By Allen Crabtree

When I sent my weekly hike report to all our hikers last week, I cancelled the group hikes of the Denmark Mountain Hikers for March and April but encouraged each of them to still keep hiking. I am hearing from several trail managers that I may have done too much of a good thing.  

Trails on four popular mountains in our area have been experiencing crowds of people hiking. People seem to taking my advice to keep hiking and ignoring my advice not to hike in groups and to hike only in solo or with one or two others you know.

Jon Evans from Loon Echo Land Trust reported that on Saturday last week the parking lot at the Pleasant Mountain Ledges Trail was jammed with 30 cars with large groups all hiking together ignoring the “keep your group small and stay six feet away from other hikers” advice. Peter Zack of the Healthy Sacopee Hikers reported seeing an overflowing parking lot at Mount Cutler in Hiram, 15 cars parked at the Limington Sawyer Mountain parking lot, and several families hiking the Jagolinzer Preserve. As good weather comes this spring and house-bound people are looking for a chance to get out, I am concerned that the crowding on trails is only going to get worse.

On top of that, there was an rescue effort mounted on Pleasant Mountain for an injured hiker a few days ago, and nearly 20 first responders turned out to help. On a rescue call, each first responder could be exposed to the virus as they are in close proximity to each other carrying an injured hikers out of the woods. When we hike, although accidents are not frequent, we still need to be aware that a call for rescue help will put many others at risk of infection.

Here are my words of advice for hikers in this time of corona virus pandemic:

• Don’t stop hiking – being in the great outdoors is good for each of us physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Hiking is not an excuse, however, for each of us tot follow these basic health rules when hiking in these times of pandemic.

• Limit your hikes to solo outings or at the most only one or two others that you know.

• Avoid crowds on the trails, trailheads, and on the way to the trailhead.  If the trailhead is full, that means the trails are going to be crowded.  Go to another trailhead and another trail — there are plenty to choose from in our area.

• Keep at least a 6-foot separation to other hikers. 

• Don’t touch things at the trailheads such as benches, signs and water fountains.

• Wash your hands before you leave and when you return. Avoid touching your face.

• Wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes. 

• If you are sick or showing any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home!

The U.S. Forest Service for the White Mountain National Forest  advises “While the forest is open, if you choose to go outside and use nature during your social distancing practices, we advise that you still  hold the same ground rules that you would for being in town. We want to keep everyone healthy and safe.” 

The AMC has closed all lodging and foodservice facilities and suspending all in-person staff and volunteer led programming through the end of April to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to minimize the risks to the most vulnerable among us. Due to the risks inherent with large gatherings, all AMC programs, trips, and activities will be canceled or postponed. The AMC has taken these actions out of an abundance of caution and with concern for the capacity of local healthcare facilities should the virus continue to spread.

Keep on hiking but be safe when you do so and use common sense. Your life and others you love may be at risk if you are dumb.