1- Tell Someone!

     Tell Someone Where You’re Going and When To Expect You Back!

     Make sure this is in some sort of written form, a text, a note, a voicemail or a post online are some ways you can effectively document where you will be, with who and when you will check in.

2- Know the SIGNS!

     Tread - compacted and worn down dirt where everyone steps

     Tree Cuts - either on the ground or limbs to make room on the trail

     Cairns - stacked rocks from big on bottom to small on top OR a pile of rocks

     Blaze - a long cut in a tree trunck with a shorter cut on top

 

3- Be Prepared  

     Plan Ahead 

    I make sure to have a map, compass, GPS, first aid kit, matches, headlamp, tissues, sunscreen, extra socks, string or rope, chapstick, hat, sunglasses and a knife.  Try to use an appropriate size backpack and if it’s smaller, have a system to attach bulky jackets and objects to the outside.

 

4- Footwear

     What works best

     All footwear choices come with trade offs. So there’s not one perfect shoe for all hiking, versatility is key and it’s not unheard of to pack two styles of footwear and switch up as necessary.

5- Courtesy

     Patience

     If you have a choice, please refrain from using dirt roads and trails when they are wet and muddy.  The ruts made on one day when you couldn't resist will last all summer, making the road bumpy and unpleasant for everyone.

 

6- Be the HERO bring light!

     Don't get left in the DARK

     Always have a headlamp and spare batteries in your pack. Being prepared starts with decisions you make back at home and since modern headlamps and LED flashlights are so small, there's no reason not to just keep one in your pack all the time. 

 

7- Help out!

     Spread some LOVE

     If you use the trails a lot and want them to be in even better condition, we could really use a hand.  At a minimum, you could kick a few rocks off the tread, move some dead branches or fill up a sack with litter.  You may consider signing up as a volunteer at the Forest Service office (575 S. Main, Beaver) and go out with the trails crew, helping move deadfall and raking smooth the tread.  By protecting, understanding, and caring for these Tushar Mountains you will enjoy them even more!  Spread some love Into The Tushars!  

 

8- Pack a rain jacket

     Always, be ready

    Pack a rainjacket, ALWAYS! and do your best to stay dry as long as possible.  If getting soaked is imminent head back to the car to avoid hypothermia.  Afternoon thunderstorms boil up almost daily in July and August and you should use good judgement to minimize risk of lightning injuries.  Best choice for protection is to get indoors or inside a vehicle, but if that’s miles away, don’t be the highest object in an area, like in an open clearing or on exposed ridgelines/summits.  Don’t seek shelter under tall trees either.  Only 5% of lightning fatalities are direct strikes, where most deaths are from ground current or horizontal “splashing” of voltage.  The safest position is to crouch down in a ball with feet close together to lessen the voltage that could pass through you if lightning strikes within 50 M of you.

 

9- Hike to your ability

     Push yourself, but know your limits

    This entire hike is between 10,000 and 11,000 and the elevation will affect you!  Drinking plenty of water, snacking frequently, and going easy are some ways to combat high altitude sickness.  If you plan to backpack or camp at these elevations, I strongly recommend conditioning and training at high altitude well in advance so you don’t suffer or get sick on your adventure.  Thin atmosphere will allow the sun to burn you quicker.  Wear sunblock!  Be prepared, be safe, and go get way high up, “Into the Tushars”.