Martin Burns, a Fox KTTV investigative producer and writer, died on August 
25 in a hiking accident in the foothills above Altadena, California. He was 56 years old.
Hiking alone in the Los Angeles National Forest, his body was discovered by another hiker, at the bottom of a steep ravine, below the trail that leads to Inspiration Point.
Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore, and Blue Moon Personal Training
CARDINAL RULE: DON’T GO IT ALONE
When you set out on a hike, one of the most important rules, is not to go alone. If you bring a child, at least one other adult should also go along. 
Here are two recent stories about disappearing hikers. One has a happy ending, while the other doesn’t look too good.
FATHER AND SON DISAPPEAR WHILE HIKING
Hiking without cell phones, or flashlights, a 51 year-old man, and his 11 year-old son went missing in Maui, Hawaii.
Starting out on the afternoon of Friday, August 9, they were reported missing 5 hours later by a family member.
A helicopter and fire personnel searched the area hit by heavy rains. The man and his son were airlifted to safety on August 10. They were very lucky to be found.
66 YEAR-OLD HIKER MISSING IN MAINE
As of August 5, the search for 66 year-old hiker, Geraldine Largay was called off. Starting out in April, alone on the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, she covered 950 miles, and disappeared near Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Largay was reported missing on July 24, by her husband. Among the 115 search and rescue volunteers, were dog teams, wardens, and searchers on foot and horseback.
Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training
7 REASONS FOR HIKING ACCIDENTS
RECENT NEWS STORIES
Elizabeth Bervel dies hiking the wave in the Utah-Arizona border. 7/23/13
UCSD professor found dead on San Diego hiking trail. 7/6/13
Hiker dies after falling 12 feet while hiking the Snohomish County trail in Washington. 7/29/13
Hiker and two sons found dead on Missouri hiking trail. 1/14/13
Located in Pasadena, California, Eaton Canyon death toll rises. 8/9/11
Eaton Canyon death toll is five in two years. 5/5/13
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HIKING TRIP
Be prepared for changes in the weather: a drop in temperature, a sudden rainstorm, or heavy rains blocking out the trail
Be prepared for heat if you’re hiking in the desert. Forego your trip if you know you can’t tolerate heat for long periods of time.
Be prepared for missing trail signs. Always bring a map, and a compass to get direction.
Bring lightweight clothing that will keep you warm, and raingear to keep you dry.
Bring reliable flashlights.
RESOURCES FOR HIKERS
Educate yourself before going out on the trail. Whether it’s a day hike or a longer backpack into the high country, being prepared for your trip keeps your journey uninterrupted and safe.
The U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training
In my July 2012 blog post, Flip Flop Smarts: Beach Only, I wrote about the hazards of wearing flip-flops for street wear, mowing the lawn, or clearing out the basement. Typical injuries are broken toes, fractures, bruises and cuts.
Well summer’s here, and it’s flip-flop time once again. The podiatrist in this news clip says that patients come in like clockwork, at the onset of warm weather, with complaints about heel, arch and back of the heel pain. He says that some of these problems may lead to surgery.
Flip flops, and bare sandals don’t support your feet.
Flimsy footwear puts you at risk for someone stepping on your foot, or cause you to trip and fall on buses, subways, and sidewalks. Flip-flops can easily fall off your feet, and cause driving, or bicycle accidents that might be fatal to you or a pedestrian.
Stay safe. Flip-flops are meant for the beach, not for street wear.
Podiatrist, Dr. Alan H. Green, from Newton-Wellesley Hospital, discusses foot injuries caused by wearing flip flop sandals.
Irene Pastore, Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City. For her complete bio, visit the About Page.
Stay fit on vacation, but don’t overdo it, especially if you’re in the 50 plus age bracket. According US News, people with sports injuries, led by baby boomers, are now the number 2 group visiting the doctor’s office, just behind patients who come in with colds
The UNC School of Medicine reports that weekend warrior injuries occur in both men and women of all ages, but especially among formerly active 30 plus adults, who are inactive during weekdays.
The Centers For Disease Control reveals that over 10,000 Americans receive emergency room treatment for sports and recreational injuries daily.
TEN TIPS TO PLAY SAFE
Bicycling
Running
Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training
WARM-UP
Start your routine with a warm-up. Spend 10 minutes on a cardio machine, and work up to a light sweat.
COOL-DOWN: Finish your routine with stretching. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds.
WEIGHT MACHINES: Most machines have instructions, and illustrations showing proper body alignment. Read the instructions so that you know how to use each machine. If you need more help, ask a floor trainer.
LIFTING TECHNIQUE
SEEK ADVICE
If you need advice, ask a trainer. Gym members are not a reliable source of information. Just because they belong to your gym, doesn’t mean they know any more than you do.
GROUP CLASSES
Let your instructor know if you have injuries before the class starts. Ask their advice on whether the class is suitable for your level.
PROPER CLOTHING
Always wear athletic footwear when training. Proper footwear gives your feet support, and protects them from injury.
Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training
Irene Pastore Fitness.com 