|
If anyone can remember the firelight glow of a well contained charcoal gray crackling log campfire made when hiking through the woods on a beautiful cool night, then you can remember to be mindful of the woodsy nature you have to go through to get there. Safety should always be a priority, even if you are the type that seeks an adrenaline rush just to wake up in the mornings. The adventure of camping, specifically, hiking, is not all roasting marshmallows and smores. One major consideration before hiking in the woods is to be better prepared in wooded areas.
Firstly, packing up to go hiking is usually the one chore in the whole camping event that needs the most attention to detail. Remember, unless you are hiking in your back yard, or close neighborhood, once you shut the door of your vehicle, barring any stopovers, you pretty much brought with you what you are taking. With that, try to take careful note of what that exactly is. A list never came in so handy as when you are home placing all of your needed items in your vehicle, even if your vehicle is as simple as a bike. There are a lot of little extra auxillary items to be considered when planning a woodsy trek. Here are some basic common sense rules. They are not all of the items that you would ever need to know to be better prepared before hiking in wooded areas, but they are helpful reminders of needed considerations mixed with some constraints. Use them as a fun reference guide.
To prepare for a woodsy adventure, you can benefit by starting to learn the wildlife basics of the area you are going to hike in. Always try to know the area's insect, snake, and potential wildlife habitants, and plan a course of safety and precaution from there. For insects, take spray, salve or devices for your immediate area or for your person, but remember, this is their home. You should always try to take care of you while not taking them out, unless necessary. For snakes, and other creatures, do not always assume that they are going to waltz right into your hiking trail area, and visit. But also, do not assume that they won't. One of your best personal options while hiking in wooded areas is to ask a professional or wildlife ranger before camping or hiking, if up against a surprise animal encounter, what would be the best way to handle the situation without making it worse. Information is power.
Secondly, consider your wear. Your clothing should be both weather appropriate, and changeable due to climate. It is always better to over pack both light and heavy clothing pieces, than to freeze, or get overheated in the wrong wear, only considering what you can easily tote, of course. One mistake would be to worry about looking good over wearing durable clothing. The woods, unless you are on a photo shoot in a clearing, is not clothing friendly. Branches stick out, trees come in all shapes and sizes, and plant, bush, and thorny areas pop up unexpectedly in most woodsy areas while hiking. Shoes should be worn at all times in hikes through wooded areas. There are all kinds of animal life that live in wooded areas. As people are usually untrained to live outdoors for life, wearing high around the ankle shoes should be a very big consideration when hiking. Sandals should be averted, if possible, for reasons of duration comfort, overexposing the skin of the feet to the elements, or the environment without knowing how your uncovered feet will interact with the new terrain. Also, try to watch what colognes or perfumes you wear. You would not want to go near a hive of bees smelling of fragrant flowers.
Lastly, you should always try to wear some kind of socks or feet coverings that are at least an ankles height. There are several reasons for this. Whether you are hiking in a cold or hot place, you should always be mindful of the wooded areas in reference to both wildlife and plants. If your ankles are covered, at least you will not have as many flesh encounters with nature that can be stingy, thorny, hot, cold, or cause your legs to welt up when brushing up against unknown elements with nature that your skin is not accustomed to. Remember, you need your feet and ankles to hike, unless you are in a wheelchair or toting prosthetics. Covering them just makes perfect sense. If you want to take off your shoes and socks to dangle them in a mountain stream or push your feet bottoms into soft squishy green moss after a light rain sprinkle, then do so, but safely. Again, know the area first.
On a positive note, some good activities to consider in the woods while hiking are either taking tree, scenery, or plant life pics to display later or taking wildlife pictures for a wildlife portfolio, only practicing safety, of course. Landscapes, animals seen, and areas change constantly. Some parks that you hike through now might have a completely different look to them twenty years from now. Although, in reference to safety, zoom lenses on cameras would be your best feature in trying to obtain pictures of the unobtainable. Even videos that are up close and personal if you are not a professional wildlife expert should be adverted. Animals are sensitive to their environment, and just as a person would not take very kindly to someone unknown pulling up a lawn chair in their back yard, animals should not be expected to greet you with open arms in theirs.
