COM 1100 FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING



Jacob Farrell Brown 2-4:30 M 3/1/2011 Informative SpeechPurpose StatementTo inform the class about the procedure of hiking of the Appalachian Trail as a thru hiker (completing the whole trail in one sitting).Introduction1.Every year thousands of eager hikers attempt to walk what could be called one of the most life changing journeys that someone can experience in their life. Yet, of all those eager hikers, only a quarter of them will find the end to this journey.2. Of course, we are talking about the Appalachian Trail and if any of you are from the east part of America then chances are you have seen or hiked near or on the AT.3. As an avid hiker in the White Mountains, which are in New Hampshire, I have seen the beauty that the last few hundred miles of the AT offers to those brave enough to make the trip. 4. For the next six minutes I will be your own personal guide through the AT. We will look at what someone should bring if they want to hike this trail and the specific dangers people think of when on the trail. But first, we should examine what exactly the AT is and what is so special about it.BodyI. The Appalachian Trail is a hiking trail in the eastern U.S. that stems from Georgia all the way up to Maine (passing through 14 states).The trail is approximately 2181 miles long and is the nation’s longest marked footpathWas completed in 1937 and designated as the first completed national scenic trail in 1968Crosses 6 national parks and 8 national forestsTakes around 5 million footsteps to complete the trailAccording to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, only 10,000 people have completed the trailTwo types of hiking in the AT: thru-hiking and section-hiking; we are discussing thru-hiking, which are the ones who hike the entire trail in one sittingThe trail is usually started in March or April (from Springer Mountain in Georgia) and is ended by late summer or earlier fall at Baxter Peak on Mount Katahdin in Maine; trail can be hiked other way around.TransitionSo now that you know some basics about the trail it’s best to discuss what you will need to bring with you. II. The most common mistake most thru-hikers make is that they bring way too many items.The Appalachian Trail Conservancy sets a limit of no more than 40 lbs of gear in your pack.The best thing to do is think of the things you won’t need for a hike, the most common thing being books. Most hikers are too tired at the end of the night to read a good bookItems like jackets, flashlights, matches, a tent, sleeping bags, hiking poles are essentials for the hikeAnd as for food, well, the trail runs through many towns where people can re-supply. Most hikers carry no more than a week’s worth of food The hike itself will cost between $2000-5000 (source)This is largely due to the fact that hikers take advantage of motels, restaurants, food stores anytime they can.TransitionNow that we have preparation out of the way, we will move on to something that is more interesting: the dangers on the AT.III. VIDEO ()Now, I am not here to scare you from doing the trail, in fact, I’m here to encourage you. But without knowledge of the dangers, you won’t know how to avoid them.Weather is a huge issue, more than Black Bears.Hypothermia during a cold rain storm can overtake the strongest hiker, so bring clothes made of natural wool or artificial fibers like nylon. And as a side note, hike with dry clothes, unless you want blisters and chafing Heat is the opposite of hypothermia but is also a concern. The best way to fight heat is to not overdo it and to make sure you drink lots of water.Wildlife is the other issue that hikers face in the AT.Bears are probably the biggest fear on the trail, but this is a stupid fear. As long as you don’t eat where you camp and you dispose of food by products far away from camp you will be fine. DON’T FEED THE BEARS!!!!!Snakes pose another big threat, since they are hard to spot and several are poisonous (e.g. rattlesnakes). However, most snakes are passive, so follow the Golden Rule “treat others the way you want to be treated….” Which means don’t through stuff at snakes!Alas, the animal that poses the greatest threat on the trail is practically unseen: deer ticks. These ticks are great at giving humans Lyme disease. To combat this you can: cut your hair short, wear a hat, spray insect repellent with DEET on you (this works!), and walk in the center of the trail. Lyme disease is no joke and a hiker should check themselves for ticks at least a few times a day.The best advice is to use common sense. If you don’t have that, then maybe you shouldn’t hike the ATConclusion1. The Appalachian Trail is without a doubt one of the finest hiking trails in the world. I have seen the New Hampshire section of it and I can attest to its beauty. However, without adequate preparation, this trip into the woods could possibly become a trip to the ER. 2. But if you use your brain and keep a light heart, you will find yourself on top of Mt. Katahdin and at that point the last 2181 miles you hiked will be your fondest memory on the planet. Bibliography"Appalachian Trail Conservancy Homepage." . Appalachian Trail Conservancy, n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. National Geographic: Appalachian Trail. Dir. Salvatore Vecchio. National Geographic, 2009. Film. (Only 2 sources were required at the time. Three are required now.) ................
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