Tips for staying safe while hiking in Arizona

Posted by Jeff on Mar 27, 2018 @ 9:16 am in Hiking News | 0 comments | Last modified: March 27, 2018

Thanks to amazing weather and topography, southern Arizona can be a hiker’s dream. That dream can become a nightmare if you don’t take basic precautions or plan ahead, especially when the temperatures soar.

When the heat comes, hiking or other outdoor activities should be limited to early morning hours and be completed no later than 10 a.m.

Anyone planning on hiking should take the following precautions before heading out:

• Know your limits.
• Hike with someone familiar with the trail.
• Let friends or family know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
• Take plenty of water, approximately one liter per hour. Also, avoid alcohol the night before and drink before the hike.
• Take food with you.
• Wear proper clothing and shoes. You should wear hiking boots, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun can be intense.
• Have a fully charged cell phone.
• Take a first aid kit, which should include epipens, band aids and antibiotic ointment.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
• Check the weather before going hiking as temperatures can rise quickly.
• Avoid hiking at night. It’s easy to get lost and wildlife including snakes come out at night.

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