Questrom’s Hutch Hutcherson on what to pack and wear for your next fall hike
Fall in New England has a way of drawing people outdoors, and the brilliant foliage and cool temperatures make it the perfect time to head out on a hike. If you are new to hiking, you may be concerned about what to wear and what to take with you. With that in mind, we reached out to veteran outdoorsman Paul “Hutch” Hutchinson, senior professor of management and organizations at Questrom. Under his guise as an outdoor educator, he has traveled the world for the past 25 years.
On a beautiful recent fall afternoon, Hutchinson (GRS’15) met with our video team at the scenic (and accessible) 2,200-acre Middlesex Fells Preserve, just northwest of Boston, to offer advice on what to wear and pack for a day hike (He recommends packing with the idea that if you get lost or the weather suddenly strikes, you could find yourself outdoors for up to 24 hours.)
“Be prepared for anything that might come up,” he advises. The good news, she says, is that you don’t need a lot of gear or expensive gear for a couple of hours of hiking. Hutch also recommends some 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 great local trails that 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 check out Leave No Trace, a website that has tips for exploring the great outdoors sustainably. Finally, Hutchinson says, before you head out on a hike, always tell a friend or family member where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Want to find a great place to walk, but don’t have a car? Check out our list of nearby hiking trails accessible via T.
Explore related topics:
Source: news.google.com