January 2022: A Note From Diane

So to help you get out there, this month I'll share a few articles I wrote to help you take a big(ger) step toward whatever you'd like to see happen as a hiker in 2022.

Plus introduce you to an ambitious female hiker, a safety rule you need to know, a new trail coming soon (sort of), and more.

Happy New Hiking Year, and away we go...

GETTING READY

Here are my tips on how to think about the best backpacking tent and sleep system for your plans.

Backpacking Tent Types

How To Put Together A Sleep System

Here’s a topic I get a lot of questions about: trail etiquette, including COVID19 tips for hikers. Check out my take on this important topic to keep your trail encounters from feeling awkward:

Trail Etiquette For Hikers

To get inspired to set and work toward some hiking goals this year, read these 4 stories of hikers who did just that in 2021.

While I didn't write the article, I enjoyed it and hope you will as well.

Maybe it's just the spark you need to plan an adventure!

Tale Of 4 Hikers Who Got It Done in 2021

I chime in with my suggestions for hiking goals here:

How To Set And Achieve Your Hiking Goals

NEW TRAIL COMING SOON-ISH

The Connected Communities Project, a partnership between the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS), the U.S. Forest Service, and other community partners, has begun work to create a 600-mile network of multiuse trails that will "one day" connect 15 northern California mountain towns to Reno, Nevada.

Named the Lost Sierra Route, hikers will have to share the trail with other outdoor enthusiasts: mountain bikers, motorcycle riders, equestrians, trail runners, hunters, and fisher(wo)men.

The entire route will be ready for you by 2030. Talk about planning ahead!!

Sierra Trails Explains The Lost Sierra Route

News Report On New Sierra Route

BORROW A FOURTH GRADER!

4th graders and family get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year.

Get your pass here: Every Kid Outdoors Info 2022

A few rules to note about this pass:

The pass is for U.S. fourth-grade (or home-school equivalent) students. The pass is valid for the 2021 to 2022 school year and expires August 31, 2022.

It admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for free.

HFH GIVEAWAY

Time is running out, so get it done by January 31st, 2022. (Yes, that counts as a hiking goal.)

Wait, what book?

Nancy East's new book about her record breaking Fastest Known Time adventure in the Great Smokies National Park: the 900 Miler.

Read my review here:

Chasing The Smokies Moon Book Review

Sign up for the giveaway, which ends January 31, 2021, here:

Hiking For Her Giveaway Details

DO YOU KNOW THE THUMB TRICK?

You don’t want to star in one of those Yellowstone/bison videos, right?

This 45 second YT video from LeaveNoTrace explains how to keep yourself safe in the presence of large animals:

LNT Thumb Rule YT Video

MEET AN AMBITIOUS HIKER

So why not plan a 5,057 mile journey? The American Discovery Trail in a little more than a year, for example.

Big.Hiking.Goal.Times.A.Million!

She began her journey from the coast in Cape Henlopen, Delaware and plans to hike through Maryland, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California before she dips her (maybe sore) toes in the Pacific Ocean.

Briana DeSanctis's Ambitious Hike

Curious about this trail through so many states? More details here: Discovery Trail

Welcome 2022

I wish you strong legs, time for exploration, and maybe a new piece of hiking gear (or two).

I love hearing from you, all you have to do is hit Reply. Let me know your reactions to what you've read in the newsletter, or suggestions for new topics I should cover, or whatever is funny, inspiring or informative that you'd like to share.

Thanks for reading to the end! You, my dear, are a rock star in my book (which is high praise indeed from a veteran of rocky hiking trails).

Happy New Year Trails,

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

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