The Importance of Letting Somebody Know Your Location Before Hiking
Few things are better than disconnecting and going out into nature on a beautiful hike. The benefits of hiking go beyond just physical exercise but it also promotes our mental health. No matter how short or long your hike may be, you should always follow this simple hiking safety advice:
Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, who you are with and when you plan on returning.
A simple text or call could save your life. Nobody thinks that something bad is going to happen to them but unfortunate events do happen. Breaking a leg, getting attacked by an animal, having a heart attack, becoming dehydrated, being attacked by a stranger, etc. are all possibilities.
On longer hikes even more information will be useful to give before setting out. This can include your clothing, any other gear such as backpacks with you, the bottom of your boots, who you are with and if anyone takes any medications.
Fortunately, there are many good people willing to help out in any situation and letting somebody know your location will greatly increase your chances of receiving that help.
Remember, even incidents can happen on short hikes so lets make sure to take care of ourselves and each other!
Here are a few other hiking safety tips to consider:
- Carry the Right Gear: Packing the right gear is essential for a safe and enjoyable hiking experience. Depending on the length and terrain of your hike, consider essentials such as appropriate clothing, a well-fitted backpack, sturdy hiking boots with good tread, a first-aid kit, a multi-tool, a map and compass or GPS device, a whistle, a headlamp or flashlight, and a fully charged mobile phone with a portable charger. These items can prove invaluable in various situations.
- Know Your Physical Limits: Understanding your own physical capabilities is key to a safe hike. Choose trails and routes that match your fitness level, especially if you’re a beginner. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to exhaustion and increase the risk of accidents.
- Check the Weather Forecast: Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in mountainous or remote areas. Before heading out, check the weather forecast for your hiking location. Sudden storms, extreme temperatures, or unexpected weather events can pose significant risks. It’s best to postpone your hike if severe weather is anticipated.
- Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn basic wilderness survival skills, such as how to build a fire, administer first aid, and navigate using a map and compass. Knowledge is a powerful tool in ensuring your safety in the great outdoors.
Comment any other hiking tips you may have below!
I am all about letting people know before I go hiking and I always take someone with me. The tragic accident happened to my friend’s husband last year, he went out for a hike and never came back… We found his body later, he tripped. It broke her and our hearts.
She is still recovering from the tragedy, it seems like it would never happened to anyone but accidents do appease we all better take precautions. If you like hiking alone take a device with you like those GPS that you can make a call or text now. Be safe guys.
Wow, what a tragic story. Like you said, it seems something like that would never happen but the sad truth is that bad things do happen so everybody should always be prepared. I agree taking a GPS with you is a good idea. Thank you for sharing your story.
I very much agree with you, it is certainly important to tell people one’s plans before going for a long hike or rather even a short hike! Giving a clear description of what clothes one is wearing, the shoes, the backpacks and gear can all be helpful to specify before starting on the hike. This is a life-saving post for sure!
Thank you for your comment! Giving a clear description of your clothing, shoes, backpack and gear might seem silly but it can be life-saving!
Hello, I really want to first appreciate your effort in putting this great website together and writing this article. Hiking is great and most times it is necessary in other to relief stress and also when we want to stay fit. But some places are not to be hiked without the knowledge of others. Thank you for this great post
Yes I agree, going outdoors and hiking has so many benefits and is necessary for many people! Hiking is meant to be stress free so telling people your location and details on what you are wearing can give you peace of mind knowing that if something does happen you can get help quick!
This is such a useful tip. There are several viral accidents in my country related to loss in hiking activities. A lot of them lost for weeks because there are no prior trace about their condition before hiking. My friend will go hiking next month, so I should tell him about keeping in contact with me before going, just in case. Thank you
Yes that is a great idea to let him know to keep in contact with you! Thank you for your comment!
This is an important message to everyone. There have been many instances where in people finds themselves in difficult situations that he or she may not be able to reach out to anyone. That is why I strong support this article letting someone else know your hiking location and whatever gears that are connected even on a short walk. I read of an old man who fell into the deep Trench a couple of years back but could not be reach for several hours and he was not with a mobile phone. The urgly part of it is that he had his neck strained that he couldn’t even cry out until after 10hours when he was discovered and rescued alive by the Police. GPS Rist Watch could be a very good device on hiking these days.
Thanks for the Article
What a scary story for the man that fell in the trench. Dangerous situations do occur even though most people think that it would never happen to them. Wearing a GPS wrist watch while hiking is a great idea. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for this very timely and essential advice on what people intending to go hiking must do before setting of hiking whether it is an intended short hike or a long one it is wise to inform someone of your intentions and even better as you kindly inform comprehensively to also ensure they have all that they need from essential clothing and footwear to medicinal needs on them. It really is surprising how many people go on these adventours without doing this. The consequences are far reaching from taking up precious time from search and rescue who may be more needed for greater emergencies to actual fatalities simply from the lack of informing the concerned friends and family about what they are doing. Thank you again for presenting this well written reminder about the essentials requiring doing before hiking.
Rami.
Yes I totally agree that the consequences of not doing this can be far reaching. Even if you think you are just going on a short hike, you still should give somebody important details of your plan. You might think it is not necessary but dangerous situations can occur at any time! Thanks for your comment!