{"id":70513,"date":"2021-08-07T01:57:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-07T05:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=70513"},"modified":"2022-12-27T23:23:57","modified_gmt":"2022-12-28T03:23:57","slug":"5-important-dos-and-dont-during-hiking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/70513\/5-important-dos-and-dont-during-hiking\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Important Do’s and Don’t During Hiking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Searching for the most important Do’s and Don’ts during Hiking? You’ve reached the right place. Let\u2019s face it, only a handful of outdoor activities beats hiking<\/a>. Getting to walk through nature, breathe clean air, and soak in the stunning view can be a refreshing experience to take a break from the common stress of day-to-day life. <\/span><\/p>\n

But as invigorating as hiking can be, it comes with several risks. Thankfully, there are many ways to minimize your risk of encountering an emergency. And in this post, we explore 5 Do\u2019s and 5 Don\u2019ts during hiking. <\/span><\/p>\n

Do\u2019s during Hiking<\/b><\/h2>\n

#1 Go with the essentials<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unless you\u2019re planning on having a horrible experience, don\u2019t forget to take essential supplies. This includes food and water, hiking boots, a waterproof trail map, sunscreen and insect repellent, rain gear and extra clothing, a first aid kit, a headlamp or flashlight<\/a>, matches or lighter, a knife, and other tools.<\/p>\n

#2 Keep your dog on a leash<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hiking with your dog can be a lovely experience. And while you might be tempted to take your dog off the leash, generally speaking, that\u2019s not a good idea. Why? Because your dog can wander off the trail and come into confrontation with wildlife like <\/span>raccoons<\/span><\/a>. This exposes your dog to the risk of injury and diseases. <\/span><\/p>\n

#3 Watch your feet<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hiking trails are seldom smooth. That\u2019s why you need to watch where you\u2019re going. Believe it or not, stepping in the wrong place could mean twisting your ankle, tripping, or slipping on a rock. And if you\u2019re unlucky, it could mean stepping on a venomous snake that may strike back.<\/span><\/p>\n

#4 Acknowledge other hikers<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you move along the trail, you\u2019re probably going to come across other hikers. You don\u2019t need to give them a warm hug, but it\u2019s just polite to acknowledge them. Just say hi or, at the very least, give them a head nod. <\/span><\/p>\n

#5 Do give uphill the right of way<\/span><\/h3>\n

Either you\u2019re northbound or southbound, it\u2019s the convention that if there isn\u2019t enough room for everyone, then the person traveling downhill should move aside to allow the person climbing upwards to continue hiking. The exception being when the person climbing upwards explicitly signals to the downwards climber to come first. <\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019ts during Hiking<\/b><\/h2>\n

#1 Leave no trace<\/span><\/h3>\n

If there\u2019s anything you should remember, this is it – the golden rule of hiking. When you hike, you\u2019re intruding into wild habitat, and you must respect the environment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t leave the designated trail. Don\u2019t litter or throw fruit peels. Do break tree branches or disturb the environment in any way. Don\u2019t leave empty water bottles and poop bags along the way. But why should any of this be remembered? <\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine everybody acted irresponsibly. It\u2019s only a matter of time before the natural environment becomes compromised. And you not only ruin the experience for other hikers, but your actions can also negatively impact wildlife.  <\/span><\/p>\n

#2 Never hike alone<\/span><\/h3>\n

I get it, you\u2019re an experienced hiker. You know the trail like the palm of your hands. What harm would hiking alone do? To be honest, while solo hiking itself isn\u2019t automatically dangerous, emergencies do arise. And it\u2019s always safer when you\u2019re not alone. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019re hell-bent on solo hiking, then you MUST notify someone before you take off, so they can raise an alarm should things go south. <\/span><\/p>\n

#3 Never touch or feed wild animals<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is probably one of the most important don’ts during hiking. During your hike, you might see raccoons, foxes, or any other animal lurking around. And while it might be tempting to interact with wildlife, don\u2019t do that. According to <\/span>A&D Construction Plus<\/span><\/a>  (is a reputable wildlife removal company), most wild animals like raccoons are known to carry various diseases. Interacting with them puts you at risk of being seriously bitten or infected. <\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, the last thing you want is for wild animals to lose their fear of humans. By feeding them, you\u2019re encouraging them to approach humans when they see one. This is not desirable. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"DON'TS