Ah, but a walk in the woods for someone who is not aware of the dangers can be fatal. Inexperienced hikers and climbers can make fatal mistakes without realizing it. A National Parks Services superintendent put it this way: “The number-one cause of injury and death is unpreparedness. You must always ask yourself, ‘What if?’ What if it rains for three days straight? Is my tent waterproof? What if I lose my compass? What if the rescue party doesn’t find me?”
Hiking death statistics are hard to find. There are several reasons – hiking can embrace mountain climbing and other activities, and because they occur in widely disparate locations, death certificates are never collated into one solid statistic. Plus, most death certificates will list the cause of death as exposure or a fall, not a hiking accident. But here’s a grim statistic: The climbing rangers at Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park claim that less than 1 percent of backcountry accidents are attributed to natural causes like falling rocks, avalanches and animal attacks. Instead, hikers die because they were unprepared for what they would encounter.
Rescuing an inexperienced hiker can be costly. Prolonged rescues in backcountry areas can cost well into the six figures, embracing manpower hours, supplies for the search party, and things like helicopters and emergency crews.
The Right Supplies
Safe hiking starts with planning. Bringing the right gear on a trip into the wilderness is a matter of comfort and convenience, but also can be life-saving under the right circumstances. It’s not all that rare for hikers to become lost. Each year, rangers in Yosemite National Park respond to about 250 emergency incidents in their 800-square-mile jurisdiction.
Here are four items that they insist hikers should bring to stay safe:
1) Headlamps – Even short day hikes should have illumination. Darkness falls quickly in the woods, and because there is no surrounding light, it’s a darkness that can be pitch black and disorienting. It also helps people to find lost hikers if they can see a light.
2) Water – There usually are no concession stands on the trail, so make sure to bring along enough water to last. The human body needs a quart every two hours for proper hydration, and because hikers engage in strenuous activity, more is better.
3) Food – Hiking burns a lot of calories, and it’s wise to replenish them to have the energy to get there and back. Each member of a hiking group should carry water and food in case of separation.
4) Make a plan – If someone becomes lost, it’s best to have a pre-planned area where everyone will meet at the end of the day. It’s also wise to know when sundown occurs and plan how long it will take to return to a safe area before it gets dark.
Other Safety Tips
It’s wise for hikers to know their personal limits and to pay attention to how they are feeling. Hiking until exhaustion is a bad plan because safe hiking means being able to get there and back.
Yosemite breaks down hiking into an acronym for Hike Safe. It’s a great guide to maximizing a journey into the woods and returning without incident.
H – Have a plan.
I – Inform someone of your plans and particularly your return time.
K – Keep a whistle and flashlight with you while hiking.
E - Eat well and stay hydrated.
S - Stay on the trail. They are there for a reason, and straying from a path brings added danger.
A – Ask for Help. If you feel like you can’t get back before darkness or need assistance, speak up!
F – Familiarize yourself with the area by using a map.
E – Expect changes in the weather. Listen to weather reports and be aware of how the climate you enter can change.
Ten Tools for Safe Hiking
There are certain clothes and gear that are essential for the safe hiker. Here are things that should not be forgotten
1) Good shoes – Hiking boots are a must in most terrain. They provide better grip and more support than trail shoes or other footwear, plus offer better protection against snake bites.
2) Map and compass – Hikers head into the wilderness and can become disoriented. Knowing in which direction to walk can be a life-saver.
3) Rain gear and extra clothing – Hikers enter a sometimes-hostile environment. That’s why it’s important to prepare for any situation. Note that cotton absorbs water, making it a bad choice in wet conditions.
4) Something to light a fire – It may be necessary to set up a camp and keep warm. Having a lighter or waterproof matches can help with signaling for help and can prevent hypothermia.
5) A knife – Having a tool that can help make a shelter, cut food or trees, provide a defensive weapon or even help eat food is something any hiker needs.
6) First-aid kit – So many wander into the wilderness and don’t realize the problems that can occur – sprained ankles, scrapes, animal bites and more. There are specialized wilderness kits available specifically for hikers.
7) Sunscreen – Beyond the necessity of making sure skin stays moist, it helps to prevent deep burns that can occur when focused on other issues.
8) Daypack or backpack – This not only helps store all the tools needed for a jaunt in the woods, but also can be a source of warmth and shelter in worst-case scenarios.
9) Sunglasses – Protecting eyes is particularly useful if hiking in snow-covered areas where bright sunshine can lead to snow blindness.
10) Bug repellent – It's not only a good idea for the daytime, but if a hiker is forced to stay in the woods overnight, it can be the most valuable tool in the arsenal.
Hiking is fun, but part of the fun is being ready to act in situations that can change in short order. Plan ahead and be cognizant of what can happen. That way, worst-case scenarios need not be life-threatening.