Safety First! You might think that the more experience you have hiking and walking in the mountains, the less you worry about safety. We would beg to differ! The more experienced you are, the more conscious you become of all the potential risks. So safety is always at top of mind while out while walking in the mountains. Mountain terrains can be unpredictable, challenging, and in certain circumstances, dangerous.
But don’t let that scare you! Following basic safety measures can keep you safe in the mountains. As hikers, the mountains are where we dream to be. So let’s keep that from becoming a nightmare by exploring these simple measures.
1. Plan Ahead:
Always research the trail or mountain you plan to hike. With HiiKER, you can access a wealth of information about numerous trails, including their difficulty level, elevation changes, potential hazards, and more. You can also download a basic OSM map to your device for free with the app so you can use it, even if you lose phone signal.
If you are not using a set trail, you should still have a set route in mind. And in either case, you should always have an exit route in mind, so that if something was to happen or the weather turns bad, you know you can quickly get to safety, wherever you are on the mountain.
Good navigation skills are always recommended. With HiiKER PRO+, you likely have access to topographic maps for the mountains you are walking in. Being able to understand the 2 dimensional representation of the 3 dimensional world will help give you confidence in the outdoors. You can read more about map reading and navigation on this blog.
2. Check the Weather:
Mountain weather can change rapidly, so it’s important to check the forecast before heading out. There are lots of great weather apps you can use to get a good sense of what the weather can be like on the mountain. We have a blog about some of these mountain weather apps which you can read here. It’s important to know that even if the weather is good at the start/trailhead, it could be completely different the higher up you go. So remember your exit routes from your planning!
Don’t underestimate the impact of weather on mountain trails; even a slight drizzle can turn a manageable route into a slippery, treacherous path. And while a little rain never hurt anyone, extended time in rain can result in getting cold and making the entire hike very uncomfortable.
3. Equip Yourself:
We wrote a blog about how to pack for a day hike here. In summary, you should pack:
- Map & compass – It’s always recommended to have a paper backup to HiiKER. With HiiKER PRO+, you can print paper maps of your route.
- Enough food and water – Pack slightly more as you may be out longer than you planned.
- Waterproof clothing – As mentioned before, light rain might not seem too bad, but if you stay wet for too long, it can be dangerous. Comfort will be your safty.
- Warm clothing – Even on a sunny, warm day, the elevation gained on mountains could reduce the temperature dramatically.
- First aid kit – for the mountains, you will likely need more than just plasters. Invest in a good quality kit from an outdoors store that includes several different bandages and other supports.
- Sun protection – suncream and sunglasses. It might be chilly, but if the sun is shining on your skin or in your eyes for extended periods, it can be damaging.
For those longer hikes that could start or finish in darkness, you should also bring a headlamp with a change of batteries. Hiking poles are also recommended for steeper climbs. They can spread the load and help reduce the impact on knees and other joints
4. Tell Someone Your Plans:
Even if you are going with a group, it’s always wise to inform someone where you are going and an approximate time you will be back at. Even letting them know when you have reached the trailhead/end of the route.
Another handy feature with HiiKER PRO+ is the ability to share your live location with your safety contacts. They don’t event need to have the app to be able to see your location. They can open the link you share on their mobile or desktop browser. Keep in mind that you will need a cell signal for this to work.
5. Stay on the route:
We advise that you always stick to the way marked route, especially if you are inexperienced in the mountains. Venturing off to an alternative not only puts you in danger, but those around you also.
If you are following your own planned route and have no knowledge of the alternative paths, it’s also advised to keep your walk to the designated route for that mountain.
6. Leave No Trace:
The 7 Leave No Trace principles are the code by which all hikers live by. Follow these principles and you and everyone around you will have an enjoyable hike. Read this article on how to be a responsible hiker.
7. Be Prepared to Turn Back:
Don’t let summit fever cloud your judgment. If conditions worsen or you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to turn back. As mentioned before, the weather on mountains can change rapidly. It’s critical to leave your ego at the trailhead and put the safety of you and those with you at the top of the list.
8. The Top is only halfway
Congratulations – You made it halfway! Yes, you still have to get back down. It is surprisingly a common mistake made by inexperienced hikers. Make sure that you have planned enough time, food and water for the ascent and descent. With HiiKER, you will see the approximate time it will take you to complete the route. And remember, the descent can sometimes be more difficult than the ascent. Gravity, eh?
Hiking in the mountains is an incredible experience. Being swallowed up by the immensity and vastness of the landscape around you has such a huge impact on your mental health. And let’s be real, summiting a mountain offers a huge sense of achievement. But regardless of how far up the mountain you get, getting down safely is the reward (plus the pizza!).
