Why would you need a guide for a hike? After all, it’s just walking on a marked trail, right? There are lots of reasons; here are five.
Trailheads can be tough to find.
It’s an all too familiar scenario. You leave early to go on a new hike. You’ve consulted your mountain club book, your hiking app, and found the route on Google Maps. And yet, road signs are missing. Cell phone service is non-existent. And as you drive, you’re wondering, Is this still a road, or are we on a four-wheeler trail?
A guide will meet you at an easy to find location. You can hop in with us, or follow behind in your own car. You can happily drink your coffee, listen to music, and start your adventure stress-free.
Trails are not always well maintained or well marked.
Okay, you’ve made it to the trail and are happily hiking and chatting with your friends. Then someone in your group wonders out loud, “Are we still on the trail?”
Although most trails in Maine have blue blazes marking the way, the frequency of blazes varies and sometimes blazes fade. Game trails often look like hiking trails, and it’s easy to meander off course following one of these. Sometimes trails have to be changed due to erosion and blow downs, and it isn’t until you’re clearly NOT on a trail that you will notice.
Your guide knows the area.
From the local geology, to which plants are edible, your guide will enhance your experience by being able to answer many questions about the natural world that surrounds you. Have you ever hiked and wondered about animal tracks and scat, what the mountains on the horizon are named, or if that’s a cranberry? Then hire a guide!
Another bonus of having a guide who knows the area: they can tell you which place has the best burgers, where to go for the best assortment of beer, and where you can stop for the best home made ice cream and doughnuts.
Fun for all ages
A guide’s number one priority is keeping clients safe, but a very close number two is helping everyone have fun. Having a guide is especially helpful if you have children or teens along for your hike. A guide is a buffer and can deter a lot of complaining. Our job is to keep you safe and help you have a great time. That includes keeping the kids entertained, giving words of encouragement at just the right time for people who are struggling, and keeping the whole party chill.
Safety
A guide’s first priority is keeping our clients safe. If you twist an ankle, break a bone, cut your knee, or burn your hand, we know what to do and we’ll get you back where you need to be.
If you decide to go hiking without a guide…
always remember to check the weather
bring plenty of water and a high-calorie bar just in case
bring a headlamp with fresh batteries and a first aid kit
leave detailed information with someone telling where you are hiking, where you will be parking, the trail you will take, and what time you expect to be back home.
