Hiking Tips

• Hiking Safety || Contributed by Michael and Wendy Whittle
  Hiking is an enjoyable pastime which promotes physical fitness. However, it is potentially hazardous, and it is essential to take a few sensible precautions:
  • Either hike with someone, or tell someone else where you are going and when you are expected back, so that they can organize a search if you are seriously overdue. You don't want to be lying injured somewhere, with little hope of rescue! There is no cellphone service in many of the areas where the trails run.
  • Take water, to avoid the hazards of dehydration.
  • If you are going on a long hike, take food (or at least something to provide a few calories), so you don't get "faint with hunger"!
  • Dress sensibly. Depending on the season, you may need protection against the cold or wet. This may become very important if you become injured and have to await rescue! Don't wear flimsy shoes, which might fall apart and give you an interesting problem in how to get back!
  • Protect against the sun, with a hat and sunscreen. Even on a dull day you can get sunburnt. People talk about "wind-burn", but it's actually the ultraviolet light, coming through the clouds, which burns you!
  • Protect yourself against insects. At certain times of the year, "bugs" can be a major problem, and there are also worries about West Nile Encephalitis and Lyme Disease, so "cover up" and/or use an effective insect repellant!
  • Look out for snakes - they are occasionally seen, and some are poisonous. They won't usually bother you, unless you bother them, so try to avoid them. The two commonest reasons for getting bitten by a snake are trying to kill it (which is unnecessary and harms the environment), and stepping on one without realizing it is there.
  • Look out for other hazards. Some of the trails go to the tops of high cliffs, and others include sections with ankle-twisting tree roots or broken rocks, so you need to keep your eyes open and your wits about you!
    
• Day hike packing list
• Backpacking