Hiking Safety

Safe hiking is a fundamental component of having an enjoyable experience outdoors. At Empire Hikes, we are adamant about ensuring the safety of ourselves and anyone who hikes with us. The tips we discuss in this article are all considerations we make when going out hiking, both on guided adventures or our own personal excursions. We highly recommend that anyone embarking on their own adventures read and familiarize themselves with the tips on this page as well as our other Hiking 101 articles.

Don’t Hike Alone

The easiest way to avoid hiking alone is to book a trip with us. You could bring along friends to keep you company as well. If you sustain an injury on the trail or take a wrong turn, it can be helpful to have others with you to assist in treatment or to help make key decisions regarding your route. Only those who have sufficient experience hiking and are completely confident in their skills should attempt hiking alone. Even then there is still a large risk being taken.

Plan Ahead

Plan ahead and prepare. This ought to sound familiar if you have already read our Leave No Trace page. Do the research of the hike you plan to take. We always research and familiarize ourselves with the trails we guide on before we go. Looking at topographic maps of the area can give you a good idea of what to expect. Consider the weather and ensure you have the proper gear and equipment.

Wear Proper Clothing

Select clothing that is suitable for the outdoors. Clothing should be comfortable and help your body to regulate the temperatures depending on the season. For a more in depth look at the considerations to make choosing clothing for the outdoors, check out our Choosing Hiking Gear page.

Share Your Itinerary

As a general rule in any outdoor activity, and even in traveling overall, share your itinerary with someone before you leave. Let someone know where you’re headed and when they can expect to hear from you. Having a set check in time could be life-saving if anything were to go wrong on the trail. Signing in at trailhead registers can also be vital in locating you if lost or injured. Be sure to print clearly all the requested information, and remember to sign out at the end of your trip. Furthermore, you should always carry a form of photo identification.

If You Get Lost

If you get lost, STAY IN ONE PLACE. Commonly you might hear other guides or rangers to tell you to “hug a tree.” The point remains the same; you are more likely to be found if you remain in one place. This is one of the few instances where you can break the rules of Leave No Trace; keep yourself warm and dry. Build a fire if you have to, regardless of the rules where you’re hiking. You can draw attention to yourself by wearing bright colored clothing, or by hanging bright colors from tree branches. If you have a whistle handy, three blows of equal length signifies a universal distress call. Similarly, an SOS is three equal short blows, followed by three equal long blows, pausing and repeating as necessary.

Stay on Trail

The best way to avoid getting lost is to simply stay on trail. Most hiking trails will have trail markers or blazes, either nailed or painted on trees, rocks, or other terrain features. When planning for the hike, familiarize yourself with which blazes to follow for your chosen route. Blazes are usually placed within sight of each other, unless the trail is well worn and already easy to follow. Leaving the trail can get you lost, injured, or cause unintended damage to the environment.

Carry Extra Food and Water

A general rule is to always carry more supplies than you think you would need. There can be a variety of circumstances that can cause a trip to take longer than anticipated. Having enough food and water ensures you have enough energy to see things through. Not only could it benefit yourself, but if others haven’t brought enough supplies, you’ll have some to share.

Carry a First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is a vital piece of equipment and can help treat a variety of injuries outdoors. The most vital component of any first aid kit is someone with the knowledge, skills, and training to properly utilize it. Our guides at Empire Hikes are all Wilderness First Response Certified, and keep their certifications current.

Avoid Ticks

Though probably one of the most important safety tips on this list, it’s located at the bottom because it involves a culmination of several previously listed topics. Ticks are everywhere. An untreated bite can cause debilitating diseases. But the good news is, tick bites can be prevented. Wearing long lightly colored clothing can help you spot them before they get on your skin. Wear long pants, and stay on trail. Apply bug spray; my personal preference is Off! Deep Woods. Make a habit of checking your body for ticks after a hike, or periodically during a long hike. If you do find a tick in your skin, carefully pinch as close to the head and your skin as possible and slowly pull it out. Tick removal tools are also available at many outdoor supply stores and are great for individuals with short nails. Consult a doctor and request a strong antibiotic as soon as possible if you have removed a tick or suspect one has bitten you.