Two recent deaths on Katahdin, Maine’s tallest mountain, have stirred conversation about hiking safety, raising questions like: “What kind of safety gear should you carry besides water, snacks and a headlamp?”

First of all, accidents happen, and sometimes they’re entirely out of our hands. On occasion, the most prepared hiker can become injured or worse. But there are many ways you can reduce risks while hiking.

Hiking safety is important to think about year round, but some aspects of it become even more important in the fall and winter, when days are shorter and the weather conditions are much harsher.

Before you hit the road — let alone the trail — learn as much as you can about your future hike. Study the trail map and read descriptions of the hike, like those here at Meanderthals. Check the weather report, as well as the time of sunrise and sunset.

Here are a few easy ways you can improve your safety while exploring trails.

Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of the nation’s forests. As summer transitions into fall, the weather and scenery this time of year provide near perfect hiking conditions.

It is important to consider however, that the weather at higher elevations may be much colder, harsher and wetter, especially as the season changes.

The best way to make sure you and your family return home safely from any hike, no matter the length is to consider the Forest Service’s Hiking safety advice.

Obtain a trail map to help you plan your route based on your ability, available time and interest.
Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises.
Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it’s on a slope.
Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing essentials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services advises all North Carolinians to practice the three Ws: wear a mask (when you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance), wait 6 feet between yourself and others, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.

Greater detail here…

Hiking is among the best outdoor activities that can be both fun and exciting in the company of friends and family. But it’s one of those trips that require proper planning, and could be frustrating otherwise.

Hiking involves walking uphill and downhill on unpredictable terrains. It is not like walking on a treadmill with high elevation. It can be hard on the body, considering all the extra items you will have to carry in a backpack. However, everything can go very smoothly if you consider these tips.

Research the Area First

When planning for your trip, look into different hiking trails. Many different trails are excellent for hiking, but they are designed for people with differing fitness levels.

It is best to choose a hike that is shorter than the distance you can easily walk on a paved surface, and to select a trail that doesn’t involve steeper elevations and challenging terrain that you aren’t prepared for. Consider taking a look at the exact path of the hike. Find a few maps of the area and review reports to get a better understanding of the track.

Check the Weather Forecast

Consider the weather conditions when planning your hike. Figure out the kind of clothing you should be wearing. It will also help you decide if there is a need to take any extras along.

Remember that although it may be hot during the day, it can get chilly when the sun goes down. Pack a spare shirt and an extra layer.

Happy Feet Means a Happy Hike

Feet are the most worked part of your body during a hike, and your trip can be ruined if they start aching in the middle of your trek.

Invest in high-quality hiking shoes; make it as comfortable for your feet as possible. High quality shoes usually have a lot of cushioning, and it would be best if they were light-weight. And don’t think just about shoes, but consider quality socks. Cushioning and warmth are important.

Wearing the wrong type of socks and shoes can lead to blisters, rashes, and a world of pain.

Don’t Forget the Essentials

Being out all day hiking under the sun can be very trying on the body. Make sure to pack all essential items for your trip.
Along with the basics, have emergency supplies in your bag. If you are having trouble figuring out what is needed, consider this list of items below.

1. Navigation. You will need to have maps. Make sure your mobile’s GPS system is working.

2. UV protection. Have good quality sunglasses and sunscreen.

3. Food. Pack an adequate amount of food, including protein bars.

4. Liquids. Have plenty of water and some sports drinks.

5. Emergency first-aid supplies

6. Flashlights

7. Lighters, candles, and waterproof matches

8. Small repair kits

9. Extra clothing

Leave It the Way You Found It

Many people go on hiking trips in public areas all year long. They want to see beautiful landscapes and have fun with their family members or friends.

But some hikers pollute the land, slowly destroying the beauty of nature. Make sure not to ruin any plants or harm any animals on your journey. Leave no trash lying around as well. Bring it all out with you, or as they say, “pack it in, pack it out.”

Hat tip AZ Big Media…

Cindy McJunkin, a veteran hike leader with Carolina Mountain Club and Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, said being unprepared, for mountain weather and terrain, is what she sees as the biggest source of getting into trouble on the trail.

“It’s really difficult when you’re at your home at 2,200 feet (in elevation) and it’s sunny, to visualize how much cooler and windier it is in the mountains,” said McJunkin, 58, a nurse from Candler.

She is intimately familiar with the dips, valleys, summits and drainages in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, having hiked all 900 miles of trails in the park.

“I’ve learned to always think about cooler temperatures at higher elevations. You have to think about gloves and a hat. I think that’s the thing people often forget. And the right footwear. I see people with messed up feet, with no maps. People are nonchalant and think nothing will happen.”

“You just never know what’s going to happen. I always have my ‘possibles bag,’ for anything possible that might happen,” she said.

It includes a flashlight and extra batteries for the flashlight — the dense woods of the Smokies get darker much earlier than the outside world — first aid kit, a fire starter, instant coffee, a spoon, rain jacket, at least one extra layer of clothing, a foil emergency blanket, water and a water filtration device, as well as extra food.

