What should I do?

[Begonezvous]

Peter,

The only real protection you'll need from the wildlife is a good bug spray. July and August are usually good from the standpoint of minimal insect activity during the day.
You do not need a training course for hikes; you just need to take some simple precautions and do some planning. I like to check out the AMC web site (www.outdoors.org) for trail planning.
Bring a backpack with plenty of drinks and some snacks. Be mindful of the weather and dress appropritely in layers that you can add or subtract as the weather and elevation changes. Do not start our with big objectives (like climbing Mt. Washington) until you are more comfortabe with less challenging hikes. There are some easy local hikes that are great for beginners. My easy list would include Mt. Major, Rattlesnake overlooking Squam, Mt. Shaw and Red Hill. The White Mountains inlcude dozens of hikes that are moderate. I always enjoy hiking Mt. Chocorua from the Piper Trail just off Rt 16. Cannon, Lafayette and Liberty up in Franconia Notch are more challenging. Be aware of your physical limitations and those of your hiking partners. Proper hiking footwear and socks will go far to keep your feet from blistering and save some wear and tear on the body. If you are into toys, a good GPS device can help keep you on course and maybe do some geocaching along the way.

Happy Trails!

Originally Posted by pcmc

Bravo! Thankyou to Everyone for all of the great suggestions!

I have a question regarding the hiking.
When you go on one these hikes, how would you be prepared, in case you were to encounter some unexpected wild life?

Are there any training courses, or info on here, to help with common sense in the woods?(the what to do if 's)

We have memberships to the Squam Lake Natural Science Center and have gone on the trails there and love it. We have never seen any animals in the woods, so don't think I'm trying to frighten anyone. We have spotted the Suissevale Bear and her cubs a few times, they are really a beautiful sight.

I just don't want to be "that" guy who gets hurt in the woods and everyone shakes thier heads saying, "What was he thinking?"LOL.

Thanks,
Peter

[Begonezvous]

Pick a day for a drive along the Kangamangus Highway. There are numerous stops along the way that provide short hikes and little discoveries that offer some great photo ops. This would include Swift River bathing, Sabaday Falls and many others. You can start from either end (Lincoln or Conway) and find a great restaurant in either town to refresh and re-energize.

Another little side trip is a visit to Diana's Baths off West Side Road in North Conway. This relatively short and flat hike will take you to some small waterfalls and more photo ops. Unfortunately for me, Diana has never been around when I show up.

[Sman]

On less traveled trails, some hikers attach a small bell to their backpack, in case there is an animal around that you don't want to run into, a noise might scare it away. They usually don't want to run into you either. So the thinking being if it hears the bell you may scare it away before you have a run in.

I have never tested this theory but that was the line of thinking that was explained to me by another hiker that I met on the trail once that had one.

Free untested advise

I agree on the bugspray comment