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Hiking is a very fun and challenging activity that anyone can enjoy. When you hike, you get the time to exercise and witness the beautiful hiking trails that run across all over the place where you see the scenic spots. For people who like to go on hiking activities, they know that this is a very physically demanding activity since you need to walk for hours. And since you carry with you your bag that has supplies and other things that you need, it is not easy when you are carrying a heavy load. If you are also not a highly practiced hiker, hiking for miles while bringing with you a heavy load can be difficult and at the same time dangerous. To prevent any accident, hikers should learn safety while they are on a hiking excursion.
Photo Credit: Royer_Dirt on flickr
This guide teaches you the necessary safety tips in order to stay safe while you are on a hike. As with any other physical activity, you need to follow these tips prior, during and after your hiking. Hikers need to make preparations before they set out on a hike. Familiarize yourself with the usual hazards and be knowledgeable with the safety tips.
Hikers need to be aware of the common mistakes that hikers do when they are on the trails. Any mistake can cause discomfort. Although you really cannot avoid making one, it is always good to at least be cautious and aware so you can avoid them. The usual mistakes occur when people are careless. For instance, if you are going on a hike and you forget to bring a map on the actual hiking date. This can be a big problem especially if you do not have other tools to know where you are specifically heading. Another mistake is when you select the wrong path. With just one mistake, the result is you will end up losing hours or worse your group might also be at risk of getting lost.
Experienced hikers can avoid these common mistakes and even if you are a newbie, you can definitely learn from them too.
Hikers tend to commit backcountry mistakes. Before you go out on a hiking activity like for instance hiking in the backcountry, you need to plan your activity and make the necessary preparation.
When hiking, you should wear the right attire. Wear the right clothing and footwear that is suitable for walking long distance and also the weather.
Before the Hike
Hiking is a healthy activity that anyone would surely love. But apart from getting the most out of your hiking experience, you should never forget the importance of safety. Outdoor organizations provide a list of the basic safety tips. You need to have survival items for outdoors including food, gear, lighter, water, compass and map. You also need to bring with you your mobile phone and other safety gear. Be mindful of the possible danger.
Before the hike, one of the most important things to do is to have knowledge about the location where you want to hike. If you are going on a super long hike, be prepared with your water supply. With long distance trekking, you may experience dehydration and fatigue. So, make sure that your body is at least ready. You should also be aware of other potential danger. For example, hikers are at risk of animal attacks, hypothermia and insect borne diseases among many others. Being completely prepared before the activity and staying aware helps you to stay safe all throughout the hiking activity.
When preparing for your hike, have the right equipment. You need to wear the right shoes and clothing. You should also be aware of the hiking essentials. And although you are not anticipating the bad, you should always be prepared for the worst. Learn about survival and safety in the wilderness. Create a checklist so you would not forget the items that you need.
When you are fully prepared before the hike, you can avoid the common mistakes that people make they go hiking. This is very important thing among hikers. With hiking, you will be traveling to new territories. So, you should know where you are going and you should always be precautious. As much as hiking can be fun when you are alone, it is highly risky. Invite friends and other hikers so you can have companions. When you are in a large group, you won’t have to worry as much even if you are going on a long distance hike.
During your hike, never go off the trail. Always follow the marked trails so you would not end up getting lost. Hiking allows you to be with nature so you must also follow your instincts. Wherever you go, you should use your best judgment and be careful at all times.
Are you going out on a hike with your family? This is the perfect activity that brings families together and promotes health and fitness. At the same time, kids can enjoy the beauty of nature. Compared to hiking with friends who enjoy hiking, hiking with family is a bit different since they have varying physical abilities especially if it long-distance hiking. There are factors that you need to consider when hiking with your family like for instance weather, elevation, environment and distance. If you are hiking with older people, you cannot go on difficult trails that are highly elevated. When hiking with children, you need to be sensitive as they tend to get tired easily and bored. Parents should be mindful of the guidelines in order to keep them safe. Children should always stay close with their parents or adults. Young kids are also prone to problems like dehydration and fatigue so you should rest once in awhile and bring enough food and water.
