The Green Hiker

Are You A Negligent Hiker?

You’re hiking in New Hampshire and something’s gone wrong. Very wrong. You need to be rescued. If the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department determines you were negligent, they just may bill you for that rescue. The “we can bill you” criterion used to be “reckless” behavior. Now it’s “negligent”.

You didn’t have a map? …. You ignored weather forecasts? …. You wandered away from your hiking pals? And now you’re lost or injured and need a rescue? NH Fish and Game can recoup part of their equipment and personnel costs associated with that rescue.

And I don’t have a problem with that at all.

As States struggle with lower revenues and higher costs, expect to see more “responsibility fees”.

Over the next few posts, we’ll examine just how responsible folks prepare and execute their outdoor adventures. Let’s start with the Hiker Responsibility Code as developed and endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Hiker Responsibility Code:  You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

• With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.

• To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.

• To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.

• To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.

• For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

• To share the hiker code with others.

Has your State or club developed a similar code? Let us know.

Now Go Outdoors!

The folks at Northeast Passage offer this inspiring video.

Five individuals with disabilities conquer a primitive trail to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Galehead Hut in New Hampshire.

Wow! No excuses. Go Hiking!

Trek To Galehead (AMC Meeting Version) Pt.1

This project was created for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s annual meeting back in 2000 to tell the story about 20 hikers, five of which had physical disabilities who reached the first ADA compliant hut on the Appalachian Trail.

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