Hiking off trail can be rewarding. But it’s a good idea to do it with as much safety knowledge and safety practice as possible.

Talus or Scree – Which is it?

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Talus and scree are two geological features that informed hikers need to be well acquainted with. A search of dictionaries will reveal that these two geological terms are often considered synonymous. Each of these terms refers to loose rocks at the base of cliffs or steep mountain slopes. But, in layman’s terms, talus generally refers to larger stones and scree to smaller, looser stones. I’ll try to be a little more precise a bit further down concerning the difference. In any case, talus and scree can both be considered steeply-sloped piles of loose and potentially unstable rocks.

Geological Development of Talus and Scree Slopes

Over time, elements, including ice, sun, snow and gravity, do their work of fracturing and loosening the rocks of a cliff or steep mountain slope. The fractured materials fall, tumble or slide and become part of a talus or scree slope.

Hiking on Scree

A scree slope may be considered to be at its angle of repose. This is the theoretical angle where the forces that promote cohesion and stability in the mass of loose rocks are in perfect balance with the force of gravity that tends to pull the mass downward. The purpose of describing these forces is to direct your attention to a danger of instability. Such instability in the rocks can easily lead to a landslide or rockslide. So, be very careful hiking in scree. If your path takes you through a scree slope, move forward at a relatively flat angle. Switch back and forth repeatedly to ascend or descend. Watch out for other hikers in your “rock shadow”, the area below where your steps may send rocks sliding or tumbling down.

Do you like downhill skiing? Some people enjoy “screeing”? You guessed it – sliding down scree. If you’re tempted to engage in this esoteric sport, think twice. You could start a rock slide. Remember the “angle of repose” we talked about above? A scree slope, made up of stones from approximately the size of a grape to the size of a football, is by nature very unstable and always on the verge of sliding.

You may encounter trails built on scree. They’re not all that uncommon. If you’re hiking on one, be careful to keep your feet on the well-packed and groomed trail. A misstep could send rocks tumbling down – and possibly you with them. This can be especially dangerous for hikers who may be below you on another switchback. If you do happen to set a stone tumbling down, cry “rock!” really loud. If you hear someone above you cry “rock!”, crouch and protect your head. Never make such a yell as a joke.

A Balancing Act

Talus, scree’s bigger cousin, can be considered rocks ranging in size between that of a football and a car. Anything larger can be referred to as a boulder. Now, someone, or anyone could disagree with these definitions. But, remember that they are kind of squishy as far as the size goes. The size boundaries between scree and talus and between talus and boulders is blurred. There’s no way of being more precise. Trying to give more precise definitions wouldn’t be helpful.

Walking or hopping on talus or boulders is a balancing act that may prove very exhilarating. Hopping from rock to rock can be fun. But watch out. Breaking a leg in such an environment could engender a risky rescue operation and ruin your whole day. Don’t try boulder hopping without boots with good sole grip and ankle support. Another bit of good advice is to forget about engaging in boulder hopping if your boots are wet of the boulders are wet or icy.

Make it your determination to hike safely, especially off-trail. ~Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada.

There’s great hiking and backpacking in these Sierra Nevadas.

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Linville Gorge, “the Grand Canyon of North Carolina”, has many beautiful hiking trails. I’ve gathered some blog posts that serve as a Linville Gorge trail mini-guide.

Linville Gorge Trail Reports

Jonas Ridge and Shortoff Trails, Linville Gorge Wilderness …

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated the Linville Gorge Wilderness land in North Carolina to the National Park Service with the stipulation that the tract be protected in its natural state. Wonderful news for future generations, …

Publish Date: 03/31/2011 21:40

http://internetbrothers.org/2011/04/01/jonas-ridge-and-shortoff-trails-linville-gorge-wilderness/

Trails and Jubilation: Linville Gorge Madness Marathon Report!

