Without proper planning and packing, even a short day hike could turn into a potentially dangerous outing. So, before you brush off weekday stress and lace up your hiking boots, remember these eight hiking safety tips.
The companionship in the great outdoors is fun and you can encourage one another to meet your fitness goals.
Leave stream, river and lake water for the park wildlife. Although it looks clean and refreshing, stream water can make you ill.
Take a mobile phone for emergencies only or to let them know you have returned safely.
Cutting across switchbacks erodes the hillside and eventually destroys the trail. Plus, walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost.
Although rare, bob cats, mountain lions and rattlesnakes may be seen. Whenever you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance, back away slowly and do not run. Report your sightings.
Learn to identify its shiny, three-leaf pattern and avoid touching it. If you touch poison oak, wash immediately with water and mild soap. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Walk the Trails, Get Fit and Experience the Great Outdoors.
It's a low-impact exercise that will help you ease into a greater level of fitness and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes, while helping to manage blood pressure, weight gain and stress levels. It also can minimize signs of aging.
Hiking trails is more than just a walk in the park. It is an exciting and affordable way to improve your health, control your weight and enjoy the magnificent beauty of California with your family and friends.
No TV, no telephones and no computer or video games. Hikes are a perfect time for families to communicate without everyday distractions.
Children about the joys of hiking and encourage participation by involving them in selecting and planning a hike.
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Wearing the right hiking clothes means knowing the type of trail you'll be on, what the temperature and climate will be, and how long you'll be outdoors.
For more strenuous hikes with steep or rocky trails, sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. For flat or paved trails, good running shoes are recommended. Even for the easiest hikes, close-toed, athletic-type shoes are required.
Learn 5 more tipsThough being outdoors is generally a pleasant and refreshing experience, you may find yourself in the terrible situation where you or your hiking buddies get involved with a poisonous plant. One of the biggest problems is identifying the plants that need avoiding; sometimes they’re hard to identify and more often people have no idea what the plants look like making it hard to avoid the likes of poison ivy.
It is sometimes easy to confuse edible plants with look-alikes that are toxic and dangerous. For example, parsnip which is edible is very similar to poison hemlock which is highly toxic.
Learn 4 more tipsIntentionally comprehensive so you don’t forget anything, our checklist for day hikers starts with the required Ten Essentials. Adapt those and the remaining items on the list based on weather and the remoteness of destination, as well as the hiking experience and preferences of your group.
A map and compass not only tell you where you are and how far you have to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an accident. While GPS units are very useful, always carry a map and compass as a backup.
Learn 3 more tipsWhen hiking in the great outdoors, it is crucial to remember whose home you are stepping into: bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and an abundance of other wildlife. Encountering wildlife while hiking is almost a certainty, whether it is a flock of birds flying overhead or squirrels rustling in the trees. However, there are larger and deadlier predators that you must be both aware and cautious of while hiking. While animal attacks are highly uncommon, they are still possible and sometimes happen.
Usually being loud isn’t commended, however when it comes to hiking it is a must. Talk loudly, clap your hands, stomp your feet, make some noise to let wildlife know you are nearby.
Learn 8 more tipsOutdoor recreation is also guided by unwritten but generally accepted rules. These conventions direct trail traffic, promote cleanliness, and protect domestic tranquility. They aren’t commandments, but if you don’t follow them, a more experienced hiker might notice the infraction and give you an educational scolding. To make sure you remain on the good path, here are five of the unwritten rules of hiking.
Remember that bikers yield to hikers and that bikers and hikers yield to equestrians.
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