Hiking Accident Prevention – Page 2 – Irene Pastore Fitness.com

Hiking Accident Prevention: Risky Mistakes That May Cost You Your Life

May 20, 2021

14 Deadly Fails

YOU DIDN’T RESEARCH CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS

YOU DISREGARDED THE WEATHER REPORT

YOU DIDN’T BRING ENOUGH FOOD OR WATER

YOU DIDN’T REALIZE THAT HIKING IN EXTREME HEAT CAN KILL YOU

YOU’RE NOT AWARE THAT A TRAIL MAP AND COMPASS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD MAKE IT THROUGH A BLIZZARD WEARING SWEATPANTS AND SNEAKERS

YOU HAVE AN INACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS ABILITY

YOU RELY ON ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF TRAIL SKILLS

YOU’RE UNPREPARED FOR GETTING LOST

YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT SOLO HIKING IS A LIFE-THREATENING RISK IF YOU BECOME INJURED OR SICK

YOU HAVE LITTLE OR NO TRAIL KNOWLEDGE

YOU’RE UNPREPARED FOR AN ABRUPT WEATHER CHANGE

YOU WENT ON YOUR JOURNEY REGARDLESS OF WARNINGS FROM THE PARK SERVICE

YOU IGNORE TRAIL SIGNS THAT ARE THERE TO KEEP YOU SAFE

MORE INFORMATION

Backpacker Magazine 2/14/17 A Dozen Ways To Die: How Do Hikers Meet Their Maker In The Backcountry?, By Steve Howe

The National Park Service 6/14/18 Trails And Hiking – Staying Safe

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a 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.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Wilderness Survival Advice

May 9, 2021

There Are Better Places To Take A Selfie Than The Edge Of A Cliff

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator,
and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City.
To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Hiking Accident Prevention: Why Hikers Need Rescuing

April 2, 2021

Top Reasons: Lost, Injured, Unprepared, Hiking Alone

O N L I N E N E W S S O U R C E S

MSN.com (The San Francisco Chronicle) Dangers Of Hiking Pacific Coast Trail Loom As 2021 Season Approaches By Gregory Thomas 2/21/21

Forbes.com Hawaii Proposes Way To Penalize Hikers Who Ignore Trail Closures By Will McGough 2/24/21

TheStar.com (Toronto Star) Rescuers Used Ropes To Save Unprepared Hikers From Treacherous Slope Near Vancouver By The Canadian Press 2/15/21

St.GeorgeUtah.com (St. George News) Zion National Park(Utah) Vistiors Rescued After Mocking Rangers, Hiking The Subway Unprepared By Spencer Ricks 7/31/18

BackPacker.com – Unprepared Hikers Rescued From Garfield Ridge Trail (New Hampshire) By Backpacker Editors & Contributors – 6/26/18

AdirondackExplorer.org – A Rescue, Two Body Recoveries, And Advice For Unprepared Hikers – 2/19/19 (NY State)

PostStar.com (Glens Falls, NY) – Blog: Rangers Rescue Unprepared Hikers On Prospect Mountain By Don Lehman – 12/27/18 (NY State)

DailyGazette.com – Adirondack Helpers Fill Staffing Void: Volunteer Program Will Be Helpful, But No Substitute For Mountain Rangers, and Hikers Being More Responsible For Themselves” – The Gazette Editorial Board – 4/13/19 (NY State)

KATU.com – Raw Inteview: How Rescued Gorge Hiker Survived Night Alone, While Injured In Snow – By KATU Staff 2/6/19 – Experienced hiker went off trail, got injured, and needed rescue. (Mt. Defiance, Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Oregon)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City. To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

Stair Climbing Exercise For Trail Fitness

March 10, 2021

Stair Climbing Is A No-Cost Fitness Activity For Heart And Lower Body

Wherever you find steps, use them to your advantage. Stairways are pretty much everywhere: your home, a local park, a city street.

You won’t need a gym membership, so you can practice all you want for free. Your workload is determined by the number of steps, the incline, weather conditions, and optional added weight.

TEST YOUR SKILLS

Snow, or ice on an outdoor stairway will test your agility and balance.

Use the stairs in both directions to test your skills on the incline and decline.

To increase the workload, wear a daypack, or adjustable ankle weights*. If added weight interferes with your ability to walk normally, use less weight. If added weight is contraindicated, don’t use it, as in the case of someone having knee or ankle problems.

Consider starting a total body strengthening routine to help prevent on-trail injuries.

*Adjustable ankle weights are available on Amazon in increments from 1 pound up to 10 pounds.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trip Planning Resources For Hikers and Backpackers

Irene Pastore, is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness blogger, health educator, and speaker. She has 23 years experience teaching exercise in New York City. To read her complete bio, visit the About Page.

How To Prevent Hiking Accidents

July 30, 2013

7 REASONS FOR HIKING ACCIDENTS

Getting lost on the trail, especially under extreme weather conditions.
Unprepared for changes in the weather.
Failure to learn about altered terrain conditions before your hike.
Improper clothing and footwear.
Insufficient food or water.
Hiking under inadvisable weather conditions.
Failure to bring necessary equipment, and equipment for possible emergencies.

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

Backpacker Magazine

REI

National Weather Service

The Sierra Club

Appalachian Mountain Club