Mount Washington was first climbed in 1642, but there was little activity there until the middle of the 19th century when it was developed as one of the first intentional tourist destinations in the country with the construction of the Tip Top Hotel, which is still standing and recently renovated, and an auto road and the Mount Washington Cog Railway (1869) to the top.

Mount Washington literally has some of the worst weather in the world, as it holds the wind speed record at 231 mph (372 kph), recorded in 1934 and regular winter temperatures of 47 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (44 below Celsius). Buildings there are designed to withstand 300 mph (482 kph) winds. Many are chained directly to the mountain. In addition to a number of broadcast towers, the mountain is the site of a non-profit scientific observatory reporting the weather as well as other aspects of the sub-arctic climate of the mountain.

The mountain is a popular hiking and recreational area, including Tuckerman Ravine, famous for its Fourth of July skiing and its 45-degree slopes, and notorious for its avalanches. It is the only mountain east of the Mississippi that has avalanches. About 100 are recorded every year and since 1849 more than 130 people have died in slides.

Numerous hikers have been lost on the mountain due to the difficulty of judging the weather on the mountain from down below. Hikers on the Appalachian trail visit the summit while on their way to and from Mt. Katahdin

External Links

• Mount Washington web page
• Mount Washington weather station
• Mount Washington cog railway, the only railway in the world built entirely on trestles, 3.1 miles (5.2 km).

Table of contents 1 If a natural water source is available
2 If a natural water source is not available
2.1 The evaporation still
2.2 The vegetation still

If a natural water source is available

• Water may be boiled over a campfire or portable stove. At high altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, so the boil must be maintained for several minutes to kill the microorganisms.
• Water may be filtered with a portable water purification device. Water purifiers differ widely, so if you own one, familiarize yourself with the instruction manual. If the water is visibly dirty, pour it through a cloth to remove large particles and avoid prematurely clogging the purifier.
• Certain chemicals, such as dilute chlorine solution, are commercially sold as antimicrobial additives. Some leave an unpleasant flavor that may be masked with powdered drink mix.

Probably the best way to get water from the ground is the evaporation still, shown in cross-section in the diagram at right. To build an evaporation still, you need only four items: a shovel, a sturdy sheet of transparent plastic, a cup, and a piece of flexible plastic tubing long enough to reach from the middle of the plastic sheet to the side with some excess length.

Begin by digging a hole with sloping sides in the shape of the sheet of plastic, but slightly smaller. Avoid digging in hot weather, as you will lose considerable amounts of water through sweat. Sink the cup in the middle of the hole so that the rim is almost flush with the sides of the hole. Place one end of the tube in the cup, run the other end to the outside of the hole, and place the sheet of plastic over the whole assembly. Weigh down the sides of the plastic sheet, or anchor them with stakes, and place a small weight directly over the cup.

The evaporation still will produce water continuously. The plastic sheet will create a greenhouse effect in the still, accelerating the natural evaporation of water from the soil. When the water vapor hits the plastic sheet, it will condense and drip down into the cup. The tubing may be used to drink from the cup without disturbing the still. For added effectiveness, use a second cup to pour any available fluids, such as urine, into the pit.

The vegetation still

The water in the bag will pick up chemicals from the leaves. These will give it a strong leafy flavor, and may include toxins, so make sure not to gather any poisonous plants.

Table of contents 1 Nomenclature
2 Advantages of hiking
3 Hiking code
4 Hiking safety issues and unforeseen circumstances
4.1 The importance of the mind
4.2 Hiking in groups
5 How to hike
6 See also

Nomenclature

Advantages of hiking

Hiking code

• Many hikers adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace, which require that everything brought on a hike, biodegradable or otherwise, be carried back out to leave the area pristine.
• It is also important to adhere to safety principles, discussed below
• Unless on formal hiking trails, hikers must always be careful not to trespass on private land

Another simple safety precaution is to give the itinerary and expected time of return to someone not on the hike. If the hiking party fails to return reasonably close to the projected time, this person will notify authorities and search parties will be summoned.

Cellular or satellite phones can be a valuable aid. While a call to authorities may not bring rescue helicopters, a phone can be used to get up-to-date weather forecasts, and first-aid instructions. Additionally, it allows closer communication between the hikers and friends at home with regard to search parties, pickup, and other issues that may arise.

Extra clothing can be critically important, in cases such as unexpectedly low temperatures, or falling into bodies of water (wet clothes cause hypothermia).

The importance of the mind

An equal danger is misplaced priorities. Hikers who consider reaching the destination to be of the greatest importance risk placing themselves needlessly in hazardous situations. Successful mountaineers take safety to be the first priority, enjoyment to be the second, and the summit to be third.

Hiking in groups

Within a large group of hikers, there will usually be disparities in pace. In addition to making the hike less enjoyable, these disparities may create hazardous situations. A large party will often split into a "fast group" and a "slow group". If one of the two groups takes a wrong turn, it might be difficult for them to be reunited.

If the party does not split, some members may hike at a faster pace than they should, which will increase their risk of injury. For these reasons, it may be safest to hike in a group of people with similar paces. However, considerations of pace should not deprive the group of a skilled hiker who would be of use in any survival situations that might arise.

How to hike

• When hiking in a group, always keep your distance from the person in front of you: at least 20 feet (7 meters), but never so much distance that you can't see the other person. If you follow too closely, you will be able to see little other than the other hiker's back. If you keep a good distance, you will be able to see the scenery and spot any hazardous objects in the trail (i.e. holes, tree roots, large rockss, poisonous plants). This rule may be difficult to follow under some circumstances, but it is very important to an enjoyable hike.
• Keep an appropriate pace. An excessively slow pace will limit the distance you can walk, but an excessively fast pace also has disadvantages. You will become fatigued quickly, increase your risk of injury, and be forced to think primarily about maintaining your speed, rather than about the scenery. Over flat ground or on a moderate downhill, a reasonably fast hiker may travel at almost 4 mi/h (6 km/h) unladen, or 3 mi/h (5 km/h) with a full backpack, though many prefer somewhat lower speeds to enjoy the scenery. A steep uphill will slow that pace by about half. A moderate downhill will also slow the pace, particularly for people of middle age and older, and others with reduced agility.
• Avoid dehydration. On short hikes in good weather, this is not an issue. On moderate-length hikes, it may be possible to fulfill your water needs by drinking plenty of water before setting out. On long hikes, especially those in hot weather or low humidity, it will be necessary to carry an extra supply of water.
• When hiking in a group, place the slowest hiker in the lead. This will prevent the faster hikers from leaving the slow hiker behind, thus making sure that the group stays together. It is easier and safer for the faster hikers to adjust to the slow hiker's pace than vice versa.