Hikology

The syllabus for the Switzerland school of hiking:

Hiking 101: we had already taken this class

- Plan your trip using a local map (we can read one now)

- Ask for tips on places to go

- Take note of other people's thoughts on the weather

- Plan backup options in case the weather gets bad

- Plan for good, hot soup and cold beer for when the trail is over

- Pack a great jacket just in case 

- Remember to pick something up to leave in the lockbox on top of the mountain (Jared's choice was eyeliner that he claims he "found")

- Heard cows and sheep off your path using clapping and loud noises

Hiking 201: we skipped this class 

- Wake up early enough to miss weather 

- When you don't wake up early, don't bite off too much trail

- Goats do not herd as easily as other livestock - they attack 

- When the third person you pass reminds you to get off the mountain before the rain starts, consider it good advice

- When the fifth person gives you good advice, follow it

- Always remember the name of the backup option in case the weather gets bad 

- Ravines you crossed when the weather was good fill up when the weather gets bad

Hiking 301: we had to take this class because we skipped 201

- Nearby wood makes a great bridge 

- Ideal climbing approach in bad weather uses all four limbs

- Water in your shoes can feel warm after your feet go numb

- Hand driers and room heaters at tourist joints along the way can dry clothes too

- Dumpling soup warms the soul

- The dog that spent the morning herding the cows to be milked is also wet and cold, and should absolutely eat with the tourists

We found this hiking curriculum wonderfully effective. If you do decide to take the course, we highly recommend professor Shilthorn (our mountain)

-Jared & Jason

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