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HIKE YOUR TRAIL AND BUILD ON THE PLANNING ASSESSMENT

Wheat Field

WHY?

First-hand experience hiking your trail can give a well-rounded, practical understanding of the trail’s needs from both a user and environmental perspective. It will offer critical insights that can't be fully understood from maps, photos, or descriptions because it can:

  • Build a greater understanding of hiker needs.

  • Reveal trail infrastructure and maintenance issues.

  • Create an understanding of the overall journey and experience of the trail.

  • Highlight trail signage needs.

  • Verify the quality of the hiking resources.

  • Reveal safety and accessibility issues.

  • Highlight wildlife and environmental issues.​

Mountain Range

WHAT DOES PLANNING A HIKE TO CREATE AN ASSESSMENT REPORT INCLUDE?

Hiking your trail and adding to the planning assessment report can be custom tailored to your needs and goals.

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  • I will hike your trail after conducting the planning assessment report build on it to identify other opportunities for improving the material and the hiker's experience or:

  • I will develop the materials and train another hiker to conduce the hiking assessment for your trail (good candidates could be an engaged volunteer, board member, staff member, etc.).

  • The hiking assessment report will include things like:

    • Information on water sources.

    • Camping opportunities.

    • Accuracy of maps.

    • Accuracy of FarOut.

    • Highlight areas of confusion.

    • Reveal safety concerns (flooded rivers, long waterless stretches, animal encounters, snow, etc.).

  • I will develop relationships in the trail communities along the way.

  • I will give presentations about your trail along the way.

  • I will meet with agency staff and stakeholders along the way.

  • I will write a daily blog about my experience on the trail for my engaged audience.

  • I will write a blog for about my experience for your website/newsletter/community.

  • after the hike give presentations about my hike to your trail communities, in your state, at hiking events, etc. 

  • I will develop webinars/workshops/keynote presentations/moderate panels/create event engagement opportunities after my hike.

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* Note some aspects of this service could be delivered by a vetted group of talented contractors.

Don’t see something listed or are not sure what your needs are?

Book an office hour or a free 20-minute consult.

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By working with me, you are not only accessing 20+ years of long-distance trail hiking and professional experience but you will be connected to my network of long-distance hiking and outdoor industry professionals so I can find the right people or services for your needs.

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