Video: Hiking Tips from a Veteran Outdoorsman
Questrom’s Hutch Hutcherson on what to pack and what to wear for your next autumn hike
Hiking Tips from a Veteran Outdoorsman
Hiking Tips from a Veteran Outdoorsman
Autumn in New England has a way of drawing people outdoors, and the brilliant foliage and brisk temperatures make it the perfect time to head out on a hike. If you’re new to hiking, you may be angsting about what to wear and what to take with you. With that in mind, we reached out to veteran outdoorsman Paul “Hutch” Hutchinson, a Questrom senior lecturer in management and organizations. In his guise as an outdoor educator, he’s been running trips all over the world for the last 25 years.
On a recent, beautiful fall afternoon, Hutchinson (GRS’15) met with our video team at the picturesque (and T accessible) 2,200-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation, just northwest of Boston, to offer tips on what to wear and pack for a day hike. (He recommends packing with the idea in mind that if you get lost or if inclement weather suddenly sets in, you could find yourself outdoors for up to 24 hours.)
“Be prepared for anything that can come along,” he advises. The good news, he says, is that you don’t need a lot of gear or expensive gear for a couple of hours of hiking. Hutch also recommends a few resources for those new to hiking. AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near Boston by Michael Tougias, John S. Burk, and Alison O’Leary is a must-read. It has some great local trails you can access without a car. Another great resource is the American Hiking Society’s 10 Essentials of Hiking list. And before you head out the door, be sure to visit Leave No Trace, a website that has tips for exploring the outdoors sustainably. Finally, Hutchinson says, before setting out on a hike, always tell a friend or a family member where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Want to find a great place to hike, but don’t have a car? Check out our list of nearby hiking trails accessible via T.
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