Introduction to Hiking Benefits of Hiking Hiking Goals Hiking for Beginners Ten Essentials Hiking Etiquette Leave No Trace Principles Hiking Smart Documenting Your Hike Life Lessons from Hiking Never Too Late to Start Types of Hikes Solo Hiking Hiking with Partner(s) Children as Companions Pets as Companions Hiking Groups or Clubs Day Hiking Night Hiking Local and Urban Hiking Higher-Elevation Hiking Places to Hike Long-Distance Hiking Geocaching and Orienteering Scavenger Hunts for the Trail Volunteer Trail Work Preparation and Planning Pre-Season Pre-Hike Choosing a Trail Avoiding Times with Crowds and Bugs Assessing Trail Conditions Judging Distance and Time Choosing Clothing Choosing Footwear Caring for Footwear Layering Basics Choosing Gear Electronics Packing and Practicing Packing Eating and Drinking during the Hike Post-Hike Skills and Fitness Essential Skills Getting Feet Ready Staying Fit in the Off-Season Ascending and Descending Using Trekking Poles Pacing the Hike How to Train for Hiking Nordic Walking Exercises for Hiking Navigation Nature's Indicators for Navigation Navigation without a Compass Following a Trail's Blazes and Markers Navigation with GPS or Trail Apps Using a Topo Map Using a Compass Using an Altimeter Unmarked/Off-Trail Navigation Navigating Water Safety and Health Beginner Hiking Mistakes Trailhead Security When Not to Hike Avoiding Injury Taking Breaks Going to the Bathroom in the Woods Avoiding Insects Using Insecticides Hiking Alone If You Get Lost Emergency Shelter, Fire, Water, and Food Emergency Shelter Options Making a Fire When to Wait for Rescue and When to Hike Out Hiking in a Pandemic Wilderness First-Aid Basics First-Aid Kit First-Aid Instructions Weather and Wildlife Weather Basics Cold-Weather Hiking Hiking in Snow Hot-Weather Hiking Managing Sweat Hiking in the Rain Using the Rest Step Hiking in Difficult Terrain Wildlife Safety Tips Animal Encounters Plant Encounters Moving on to Backpacking Glossary of Terms Bibliography and Resources About the Author.