Safety first y’all.
Hiking and cycling long distances in the USA has its own set of challenges.
Including a few that you may not have encountered if you are travelling from overseas or exploring the wilderness in the USA for the first time.
The beauty of adventurous travel is the opportunity to experience life in the wilderness - however this also means that your safety is your responsibility.
Safety checklist.
A few things to research ahead of starting your adventure in the USA.
Navigation.
Be prepared - hike the trail with more than your phone.
Dependent on how well a trail is marked, you will need to carry paper maps, a compass, trail navigation apps, guidebooks and more.
GPS satellite device.
No service - no problem.
Stay in touch with loved ones via text message, whilst at the same time using the GPS satellite device to send your GPS location to rescue operations.
Wildlife.
Be aware. Be alert.
Wildlife encounters are rare, however you will need to know what to do in the event that you come into contact with wild animals such as bears.
First Aid kit.
Be prepared for emergencies.
Carry a first aid kit and ideally know what to do with it in the event of an incident! If you are nervous, sign up to a first aid or outdoor skills course.
Weather conditions.
Snow storms, wildfires, lightening and more.
Thru-hiking and cycling for months at a time means that you will experience a range of different seasons.
Research weather conditions ahead of your trip and identify what precautions you may need to take, in addition to ensuring that you have the right equipment (and know how to use it).
River crossings.
Water and log crossings.
Thru-hiking will involve multiple river and stream crossings and in the event of a big snow year, the water could be flowing fast.
Don’t underestimate the risk - do your research and always be prepared to turn back or walk further to avoid dangerous water crossings.
Water availability.
Stay hydrated.
Selected sections of your hike may have limited access to natural water sources.
Make sure you have access to updated water source information - accessed from multiple places such as the official trail organisation/foundations website and Guthook hiking apps (reliant on users to update).
Be prepared for anything.
Plans change.
There is a lot you can plan for and a lot that you can’t! As much as we want everything to run smoothly, it helps to be prepared to change your plans as a result of the uncontrollable.
Extreme weather, injuries, sickness and dare I say it, COVID-19 can play havoc with your adventure. If you start your trip with the mindset that things might change, you’ll be better prepared to roll with the punches.
People get injured.
Hiking and cycling long distances can lead to lots of different injuries - it is highly common for thru-hikers to get off trail and seek medical attention.
Typically, only 1 in every 4 long distance thru-hikers successfully complete their journey. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in the event of an injury or accident.
Mental health.
You’re going to experience the full spectrum of emotions on and off the trail - from epic days to totally over it days.
You could be on a trail for months at a time and it helps to be mentally prepared, starting with simply knowing why you are out there in the first place. When the going-gets-tough, you can easily focus on why you are out there in the first place.
