Hiking Safety
Even the best of hikes can go terribly wrong for a variety of reasons. These problems can happen to even the seasoned hiker, if he gets careless. Proper planning and precautionary steps can help eliminate the vast majority of hiking problems. If you are new to hiking, or simply looking for a review, this article is for you. Careful planning is a good investment of your time. We have provided some expert links to provide more details that you may desire.
Some of the most common hazards that hikers encounter, include injuries or illness, hazardous weather, floods, forest fires, getting lost, sunburn and dehydration, or frostbite and hypothermia. There are risks from nature, as well. A wise hiker will take steps to minimize his or her risks, whether they are the small things like poison ivy and mosquitos, or potentially more serious things like tick diseases, snakebites, or attacks from wild animals.
Getting Lost - For hikers planning on hiking into remote areas, it is especially important to have one or more partners with you - especially if you are going off-trail. Bringing a first-aid kit and plenty of water is essential. While a cell phone may be of some help, one should not assume it will be a sure solution for getting help if lost or injured. If injured, one is not always conscious to make a call. And, even if an injured hiker is conscious, cell phones are notorious for not working in remote areas, due to interference from steep hillsides or canyon walls. GPS units, normally quite helpful, are also subject to failure, whether it is dead batteries, damage from being dropped or lost along the way. Carrying a small compass is always a good idea. Bringing a good map of the area you are hiking through adds to integrity of your planning.
Off-trail hiking (or “bushwhacking”) is not advisable for novice hikers, or those who do not know how to read maps, or anyone with physical limitations or weaknesses. The longer the distance from a road or trail, the greater the chance of getting lost. This can be further compounded by thick forests, nightfall and inclement weather. One of the most important things to do while hiking is to take mental notes of your surroundings, so that you can find your way back if you get off-trail or if your trail just fades out. Remember, while walking back the way you came, the perspective will be different. Some hikers use digital cameras to take a series of photos of landmarks, so they can follow those landmarks back in reverse order. However, dead batteries or a lost camera can ruin even that.
If you must hike solo, it is very important to make a written route plan, including an expected return time. The plan should be left with someone very dependable who will check for a safe return. A hiker may also be able to advise the local sheriff's office of any solo trip plans, along with their expected return time and contact information. If the hiker does not return by the registered time, authorities will know where to search in a timely manner. By doing this, the chances are greatly increased of actually rescuing a missing hiker. If you do find yourself lost, it is usually better to stay where you are at and make a safe and dry shelter that will be visible to rescuers.
Weather Hazards – Over the years, numerous hikers and climbers have been injured or killed by lightning strikes, hypothermia, heat stroke, severe sunburns, dehydration, avalanches, floods and other weather-related hazards. When planning your hike, it is in your best interest to know the forecast for where you are going. Proper preparation includes apparel and footwear appropriate for the weather and terrain, sunscreen, plus carrying enough water and food for the outing. Even that does not make up for lack of common sense. It makes no sense to venture out when the forecast calls for thunderstorms, hail, lightning, excessive rainfall with flooding threats, days of high heat and humidity or during the threat of blizzard-like conditions. Trying to cross rain-swollen streams is never worth the risk. Wisdom requires patience in waiting for the right conditions.
Even the best of hikes can go terribly wrong for a variety of reasons. These problems can happen to even the seasoned hiker, if he gets careless. Proper planning and precautionary steps can help eliminate the vast majority of hiking problems. If you are new to hiking, or simply looking for a review, this article is for you. Careful planning is a good investment of your time. We have provided some expert links to provide more details that you may desire.
Some of the most common hazards that hikers encounter, include injuries or illness, hazardous weather, floods, forest fires, getting lost, sunburn and dehydration, or frostbite and hypothermia. There are risks from nature, as well. A wise hiker will take steps to minimize his or her risks, whether they are the small things like poison ivy and mosquitos, or potentially more serious things like tick diseases, snakebites, or attacks from wild animals.
Getting Lost - For hikers planning on hiking into remote areas, it is especially important to have one or more partners with you - especially if you are going off-trail. Bringing a first-aid kit and plenty of water is essential. While a cell phone may be of some help, one should not assume it will be a sure solution for getting help if lost or injured. If injured, one is not always conscious to make a call. And, even if an injured hiker is conscious, cell phones are notorious for not working in remote areas, due to interference from steep hillsides or canyon walls. GPS units, normally quite helpful, are also subject to failure, whether it is dead batteries, damage from being dropped or lost along the way. Carrying a small compass is always a good idea. Bringing a good map of the area you are hiking through adds to integrity of your planning.
