Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: San Francisco Bay Area. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

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Comfortable clothing will provide protection from sun, wind, cold, rain, poison oak, and ticks. Synthetic fabrics have the advantage over cotton because they wick moisture away from the skin and dry quickly when wet. Adjust easily to changing conditions by adding or removing an insulating layer. Hats, gloves, and insulating headbands are useful accessories. Carry a lightweight, waterproof/breathable jacket, and you’ll be able to brave both rain and wind.

Other items to take along include plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, map and compass, flashlight, knife, and basic first-aid supplies. Many hikers use a walking stick or trekking pole for stability and comfort. Binoculars, a hand-lens for plant study, and a pad and pencil are also useful. Try leaving your heavy field guides at home and instead make notes and sketches of birds or flowers you wish to identify. Please do not collect plant or flower specimens.

Special Hazards

Outdoor travel in the Bay Area is relatively safe. Most of the trails covered by this book are well signed and easy to follow. Still, getting lost is possible, either by taking a wrong turn, venturing off the trail, or becoming disoriented. If you do lose your way, don’t panic. Retrace your steps to a known point, use landmarks to get oriented, and refer to a map and compass if you have them. Altimeters are very useful if you have a map with elevation lines. A GPS (Global Positioning System) device may also be useful, but only if you have programmed the route in advance. Also, GPS devices vary in their ability to record an accurate position if the view skyward is obstructed.