View from the summit of Mailbox Peak, near North Bend, Washington.
Last weekend, Mr. rb137 went on a "workout hike" to Mailbox Peak. He took the photos here from the summit. I don't go along on his workout hikes, because he pushes himself so hard that if I expect to actually survive keeping up, the experience would generate arguments between us. Or, I would injure myself because I'm hiking at a pace that's too fast for my level of fitness and skill.
I was looking at these beautiful photos from the high point of this trail, and it got me thinking about day hiking safety. I've written about backpacking safety, but it's also easy to get in trouble on a day hike if you're not careful or don't plan well. So, I thought I'd share a few quick and dirty safety rules I think will help us all survive the day hike from hell...
Another view from the summit of Mailbox Peak, near North Bend, Washington.
Mailbox Peak is the kind of hike where people get in beyond their depth. The trail is steep and rugged. People tend to spend all their hiking energy getting to the top, and have trouble when they are too exhausted to come down safely. Rule #1 On a any climb -- make sure that you use no more than half your energy getting to the top. Coming down is sometimes harder work than going up.
Really. Climbing down is hard. Doing it without an energy reserve can be dangerous, and result in twisted ankles, busted knees, -- or far worse -- a dire fall from cliff or ledge. Another problem is that you might have to move so slowly that you can't make it back to the trailhead before dark. Then you twist an ankle or fall off a ledge because you can't see where you're going.
That brings me to Rule #2 -- Make sure you have plenty of time to complete the hike before nightfall. You don't want to get stuck on the mountain after dark. Know your comfortable pace. If you don't know your comfortable pace, assume that the hike will take a whole lot longer than the trail guides suggest. Worst case is that you get back early. And Rule #3 -- Bring a flashlight. One that works. With a strobe. Extra batteries wouldn't hurt.
And another view from the summit of Mailbox Peak, near North Bend, Washington.
Rule #4 -- Be prepared to get stuck on the mountain overnight. You could go out on a day hike and wind up being that person who breaks an ankle and needs to be rescued. Or whatever else might have you stuck out there overnight...
Two things that will kill you are dehydration and hypothermia.
Our rule of thumb for hikes with a climb is that you take one liter of water for every 1000 feet of altitude gain. And make sure you check a TOPO map if you don't know the trail. Some trail descriptions just subtract the trail head altitude from the highest point on the hike. Sucks for you if you start out on a hard climb, only to find there is a deep valley that wasn't mentioned in the guide. Then you wind up climbing down and up an extra 2000 feet. Take enough water for the hike. If you're hydrated, you'll fare much better when you're stuck on the trail overnight. If you take 1 liter per 1000 feet, you might even have some water left to sip overnight.
If the hike is flat, decide based on the distance and weather. I'll drink a liter every three horizontal miles or so. More if it's hot outside.
Be sure to come prepared for the nth extreme in bad weather for the area -- and the worst case cold in the middle of the night. You must be able to stay warm and dry if you wind up having an ordeal that forces you to camp.
Lack of food for one night will make you uncomfortable, but it won't kill you. Extra food is fine to have, but not at the expense of extra water, a good jacket, a pancho, and a hat in your day sack. This assumes that if you stumble on a day hike, you will probably be rescued within 24 hours. If you're going to a more remote place with rugged terrain, you'll probably need more water and clothing.
Rule #5 -- Hike with a buddy if possible. If you are an inexperienced hiker, having a buddy is an absolute requirement. No exceptions.
Yet another view from the summit of Mailbox Peak, near North Bend, Washington.
I'll be doing my own "workout hikes" for this season before too long. Mr. rb137 can go along on those -- they'll merely be leisurely walks for him. Maybe he can hop on one foot or crawl on his knees and elbows so we'll move at the same pace. Rule #6 -- Don't let anyone shame you into hiking harder than is safe for your skill and fitness level.
Implied rule -- Know where you are going. Really know where the hell you're going and don't get lost. Maps, trail guides, notes at the trailhead, and word of mouth are all useful. Tell someone who isn't with you where you are going, as well. If someone notices that you don't return and knows where you intended to go, it could save your life.
Please share your hiking stories and safety tips in the comments. (And note that the tips here are meant for day hikes and are not comprehensive enough for camping or backpacking trips.)
|
|
|
|
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
|
|