Four Hiking Risks To Be Aware Of

The weather is finally warming up, and that means you’re likely looking for fun, preferably outside activities. One fantastic activity that takes you outdoors is hiking.

Hiking is excellent for several reasons.

1. Varying levels of difficulty mean there’s a hike that will meet your needs, whether it’s a group of college friends, or a family with a toddler.
2. You can hike almost anywhere. While lots of areas don’t have mountains, they do have walking trails that involve hills or rock formations that can qualify as hikes.
3. Hikes usually have a great payoff at the end, like a fantastic view.

Hiking also comes with some risks, as just about anything does. The chances are minimal, but it’s essential to be aware of the hiking risks and how best to avoid and handle them.

Dehydration

Anytime you’re outside in the sun; you should be drinking water. Our body requires a lot of water to function. It’s very easy not to drink as much as we should.

Before you even leave you should prepare to go hiking by drinking water. Don’t drink too much or you’ll be stopping for the bathroom breaks the entire time, but make sure you’re hydrated.

Make sure your trip has an appropriate amount of water packed. If it’s a short, 30-minute hike for kids, then you probably don’t need to bring a ton of water. If you are planning to be gone all day, then you need to be very prepared.

Injury

More than likely, you’ll not be injured while hiking, and if you are, it usually won’t be serious. There are some cases of severe injury, hence, it’s crucial to be prepared.

Any hike that is taking you farther than a short trip to a hospital should be prepared for carefully. A first-aid kit is an essential part of your pack in these situations.

Make sure the kit has adhesive bandages, gauze, wraps, and first-aid ointment. This may sound extreme, but you should be prepared to treat potential injuries.

Knowledge of common injuries and how to treat them is a must if you are a regular hiker. Say you injure your ankle and aren’t sure if you will be okay to continue on the hike or not.

Taking the time beforehand to learn about symptoms of a sprained ankle will help you to understand how to handle a situation. This type of research and learning is a lot of work but could very well save your life in extreme conditions.

Animals

One of the coolest parts about being out in nature is seeing wildlife. It’s fun to see them in their habitats and how they behave outside of a zoo.

Many animals will leave you alone as long as you don’t do anything to scare or harass them. Don’t be a jerk, leave the animals alone. Regardless of if you have a close encounter with a wild animal, it is vital to be aware of what kind of animals you could encounter and how to handle the situation if you do.

Encountering a rabbit won’t be a huge deal, but coming face-to-face with a moose or bear will make you glad you prepared.

Even being aware of how to treat spider bites and remove ticks will make your experience more enjoyable.

Navigation

Your sense of direction may be excellent with lots of familiar landmarks to help align you, but when you are out hiking you very easily could get lost. Make sure you know the route ahead of time. Some trails are marked and easy to follow. Others are unmarked and have you blaze your trail.

Be familiar with the route, and for those of you looking to become hardcore hikers, learn to read a map and compass.

Conclusion

Hiking can be fun for people of all ages. A little preparation makes for a great experience. Always see if there is any information posted for hikers such as weather info, wild animal warnings, placed to avoid, etc.

You can have a great time while easily avoiding any risks that might ruin the opportunity. Look up local hikes, plan a day trip, and have fun.

Hiking is a fantastic way to explore and enjoy nature. With a backpack full of goods and supplies, you and your family can traverse the most beautiful locations in the world on your feet.

Like any other journey, there are a few useful tips to consider before hitting the trail. The Ultimate Hiking Guide for Beginners covers all aspects of the “What’s” and “How’s” of hiking.

About the author

Spencer Bell is a senior at Brigham Young University – Idaho. He is studying Communication with an emphasis in Advertising. Spencer is from Nashville, Tennessee and loves football, hiking, Netflix and spending time with his wife. He loves writing and thinks nothing is better than seeing words come together to form an entertaining story.

Featured image by Marc Rafanell López on Unsplash