LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 36 Bushwhacking. Any formal definition will include something along the lines of "not following an estab- lished trail" or "clearing a path through dense vege- tation". While the former is fairly spot on, the latter doesn't hold true for most bushwhackers. Many tend to head off trail for solitude, a sense of place in wild spac- es, and unspoiled wilderness. That last part wouldn't be possible if paths were being cleared. We've got plen- ty of lands in the Adirondacks where one can find wild- ness and solitude. Stepping off trail to travel in the Adirondack back- country can seem scary, daunting, and difficult at first. That's honestly because it is. However, it can be fun and rewarding given the right approach and preparation. Consider following these five key steps for success on your bushwhacking adventures. 1. The Fundamentals Before planning ahead and going on a trip, learning how to use a map and compass by taking a class is a great idea. Here in the ADK, the Adirondack Mountain Club offers workshops that'll get you acquainted with reading topographic maps, using a compass in tandem with them, and putting those skills to the test in real scenarios. In addition to these hard skills, becoming comfortable on marked trails, and even well-travelled herd paths often found in our mountains, is a great idea. Not often talked about, picking up some plant identification guides, and putting them to use, is useful in helping to avoid trampling fragile and rare vegeta- tion. It's an essential part of Leave No Trace principles. 2. The Gear You'll Need Bushwhacking not only requires you to carry all the es- sentials of a regular hike on a marked trail (like a map and compass), but also to bring along some specific items. This is not an exhaustive list! *Long pants and a long sleeve shirt *Eye protection *Trekking poles *Sturdy hiking boots *GPS (Garmin InReach is what I use) *Software that allows you to draw routes and export "gpx" files (I use CalTopo) The first four are a result of the terrain you encoun- ter hiking off the trail. You'll want your arms and legs covered to protect against scrapes from spruce trees and the ticks that you'll encounter more often than you would on a trail. Trail running shoes tend not to do well during bushwhacks, so having a sturdy pair of boots to start out, along with trekking poles, will help you on the generally uneven, sometimes muddy and rooty ter- rain. In tandem with a map and compass, the navigation gear and software are incredibly helpful off trail. The next step walks you through some ways you can use a few different navigational tools. 3. Choosing a Destination Like I said, stepping off the trail can be scary, and know- ing where to start can be as well. Choosing a route near a popular trailhead, a destination surrounded with nearby roads, or a combination of the two can be a safe start. Looking at paper maps can help you find trails and identify roadways, and used in tandem with Google Earth, you can even assess tree type. Recognizing the difference between deciduous tree cover (easier trav- el, typically lower elevations) and coniferous tree cov- er (harder travel, typically higher elevations) will make your first few bushwhacks more manageable. Looking for water crossings, and avoiding them, is important on your first bushwhacks, as well as factoring in slope an- gle and length of the trip. Researching regulations of the land you plan to recreate on is paramount. Popular hiking areas, like the Ausable Mountain Reserve in the Adirondacks, allow for travel on trails, but do not per- mit bushwhacking. 4. Creating a Route First and foremost, knowing how to use the paper map and compass you bring along is essential. Modern tech- nology, however, has afforded us the opportunity to make our travel a bit easier. Think of it as another tool in your toolbelt. Using an online mapping software like CalTopo helps with planning a bushwhack. Within Cal- 5 Steps for a Successful Bushwhack By Troy Tetrault

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