Avoid These 10 Mistakes When You Go Hiking
Category: Adventurous retirement
September 21, 2022 — Swept up in the desire to stay healthy and armed with plenty of time in retirement, millions of baby boomers are enjoying hiking as a fun pastime. Unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong. According to hikersdaily.com, almost 5,000 hikers are injured every year, with most of those coming from slips and falls, with the ankle most often affected. There are an estimated 15,000 rescue operations in an average year on public lands. The most tricky of those are helicopter rescues, which typically cost around $12,000.
We would like to make sure one of these mishaps doesn’t happen to you. And to make your hike more fun, we are including some great tips from our friend Tom Cretella, one of the most experienced hikers we know. These are his tips.
Top 10 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make Hiking
Not enough water. Running out of water is never a pleasant experience. I always carry at least 2 liters of water for a day hike. Hint, Don’t wait till you are thirty to drink; then it’s too late to fight off dehydration. Try to drink often during the hike. Good hydration keeps your muscles from cramping and your reflexes sharp. Tip: Water is heavy so I carry an extra liter of Water and stash it about 1/2 way to my destination, and retrieve on the way back. It can be a life saver.
Comments on "Avoid These 10 Mistakes When You Go Hiking"
LS says:
While hiking on a trail outside of Boulder last year, I took a fall while going across a boulder field. I injured my back so bad that I could barely get out of bed. When we got back home, I made an appointment with a doctor to address the pain and have a complete physical which I hadn't had in many years. Because of the fall and seeing a doctor, I discovered I had prostate cancer and recently completed 45 radiation treatments to get the cancer under control. Had I not gone hiking, I would not have known about the cancer until it was too late. Word to the wise, don't put off those routine physicals.
John Brady says:
Three of us were hiking in New Hampshire. Spent the night at an AMC hut (really nice, with good dinner and breakfast) and were on our way to another. One of the party got slower and slower as the terrain was very tough with loose rocks. About 3 hours into hike the most experienced guy and I had a talk. If we kept going we were not going to make the next hut before dark, and that looked dangerous. So when we walked back to the third, we all decided to go back the way we came to the bottom of the mountain. One of the smarter decisions I have ever been involved in. So yes, know your limitations and when to turn back!
Kim says:
We love to hike but have only stuck to trails that are well marked in State or National Parks or Forests. Sounds like Tom and John are well experienced and more adventurous hikers with good advice. Love the idea of stashing water so less to carry. I suggest for those like me who want short hikes with more level terrain to try hiking in parks in forests. When I was introduced to it I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, but I will admit my hikes are more like a walk in the woods, I stick to designated trails that are well marked but still very pretty and lots of scenery to enjoy. Maybe if I would have taken it up when I was a lot younger I would be able to keep up with Tom and John.
RichPB says:
Over the years I've spent a lot of time hiking both on wilderness trails and throughout our heavily wooded, hilly community (800 acres). This article provides excellent advice, but pay special attention to the item about bears. It may seem unlikely, but bears show up everywhere including well-built developments. They are endemic in many remote areas we may want to hike. Learn about bears, but of special note is the comment about securing your food and belongings if hiking overnight. Bears are cunning, ingenious and remarkably fearless when it comes to food and they have a very keen sense of smell. They will break into a ground cache unless your pack is in a steel, bear-proof bin. They will sit on a branch and haul your pack up by the rope used to suspend it. They will grasp a tree trunk with their rear claws and stretch out along a branch for more than 10-12 feet to slash out at even properly hung packs. I know -- I walked right out under one when a noise caused me to raise my flashlight to see a mass of growling fur with teeth and claws slashing at our packs 10 feet over my head.. A whistle, banging pans or other noise makers can help drive a bear away. Bear spray may work, but is not recommended if the bear is hanging over your head. (No, I didn't do that.)