Category Archives: Hike

Common Hiking Hazards and How to Mitigate Them

A partner and COO at Granite Point Capital, Scott Bushley has more than 25 years of experience in the business operations and investment management industry. However, Scott Bushley always makes time for active hobbies, and he enjoys hiking.

Hiking involves going into an unfamiliar, generally harsh territory, and different kinds of accidents are likely to occur to a hiker, especially when hiking alone. The risks in hiking include extreme weather, wild animals on rarely used trails, feet injuries, and water poisoning.

Planning the hike before going on the trip is the best way for hikers to avoid accidents like water poisoning as much as possible. A hiker needs to understand the trail’s difficulty to know how much supplies to bring. They should be aware of camping and transport conditions in the event of a long hike. These factors will help the hiker calculate how much water they need on a trip and prevent them from seeking alternatives to clean water which may deliver bacteria to the system.

Hiking primarily involves moving the feet, and feet injuries are common hazards during the activity. It is necessary to buy hiking boots that are comfortable and suited for the hiking terrain to reduce the risk of injury. The hiker should also periodically take breaks while on the trail to prevent exhaustion and rest the feet.

To prepare for the risks of extreme weather conditions and wildlife visits, hikers should familiarize themselves with the wildlife in the area and other national laws surrounding hiking to know the spots suitable for camp.

Advertisement