Whether you have just started hiking or have more than 20 years of experience, it always seems like there are new guidelines and rules to learn about the pastime. Although the majority of these hiking guidelines and pieces of advice will be rooted in truth, it is crucial to recognize that not all of the information out there is factual. Nathaniel Whittle, a lifelong hiker, based in Texas, has spent many years researching different aspects of hiking and can recognize some of the most common hiking myths. Within this post, Nathaniel Whittle will review some of these myths in an effort to prevent fellow hikers from being led astray. You Don’t Need a Physical Map if You Have a Smartphone Today, it has become very popular for hikers to rely on their phones for hiking navigation. While this has become common practice, it is quite risky. Mobile phones are not the most reliable form of navigation, as they can run out of battery, overheat, or stop working due to rain. If hikers do not want to become stranded in the middle of the forest, it is always a good idea to bring a map of the area as well as a compass. Moss Only Grows on the North Side of Trees To this day, many hikers still firmly believe that you can rely on moss as an alternative to compasses. This misconception stems from the myth that moss only grows on the north side of trees and so can be relied on to navigate through the woods. Unfortunately, if you were to put this theory into practice, you would likely get lost. This is because moss grows almost anywhere that is dark and moist, including most sides of trees and rocks. Biggest Threat to Food While Hiking is Bears One of the first things thru-hikers and campers learn about carrying food in the American wilderness is the threat of bears. Grizzly and black bears have incredibly strong senses of smell and will do just about anything in pursuit of food. However, while it is always a good idea to take precautions against bears while carrying food, bears are not the biggest threat to most hikers’ food supply. In actuality, small mammals such as mice, squirrels, and raccoons are far more likely to break into hiking bags and steal large portions of food. via WordPress https://ift.tt/36zFuyX
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