Hiking
Description
Hiking is typically an easily accessible activity that enhances fitness and can help reduce stress.
Aspects to consider for a hiking unit:
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•Planning & Preparing for a trip
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-Where are you going? Amount of time? Fitness Levels?
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-Selecting the correct gear including, backpacks, water bottles, clothing (layers/fabrics), hiking boots (blister prevention/treatment)
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•Route Finding
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-Getting “unlost”
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-Using a GPS
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•Extreme Environments
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-High country hiking
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-Winter/Desert Hiking (not for this unit)
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•Trail Skills
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-Using hiking sticks
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-Crossing creeks and streams
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-Preserving ecology of trails
Safety
Recommended that AT LEAST 2 adults have first aid, including mouth-to-mouth breathing, CPR, bandaging and splinting.
Survival equipment should be brought on every trip and students should know how to use it:
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•Maps
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•Compass
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•Waterproof matches
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•Knife
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•Non-perishable food
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•Flashlight
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•First aid supplies
** Hiking in the Greater Victoria area presents many options for different levels of difficulty. Teachers may take students along trails or up mountains; they may want to focus on endurance through long, less difficult terrain or shorter, more difficult terrain. Hiking up/around areas such as Mt. Tolmie and Thetis Lake are more beginner type hikes. Mt. Finlayson presents possibilities for a more advanced hike.
