Day Hiker's Handbook : Get Started with the Experts

Preface 9(4) Introduction 13(4) Getting Started 17(26) Finding Hiking Partners 20(1) Being a Smart Consumer 20(2) Doing it Yourself 22(2) How Hard is Hard? 24(4) Keeping Your Engine Tuned 28(2) Hiking in Groups 30(1) Hiking Alone 30(3) Taking Baby Steps 33(3) Setting Reasonable Goals 36(2) Bagging Peaks 38(5) Gear 43(24) Hiking Boots 44(8) Socks--The Unsung Hero of Footwear 52(1) Foot Care 52(1) Customized Footbeds 53(1) Packs 53(8) What Else Should I Bring? 61(6) Clothing 67(14) Skin to Shell, Sunny to Soggy: Layering and Temperature/Moisture Management 68(4) Cool Stuff 72(4) What Should I Buy? 76(2) How Much Should I Spend? 78(3) Water and Food 81(12) Becoming a Heavy Drinker 82(2) Carrying Enough Water 84(1) Bottles and Hydration Systems 84(2) Don't Drink the Water? 86(2) Fueling Your Engine 88(3) Don't Feed the Animals! 91(2) Children on the Trail 93(10) General Tips for Hiking with Children 94(5) Nutrition and Hydration 99(1) Sun Protection 100(1) Kids vs. Bugs and Animals 100(3) Safety, Fun, and Trail Ethics 103(34) At the Trailhead 104(3) Trail Etiquette 107(1) Finding Your Way 108(18) Crossing Water 126(2) ``It's D-D-D-Dark Out!'' 128(2) Hiking in Winter 130(1) Keep Smiling 131(1) Watching Wildlife 132(1) Outdoor Photography Tips 133(4) When Nature Calls 137(8) Use the Facilities, Please 138(1) The Moment of Truth 138(5) A Word for Women 143(2) Weather 145(10) Weather Terminology 146(1) Checking the Forecast 147(2) Reading Between the Clouds 149(1) Thunder and Lightning 150(2) Turn Back or Go On? 152(3) Health and First Aid 155(10) First Aid 156(1) First-Aid Kits 156(1) Advice for Women 157(1) Things That'll Get Ya 157(6) Other Health and First-Aid References 163(2) Appendix A: Day-Hiking Resources 165(3) Appendix B: Recommended Reading 168(3) Index 171