Hiking Trails and Emergency Supplies
Listen and Read
Listen to the recording on hiking tips and hiking safety, answer the questions, and read along with the audio recording.
Listening Quiz
Select the best answer for each question, then press Check Answers.
Use arrow keys to choose between options within each question.
1. The man recommends taking ____ if you are hiking through water.
2. The man often carries ____ to navigate himself on his hiking expeditions.
3. The man will ____ to signal for help in case of an emergency if his cell phone doesn’t work.
One of my favorite hobbies is backcountry hiking—through areas that people seldom visit. However, before I go hiking, I make sure to have all of the proper gear for the adventure. First of all, I wear proper clothing and hiking shoes for the current weather conditions. This might include taking water shoes if I have plans for hiking through streams and rivers or a reliable jacket to keep you warm.
Next, I let my family and friends know where I will be going and when I will return. Also, I carry a compass and GPS unit to navigate and locate my position. I carry a topographical map with me as well. In addition to these items, I take plenty of food and water, and I also pack a water filter to purify any water I find in streams or lakes. Finally, I always pack emergency supplies including a lighter, emergency blanket, a signaling device like a mirror, and cellphone. You never know when you will need these things.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- backcountry (noun/adjective): a wild, remote area far from roads, towns, and developed facilities; also used as an adjective to describe activities or trails in these areas
- (noun): He spent a week hiking through the backcountry, far away from any towns or roads.
- (adjective): She signed up for a backcountry hiking course before her first big trip.
- seldom (adverb): rarely, not very often
- This trail is seldom visited, so you may not see other hikers along the way.
- proper (adjective): correct and appropriate for a situation or purpose
- It is important to bring proper footwear when hiking on rough or uneven ground.
- gear (noun): the equipment and supplies needed for a specific activity, such as hiking or backpacking
- Before the trip, she checked all of her gear to make sure nothing was missing.
- reliable (adjective): dependable and consistent; something you can count on to work when you need it
- A reliable compass can be just as important as a GPS when you are in the backcountry.
- GPS (noun): Global Positioning System; a technology that uses satellites to show your exact location. In hiking and backpacking, people often carry a standalone GPS device (a dedicated handheld device, not a smartphone) because it works in remote areas with no cell signal.
- She brought a standalone GPS device on the trip because there was no cell signal in the mountains.
- navigate (verb):
- (1) to find your way from one place to another using a map, compass, GPS, or other tools
- It can be hard to navigate in the mountains without a good topographical map.
- (2) to move through or manage something, such as a website, app, or difficult situation
- It took me a few tries to learn how to navigate the hiking app on my phone.
- (1) to find your way from one place to another using a map, compass, GPS, or other tools
- topographical (adjective): relating to the physical features of the land, such as hills, valleys, rivers, and changes in elevation
- A topographical map shows you how steep the terrain is, not just the distance from one point to another.
- plenty of (expression): a large amount of something; more than enough
- Make sure you bring plenty of water on a long hike, especially in warm weather.
- purify (verb): to remove harmful substances from something to make it clean and safe; in hiking and backpacking, this usually refers to making water from a natural source safe to drink
- You should always purify water from streams or lakes before you drink it on the trail.
Discussion
What are some popular hiking areas in your hometown or surrounding areas that would be of interest to international visitors? In the case of Utah in the United States, the hike in this video is filled with adventure. Take a look and watch Randall Davis give you a tour of this beautiful area in Capitol Reef National Park. What kinds of people and age groups would enjoy this hike? Why? How can such hikes help people both physically, mentally, and emotionally?
Online Investigation
Some of your friends have decided to go backpacking and hiking for a week, but they haven’t decided on a location. They also need to decide on the gear they will need for the trip. Use the internet to locate a travel destination that will interest the entire group. Then determine what equipment you will need and find out the cost for these items.
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com and www.hikinginutah.com):
- A Hiking Family
- Utah Travel Ad: Listening Conversation
- Hiking Arches National Park: Listening Conversation
- Outdoor Recreation: Vocabulary Building
- Hiking in Utah: Hiking Trails in Utah