Hiking for Beginners

An MBA graduate from Boston College Carroll Graduate School of Management, finance professional R. Scott Bushley has more than two decades of finance experience. Scott Bushley’s free time pursuits include travel and hiking. Here are some fundamentals for beginning hikers.

To begin, avoid hiking with experienced hikers; you may not be able to keep up. Choose short treks with other beginners instead. It is advisable to start with a trail shorter than what you would walk on paved ground. After that, you can get a map of your chosen trail to acquaint yourself with its surroundings.

Pack light, especially essentials such as water, a first-aid kit, and appropriate clothing and footwear. What you wear will depend on the path you are hiking. It is also advisable to check the weather prediction a few hours or even minutes before your trek. This information can also assist you in selecting the appropriate attire and items to bring on your trip.

If you have never hiked before, embarking on a solo hike might be daunting, lonely, and even dangerous. Having hiking friends makes the experience considerably more adventurous, and they can also assist in an emergency. Also, keep your family or friends informed about your whereabouts regularly.

Common Hiking Hazards and How to Mitigate Them

A partner and COO at Granite Point Capital, Scott Bushley has more than 25 years of experience in the business operations and investment management industry. However, Scott Bushley always makes time for active hobbies, and he enjoys hiking.

Hiking involves going into an unfamiliar, generally harsh territory, and different kinds of accidents are likely to occur to a hiker, especially when hiking alone. The risks in hiking include extreme weather, wild animals on rarely used trails, feet injuries, and water poisoning.

Planning the hike before going on the trip is the best way for hikers to avoid accidents like water poisoning as much as possible. A hiker needs to understand the trail’s difficulty to know how much supplies to bring. They should be aware of camping and transport conditions in the event of a long hike. These factors will help the hiker calculate how much water they need on a trip and prevent them from seeking alternatives to clean water which may deliver bacteria to the system.

Hiking primarily involves moving the feet, and feet injuries are common hazards during the activity. It is necessary to buy hiking boots that are comfortable and suited for the hiking terrain to reduce the risk of injury. The hiker should also periodically take breaks while on the trail to prevent exhaustion and rest the feet.

To prepare for the risks of extreme weather conditions and wildlife visits, hikers should familiarize themselves with the wildlife in the area and other national laws surrounding hiking to know the spots suitable for camp.

Important Tips for Solo Hiking

An experienced senior executive, R. Scott Bushley, holds an MBA from the Boston College Carroll Graduate School of Management. He now serves as a partner with Granite Point Capital in Boston. In his free time, Scott Bushley enjoys biking and hiking.

It’s natural to be apprehensive when hiking alone. Even if you have friends to go hiking with, learning the essentials of hiking, such as what to wear and what to carry on a hike, can be tedious for some. On the other hand, the advantages of hiking outweigh these initial difficulties.

Before heading out, it is best to take precautions, such as checking the weather forecast for the day and telling a friend or family member about your hiking plans.

Check into a ranger station and inform them you’ll be hiking alone for the day. Give them information about how long you’ll be hiking, plus your full name, and tell them you’ll check out on your way back. This will make finding out if you’re missing or not easier and ensure a quick search for you. It’ll go a long way toward saving you quickly in times of distress (when you’re hurt or lost). Rangers can also give you tips on areas that have been affected by rain or snow that you should avoid on your trail.

Remember to pack a map and compass; they will go a long way. Be sure to pack a map and a compass even when you’re confident about your knowledge of the trail you’re following. Your map should include an emergency exit route, water locations, and campsites. Maps and compasses will help you navigate unfamiliar terrain, especially during bad weather.

Finally, when hiking a trail for the first time, remember to research the local wildlife and prepare accordingly. If hiking in an area known to house bears, carry bear spray along with you and make lots of noise, so animals know to stay clear.

Three Trails Near Boston

R. Scott Bushley is an executive who has served as partner at the Boston-based hedge fund Granite Point Capital since 2018. Outside of work, Scott Bushley enjoys hiking, skiing, and biking.

While many Boston residents enjoy wandering the city’s meandering streets, those who like enjoy hiking in nature have plenty of options. Here are some of the trails near or in the city.

1. Emerald Necklace. Designed by Central Park’s Frederick Law Olmstead, Emerald Necklace connects six different parks across 1,000 acres from Boston Common to Franklin Park. The entire expanse is seven miles long, making it a good destination for people looking for a long, diverse walk.

2. Battle Road Trail. Found in Lincoln, Massachusetts, this five-mile trail is perfect for history buffs, as it is rich in American Revolution lore. While the trail is open year-round, there’s a visitor center open from April through October for extra context.

3. World’s End. Located 15 miles outside of Boston, World’s End offers 4.5 miles of moderate trails and carriage paths that afford views of the Boston skyline, as well as access to saltwater marshes, meadows, and woodlands that are home to many plants and birds.