Personal Safety
I get asked a lot if I feel safe on the trail. I do but I’m also vigilant about my safety. Here are some hiking safety tips that I use.
Be aware of your surroundings
- Don’t bring along valuables – even if you are leaving them in the car
- Before you get to the trailhead to park, stow your valuables in your trunk and under the floor mat so it isn’t immediately visible.
- Be aware of your surroundings. What cars are in the parking lot? I go so far as to send an email to my friends with photos of the cars in the lot.
- Wear a shirt with a police, fire department, or military logo and walk with your shoulders back and chin up.
- Wear boots. Have you ever been kicked by a hiking boot? It hurts!
- Carry a deterrent such as mace, bear mace, wasp spray, or firearm* if you are legally allowed.
- Always let at least two friends know where you are hiking and when you expect to be done and who to call if they can’t get a hold of you
- Never hike a trail if you feel creeped out in any way. Your subconscious picks up on more cues than your conscious mind. It’s okay to nope out and go to another location to hike.
Encountering people on the trail
Body language goes a long long way to telling the other person that you are an easy target or a hard target.
- Keep your chin up and your shoulders back – walk like you own the place
- Make eye contact with the people you meet on the trail
- Say Hello like you own the place
- Step to the side to allow them to pass with plenty of space between you and them (it looks like you are being polite but in reality, you are increasing the time you have to react if they move towards you.)
- Ask how their hike is going as if you are an employee checking on the trails
- If asked, you are always hiking with someone and they are “just a bit behind” you, or you are meeting your dad/brother/husband in just a few minutes
If you get the heebie jeebies – trust your gut & bug out!
* To be prepared, attend a concealed carry personal defense class.