After your hiking activity, you feel rejuvenated and at the same time, physically drained and tired. After the hiking activity, you should watch for any body signs so you would not going beyond your limit. One of the most common mistakes that hikers make is when they overstretch their capacity. Conditioning can help you last long but you also need rest to gain some energy. If you have injury, you should seek medical help right away. If you experience soreness, you can take time to massage the area or to relax. It is also important that you monitor your progress. Have a list where you can track your goals, health and other experiences.
Did you know that 93% of the average persons life is spent inside of a building or car? That means only 6% of their life is spent outside! We get so caught up in our jobs, cars, parties, movies, etc; that we forget about the wonder of mother nature and what we can gain from being outdoors! Here are some benefits of getting out into the great outdoors.
Photo Credit: Byron Bauer on flickr
There is something about being able to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and truly reconnecting with mother nature. A 2009 study shows that people that take even just quick nature walks tend to have lower stress levels than those that stay indoors. A 2013 study showed that walking through more green areas can put the mind in a state of meditation. Getting outdoors reduces the stress hormone known as “cortisol” in the blood and reduces stress levels and anxiety.
Getting outdoors gets your blood flowing. Whether you’re biking, hiking, kayaking or just walking. Taking that first step into the great outdoors is an opportunity for you to improve your physical health. Studies show that those who exercise outdoors exert more energy and burn more calories than if you were to exercise indoors.
When you get out, you get to explore new places, which makes most people feel happier and they have fun doing it! You get to meet new people, see new places, try new things. Exploring outdoors can be extremely exciting and again, can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Did you know that in 2008 “vitamin D deficiency” was dubbed a pandemic? Many people are not getting out into the sunshine enough which means they are missing out on that great stuff called vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. So get out so you can stay healthy!
Getting out with loved ones and being able to have uninterrupted time to bond with each other has shown to improve your relationships. Creating memories that irreplaceable. Learning more about the ones closest to you and creating a bond that you otherwise would not really be able to without experiencing the extreme great outdoors together.
There are many more benefits to getting outside and exploring the great outdoors, its something that everyone should try to do at least a few times a month or more! Even if it is a little walk or just stepping outside your office for a moment to soak up the sun.
Boulder Utah is a small town that is located 48 minutes from Slot Canyons Inn. It’s a pretty unique place with some really fun and interesting activities to do with your kids if you find yourself in that area. We have compiled a list of 6 things to do while in or near Boulder Utah.
Photo Credit: Dan Deamer on flickr
If the name doesn’t capture your attention then maybe the description will. Devil’s Garden is located within Arches National Park. The scenery here is unique and stunning all in its own way. With several arches being scene from the trail this make a fun and interesting hike for the whole family with a lot of exploration that can be done.
Burr Trail will take you from Scenic Highway 12 all the way to both Capitol Reef National Park in the north and Bullfrog in Glen Canyon to the south. The first portion of the trail to Capitol reef is paved for about 30 miles, and the rest is dirt road that takes you through some amazing and stunning scenery with several canyons that you can stop at to hike and explore.
This is one that the kids will probably enjoy most with being able to learn about and explore and ancient native village that ages back to about 1160 A.D. and possibly housed up to 200 people. The park includes a museum where you can view ancient artifacts from that time era. There are more than 100 remains of the village here and some have been structured to where you and your loved ones can even go in and explore.
This is a really cool park that surrounds a lake with hikes that take you to hilltops covered in petrified wood with spectacular views. The park offers tons of fun water sports and fishing at Wide Hollow Reservoir. This is a fun place for the entire family to enjoy.
Located near Escalante Petrified Forrest, Utah Canyons is seriously meant for the true canyoneers. The landscape of these canyons is what is absolutely breathtaking. Such unique rock formations and slot canyons. This is definitely a place for the serious adventurers.
And of course everyone in the area should experience the Escalante National Monument. This is a huge area of beautiful rock formations and slot canyons and more that is extremely exciting to explore, camp, fish and more! You can’t miss out on this experience!
Slot Canyons Inn located at
3984 W. Ephraim's Camp Rd., Escalante, UT. 84726
Phone: (435) 826-4901
https://www.slotcanyonsinn.com