The key to a great hiking trip isn't about the temperature of the air, the brand of boots you buy or what you've packed in your picnic. To experience a truly memorable outdoor trek, you need to know how to pick a trail. The safety of the trail you choose can be compromised not only by nature and by fellow hikers as well.
In order to 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 rugged backcountry hike through rainforests and over rocky cliffs. These differences can be extreme, and they are what draw backpackers to trails around the world. For all the fun, adventure and excitement that hiking offers, the trails can lead to dangerous situations. In fact, the majority of outdoor survival situations that occur each year are due to the hiker's lack of foresight and preparation for potential dangers.
An experienced hiker isn't necessarily immune to the hazards of hiking. From beginners to seasoned hikers, there are potential struggles that can quickly develop into dangerous predicaments. Natural hazards are just a small part of the problem. When hiking over unknown terrain, or traveling far from home, the dangers lurking can come from the people you encounter along the way.
The following tips can help you to realize, avoid or overcome the safety risks that you can encounter as you pick a trail:
Never Hike Alone
The dangers of hiking are greatly increased when you travel alone. On the flipside, hiking with at least one partner can help you to avoid potentially disastrous situations, and enable you to overcome them. Hiking alone can certainly get your adrenaline rushing and bring an extreme element to your trek. With a friend, however, you're guaranteed help if you need it, and you've got backup should you run into harassing individuals on the trail. Just because you feel you're in a natural solitude, you still have the potential of running into unsavory individuals. Having a friend in tow is a great idea, whether you run into the good, the bad, or the ugly.
Leave Your Itinerary
Wise hikers know that it's essential to leave information with your friends and family, particularly if you plan to pick a new or unfamiliar trail. Tell your friends where you will be hiking, and include details on the particular trail whenever possible. Leave emergency contact information when you register with a park or camp office. Take the time to jot down the phone numbers for local law enforcement, land managers and park rangers.
Keep it Quiet
It's important to make your itinerary known to close friends, but don't broadcast it to everyone. You shouldn't discuss your travel plans with suspicious strangers, the camp store clerk or the guy at the local bar. Don't travel with unknown hikers, even if you're hiking an uncharted course. If you meet another group and you're hiking alone, pretend that you're leading other hikers that have trailed behind. Make sure that your friends know where you will be, and register your itinerary. These are precautionary measures that can protect you if you run into trouble on the trail.
Don't Dress to Impress
You have no idea who you'll meet on the trail, so don't bring any unwelcome attention to yourself. In other words, leave your Rolex watch and bankroll at home. Assume that you're leaving yourself vulnerable to the attentions of anyone you may meet along the trail.
Be Smart and Sociable
Of course, not every stranger equals danger. You just need to use common sense and exercise caution when you meet a stranger or group of strangers. Avoid anyone acting strangely, openly hostile, provocative or drunk. Pay attention to details about their appearance, behavior and your location. Still, even though you shouldn't broadcast your itinerary to strangers, you don't necessarily need to be anti-social. You can make some solid and lasting relationships with fellow hikers.
There are potential dangers waiting on all of life's roads. Whether hiking in the remote wilderness or trekking through the concrete jungle, choose the right path and pick your trail wisely.
Freelancer Horace Jurdon contributes articles to a variety of popular web sites, and you can see more of his work if you click here or visit this site. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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