Postcard Getaway

Discover How to Plan the Perfect Hike and Conquering Any Trail

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

No one likes to think about emergencies while planning an exciting outdoor trip but staying prepared can make all the difference if the unexpected happens. Whether hiking, camping, or exploring a remote trail, readiness is key to staying safe and enjoying your journey to the fullest.

From first aid essentials to navigation tools, you must prepare for emergencies during your outdoor adventures. Pack smart, test your gear, and prepare your body for the physical demands of the trail. By taking proactive steps and following these tips, you’ll equip yourself to handle challenges and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

Prepare for Emergencies

Unfortunately, emergencies can happen almost any moment on a trip, and you should always prepare for “just in case.” Before leaving, practice using a map and compass in case your phone runs out of battery or breaks for some reason. This will feel helpful without an emergency because you’ll know how to navigate where you’re going.

You should also reacquaint yourself with first aid procedures and research common trail injuries to know how to treat them. Some common injuries during hikes include dehydration, heat exhaustion, sprains, cuts/scrapes, blisters, and hypothermia.

To ensure you are ready to help with injuries, bring bandaids, antiseptics, and neosporin for cuts. Instant cold packs and multi-tool first aid kits can help if you have a sprain. Invest in electrolytes to help with dehydration. Watch out for dizziness and dark urine to ensure you’re getting enough water.

You should also bring extra layers to avoid hypothermia and an extra lightweight blanket to help you stay warm. Also, bring extra lighting, like a headlamp with extra batteries for dark evenings to prevent hurting yourself.

Make a Backup Plan

Before going on a hiking trip, you should always have a plan for what to do in case of bad weather. Ask yourself: where will you stay? What will you eat? Always bring a waterproof tent, rain jackets, and extra layers.

Before heading out, research escape routes where you can exit safely and know about them ahead of time. Also, identify roads, ranger stations, and nearby towns.

Pack a charged phone and battery pack, know emergency contact numbers and how to describe your location with specific details. Make sure to bring extra food in case of delays. Always share your itinerary with someone who is not there and who knows when to expect you.

Pack Smart

That said, you must bring more equipment than first aid and safety equipment. First, purchase a backpack with enough space for everything you need. Once you have safety tools, you can pack your navigation tools, including a map, compass, and GPS. You’ll also need somewhere to sleep, so invest in a lightweight sleeping bag and pad. As far as clothes go, you’ll want waterproof jackets, extra socks, and moisture-wicking layers.

You can bring a compact stove, fuel, lightweight cookware, and utensils to cook. Many hikers like to snack on small, calorie-rich foods such as dehydrated foods, nuts, trail mix, etc.

Also, make sure you have ways to clean your water. Not everywhere will have fresh water, so bring a purification system like tablets and a filter and sufficient bottles/bladders to carry your water without spillage. If possible, try to keep your pack weight under 20%- 30% of your body weight to have the most mobility.

Test Your Gear

Before leaving for your trip, set up your tent, try your stove, and wear your backpack to ensure you don’t have issues. Also, remember to break in your shoes if you have new hiking boots to avoid blistering when you’re on your trip.

Get Ready Physically

To prepare for days of hiking, you should condition by training with day hikes and carrying a weighted bag to simulate what you will do on your trip. If you’re not hiking, focus on leg strength, cardio, and balance to prepare for your trip.

If you enjoy the gym, you can try the weighted leg machines or use weights when you squat to improve your cardiovascular endurance and leg strength.

Practice Safety

Safety exists in numbers, so I always recommend hiking with a group or a buddy. When you choose partners with similar fitness levels, stay together. If you’re in a group, you can also break down jobs into roles like navigation, meal prep, or group health.

You can also stay safe by learning how to avoid encounters with animals. Before hiking, research the animals in your area and learn how to behave if you encounter predators like bears and mountain lions. I also recommend buying food storage equipment like bear canisters, bags, or odour-proof storage so you won’t attract animals. Learn how to store food.

When hiking, always make consistent noise to avoid surprising animals while walking through their habitats. If you do encounter animals, don’t feed them!

Finally, give emergency contacts the phone numbers of park rangers, trailhead, and rescue services to someone off your trip. Arrange a time to confirm you finished safely. Pick a time they should alert the authorities if they have yet to hear from you. You can also ask them to track your location on Find My iPhone.

Pace Yourself

When you hike, set realistic goals with manageable distances, considering elevation and terrain difficulty. These goals include taking hourly breaks to hydrate, eat, and stretch.

Always listen to your body and stop hiking immediately if you’re in pain, tired, or tired. To improve the quality of everyone’s trip, you. You should also adjust your pace to accommodate slower-paced or less experienced group MS trips.

Be Ready to Leave No Trace

Most parks have “leave no trace” policies that require you to clean up after yourself. So, pack up all of your trash so you don’t disturb the wildlife. Always use designated facilities or bury waste 6-8 inches underground and 200 ft away from water sources.

Take everything with you, and be mindful of your impact on the place you visit.

Research Your Trail

Before hiking, determine if the park requires permits and if you must apply in advance. Also, search trail maps, campsites, water sources, and regulations, such as leave-no-trace policies. When choosing a trail, try to match everyone’s fitness and experience level by considering trail difficulty, elevation, and the weather forecast.

Monitor Weather and Trail Conditions

Also, prepare for sudden weather changes at any moment. Look for recent reports of hazards, closures, and wildlife activity to determine whether the current climate aligns with your proposed dates. If possible, you should always be flexible with the dates of your trip in case of severe weather or closures.

Bring Something to Record Your Trip

You’ll want to remember this trip! Bring a camera or a journal so you can always look back fondly on your journey and capture the memories. Take the time to appreciate the scenery and nature while you’re there. It’s sure to be beautiful!