After refilling the bottles and loading up on food, everyone began the steep descent down the beautiful Pinchin Trail. By the time we made it to the Linville Gorge Trail we were still pretty much all together and began what everyone …

Publish Date: 04/03/2011 15:30

http://trailsandjubilation.blogspot.com/2011/04/linville-gorge-madness-marathon-report.html

A Linville Gorge (Mis)Adventure

Because, five hours later and I sill haven’t found the Cambric Branch Trail. I have continued working my way uphill and northish and there is nothing. Just woods. Thick woods. Thick overgrown woods. Linville Gorge is a wild and rugged …

Publish Date: 04/11/2011 0:36

http://wacphotography.com/blog/2011/04/a-linville-gorge-misadventure/

Meanderthals | Jonas Ridge and Shortoff Trails, Linville Gorge …

It’s nearly a 2 1/2 hour drive from our homes to the Linville Gorge, so we got a very early start on this day. We arrived at the Sitting Bear Mountain trailhead at about 8:30AM. The trail to the summit is not long, it’s only about a …

Publish Date: 03/31/2011 21:40

http://internetbrothers.org/2011/04/01/jonas-ridge-and-shortoff-trails-linville-gorge-wilderness/

I’m willing to bet that this Linville Gorge trail guide has whetted your appetite for a hike or backpacking trip in North Carolina. ~Richard Davidian

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This blog post is about DEET bug repellent.

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Insects are a bother. As hikers and backpackers, we can undoubtedly all tell about unpleasant encounters with bothersome insects.

Insects are not only a bother but a pain – or an itch.

Insects are not merely a pain, but can be downright dangerous. Some have the ability to transmit diseases that are a major threat to our health.

It follows, therefore, that doing what we can to repel bugs is important while we are hiking or backpacking.

One of the best ways to send bugs packing is to apply an insect repellent to one’s skin. And,

insect repellents with DEET are the best of the best. DEET has been faithfully doing its job for decades. It has repeatedly passed tests for toxicity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider this chemical to be safe and recommend its use.

A mosquito repellent with DEET is long-lasting, maintaining its effectiveness for up to 14 hours, and works against most insects. There are a few flies, however, that don’t seem to be bothered by it. So, for this short list of insects, a different repellent like Picaridin or IR 3535 is recommended. To get a double-barreled effect, look for an insect repellent that contains both DEET and another ingredient that is effective against flies.

So, for your next hike or backpacking trip consider taking along some DEET bug repellent and give them pesky critters the brush off. ~Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! ~John Muir

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Child Carrier

If you have an infant or toddler and you like to hike, hiking with you child calls for a child carrier. Here are instructions on how to fit the carrier comfortably to you and to your child.

FITTING THE CHILD CARRIER TO YOU

1. Load your child carrier with books for weight. Leave the child out.

2. Put on your carrier as you would a backpack.

3. Adjust the suspension system so the hipbelt is resting on your hip bones (not on your waist) and the shoulder straps are resting evenly on both shoulders.

4. Tighten the hip belt to get about 80% of the carrier’s weight onto your hips.

5. Adjust the shoulder straps so the remaining 20% of the weight is carried by your shoulders.

6. Adjust the sternum strap comfortably across your chest. You should be able to breathe with no difficulty.

FITTING THE CHILD CARRIER TO YOUR CHILD

Here’s how to fit the carrier for your child’s comfort.

1. Fully extend the kickstand.

2. Loosen all child straps.

3. Adjust the child seat’s height.

4. Put your child gently into the carrier, fitting his or her legs through the leg openings.

5. Buckle and adjust all leg straps, shoulder straps and any other restraint straps so your child is safe and comfortable.

Have a great time hiking together. Check on your child’s welfare  and comfort periodically.

Do you have a child carrier for hiking that you recommend?  Bring us in the loop, in the comments section below.

by Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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The only fourteener (peak at or above 14,000 feet in elevation) on private land, Culebra Peak rises to 14,047 feet in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Caution, access is restricted and there is a fee for climbing the peak.

Smoke & Fog: East of San Luis, Colorado (CO)

A mixture of woodsmoke and icy fog hovers over a pasture east of San Luis. Culebra Peak towers in the background.

Author:Floyd Muad’Dib

Richard Davidian

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