Off-trail hiking (or “bushwhacking”) is not advisable for novice hikers, or those who do not know how to read maps, or anyone with physical limitations or weaknesses. The longer the distance from a road or trail, the greater the chance of getting lost. This can be further compounded by thick forests, nightfall and inclement weather. One of the most important things to do while hiking is to take mental notes of your surroundings, so that you can find your way back if you get off-trail or if your trail just fades out. Remember, while walking back the way you came, the perspective will be different. Some hikers use digital cameras to take a series of photos of landmarks, so they can follow those landmarks back in reverse order. However, dead batteries or a lost camera can ruin even that.
If you must hike solo, it is very important to make a written route plan, including an expected return time. The plan should be left with someone very dependable who will check for a safe return. A hiker may also be able to advise the local sheriff's office of any solo trip plans, along with their expected return time and contact information. If the hiker does not return by the registered time, authorities will know where to search in a timely manner. By doing this, the chances are greatly increased of actually rescuing a missing hiker. If you do find yourself lost, it is usually better to stay where you are at and make a safe and dry shelter that will be visible to rescuers.
Weather Hazards – Over the years, numerous hikers and climbers have been injured or killed by lightning strikes, hypothermia, heat stroke, severe sunburns, dehydration, avalanches, floods and other weather-related hazards. When planning your hike, it is in your best interest to know the forecast for where you are going. Proper preparation includes apparel and footwear appropriate for the weather and terrain, sunscreen, plus carrying enough water and food for the outing. Even that does not make up for lack of common sense. It makes no sense to venture out when the forecast calls for thunderstorms, hail, lightning, excessive rainfall with flooding threats, days of high heat and humidity or during the threat of blizzard-like conditions. Trying to cross rain-swollen streams is never worth the risk. Wisdom requires patience in waiting for the right conditions.
Fire Dangers – Venturing into an area that is suffering from a forest fire is extremely risky, especially if it is windy. At the first sign of fire, hikers need to get out as quickly and safely as possible. Also, fire has been the greatest risk hikers have posed to the environment. Often, there is no really good reason hikers need to make fires, since there is such a wide variety of foods that preserve well and do not need to be cooked before consumption. But, for those who must make a fire, it is important to double all efforts to make sure not even a spark or ember remains of the fire. Smokers need to apply the same effort to make sure everything is totally extinguished. The fire that a careless hiker starts could also be the same fire that ends his life, or the lives of others.
Not only do fires pose immediate dangers, the they leave future dangers behind. The forest service posts notice of "snags", trees that are fallen, or ready to fall. These trees are often fire-damaged, though lately thousands of Black Hills forest acres have been destroyed by pine beetles. Wind and winter storms only compound this problem. The 2013 Winter Storm Atlas knocked down many trees with it's heavy snow and strong winds. Winter Storm Venus, in 2015, also did some damage, though not as much as Winter Storm Atlas. It always pays to check these things out before venturing into potentially hazardous areas.
Climbing Dangers – Tread & Soul does not promote rock climbing or Class 4 scrambling. Those who choose these activities will need to find other sources for that information. A few of the summits listed on this site require Class 3 Scrambling. But that is usually possible for anyone in good health, with good footwear and in good weather situations.
Ticks & Other Insects – Tick season generally lasts from as early as late February to as late as September. Ticks may carry and transmit several very serious diseases. Wasp and bee stings can be life-threatening to those who are allergic to the bites. Spiders are not usually a problem, unless you go into an old building or mine (which carry their own hazards also). Repellents are well worth the expense, especially when compared with medical costs and extensive treatments. Permethrin, sold by Cabelas, WalMart and other outlets, is one of the most effective repellents you can get. Please carefully follow Permethrin instructions! But, it must be applied well ahead of time and allowed to dry and cure. Web MD provides an overview on tick bites and treatment at this link: Tick Bite Overview
Not only do fires pose immediate dangers, the they leave future dangers behind. The forest service posts notice of "snags", trees that are fallen, or ready to fall. These trees are often fire-damaged, though lately thousands of Black Hills forest acres have been destroyed by pine beetles. Wind and winter storms only compound this problem. The 2013 Winter Storm Atlas knocked down many trees with it's heavy snow and strong winds. Winter Storm Venus, in 2015, also did some damage, though not as much as Winter Storm Atlas. It always pays to check these things out before venturing into potentially hazardous areas.
Climbing Dangers – Tread & Soul does not promote rock climbing or Class 4 scrambling. Those who choose these activities will need to find other sources for that information. A few of the summits listed on this site require Class 3 Scrambling. But that is usually possible for anyone in good health, with good footwear and in good weather situations.
