3 lesser-known tips that can save your life on the trail
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Loading... - Toledano Ali
- 05 Apr 2023
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As winter draws to a close and the snow on the trails begins to melt, it’s almost time to dig out your backpack and hit the trails again. For the true outdoorsman, there’s nothing more refreshing than the feel of spring in the air, a chance to stretch your legs on a long day out in the sun without needing a pair of snowshoes to stop you from post-holing along the trail. Before you hit the trail, it’s worth spending some time refreshing skills that may have faded a little over winter — like navigating with a map and compass — as well as reminding yourself of some of the safety steps that will ensure you return home after a day out.
Many of these safety steps happen before you even leave your house, like letting others know when and where you’re headed, packing extra snacks and water, and carrying around aa emergency kit. Then there are things you need to do while you’re on the trail, like keeping your bearings, following trail markers, and staying properly hydrated to keep your body functioning. But there are other rules that aren’t so well known or commonly practiced. These three survival tips could and just might save your life while you’re hiking this spring.
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Practice hiking etiquette
One of the easiest things you can do to improve your chances of survival on a hiking trail is to practice good hiking etiquette. For starters, it’s a smart idea to speak to other hikers that pass you by, even if it’s a simple “Hello” or “How’s it going?” This moment of eye contact and conversational exchange could be a lifesaver in the worst-case scenarios, as fellow hikers could be the last people to see you and, therefore, provide accurate information to search and rescue teams. In other words, hikers are more likely to remember you if you take a moment to make a genuine connection. It’s also important to stay on the designated trail to avoid not only harming the surrounding ecosystem but to avoid getting lost as well. Read More…
