Safety

Top Ten Essentials
Everyone that hikes away from a trailhead should be carrying the ten essentials in their backpack. The 10 essentials are the top 10 most important things to carry with you when hiking or backpacking.

Navigation
Hikers must carry the tools and possess the skills required to know their location and how to get to their objective and back. Always carry detailed topographic map of the area you are visiting, and place it in a protective case or plastic covering. Always carry a compass. Know how to use map and compass and other navigation aids.

Sun Protection
Carry and use sunglasses, sunscreen and clothing for sun protection.

Insulation
Insulation refers to additional layers that would be needed to survive the long, inactive hours of an unplanned trip. Extra clothing should be selected according to the season. Ask this question: What is needed to survive the worst condition s that could realistically be encountered on this trip?

Illumination
Even if you plan to return to your cars before dark, it is essential to carry a headlamp or flashlight, just in case

First aid supplies
Carry and know how to use a first aid kit, but do not let a first aid kit give you a false sense of security. The best course of action is to always take the steps necesary to avoid injury or sickness in the first place.

Fire
Carry the means to start and sustain an emergency fire. Most hikers carry a butane lighter instead of matches in a waterproof container.

Tools
A knife is so useful in first aid, food preparation, and repairs that every hiker should carry one.

Extra food
For shorter trips, a one day supply of extra food is a reasonable emergency stock pile in case of foul weather, faulty navigation, injury, or other reasons that delay the planned return.  A longer trip may require more.  The food should require no cooking, be easily digestable, and store well for long periods.  A combination of jerky, nuts, candy, granola, and dried fruits works well.

Hydration (extra water)
Carry extra water and have the skills and tools required for obtaining and purifying aditional water. Always carry at least one water bottle or collapsible water sack. Daily water consumpsion varies greatly.  Two quarts daily is a reasonable minimum; in hot weather or high altitudes, six quarts may not be enough. In dry environmnets carry additional water. Plan for enough water to acommondate addional requieremets due to heat, cold, altitude, exertion, or emergency.

Emergency shelter
If you trip does not require a tent, carry some sort of extra shelter (in addition to a rain shell) from rain and wind, such a plastic tube tent or a poncho. Another possibility is a reflective emergency blanket. It can be used in administrating fist aid to an inured or hyperthermic person, or can double as a means of shelter. Carry an insulated sleeping pad to reduce heat loss while seating or laying on the snow.

Personal safety, Hiking alone, Women

When hiking alone always let someone know where are you going and when they should expect you back. Women should not hike alone and should not accept the company of a strange male hiker along the way. Always carry a whistle or mirror and don’t rely on cell phones as your only signaling device.

Hiking equipment, Footing etc…

When hiking in the mountains wear an ankle brace or comfortable hiking boots. Is important that your boots fit you well, don’t wear something that might fit too tight. Consider the fact that you might use thick hiking socks. Also consider expending a bit more for water repellant shoes, in the long run they’ll be worth it. Insoles like superfeet are good at shock absorbing, which can be a major factor in a long hike.

Hydration

This is the most important element in any hike. You can survive without food for several days in the wilderness, but you cannot say the same about water. I recommend that you always carry a water filter with you in any day hike.
You should drink 5 or 7 quarts of water a day, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which have a dehydrating effect. Monitor your urine color, it should be copious and clear. Dark urine indicates that you are not drinking enough water

Altitude sickness

As you take in less and less oxygen you can begin to feel nausea, dizziness, headaches or heart palpitations. Never go higher should you encounter any of these symptoms. Take a rest and if the symptoms disappear, continue on. If they persist for more than a few minutes, turn back around and don’t put your health at risk.
Hydration is critical in avoiding altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water during the hike. Don’t wait until you are thirsty, by then you will run the risk of dehydration. Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the few things you can do to prevent being affected by the altitude change.
Try to get acclimated to high elevations by camping along the trailhead. Don’t climb too fast, pace your body to the altitude change.

Bear Safety Tips

Knowledge of bear behavior can reduce the chance of an unpleasant encounter. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to reduce your chances of having a close encounter with a bear.

If You See a Bear

1. • Do not run.
2. • Give the bear plenty of room.
3. • Do not make abrupt moves or noises that might startle it.
4. • Female bears with cubs or bears defending a carcass are extremely dangerous.
5. • Do not try to approach it for a better look or a picture.

If you are with other people, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear.
If a bear approaches you, act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling or banging pots together.

When Hiking

1. • Make your presence known, wearing a bear bell.
2. • Hike in groups and make noise, talk out loud or clap your hands.
3. • Always carry a whistle.
4. • Do not surprise a bear.

If you surprise a Bear

1. •Talk quietly or not at all; the time to make loud noise is before you encounter a bear.
2. •Try to detour around the bear if possible.
3. • If you cannot detour, wait until the bear moves away from your route.
4. • Do not run! Back away slowly, but stop if it seems to agitate the bear.
5. • Try to assume a nonthreatening posture. Turn sideways, or bend at the knees to appear smaller.
6. • Use peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
7. • Drop something (not food) to distract the bear. Keep your pack on for protection in case of an attack.
8. • If a bear attacks and you have pepper spray, use it!
9. • If the bear makes contact, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, or assuming a fetal position to reduce the severity of an attack. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.

When Camping Overnight

1. • Never camp in an area that has obvious evidence of bear activity such as digging, tracks or excrement.
2. • Keep your sleeping gear clean and free of food odor and sleep at least 100 yards away from your cooking area.
3. • Campers must “bearproof” their food: Seal all food, as well as toothpaste, makeup and clothes worn while cooking, in plastic bags, then hang the bundle at least 10 feet above the ground and at least four feet horizontally from any post or tree trunk.

Mountain lions

Mountain lions are primarily nocturnal, but they have attacked in broad daylight. They rarely prey on humans, but such behavior occasionally does occur. Children and small adults are particularly vulnerable. To stay safe when hiking in mountain habitat make noise to avoid surprising a lion and keep children close to you at all times. Do not hike alone, especially at dusk and dawn.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

1. •Do not approach a mountain lion.
2. •Do not run from a mountain lion—running will trigger a lion’s hunting instinct.
3. •Do not crouch and do not turn away.
4. • Talk calmly, avert your gaze, stand tall, and back away
5. •Look as large as you can. Raise your arms and wave them. Open your jacket. Pick up your children (without bending over).

If attack seems imminent

1. •Unlike with bears, if attack seems imminent, act aggressively.
2. •If attacked, fight back.
3. • Mountain lions may be scared away by being struck with rocks or  sticks, or by being kicked or hit.