Ticks & Other Insects – Tick season generally lasts from as early as late February to as late as September. Ticks may carry and transmit several very serious diseases. Wasp and bee stings can be life-threatening to those who are allergic to the bites. Spiders are not usually a problem, unless you go into an old building or mine (which carry their own hazards also). Repellents are well worth the expense, especially when compared with medical costs and extensive treatments. Permethrin, sold by Cabelas, WalMart and other outlets, is one of the most effective repellents you can get. Please carefully follow Permethrin instructions! But, it must be applied well ahead of time and allowed to dry and cure. Web MD provides an overview on tick bites and treatment at this link: Tick Bite Overview
Hunting Season Risks – Hiking safety risks are always increased when hiking during hunting seasons. If you desire to hike during hunting seasons, away from the hunting areas, we would recommend the trails at "No-Hunting" locations like Jewel Cave National Monument, Devils Tower National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park, Bear Butte State Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. And even though Custer State Park has some very limited hunting there, the Sylvan Lake-area trails to Harney Peak, Little Devils Tower, Cathedral Spires and Sunday Gulch are normally pretty safe. The same goes for the Creekside Trail near the State Game Lodge.
If you choose to go into an area that allows hunting, be sure to wear plenty of bright orange so that you can be clearly seen by any hunters in your area. If you are unsure about when hunting seasons are in the area you are venturing, check out these links for more information:
South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Wyoming Hunting Seasons
Wildlife Hazards – Wildlife is in abundance in the Black Hills and Badlands. Most hikers enjoy observing wildlife, but getting too close can prove dangerous. There is hardly a year that goes by where someone does not get bit by a rattlesnake or charged by a buffalo. Getting too close to elk or coyotes can also be dangerous, though incidents with these species do not happen as often. Officially, there are no bears in the Black Hills, but many residents who live in the hills claim to see black bears on rare occasions. Skunks are the most common carriers for rabies, though other animals may carry rabies as well. For safe hiking, keep your distance. Carry pepper spray if you have any concerns about repelling an aggressive animal. Yellowstone National Park’s website posts a video about the use of pepper spray on bears. You can access the video at this link:
Yellowstone National Park Pepper Spray Instruction
Poison Ivy and Other Plant Hazards – A common problem for hikers, especially those who go off-trail, is poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. Web MD provides a short illustrated description at this link: Web MD Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Web MD also provides a brief outline of how to treat each one at this link: Web MD – Treating Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. It is always a good idea to wear long pants and /or high boots if you will be hiking off-trail. Please remember that the oils in these plants can leach through porous materials, so avoid sitting or standing on these plants.
More Safe Hiking Tips - There are several excellent sites that provide great hiking safety advice. One is from the 50 Miler. You can access their guidelines at this link: Scout Backpacking.
Emergency Number for the Black Hills: 911
Phone Numbers for Black Hills Area Sheriff Departments:
Pennington County, SD: 605-394-2188
Custer County, SD: 605-673-8146
Fall River County, SD: 605-745-5130
Lawrence County, SD: 605-578-2230
Meade County, SD: 605-347-2681
Crook County, WY: 307-283-1225
Weston County, WY: 307-746-4441
If you choose to go into an area that allows hunting, be sure to wear plenty of bright orange so that you can be clearly seen by any hunters in your area. If you are unsure about when hunting seasons are in the area you are venturing, check out these links for more information:
South Dakota Hunting Seasons
Wyoming Hunting Seasons
Wildlife Hazards – Wildlife is in abundance in the Black Hills and Badlands. Most hikers enjoy observing wildlife, but getting too close can prove dangerous. There is hardly a year that goes by where someone does not get bit by a rattlesnake or charged by a buffalo. Getting too close to elk or coyotes can also be dangerous, though incidents with these species do not happen as often. Officially, there are no bears in the Black Hills, but many residents who live in the hills claim to see black bears on rare occasions. Skunks are the most common carriers for rabies, though other animals may carry rabies as well. For safe hiking, keep your distance. Carry pepper spray if you have any concerns about repelling an aggressive animal. Yellowstone National Park’s website posts a video about the use of pepper spray on bears. You can access the video at this link:
Yellowstone National Park Pepper Spray Instruction
Poison Ivy and Other Plant Hazards – A common problem for hikers, especially those who go off-trail, is poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. Web MD provides a short illustrated description at this link: Web MD Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Web MD also provides a brief outline of how to treat each one at this link: Web MD – Treating Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. It is always a good idea to wear long pants and /or high boots if you will be hiking off-trail. Please remember that the oils in these plants can leach through porous materials, so avoid sitting or standing on these plants.
More Safe Hiking Tips - There are several excellent sites that provide great hiking safety advice. One is from the 50 Miler. You can access their guidelines at this link: Scout Backpacking.
Emergency Number for the Black Hills: 911
Phone Numbers for Black Hills Area Sheriff Departments:
Pennington County, SD: 605-394-2188
Custer County, SD: 605-673-8146
Fall River County, SD: 605-745-5130
Lawrence County, SD: 605-578-2230
Meade County, SD: 605-347-2681
Crook County, WY: 307-283-1225
Weston County, WY: 307-746-4441