Hiking 101

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Ever wonder how far you could see from the top of that mountain?

Here's the rule of thumb: multiply the square root of your elevation above sea level (in feet) by 1.25 . . . in other words, if you're on a mountain 2000 feet high, the square root of 2000 is about 44.7, multiplied by 1.25 = 55.8 miles to the horizon, assuming the horizon is flat and at sea level. It gets more complicated if your horizon is anything other than sea level.

Is it always accurate? hard to say on land with things like mountains and trees in the way, but it will get you in the ball park. This is how NASA calculates the horizon for astronauts, so it's good enough for us. It's also a good way to impress your hiking buddies!