Getting off the beaten path is thrilling and adventurous but venturing off road can present hazards. Whether you're hiking, running, biking or simply out for a walk, you need to be prepared for anything. The following trail safety tips could help protect you in the event you get lost, injured, have a mechanical failure or get stuck in an unexpected storm.
1 - Tell someone where you are heading and when you expect to be back. This is the best way to ensure someone has your back. Although it's smart to carry a cell phone with you, you can't always count on it to operate in the backcountry. Telling someone where you are going, precisely what route you're taking and when you are expecting to be back could be a lifesaver should something unforeseen occur.
2 - Carry first aid. Even a small first aid pack can keep a small strain, bee sting or head ache from ruining the trip.
3 - Dress properly. If you're traveling above tree line, check out the weather conditions and be ready. I've had plenty of trips that began as a nice spring day and developed into a full blown snow storm. Even when heading out for a short 30 minute trail run, dressing accordingly keeps you protected and comfortable.
4 - Bring a Map, Compass or GPS. For extended hikes I always pack a compass and even on shorter trips I'll take my phone.
5 - Bring a cellphone. You may or may not get a signal so be sure you take other precautions as well. Should you have a smartphone you can use applications like Mapmyrun and a few others to allow friends and family to track your progress live. This can be a handy piece of software to have turned on if you get lost.
6 - Respect Wildlife. Seeing wildlife is among the many benefits to going to on the trail. Respect their home. In Northern New England most of the critters like, bear, moose and mountain lions are seldom encountered on the trail. However it's possible, based on the time of year or whether they feel threatened, to have an encounter. Check with your regional for safety tips to ensure any encounter with wildlife is a nice one for both you and the animal.
7 - Go with a friend. Two heads are better than one and having a friend along can make all the difference in the event that something goes wrong. When my friend tore her ACL in the Gulf Of Slides during a backcountry ski trip Ted and I were able to get her down the mountain. Even with the two of us helping her it took nearly 6 hours. She never would have managed to get down on her own.
8 - Know your limits. When you're heading €out and back€ it's easy to bite off more than you can chew. Remember the top of the mountain is only halfway. If you've expended all your energy to get there you might not have a sufficient amount of to get back. Plan ahead and understand what you can reasonably achieve.
9 - Keep all of your senses sharp. Keep your eyes and ears open on the trail. Running, hiking or bike riding with earbuds prevents you from being attentive to other people or animals on the trail. I'm always listening for the rattling of a mountain bike or the sounds of a horse so I can yield the trail. Sometimes you're the windshield,sometimes you're the bug and I'd rather not be the bug.
10 - Be easy to find. Remain on marked trails whenever possible but if you do wander off trust the other safety measures you've taken to find your way out or stay put until help arrives. I was glad to have a compass with me many years ago when an ice storm made it impossible to find the trail we had to take off a 4000 footer in New Hampshire. Thankfully, we used the compass to direct us down and back to the car.
Bonus Tip:
If there's even a small potential for getting caught and spending the night I pack an emergency blanket. They are affordable, lightweight and can offer you additional protection against the elements.
Trail safety is directly related to the preparation and precautions you take before you head out. Often the steps you take to get ready can make the difference between a great, unforgettable trip and a disaster.
1 - Tell someone where you are heading and when you expect to be back. This is the best way to ensure someone has your back. Although it's smart to carry a cell phone with you, you can't always count on it to operate in the backcountry. Telling someone where you are going, precisely what route you're taking and when you are expecting to be back could be a lifesaver should something unforeseen occur.
2 - Carry first aid. Even a small first aid pack can keep a small strain, bee sting or head ache from ruining the trip.
3 - Dress properly. If you're traveling above tree line, check out the weather conditions and be ready. I've had plenty of trips that began as a nice spring day and developed into a full blown snow storm. Even when heading out for a short 30 minute trail run, dressing accordingly keeps you protected and comfortable.
4 - Bring a Map, Compass or GPS. For extended hikes I always pack a compass and even on shorter trips I'll take my phone.
5 - Bring a cellphone. You may or may not get a signal so be sure you take other precautions as well. Should you have a smartphone you can use applications like Mapmyrun and a few others to allow friends and family to track your progress live. This can be a handy piece of software to have turned on if you get lost.
6 - Respect Wildlife. Seeing wildlife is among the many benefits to going to on the trail. Respect their home. In Northern New England most of the critters like, bear, moose and mountain lions are seldom encountered on the trail. However it's possible, based on the time of year or whether they feel threatened, to have an encounter. Check with your regional for safety tips to ensure any encounter with wildlife is a nice one for both you and the animal.
7 - Go with a friend. Two heads are better than one and having a friend along can make all the difference in the event that something goes wrong. When my friend tore her ACL in the Gulf Of Slides during a backcountry ski trip Ted and I were able to get her down the mountain. Even with the two of us helping her it took nearly 6 hours. She never would have managed to get down on her own.
8 - Know your limits. When you're heading €out and back€ it's easy to bite off more than you can chew. Remember the top of the mountain is only halfway. If you've expended all your energy to get there you might not have a sufficient amount of to get back. Plan ahead and understand what you can reasonably achieve.
9 - Keep all of your senses sharp. Keep your eyes and ears open on the trail. Running, hiking or bike riding with earbuds prevents you from being attentive to other people or animals on the trail. I'm always listening for the rattling of a mountain bike or the sounds of a horse so I can yield the trail. Sometimes you're the windshield,sometimes you're the bug and I'd rather not be the bug.
10 - Be easy to find. Remain on marked trails whenever possible but if you do wander off trust the other safety measures you've taken to find your way out or stay put until help arrives. I was glad to have a compass with me many years ago when an ice storm made it impossible to find the trail we had to take off a 4000 footer in New Hampshire. Thankfully, we used the compass to direct us down and back to the car.
Bonus Tip:
If there's even a small potential for getting caught and spending the night I pack an emergency blanket. They are affordable, lightweight and can offer you additional protection against the elements.
Trail safety is directly related to the preparation and precautions you take before you head out. Often the steps you take to get ready can make the difference between a great, unforgettable trip and a disaster.
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