Hiking Safety Tips

Hiking, a very popular outdoor activity, consists of walking in natural surroundings while reveling the mesmerizing nature. With growing popularity, numerous hiking organizations have cropped up everywhere over the last decade or so. Along with the tremendous rise in the number of people taking to this adventure sport, the number of accident occurrences has also increased. Most of these accidents can be attributed to carelessness on the part of hikers or improper planning. Therefore, one has to take his safety into consideration when opting to go out for such an outing.

Hiking Safety Tips to Remember

The planning of the hiking trip is the most important thing. It's better to have the basic knowledge about the terrain of the region as well as weather conditions that prevail in the area in question. You can search for this information on the Internet or refer to the hikers who have been there before. Choose the right time for the hike. You surely wouldn't want to end up in bad weather conditions. Although, it's nearly impossible to predict what the weather has in store for you, you can always take the necessary precautions and be safe on your part.

Basic study about the environment of the chosen place will tell you what all things you should and you shouldn't do. For instance, some berries are really poisonous. Hence, though tempting, these poisonous berries are best avoided. Same is the case with animals, sometime small colorful insects found in the wilderness can turn out to be very venomous. Hence, it's better to keep a safe distance from the things we do not know much about.

Drinking water from a crystal clear mountain stream may make you feel like you are getting closer to the nature, but it is important to know that this stream water can have some harmful bacteria, and hence it is wiser to carry water from your home. Keep some water purifier like chlorine with you while you are backpacking. In some cases, you may be left with no option but to drink the stream water. In such a situation, these purifiers will definitely come in handy.

When outdoors, especially during overnight trips, fire is one of the most essential things needed. So always choose to carry a matchbox or a lighter, and more importantly, be very careful with it. Out in the wild, you can trigger a forest fire with a small match stick. So be careful while lighting bonfires or using fire torches while hiking.

Learn the basics of first aid and make sure to carry a first aid kit with you. Minor injuries are common during hiking, but these injuries shouldn't spoil your fun. Basics in first aid will arm you with the skills required to overcome stress and deal with certain types of injuries. Your first aid kit should include bandages, anti-bacterial cream, disinfectant, etc. Information about the nearest hospital can be of great help, in case of some serious injury.

Some people just grasp the basic knowledge about the environment, and later try to recollect what they had read, when they come face to face with a situation. A better way would be to carry field guides containing basic knowledge about the area, as well as flora and fauna found there. A field guide with a printed map of the area would turn out to be an added advantage.

Small gadgets can be turn out to be lifesaving in emergency situations. Some of the camping gear you ought to have in your backpack include, a flashlight, an army knife, a compass and binoculars. Avoid taking unnecessary items such as video games, as these will just add weight to your backpack, which will eventually make you exhaust sooner.

Watch where you step. Sometimes people are so engrossed in looking around that they fail to site the danger lurking right in front of them. This danger can range from some venomous reptile to a dangerous crevice. A simple method is to keep an eye on the track, and consider the path before heading forward.

Do not mess with nature, it would be better if you leave it as it was when you came. Unnecessary garbage spilling will do you no good. Also avoid carrying back the things you found while hiking, not even flowers. Some things are meant to be untouched, as they are already in their right place. Even feeding animals in the wilderness is a strict no.

Hiking is a group activity, so it's better done in a group. Going for hiking alone increases your chances of getting lost, getting injured and makes you more vulnerable to the dangers of wilderness. Even when going with a group, make sure you tell someone about your planned outing and expected time of return.

No doubt hiking is full of enthusiasm, but you need to keep your enthusiasm under control so that you have ample fun. Some people, especially youngsters, being over-enthusiastic, start off very fast and end up getting exhausted half way through. Hiking is not about reaching the destination, it's about enjoying the journey. You need to save energy and keep yourself dehydrated. A steady pace and regular breaks will ensure you a great adventure.

One should remember that over-enthusiasm and over-confidence can land you in some serious trouble. It's better to acknowledge the fact that no matter how smart or how prepared we are, mother nature will always be a step ahead of us.