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The summit on Hawksbill Mountain in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. On a clear day, miles of lush forest and valleys can be seen in every direction. It’s the kind of vista that begs for a square on Instagram, isn’t terribly hard to get to, and drives millions to hit the trails.
While a vast majority of walks end without incident, strenuous physical activity coupled with extreme weather and lack of preparedness has led to a spate of recent injuries and deaths. At least two hikers have been found dead in the United States this month, including one near… a lake outside Kansas City, Mo.and another in White Sands National Park in New Mexico. In June, a hiker with hypothermia died after being rescued in freezing temperatures and high winds near Mount Clay in New Hampshire.
“Sometimes going out without the skills leads to bad conditions,” says Jennifer Pharr Davis, who has hiked more than 24,000 miles of long trails and owns the Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Kate Van Waes, the executive director of the American Hiking Associationadded that hikers should learn to find their adventure within the expertise they have, which can always grow with experience.
Before you hit the road, here are some safety tips and reminders, regardless of your skill level.
What should I do before the walk?
Have a realistic plan. Hikers should have some knowledge of the route they are planning to take, including the condition of the trail – be it steep, rocky or slippery. Hikers should also take stock of the weather forecast and how they are feeling on the day of the hike. “You may be an experienced hiker, but you have stomach problems or headaches that day,” says Mrs. Van Waes. “Or your knee will. Don’t push through it.”
She also said failing to let family or friends know about your plan was one of the biggest mistakes hikers made, whether new or experienced. “Make sure someone who isn’t out knows when you’re going, where you’re going, and when you expect to be back,” she said.
What should I pack?
The American Hiking Society has developed a list of 10 essentials that every hiker should collect before heading out, including a paper map and compass as backups for phones and GPS devices. Rain gear, a knife and sun protection are also important. Visitors to national parks can download maps to use offline.
Ms Davis said a first aid kit and prescription medications should be packed along the way if necessary, along with more than enough food and water.
Can I walk alone?
Yes. Ms. Davis says that walking only makes her instincts come alive and that she feels safer because she listens more quickly to her intuition and fear. “The only thing I’m warning about solo hikers and female solo hikers, the closer you are to cities or roads, the more aware you need to be aware of your surroundings and other people,” she said. “When I go alone, I don’t pass on a lot of information to people I don’t know.”
But share your information with park officials, if you can. “Come in at the ranger station and let them know I’m a woman walking alone, or I’m a colored person walking alone and I’m concerned, or I’m trans,” Ms. Van Waes said. “Unfortunately, a number of vulnerable identities have been identified.”
What if I encounter violence?
Create space as soon as possible. “The best thing you can do is put yourself in a safer situation and seek help,” said Ms. Davis. “You want to get yourself and your group, if you are in a group, to a safe place and then seek help and report the incident as soon as possible.”
What if I get lost?
Do not panic. Remember the mistake isn’t getting lost, but how you react when you’re off course, Ms. Davis said, adding, “Don’t rush straight in the direction where you think the ‘right’ path is.” Instead, take the time to regain your composure and make the best plan possible.
When she was in an unintended location, Ms. Davis said she followed a short routine. “I always like to take a deep breath, sit down, grab a bite to eat, drink water, and then pull out all my available navigation aids: guidebook, map, compass, GPS, etc,” she said. “I wonder where and when I last remember I was on the right track, and then I use my available resources to make a plan to get back to that location.”
Severe weather interrupted my walk. What now?
Be prepared to change your plans. If there is lightning, do not stand under a tree. “You want to try to get to a low back, somewhere in a trench and then wait”, said Mrs. Van Waes, or take shelter under a rock. Heavy rain can wash away trails and flood streams, she said. Walking sticks can come in handy in those situations.
If extreme heat is predicted, listen to your body. If you are hiking in a group, Ms. Davis suggests sending someone who is feeling well and has enough water to get more. Sit in a nearby stream if you start to overheat, she said. “If not, at least sit in the shade until someone can get help. If you are walking alone, take a lot of water with you.” She recommends taking one liter of water for every two hours of walking and increasing that amount to one and a half liters in extreme heat. “We also encourage people to pack a few extra salty snacks so that their sodium and hydration levels can be replenished and balanced,” said Ms. Davis.
How should I stay away from animals?
Avoid being out and about at sunrise or sunset. “It doesn’t mean you can’t encounter animals at another time, but they are most active at those times and you can’t see them either,” says Ms Van Waes.
Having a bell on your backpack and talking to your group or singing out loud when you are alone is also helpful. “Usually you’ll be fine as long as you don’t scare, scare, or get between a mother and her babies,” she said. “If they know you’re coming, they can get a little out of the way.”
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