Learn more here…

Break-ins at popular hiking trails have hikers sending out warnings to their fellow outdoor enthusiasts. They want to make sure that everyone hiking is leaving their valuables at home because sometimes locking them in the car isn’t good enough.

A fun outing can turn into a bad trip if your car gets targeted because of something you left behind. “I always keep everything in my bag and I always keep my bag on me or within my sight,” said one hiker.

Another hiker knows her stuff isn’t always safe even when locked in a car. “I have had friends who have had issues when they have gone hiking, their car getting broken into and things getting stolen,” she said.

She has decided to leave her valuables at home and anything she does bring along, she carries on her. “My phone just because I’ve fallen a few times while hiking. That’s really it, my phone and my keys that’s what I bring with me usually.”

The Green Mountain Club advises hikers who go out this time of year to watch out for fallen leaves as they can hide tripping hazards and be slippery. They also suggest bringing a headlamp because days are getting shorter. And because temperatures are cooling down, they say to bring an extra jacket and hat and gloves for those windy summits.

Officials say if it’s possible, try not to hike alone. If you do go it alone, be sure to tell someone where you plan to be so they know where you are.

Cite…

Often, hiking is a more strenuous activity than walking. You should consult with your physician before beginning any hiking or exercise program. If you are a beginner hiker, start slow and choose paths with shorter distances and gradually work your way up to more difficult ones. Many times, especially at State Parks, hikes will be rated easy, moderate or difficult. Pay attention to the hike rating before starting down the path. Wear comfortable shoes with good soles.

If you carry a backpack, remember it can add 10 to 15 pounds to your frame. The added weight will require you to exert more energy, so you may want to hike a shorter distance until you are used to carrying the extra weight.

Steer clear of noxious plants like poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Avoid walking in high grass or weeds, as these areas commonly have ticks and chiggers. Always check yourself for ticks during and after returning from a hike. Wear light-colored clothing, so ticks are easy to spot. Be on the lookout for mosquitoes, particularly if you are hiking in areas with a lot of stagnant, standing water.

Also, it’s always a good idea to carry a first-aid kit with you for emergencies. If you are going on a short hike, store the kit in your car. Take it with you on longer hikes.

Tips from the 4-H Cooperative Extension Service

Alarming headlines about missing hikers, or worse, can trigger panic about trail safety and the risks of exploring remote areas.

The potential for danger exists no matter where you are, but the best way to guard against it is to be prepared and alert.

Here are some tips for how to stay safe while hiking in remote areas, culled from the National Park Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Whether you’re alone or in a group, it’s wise to tell someone else where you’re going and when you intend to return. Establish a plan for checking in and follow through with it. If your plans change, let your contacts know.

There’s no harm in bringing your phone (except for taking perilous selfies), but it would a mistake to rely on it for directions. Find a current map and bring along a hard copy of it. Study it and make a plan for where you intend to go. And make sure you know how to orient yourself before you set off.

Places where people congregate – such as roads, shelters and campsites – can carry greater risks of unwanted interactions. Try to make yourself as inconspicuous as possible by camping away from roads and finding a location that’s not clearly visible from a trail.

More tips here…

Two hikers died last week after falling from Yosemite’s Taft Point, located high above Yosemite Valley. What exactly happened is still unclear, but they almost certainly stepped off the trail, past the guardrail and passed warning signs before tumbling hundreds of feet over the cliffs.

There’s been an exponential increase in the number of lost hikers, injured hikers and, worst of all, hikers who die on the trail. In recent weeks, we’ve learned of a California woman who slipped and fell to her death while taking selfies on a trail high above Lake Superior in Michigan, and thrill-seekers suffering severe injuries while leaping off cliffs into shallow pools — just to put the video on their Instagram feed.

There was a particularly horrible incident in the summer of 2011 when three college students stepped past the guardrail at the top of Yosemite’s 317-foot high Vernal Fall and into the Merced River. Other visitors pleaded with them to get out of the water, but one hiker slipped and started a chain reaction that ended with all three falling to their deaths.

Why do otherwise smart people do such dumb things in the great outdoors?

Bad hiking advice pollutes comments on hiking blogs, Facebook posts and Yelp reviews, so it’s tempting to blame social media. The fault, however, lies not in Instagram stars, but in ourselves. It’s a disconnect from nature, a lack of even basic survival skills, and poor judgment that cause most troubles on the trail.

Read full story…

A map and compass are just two of the ten essentials for safe hiking. Other items include extra water and a first aid kit.

If you get lost or become injured and cannot move, a personal locator beacon uses satellites and GPS to send an emergency message to search and rescue crews even in remote locations with no cell phone service.

Simple technology such as a flashlight and whistle can also be life-saving tools. If you have a whistle, blow the whistle. Three short bursts close together, that’s the universal SOS.

There’s no reason to fear if you stick to a strategy. Make a plan before you go, and stick to it. Always let someone know where you plan to hike and what time you expect to return home so then can contact emergency authorities.

Cite…

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.

Cite…