There's a place that my husband and I often go to hike. It is so magnificent! Just the name of it gets our minds in the mode of running free and unencumbered by life's problems and stresses. 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 has a enormous waterfall at the peak of the trail, it's water flows into the canyon. Usually it takes about an hour to reach the top. 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 happened a year before during spring, we went trekking into the canyon on that beautiful morning. I brought for us something to eat for lunch and other things into our backpacks, even a camera.
The first thing I saw when we were at the starting point of the trail was a stick inclining beside one of the enormous pine trees along the trail. I said to myself that this lovely stick could be ideal for a walking support and so I took it with us in our hike. It was my first time to assist myself with a walking stick and it just felt like using it at that time. The streams we passed were almost overflowing with water because the previous days had been raining. That day was so lovely. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My companion got across first at the shallowest portion of the tiny pool. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. I had a hard fall in the water. I was looking up while I was crossing and was unaware of the big rock below. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. I put up my feet and reflected on what just happened. All of a sudden it hit me, we were at the bottom of the canyon and we had to scale back out. We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Wonderful. Since we had hiked there so many times, we knew of a short cut to the road. 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. I could not have gotten out not for that stick that aided me. At that time, I never thought that I was in a really tight situation. In the end, I was on crutches for some weeks because of a serious ankle injury.
So, first rule of hiking safety is to watch where you are going and be aware at all times of your surroundings. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. Wear a good pair of hiking boots (I think this really saved my ankle from being broken). Think, think, think before you step. A rock or a tree root, loose dirt, could cause a life threatening injury if you were to trip and tumble downhill.
Being aware of every step will also help you avoid stepping on any snakes. 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. Besides, taking a break gives you an opportunity to really look at your surroundings and "smell the flowers". Unless if you already know the place and is familiar with all the ins and outs of the area where you are hiking, just follow the trail. If you had to take a leak or want some private time, you better let your hiking buddy know where you are off to. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. Be prepared and take your rain jacket, preferably the light one, with you if you know that there is a likelihood of a downpour.
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 has a enormous waterfall at the peak of the trail, it's water flows into the canyon. Usually it takes about an hour to reach the top. 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 happened a year before during spring, we went trekking into the canyon on that beautiful morning. I brought for us something to eat for lunch and other things into our backpacks, even a camera.
The first thing I saw when we were at the starting point of the trail was a stick inclining beside one of the enormous pine trees along the trail. I said to myself that this lovely stick could be ideal for a walking support and so I took it with us in our hike. It was my first time to assist myself with a walking stick and it just felt like using it at that time. The streams we passed were almost overflowing with water because the previous days had been raining. That day was so lovely. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My companion got across first at the shallowest portion of the tiny pool. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. I had a hard fall in the water. I was looking up while I was crossing and was unaware of the big rock below. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. I put up my feet and reflected on what just happened. All of a sudden it hit me, we were at the bottom of the canyon and we had to scale back out. We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Wonderful. Since we had hiked there so many times, we knew of a short cut to the road. 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. I could not have gotten out not for that stick that aided me. At that time, I never thought that I was in a really tight situation. In the end, I was on crutches for some weeks because of a serious ankle injury.
So, first rule of hiking safety is to watch where you are going and be aware at all times of your surroundings. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. Wear a good pair of hiking boots (I think this really saved my ankle from being broken). Think, think, think before you step. A rock or a tree root, loose dirt, could cause a life threatening injury if you were to trip and tumble downhill.
Being aware of every step will also help you avoid stepping on any snakes. 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. Besides, taking a break gives you an opportunity to really look at your surroundings and "smell the flowers". Unless if you already know the place and is familiar with all the ins and outs of the area where you are hiking, just follow the trail. If you had to take a leak or want some private time, you better let your hiking buddy know where you are off to. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. Be prepared and take your rain jacket, preferably the light one, with you if you know that there is a likelihood of a downpour.
Oh - and don't forget the walking stick!
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Make sure that you never wander away ever again when you go camping. Acquire GPS Accessories. At Safe Home Products, you can get different sorts of GPS Accessories.
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