In february I made a blog post about our most recent hiking trip which you can read here and I mentioned that I will post safety tips for hiking. These aren’t a “by the book” survival guide but these are tips I go by and have had successful hiking trips.
1- Plan the date around the weather + Map out your trail:
Common sense is you don’t want to hike during snow or rain as the trails can become dangerous.
Most state parks will have pamphlets about the parks history along with a detailed map (always take two!)
This will help guide you to stay on track and usually gives an approx. time it takes to hike that trail. A beginners word of advice stick with a 25-30min hiking trail.
The reason I say to take two pamphlets is because if you lose or damage one you have a back up to help guide you back.
2- Take snacks, lots of water and/or a light lunch
If we do a 30 min hike we normally pack 2 granola bars and 2 bananas for the both of us and 2 bottles of water. If you are hiking on a hot day, trust me you’re going to want to double up on your water intake! Also bring a shopping bag to properly dispose of your garbage instead of littering!
3-Dress for the weather
You can get as creative and reasonably fashionable as you want with your wardrobe. If you’re a female I recommend cotton undergarments, anything that’s breathable. Wear footwear with good grip and that you don’t mind getting muddy and dusty, common sense it’s a hiking trail not a runway so leave the cute shoes and sandals at home! Always pack a light jacket.Sunglasses to protect your eyes. A Hat especially if it’s a sunny day, you don’t want to get a sunburn on your scalp (i’m speaking from personal experience) and of course Sunscreen! Need I say more?
4- Bring toilet paper, First Aid Kit, Calamine Lotion, Bug repellent
When you gotta go you gotta go. Luckily I have successfully made it through hiking trails without squatting behind a tree,poison ivy or a booboo. 😉
5- Let a close friend or family member know you’re going hiking:
Maybe you don’t want people to know your personal business but in this case it can be crucial to your safety! Always let a reliable person know where you’re going and what you’re wearing.
I hope you find my quick tips helpful for you during your next hiking trip and if you’d like to add any other safety tips or precautions please comment!
