Silver Falls
It’s summertime, which means hiking! Before you set out for a hike, read this post about some safety tips so you can enjoy your day.
- Have a good pair of hiking boots. There’s nothing worse than getting blisters from your boots and being 10 miles from the car. I also recommend wearing good hiking socks that wick moisture.
- Bring a lot of water, even if it’s just for a few hours. Essentially pack “just in case” you have to stay the night in the wilderness. Bring water purifying pills too.
- Bring extra food and snacks: protein bars, nuts, trail mix, fruit.
- Pack firestarters, matches, a compass and a rain poncho.
- Mini First Aid Kits are small and easy to pack.
- Sunscreen!
Tell friends and family where you will be hiking and when you plan to return.- Do not go off the trail. As soon as the weather gets nice in Oregon, the news is ripe with missing hikers and people falling to their death. Why? The common reason is almost always that the hiker LEFT THE TRAIL.
Know the weather and be prepared.- If you are new to hiking take frequent rest stops. Drink water, take pictures and rest.
- Be careful of ticks, poison ivy, poison oak and nettles.
- If you have allergies, bring your medication. Especially if you’re allergic to bees!
Different areas have different dangers. A few key things to be aware of:
DESERT HIKING
- Avoid peak times when the heat is the highest.
- Bring extra water.
- Be aware of quick weather changes. Thunder and lightning storms can come on fast in the desert.
- Be aware of your surroundings in case there are snakes or other desert critters!
The Painted Hills
MOUNTAIN HIKING
- Be careful of the edge of the trail–especially if there’s a steep drop off on the other side. It’s easy to lose your footing and slip!
- If you are sensitive to elevation, be aware of that as you hike up and take frequent breaks.
- Stay on the trail!
Why Hike?
Hiking is one of my favorite summer activities. It’s fun, fairly cheap once you buy your basic gear, and it’s great exercise.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the gorgeous scenery! You never know what you’ll see. 🙂
QUESTION: Are you a hiker? What are some of your own tips?
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
What great tips! My dad and I used to go hiking quite a lot. We would prepare a map and give it to the local police station before we left. We would also indicate what time we expected to be back – so that if we didnt show up – they would know to come looking for us!!!
hundredtenpounds
Wow that is such a cool idea!
Maintenance 101: Fitness Should Be Fun » 110 Pounds and Counting
[…] Hiking is a great workout and it’s a lot more fun than staring at a wall on a treadmill in the gym. Plus, hiking is something you can do anywhere. Snowshoeing is basically hiking, just in snow. […]