Gullywhumping equipment
Having become totally addicted
to waterfall hiking we realized we had best
do it safely and respectfully.
We never go without the
essential items listed below.
On many occasions we have
wished for an item from the non-essential
list making a mental note to consider including
it on the next hike.
Essential items for gully hiking in any
weather in upstate New York:
- Non-slip footgear, preferably something
that will also keep your feet dry in the
colder seasons. Except for the warm
summer days we wear hiking boots inside
knee high rubber boots. We've worn old sneakers,
boating shoes, old hiking boots or felt-bottomed
reefers in the summer months.
- Instep four point crampons to prevent
slipping on the rocks and to provide
traction on the steeper areas. We purchased
ours at the local outdoor equipment store.
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- Wool socks… they stay warm even when
wet.
- Hiking poles, adjustable steel tipped
poles are best but old ski poles or sticks
will do the job.
- Camera and small tripod so you can slow
down the shutter speed and get the cottony
effect of the water movement. We like to
use our wide angle lens in some of the narrow
spots.
- Plastic bag for trash found along the
stream. We each hang a plastic bag from
the outside of our day pack. (We also use
plastic bags over our hiking boots so that
they slide in and out of the rubber boots
more easily.Our mothers taught us this trick
many years ago when we struggled to put
on our winter snow boots.)
- Water bottle-one quart per person; more
if hike is more than 2 hours
- First-aid kit. Ours includes antihistimine
pills and insect bite wipes.
- Space blanket or survival suit, essential
in winter but a good idea in any season
when hypothermia is a danger for an injured
hiker.
- Back pack or waist pack for camera, water,
food, and extra clothing
- Map (leave this in the car unless it’s
a good topographical map in a watertight
envelope)
- Short 20 foot rope
- Oranges and health bars
- Insect repellent
- Good friends
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