After going hiking today with one of my hiking buddies, I started thinking about hiking safety. There are several things to take into consideration.
Sun Safety
Sun can damage your skin, even when it is cloudy and you think you won’t get burned. Wearing sunscreen is a must! I recommend keeping a small container of sun screen in your car or hiking backpack. Stores like target sell small, convenient tubes of sunscreen or you can squeeze some into a reusable liquid container. I also like to add a light colored hat and sunglasses when hiking in the summer.
Since the sun emits a lot of heat, hydration is a key element to hiking safety. Remember to drink water before you go and while you are hiking. After you have been hiking awhile you will get to know your body and its needs during certain conditions. For me, if it is sunny at all, I need to take water with me. If I am doing a short hike in the winter, I am usually fine just drinking water before a hike.
Safety in Your Surroundings
A major part of being safe while hiking is being aware of your surroundings. I suggest going hiking with a workout buddy. Hiking with a friend is safer and I find it fun at the same time. However, if you are going to hike alone, stay on well-traveled, designated paths.
One of the places I hike at has a popular trail that usually has a few hikers or bikers on it at any given time. This is the type of trail I will hike or trail run alone if I am unable to hike with a workout buddy.
I have mentioned it in past blogs, but I’ll say it again: trail map and GPS. Plan ahead what trails to take, and take along a map and GPS is possible.
Poison Oak
If you are hiking where there is poison oak or other poisonous plants, make sure you know how to recognize it. Poison oak can be green or red, it has three leaves and it is shiny. If you touch it, wash the area with warm, soapy water and dry gently with a clean towel.
The best way to avoid poisonous plants is to stay on the path. If you are hiking in a more rugged area, wear pants instead of shorts.
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