Hike Safe 1

2009.07.29 01:24:12

What can you do in order to be sure you’ll be coming back home healthy and in one piece?

Ahhh… The great outdoors! Don’t you feel like leaving that cubicle of yours and head out to the mountains? Take a hike amongst nature, trees, animals, streams and rivers? Did you think of some mountaineering this next weekend? Great! We’re with you on that.

If you’re an experienced climber, you probably know what to do and how to prepare for a hike. If you’re an amateur mountaineer, you’d probably want to follow a few basic safety instructions. Many things can happen during a hike. You can get altitude sickness, dehydrated, there could be storm, and your friend can fall and hurt himself.

•   Prepare well. Know the hike and take all relevant maps. GPS is great, but even a simple compass can be very important.
•   Take a cell phone but a satellite phone can be more useful in the wilderness.
•   Try to travel with professional and experienced hikers.
•   Be sure you are in proper shape and choose a hike you can handle. Practice. Start to carry a heavy backpack when you engage your daily activities.
•   Check weather forecast and make sure that climate conditions allow safe hiking.
•   Leave early in the morning so you can avoid traveling during the night.
•   Find a recommended gear list online and bring enough food and water. It’s always recommended to take more water than you think you need.
•   Always carry emergency equipment: first-aid kit, whistle, matches and a flash light.
•   But still, carry only the most important essentials. A heavy backpack can make your trip more strenuous and less enjoyable.

During the Hike

•   Don’t wander off alone. Stay in trail so you will be able to get assistance if something happens.
•   Enjoy animals from far. Don’t try to feed wild animals – you might end up as the main course.
•   Keep a steady hiking rhythm that can help you prevent exhaustion and make the hike more enjoyable.
•   Stop to get some rest in regular intervals. 10 minute break for every hiking hour is recommended.
•   Even if the stream looks better than bottled water, don’t be tempted to drink, unless you purify the water first.
•   If you’re planning on camping, make sure you know what the authorities think about it. Some places require a camping permit and it could be illegal to light up a fire in the wilderness.

Emergencies

•   Be ready for emergencies and stay calm.
•   Contact emergency and rescue services immediately.
•   If you can not contact emergency services, leave the victim with a friend and go back for help.
•   See if the victim is conscious and responsive. Check breathing and make sure his airway is open.

If you’re looking for some professional advice, don’t hesitate to contact www.limitlessadventures.com and ask for more information about mountaineering. If you need help planning, you should know that the experienced staff at Limitless Adventures can take you to some of the most beautiful peaks, anywhere in the world, from the roof Africa on Mt. Kilimanjaro to the 14,000 ft. peaks of Colorado.

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