My partner and I have this special place that we love to hike. The name itself already puts our minds into turbo mode for fun not worrying about the problems and pressures in life. This location is so breathtaking that we become like the off-springs of nature's wild, dashing next to the creeks that zigzag its way down into the canyon, the prominent Wild Horse Canyon that is.
It has a steep, stone-hard trail adorned with small, soft plants and an assortment of living things along the edges. It takes about an hour to get to the top of a huge waterfall that empties into the canyon. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. It was spring of last year, there was this one day, since the weather was looking great, we decided on taking a hike into the canyon. There were so many things that I placed in our knapsacks, including a camera and our meal for lunch.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. It was only the urge feeling that I had to use the stick and it would be my first. We trekked near streams that were gushing with too much water due to the spring rain that had poured from days before. It was such a beautiful day. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My husband had gone ahead and already crossed the little pool at the shallowest part. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. It was a tough fall. I had placed my foot on a rock when I passed through and it caught me off-balance because I was looking above. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. I picked myself up and rested for a moment. Upon pondering, I understood we were in a sort of a predicament - how are we going to mount out with an injured ankle? We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Terrific. We had to take the quickest way to the road so that my injury could be tended immediately so we knew which path to go since we had gotten accustomed to the place. My husband and I began climbing after I persuaded him that he had to get the car while I take the route nearest to the road on my own. Anyway, thanks for the handy walking stick that some Samaritan had left for me. It was a big help. It never really occurred to me that what I was in a very tough predicament but because of that walking stick, I was able to make it through. The ending of the story is that I had a severe sprained ankle and had to use crutches for several weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Include in your back pack a little first aid kit, some snacks, and a bottle of water. Make sure your footwear is suitable for the outdoor activity. Mine was strong enough to protect my ankle from getting the worst possible thing that would have happened. Be conscious before acting. You could get yourself killed if you accidentally lose your footing as you step on a rock or a tree root or loose dirt and find yourself at the bottom of some hill.
Stepping on snakes can be prevented once you are conscious of your steps. A hiking buddy is important so that in case of emergency, he/she can be able to call for help or assist you like what had happened to me. Learn to take it easy and take the time to rest. Anyway, with the both of you taking breaks during intervals, it allows you to actually observe your environment and appreciate its beauty. Stay on the trail and don't venture off into the wild places unless you absolutely know what you are doing. Inform your companion if you are going somewhere. Bring in your back pack only the essentials like food and water, and some outdoor handy device. Also include materials that can be of help in case of urgent situations -a flashlight and possibly a sweater for the cold. Verify first if the weather condition is suitable for hiking. If you think that rain will pour anytime soon, pack your light rain gear also.
Oh - and don't forget the walking stick!
It has a steep, stone-hard trail adorned with small, soft plants and an assortment of living things along the edges. It takes about an hour to get to the top of a huge waterfall that empties into the canyon. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. It was spring of last year, there was this one day, since the weather was looking great, we decided on taking a hike into the canyon. There were so many things that I placed in our knapsacks, including a camera and our meal for lunch.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. It was only the urge feeling that I had to use the stick and it would be my first. We trekked near streams that were gushing with too much water due to the spring rain that had poured from days before. It was such a beautiful day. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My husband had gone ahead and already crossed the little pool at the shallowest part. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. It was a tough fall. I had placed my foot on a rock when I passed through and it caught me off-balance because I was looking above. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. I picked myself up and rested for a moment. Upon pondering, I understood we were in a sort of a predicament - how are we going to mount out with an injured ankle? We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Terrific. We had to take the quickest way to the road so that my injury could be tended immediately so we knew which path to go since we had gotten accustomed to the place. My husband and I began climbing after I persuaded him that he had to get the car while I take the route nearest to the road on my own. Anyway, thanks for the handy walking stick that some Samaritan had left for me. It was a big help. It never really occurred to me that what I was in a very tough predicament but because of that walking stick, I was able to make it through. The ending of the story is that I had a severe sprained ankle and had to use crutches for several weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Include in your back pack a little first aid kit, some snacks, and a bottle of water. Make sure your footwear is suitable for the outdoor activity. Mine was strong enough to protect my ankle from getting the worst possible thing that would have happened. Be conscious before acting. You could get yourself killed if you accidentally lose your footing as you step on a rock or a tree root or loose dirt and find yourself at the bottom of some hill.
Stepping on snakes can be prevented once you are conscious of your steps. A hiking buddy is important so that in case of emergency, he/she can be able to call for help or assist you like what had happened to me. Learn to take it easy and take the time to rest. Anyway, with the both of you taking breaks during intervals, it allows you to actually observe your environment and appreciate its beauty. Stay on the trail and don't venture off into the wild places unless you absolutely know what you are doing. Inform your companion if you are going somewhere. Bring in your back pack only the essentials like food and water, and some outdoor handy device. Also include materials that can be of help in case of urgent situations -a flashlight and possibly a sweater for the cold. Verify first if the weather condition is suitable for hiking. If you think that rain will pour anytime soon, pack your light rain gear also.
Oh - and don't forget the walking stick!
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