Pisgah Hikers

GENERAL INFORMATION

Liability Disclaimer: Making use of this website or attending any Pisgah Hiker event constitutes agreement with the disclaimer notice and release of liability, which may be viewed by clicking here --> Liability Disclaimer.

Two assembly areas for hikes are noted in the schedules. Those marked KMart meet at the Brevard Kmart parking lot. Those marked BiLo meet along the curb line overlooking the Pizza Hut in the BiLo parking lot. (You can click on the links for location details).

Changes: Hikes may be changed without advance notice in the discretion of the leaders for any reason, including when weather, road conditions or gasoline shortages dictate. Those hikers who wish to meet en route or at the trailhead for the scheduled hike do so at the risk of missing the hike.

NO SMOKING PLEASE either at the assembly areas or during the hike.

No pets or unaccompanied children under 18 are permitted on the hikes.

Driver fees: Driver fees are shown for each hike. Pay your driver the fee shown for the hike.  Two fees are shown for each hike. The first is based on 44¢ per mile and will be used when the Brevard Ingles lowest gasoline price is less than $4.00 per gallon. The second is based on 48¢ per mile and will be in effect when $4.00 per gallon or greater.  [As updated 5/29/08]

Annual dues are $2.00 and will be collected during August and September. For new hikers, dues are payable when they take their second hike with us.

Essentials to bring on hike: Hiking Boots are a necessity. Each hiker is responsible for bringing adequate clothing for the weather and weather changes. Carry adequate drinking water. Bring food if you plan to eat lunch. A good sense of humor also helps.

Arrive at assembly area 15 minutes early: Don’t be a minute person! Don’t be left behind! You should show up no later than 15 minutes before the start times indicated in the schedules! After that, we depart for the hike as soon as the sign-up has been completed.

Additional Information from the Pisgah Hikers Guide:

General

Rates are adjusted periodically to compensate for gasoline prices. The formula used is as follows: (((Dist. x 2) x Rate) / 4 persons) = Fee per person.

Hikes are listed by area of origin with the first two digits in the I/O (In/Out) column. The need for a shuttle is indicated by the second two digits with the area of exit number. Friday (longer) hikes are in a separate category with a prefix F. Various suffixes to the hike number indicate other routings or variations from the same starting point. A title has been assigned to each hike so that some association can be made to the area of the hike. A brief description is also included to more clearly identify the titled hike.

Climb vs. Elevation Gain

Elevations in the following guide are expressed in two different forms. Those marked with a cl following the elevation number are for those trails that have been measured by a measuring wheel and an altimeter. These elevations are for accumulated climb for the hike, i.e. the total "ups" encountered in a hike, including the climb coming out on a round tripper. The distance for elevations so designated have been measured by a wheel and should be considered as accurate measurements. Elevations marked with an a before the elevation number are carried over from the previous Hiker's Guide and amount to an estimate of the difference between the highest and lowest elevations encountered over the length of the hike. The distances for these hikes are also figures carried over from the previous guide and may or may not have been measured by a wheel or by other means. Updating of climb and of distance is an on-going project.

Difficulty Ratings (The R Numbers)

We have attempted to provide a common scale for Monday, Wednesday and Friday hikes. This system should enable all hikers to schedule themselves to hikes that will match their individual physical capabilities. It should be noted that those hikes not designated with a cl in the elevation column, may be more difficult than the R number indicates as the total climb is not known for such hikes.

The ratings are calculated from the table below by adding the distance and climb ratings together to obtain the R number. If the distance for a hike is a half mile longer than a number, the next higher distance is used; i.e. a .4.5 mile hike becomes a 5 mile hike for a distance rating of 2. For elevation, the number closest to the actual climb is used to determine its climb rating. For known additional ups or downs within a hike where the actual climb has not been measured, the climb rating is adjusted to a higher number than that indicated. Also, the climb rating is increased by one or two points for those hikes having descents of 1000 feet or more.

Difficulty Rating Chart

A DOZEN HELPFUL TIPS FOR HIKE LEADERS

1. Be aware of Leader's Syndrome (See Definition below)

2. Remember, you are in charge, not the person who is trodding on your heels.

3. It is a good idea to know where you are going (pre-scouting helps for unfamiliar trails).

However, don't be afraid to ask someone. The rest of us would prefer this to your faking it.

4. Look Back Frequently, to be aware of the condition and location of your column. (There

should be only one continuous column, not a number of fragments.)

5. Govern your pace and the frequency and duration of rest stops to the group that you are leading.

6. You know (1) you are going too fast or (2) the time for a rest stop is overdue if:
     The only other person in sight is the one who is trodding on your heels. 
     There are a number of angry looking people back there who are screaming incoherently at you.

7. When making a rest stop, pull up to a level area so that none of your column is hanging on to the side of a cliff. You should stop long enough so that the rear of your column has an opportunity to rest.

8. When traversing obstructions that impede the pace of the hike (ditches, fallen logs, rock hopping, etc.) pull up a sufficient distance beyond the obstruction and wait for the rest of the column to clear before continuing.

9. If there is an agreed to break in the column, make sure that someone is stationed at any critical junction point(s) to guide the rear column onto the correct route.

10.  Appoint a sweep prior to the start of the hike. Make sure that you can see this person at each rest stop and on most of your look-backs.

11.  Get a count of the number of hikers before you start. You should have the same number at the end of the hike. (It is not true that you are allowed to lose up to 10% of your hikers).

12.  If any hiker must return to the cars for any reason prior to completion of the hike, be sure that another hiker (who is familiar with the trail) accompanies that person

Definition of Leader's syndrome:  A condition that often afflicts hike leaders, both new and experienced. It is said to be caused by a sudden rush of adrenaline after being placed at the head end of a column of hikers. This brings super-human strength and stamina to this person who then zips along, non-stop, at speeds that would bring out many complaints from this very same person when located somewhere back in the column with the rest of us.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE REST OF US

1.  At the head of the column we have the Hike Leader and at the rear of the column we have the Sweep. All of the rest of us belong somewhere in between at all times during the hike unless released by either the Leader or Sweep to briefly go forward or to briefly drop back.

2.  Don't trod on the leader's heels. If you find the pace intolerably slow, we suggest that you drop back a little and go with the next faster group the following week. (Note - you will probably hear some interesting stories towards the rear of the column).

3.  Whatever you pack in you must pack out. The local fauna isn't really interested in garbage that you leave behind.

4.  Whatever flora you admire, please leave it where it is for the next person to admire.

5.  If for any reason you cannot continue and want to return to the cars, pass word up to the leader and be sure that at least one other person who is familiar with the trail accompanies you.

6.  The universal distress signal is three loud sounds: whistle blasts, shouts, whatever.

7.  Those allergic to insect stings are responsible for bringing whatever medications that they might require.

8.  All hikers should be properly shod. Smooth soled footwear is not permitted.

9.  No smoking at any time while with the hiking club.

10.  HAVE BIG FUN!