Animals are out in the woods surviving, just like you. Some animals are kind. Some animals tolerate human behavior and interaction, and some do not. Some do not even understand it. Most attacks by animals are not personal, and no attack by an animal is on a human level. Try to always remain calm near snakes and other wild life. Think first. Don't act first. Safety is always a priority.
For more safety considerations, prepare to have a simple first aid kit handy,and try to know how to use it before you go into the woods. Many people buy things nowadays just to have around. Although, if you have ever opened something and tried on the spot to work it, only to find out how difficult it is to use, then you should know better than to try this with you or your loved ones lives, and a first aid kit after an accident that would warrant it's use. Try it out first. Even if you have to have a couple of in-home "mock" surprise situations to see how each one of your family or friends would handle things while on a hiking expedition, do it. Preparation is key.
Always have a list of phone numbers to call for contacts with you for even minor emergencies. Try to have a few local area numbers and places written down with you as well. These always help towards being prepared. Laminated colored cards sealed with reflective tape around the edges with frequent contact and safety phone numbers in them are good ideas to tote with you while hiking. Lamination sometimes helps paper items muster the elements a little better than paper items alone. Reflectors might help in finding those who get lost, if you wear them on the outside of your gear.
Again, consider going to take a tour of the area before committing to the hike in the wooded area. If a pre-trip is out of the question financially, or otherwise, consider resources such as brochures, chambers of commerce, area attractions, ranger stations, speaking to locals, etc. to get the scoop on what to expect, and what is most needed for the trip. Try to establish two sources whenever possible. Consider getting a color poster of the wildlife to expect there, and the area itself, not only for momentos sake, but to use as a good starting point to know what to expect. Routes are always good to try to obtain when hiking. Over-viewing routes always helps you keep clear of where to go, and where to try to avoid. Look ahead, above and below before hiking through unfamiliar terrain. Again, area plant books or posters of area plants are another good source for providing you with a visual of the plant life that you can touch, the ones that you'd better not touch, and the plants that you need to absolutely avoid for safety, such as poisonous prickly plants.
Lastly, never forget the basic elements of surprise, or necessity. Water is always a basic need for every life. Take plenty of it, and hydrate yourself accordingly. If you do not know the proper hydration needs for your body while hiking in that specific terrain, ask a medical professional or a ranger station attendant before you go. Always have your own water, and container. Do not always assume even if you are going near a lake that nature will provide. In some areas nowadays, you do not always know what the lake areas water will provide, and how it differs from the water that you are used to. In the same manner, if once you arrive at a paticular watering hole, that the animals that live there are going to be willing to share. Shelter should always be addressed for longer hikes. Know what is appropriate, and what is not. Lastly, have adequate supplies for the terrain and the weather.
If you are lucky and have all of the bells and whistles for hiking such as a state of the art location finder, walkie talkie, the all weather radio, or cellular phone that works remotely, or a backpack that doubles as a sleeping bag all the while sporting all of your safety gear in the newest season fashions, great! However, you do not need to have wealth and all of it's provisions to enjoy a hike through wooded areas. You do need the basics, which are an idea of inspiration, basic common provisions, a location and a notion to have a good, safe trail. Hopefully, you will also have a buddy to share the experience with. If you do insist or enjoy going alone, let someone know ahead of time. Also, give that person an approximate time that you will be returning, or an expected return date, if you have it. Sometimes, you may find that you even have to register with rangers to hike certain trails. That only makes it better for everyone.
When preparing to hike, many considerations exist. These are only a handful of tips, tricks, and suggestions to get you started on your way to becoming better prepared before hiking in wooded areas more, keeping safety in mind. While you are hiking don't forget to enjoy your trek or stroll whether it is for ten days, one hour, or five minutes. Laugh a lot. Be yourself, but be mindful. You are but a humble visitor in the woods, and there are other permanent tenants out there. Happy hiking.
|
| |
