Hiking as a section of Outdoor Recreation. Noncompetitive outdoor activities, equipment, and practices. Sporting competitions and vehicle identities remain in their subject families.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
Which joints do trekking poles mainly protect on downhill hikes?
Poles move some load to the arms, which lowers pounding on knees during long descents.
What do painted blazes on trees along a hiking trail mark?
Blazes are spaced so hikers can spot the next mark from the last one and stay on the path.
What do stone cairns mark on a hiking trail?
Cairns guide hikers across bare rock where footpaths and painted marks wear away.
What do wide baskets stop trekking poles from doing in deep snow?
The discs spread weight like tiny snowshoes, so the tips stay near the surface instead of plunging.
Why should hikers avoid cutting across switchback corners?
Shortcut footprints kill plants that hold soil, so rain carves gullies that trail crews must later repair.
Where do drivers meet switchbacks on mountain roads?
Highway hairpins work like trail switchbacks: each tight turn sheds elevation while keeping the grade drivable.
What does an offset double blaze on the Appalachian Trail warn hikers of?
The top blaze is offset in the turning direction, telling hikers which way the path bends.
What do switchbacks do on a steep hiking trail?
The back-and-forth turns trade extra distance for a gentler grade, which tires legs less and curbs erosion.
What ancient purpose did large stone cairns often serve?
Many old cairns covered graves, protecting remains and marking the site for visitors.
What should hikers do when they find trail cairns on a route?
Knocking over route cairns can mislead later hikers into risky off-trail wandering.