114 * * * * * "Oh, Ranger!" 



peak for a landmark. Yes, sir, the trails are well blazed, with diamond- 

 shaped slashings on trees, and small piles of rocks, known as ducks, 

 and junctions are marked, but it's a fact that some hikers can't read or 

 won't, and some of them do get lost. 



Yes, ma'am, women can do it. Thousands of them do hit the national 

 park trails without male escorts. In fact, more women are seen on the 

 park trails than men. 



No, you don't need a guide to hike the park trails, but sometimes 

 it adds to the fun to join a party under the leadership of a ranger 

 naturalist, who conducts hiking expeditions without charge. 



Guns are out, friend. No shooting, except with a camera. In fact, 

 guns are forbidden in the parks. 



Shoes? They're the most important item of your costume. When 

 you hit the trail, the shoes do the hitting all the way. Cheap, poorly 

 made shoes are no economy. Good shoes, with strong soles, are essen 

 tial. High ones are preferable, large enough so that you can wear two 

 pairs of socks, silk or cotton next to the feet, wool next the shoes. 



Clothes? Well, something tough and warm. Khaki knickers stand 

 the gaff. Women as well as men wear them. A light raincoat is useful 

 in occasional showers. A warm woolen sweater is needed for the cool 

 mountain evenings, when the campfire warms only one side of you at 

 a time. 



Yes, bring a knapsack, one that rides comfortably on the back. It 

 will hold the raincoat, sweater, the extra pair of socks, the flashlight, 

 the toothbrush, and the lunch. The hands should carry nothing, unless 

 a walking stick. 



A camera ? By all means. Preferably a small one that straps on the 

 belt or hangs from the shoulder. Bring plenty of films. 



A first-aid kit of the Boy Scout type is useful. You probably will 

 never use it, but if you need it at all you need it a lot. 



No, speed isn't the thing on the trail. The race is to the tortoise, 

 with the slow but steady "poison oaker" stride. They seem to be just 

 barely moving along, but they keep going while the speed-burners have 

 to rest. 



Oh, yes, put in a few ounces of discretion. 



Trouble? Forget it, unless trouble troubles you. Then have some 

 one call up the rangers on the nearest trail telephone and they will ar 

 range a "drag out." 



The "drag out" is the emergency service maintained day and night 

 by the national park rangers for hikers in distress. Maybe night falls 

 on a hiker who neglected to bring a flashlight. Maybe he loses his nerve 

 on a steep down stretch of the Ledge Trail. Maybe she has missed the 

 trail and is lost. Maybe it's a turned ankle, or a more serious accident. 



