Hike with Your Head

by Horace Jurdon

The key to a great hiking trip isn’t about the brand of boots you buy, the temperature of the air, or what you’ve packed in your picnic. To experience a really great outdoor trek, you need to know how to pick a trail. The safety of the trail you choose can be compromised by nature, and by fellow hikers.

Before you pick a great trail, you need to understand that hiking trails vary greatly depending on where you’re planning to trek. There’s a big difference between a serene vineyard stroll and a two day trek through rainforests and over rocky cliffs. Of course, these extreme differences are what draw backpackers to trails around the world. Even with all of the fun, adventure and excitement that hiking offers, many trails can lead to dangerous situations. In fact, the majority of outdoor survival situations that occur on a yearly basis are due to the hiker’s lack of foresight and preparation for potential dangers.

Even the most experienced hikers are not immune to the hazards of the sport. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, you can still face struggles that can quickly escalate to dangerous predicaments. It’s not just natural hazards that pose a problem. Hiking unknown terrain or traveling far from home can expose you to certain dangers, even from the people you encounter.

Follow these tips to help you understand, avoid or overcome the safety risks that you may be encountered when you pick a trail:

Don’t Go it Alone

The dangers of hiking increase substantially when you travel alone. On the other hand, hiking with at least one partner can help you to avoid potentially disastrous situations, and can enable you to overcome them. Hiking by yourself is certainly an adrenaline rush and will bring an extreme element to your trek. Still, a friend means guaranteed help if you need it, and backup if you meet harassing individuals on the trail. Solace is no replacement for security if you run into unsavory individuals. Whether you run into the good, the bad or the ugly, it’s always a good idea to have a friend in tow.

File an Itinerary

It’s essential that you leave some information with your friends and family if you plan to pick a trail that’s not familiar. Tell your friends where you will be hiking, and include the particular trail if possible. If you’re registering with a park or camp office to use a trail, be sure to leave emergency contact information. You should also have the phone numbers for local law enforcement, park rangers and land managers.

Don’t Talk to Strangers

While it’s important to tell close friends about your travel plans, don’t broadcast the details to everyone. Your trip plans should not be discussed with suspicious strangers, the guy you meet at the bar, or the good-looking guy or girl you met at the outdoors store. Try not to follow along with the travel plans of unknown fellow hikers, even if you’re traveling an uncharted course. When you’re hiking alone, pretend that you’re actually leading a group of hikers that have trailed behind. Tell your friends where you’ll be, and report your itinerary when you register. These precautionary measures must be taken in the event that you run into trouble on the trail.

Don’t Dress to Impress

You never know who you’ll meet on the trail, so don’t bring yourself any unwelcome attention. This is no place for your Rolex watch or a roll of cash. When hiking an unknown trail, you need to assume that you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to the ill attentions of anyone you meet.

Be Social and Sensible

Chances are, the strangers that you’ll meet are just as friendly as you are. Still, you must use common sense and exercise caution when meeting a stranger or group of strangers. Stay away from anyone who appears to act strangely, openly hostile, drunk or provocative. Make note of your location as well as their appearance and behavior. Don’t tell strangers about your travel plans, but you can still be pleasant. There are friendly people on the trails and you can make some solid and lasting relationships with fellow hikers.

Any of life’s roads can lead to danger. Whether hiking in a remote wilderness or considering a career move, choose the right path and pick a trail wisely.

About the Author:

Horace Jurdon contributes articles to several web magazines, on leisure guide and travel and leisure topics.

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