Hiking offers a chance to explore the great outdoors and a break from the humdrum of everyday life. It’s no wonder hiking is such an appealing activity for many people. It’s fun and lets you experience adventure in nature at its finest!
In 1976, the American Hiking Society announced National Hiking Day to honor this fun-filled outdoor adventure. Hiking allows you to experience a new side of the world that you may never have seen before. The fresh air, beautiful scenery, and exciting challenges provided by hiking make it a great way to push yourself outside your comfort zone.
- Always go for a hike with friends or family members, Don’t try to start hiking alone.
- Stick to the trail. Don’t leave the track or follow in any random footsteps.
- Take a sufficient amount of water with you.
- Wear comfortable and non-slippery shoes, and take one pair with you in a hiking bag.
- Walk with open eyes; on trails, snakes and other species are present, So before picking any piece of wood or before taking the next step, make sure to examine the path.
- If you find any injured wild animal on track, don’t try to help it; instead, inform the authorities and try to escape that place silently.
- If you are wearing trousers or pants, try tucking them in your socks. It will prevent insects from reaching your body.
- Keep sharing your live location with someone who can contact you in an emergency.
Here is the best hiking equipment you should have on you when leaving for a hike.
As smartphones become more prevalent, it’s important to remember that they rely on batteries. Suppose your phone dies while you’re hiking or traveling through unfamiliar territory.
In that case, you’ll be unable to use the GPS function and maps application and may not have any other way of determining where you are or which direction will lead back home. So make sure to take a paper map and compass to help you find the right path to get back home in a panic situation.
Using your hands to maintain balance while hiking would be best, so you can’t carry a torch or flashlight. However, taking a headlamp with you would be best because you might have to hike in the dark when there is no sun.
While hiking, fire can be a way to keep warm and an emergency source of help. Always take matches and some dry flammable material for starting fires with you when you hike.
Always take some bandages, gauze, and pain relievers with you before leaving for hiking. You can also buy a first aid kit with all the essential tools needed to treat open wounds or cuts you may suffer while on your hike.
Don’t rely on your smartphone to call 911. Keep a reliable safety tool nearby, like the Silent Beacon panic button. You can alert authorities or loved ones of your emergency with just one click.
When planning hikes, remember that you may need to spend the night on the trail if something unexpected occurs. We recommend taking a sleeping bag or portable tent to reduce the risk and discomfort. Both of these can be stored in small spaces and are lightweight.
Whistles and mirrors require neither a battery nor electricity to operate, so they can be beneficial in cases where you need assistance and no smart device is available. The use of whistles in trails is very effective as they are very loud and cover a broad area. Mirrors enable the lights to be reflected toward any object to attract the attention of authorities.
Hiking is a great way to enjoy your trip and get physical activity. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just a beginner, taking along a personal safety device is essential when exploring mountainous trails.
Although hiking is a tranquil, enjoyable activity, hikers must prepare themselves for emergencies. Personal safety devices can help you summon assistance if necessary by allowing you to tap out an SOS message quickly. You can even use it with one hand while staying focused on other tasks, such as fighting off wild animals or rogue humans!
The Silent Beacon panic button is one of the best safety devices you can take while hiking. It pairs up with your phone using Bluetooth and sends an instant notification to the targeted person with just one tap. You can call 911 for your help or customize the receiver and set your loved ones as an emergency notification receiver.
There are many applications for this device, including its use in mountainous regions with signal issues or its daily use outdoors to ask for assistance during any emergency.
On National hiking day, enjoy nature and start hiking to a place you have never seen. Taking hikes is the best way to communicate with nature and take some time to refresh your mind. It takes you away from your frustrating daily routine to a new level of a peaceful world where you enjoy and feel everything you see. Make sure to take all the equipment mentioned before leaving homes, especially maps, safety devices, and portable shelters.
