Hiking Safety
 
Astrid SiegerÂ
The headline reads, “Missing visitor found alive in Glacier National Park.” Thank goodness she was found alive! When you read an article like this you wonder what tragedy could have occured to make this woman missing. The facts of the matter were far from sinister. She simply became seperated from her hiking companion and wandered Glacier Park for a day until she was found.
It seems a little silly. You’re with another person and you’d think that it was a “safe” situation. And it is. But every now and then things still happen that you weren’t counting on. Whether you get seperated from your group, step into a rut and turn your ankle or encounter a bear it’s good to be prepared for such unlikely occurances.
In the interest of keeping our clients and visitors to the national parks well informed this list of safety tips should give you solid footing when embarking on your hiking adventure.
- Hike with a friend or family member. The companionship in the great outdoors is fun and you can encourage one another to meet your fitness goals.
- Take plenty of drinking water. Leave stream, river and lake water for the park wildlife. Although it looks clean and refreshing, mountain stream water can make you ill.
- Let someone back at camp or at home know where you are going and when you plan on returning. Take a mobile phone for emergencies only or to let them know you have returned safely.
- Don’t walk off-trail. Cutting across switchbacks erodes the hillside and eventually destroys the trail. Plus, walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost
- Wildlife lives in all of our national parks. Although rare, black bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes may be seen. Whenever you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance back away slowly, and do not run. If you are carrying ANY food leave it for bear and back away slowly. The bear wants the food more than he wants you.