth, or bushes, where forward progress requires pushing vegetation aside. In extreme cases of bushwhacking where the vegetation is so dense that human passage is impeded, a machete is used to clear a pathway. Australians use the term bushwalking for both on- and off-trail hiking. New Zealanders use tramping (particularly for overnight and longer trips), walking or bushwalking. Multi-day hiking in the mountainous regions of India, Nepal, North America, South America, and in the highlands of East Africa is also called trekking; the Dutch refer to trekking also.Hiking a long-distance trail from end-to-end is also referred
to as trekking and as thru-hiking in some places.[4] Examples of long-distance trails include the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Long Trail (LT).
to as trekking and as thru-hiking in some places.[4] Examples of long-distance trails include the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Long Trail (LT).
Hiking equipment
A simple dry magnetic pocket compass.The equipment required for hiking depends on the length of the hike, and according to the source. Hikers generally carry water, food, and a map in a backpack.[3] Hikers often wear hiking boots to protect their feet from rough terrain.[3] Some outdoor organizations, such as The Mountaineers strongly advocate a list of equipment for hiking, such as the Ten Essentials. This list includes items such as a compass,sunglasses, sunscreen, clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter, and knife.[5] Other sources suggest additional items such as insect repellent and an emergency blanket.[6] Nowadays a GPS navigation device is a great help especially in weather conditions with low visibility or when hiking in unknown territories.Proponents of ultralight backpacking claim that long lists of required items for multi-day hikes increases pack weight, and hence fatigue and chance of injury.[7] Instead,they recommend a goal of reducing pack weight in order to hike long distances easier. Even the use of hiking boots on long-distances hikes is controversial
among ultralight hikers, due to their weight.[7]
A simple dry magnetic pocket compass.The equipment required for hiking depends on the length of the hike, and according to the source. Hikers generally carry water, food, and a map in a backpack.[3] Hikers often wear hiking boots to protect their feet from rough terrain.[3] Some outdoor organizations, such as The Mountaineers strongly advocate a list of equipment for hiking, such as the Ten Essentials. This list includes items such as a compass,sunglasses, sunscreen, clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter, and knife.[5] Other sources suggest additional items such as insect repellent and an emergency blanket.[6] Nowadays a GPS navigation device is a great help especially in weather conditions with low visibility or when hiking in unknown territories.Proponents of ultralight backpacking claim that long lists of required items for multi-day hikes increases pack weight, and hence fatigue and chance of injury.[7] Instead,they recommend a goal of reducing pack weight in order to hike long distances easier. Even the use of hiking boots on long-distances hikes is controversial
among ultralight hikers, due to their weight.[7]