Trails Less Traveled

In June & July of this year, 38 people hiking in the Adirondacks needed emergency help or rescue from DEC Rangers.  A typical scenario involves  someone who goes out for a hike when the day is warm and the sun is shining.  They spend a couple of hours hiking and then the weather changes.  Clouds roll in, temperatures plummet and cold rain starts to fall.  They lose the trail, take a wrong turn and don't have a map or compass; no extra water or food;  and no flashlight. Or they twist an ankle, strain a back muscle, dislocate a knee or shoulder and can no longer hike.  Fast forward to winter conditions and if the person is not prepared they can find themselves in dire straits.  So how can you be prepared?

First always check the weather where you are going, not just where you are.  Weather in Old Forge can be very different from weather in the Mohawk Valley-sometimes better, sometimes not.  Next drink lots of fluids-water, sports drinks, juice- we need fluids to stay hydrated so our bodies can function properly and keep us warm.  Always bring extra clothing to either layer or change into after the hike.  Nothing feels better than dry clothing when you have just slogged through rain, mud and wind.  Dry clothing and weather-proof rain gear can also help you if you get hurt and end up waiting for rescue.  We often see people hiking in flip-flops, sandals and Keds, none of which belong on a trail.  Shoes with traction or hiking boots are essential this time of year when the trails are often muddy and you may encounter snow.

Hikers in the Adirondack High Peaks are required to have a whistle, though I have seen very few who carry them.  A map and compass - don't just rely on GPS, they can fail -are essential to knowing which way to go.  It is good to consult a map before you are even on the trail, to see which way to go in the event you lose your way or your GPS stops working.  Often, going one direction will bring you to a road, but going the other direction will take you deep into wilderness with no roads, no camps, no hope of rescue.  Always let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back.  And if you get lost - stay put!  The farther away you go from your intended path, the less likely searchers will know where to look for you.  So it is your choice- do you want to look "cool" i.e., wear those flip flops, no pack, no emergency preparations or do you want to find your way out and have a chance to survive an unexpected night in the woods in relative comfort.