1. Avoid hiking alone.
Usually, when we go hiking or on a mountain trip, we prefer the company of relatives, close friends or hiking buddies.
Once and again, we prefer meeting other people and occasionally we feel the need to spend the time only with ourselves.
So, we consider that a lonely trip is what we have to do to reset our thoughts and clear our busy mind.
Therefore, the temptation is irresistible: we decide to hike alone and we forget the risks:
An unexpected and minor accident may transform your trip into a nightmare – you are alone, any help is miles away and you are probably stuck until helps reaches you.
The risk of wild animals to approach you is bigger and that is because when you hike alone, you do it silently (bring a pocket radio with you).
In cases of a major accident, there is the risk that mountain rescue reaches you too late.
Therefore, don’t do it unless you are properly trained. Or don’t do it at all, it’s safer.
2. Choose carefully the area of your trip.
You need to know where you’re going and what you’re going to do, because according to that you will be choosing your equipment. Therefore, remember:
- The difficulties that you may encounter.
- Identify if you can find water on your itinerary.
- Find out if you can find shelter and huts.
- Find out if you can find camping areas.
- Determine the risk of encountering with wild animals.
- Find out what you can visit (waterfalls, etc.).
Keep in mind that an easier route when it’s sunny and dry could be an extremely difficult route in winter time, requiring specific equipment such as ice ax, crampons, rope, harness etc.
Consult a map: find out all the touristic marks and sings and learn them.
Find out facile go back routes if something goes wrong.
3. Take travel time into consideration.
Travel duration for a touristic track may depend on numerous factors:
- Season – estimated travel time may double when it is a lot of snow, fog etc.
- Group – a large group means different needs, longer breaks, low traveling speed.
- Physical training – if you are a beginner it is quite likely that you will be moving a little slower – a hiking route that usually takes up to 5 hours may take you up to 7 hours.
In conclusion, it is critical to pay attention – even if you estimate that you are capable to arrive back to your car in daylight, it is possible that the night catches you on the route.
4. Pick an easy route difficulty.
Another crucial factor is the difficulty of the route.
Don’t pick a route that goes beyond your physical and mental limits. It is real dangerous to reach a point from which you can’t go forward, you can’t go back and you need to call professional help to get you out of trouble.
If you feel that a hiking route exceeds your limits, your options are:
- Call a friend with more experience than you and ask him to accompany you.
- Wait for your traveling skills and experience to increase, meanwhile hiking on easier routes. Read, learn, ask for advises and tips.
- Hire a travel guide.
- Don’t go out there if you have doubts. The mountain is not leaving anywhere, yet neither forgives negligence. On the mountains, attention and prudence can save your life.
5. Read travel and hiking guides.
When you choose to go on a mountain trail you know nothing about, read all you can find, ask your friends, join a hiking forum.
Open Google, the internet is full of blogs with valuable and useful information that may help
you.
You will probably find pictures or detailed explanations concerning the areas that you target. Run over all you can find, write down the essential and create the route that suits you best.
Compare the information and select the ones that seem most balanced.
Don’t get intimidated by people who seem to know more. Each of us started out somewhere.
Don’t get seduced by fancy explanations, stay rational and know your limits. In time you will reach the peak that today is apparently impossible. Take things slowly.
6. Learn to use a map.
Poor visibility may transform even the best mountain man into a mole that doesn’t know where to go to and what to do.
If you go hiking you have to learn to read a map and handle a compass to find your way around.
Reading a map is one of the most valuable skills you need to have before venturing into the mountains.
Learn all those map symbols significance. This meaning: how to identify land features through contours, streams, footpaths. It doesn’t take much and it’s surely beautiful. You will feel as a boy scout.
7. Take the map with you.
Now that you have learned to read the map, take the map with you. Read it before you leave so the hiking route doesn’t take you by surprise.
Always have a map with you. It will help you find your way and your mountain experience will improve. In the future, you will know how to choose your route much easier.
8. Check the weather forecast.
Mountain weather can change extremely quick, so even if it’s the middle of the summer you must have a warm sweater with you (if you are a beginner, anything is ok – don’t invest money in equipment before you know what you wish to do).
A wind/rain jacket, it’s also a must have.
If you feel chilly, you can walk in a T-shirt and you can put the jacket over you to protect you from wind and you keep the sweater in the backpack, so you can have something warm and dry when you stop for a break or when you reach the peak.
It does not hurt to check the weather forecast – certainly, before leaving home.
There are multiple specialized sites where it is enough to enter the mountain’s name and the 7-day forecast is displayed. However the weather forecast is more accurate 1 or 2 days in advance.
At first, it’s better to go hiking when the weather is favorable so you can enjoy the landscape. Later is possible to get to love even fog, rain or strong wind.
If the weather gets worse, tourists are advised to retreat to the nearest cabin.
Before leaving home, consider the equipment you have available and carefully read the weather.
Even if you are a beginner and you are not passionate about meteorology, it doesn’t hurt to read about different types of clouds and the signs that foretell an imminent storm.
Certain clouds will announce a thunderstorm in terms of a half an hour, an hour. It’s great to know this kind of information so you can retreat before severe weather catches you in dangerous locations.
In case of rain or thunderstorm: immediately leave exposed areas (peaks, hills, etc.) and don’t shelter near isolated trees or high cliffs. Don’t run. In case of fog or heavy rain, find a shelter. Don’t leave behind those who feel tired.
9. Have right number of people in your group.
The number of participants on a hiking trip is essential. As the number increases, the group will move slower and slower. The ideal group is with three people, in which at least one person must know the route.
A group that exceeds ten people is too large.
The health of the participants is also essential. Before you leave, ask your colleagues if they suffer from any disease or condition that could influence the group dynamics or can put their life at risk.
Another critical fact for the structure of the group is that people know each other before the trip and any argument is suppressed.
Disputes on mountain trips can lead to dangerous situations.
It is an excellent idea that people in the group spend one day together before leaving.
They can get to know each other better and they can determine what is going to happen and what hiking route they will decide on. After that, they can settle the obligations and responsibilities for each member.
It is mandatory for the group to have a leader – usually the most experienced person and the person who knows how to command respect from others.
All group members participate equally in all activities. Don’t establish hierarchies. However, every person should have specific tasks that can be accomplished by rotation (especially in multi-day trips when you camp).
If there are girls in the group they will be treated as equal partners, without forgetting that often their physical strength is inferior to that of boys.
All group members must know the general hiking route, trip stages, relevant names and areas.
At least one person has to be able to guide the group by map and compass.
10. Remember the weak link.
Pick your hiking route according to physical training, technique and mental strength of the weakest in the group.
Remember that you may need to wait him/her in steep paths or help him/her in difficult or dangerous areas.
It is possible that the person with weakest training in group to be anxious in places where others are relaxed. Therefore, you have to be ready to calm him/her.
Never mock this person, you will only aggravate the situation.
Take his/her backpack (or heavy things from the backpack) if problems occur uphill and gently offer your help when the situation requires.
If one person cannot move forward, he/she will not be left alone. A group member with experience will stay with him/her, or the route will be changed so that each person can safety reach destination.