With more and more people heading into the wilderness, it’s important to be prepared and know the basics of being outside. Some things are straightforward, while others are sensible but may not be on everyone’s radar. I’m still fully learning the ropes, but here are a few things that I’ve learned so far.

A few weeks ago, I took the day off work to head to the mountains, as I often like to do. I drove along Mountain Loop Highway, about 2 hours outside of Seattle, until I arrived at the trailhead parking lot. It was completely deserted, which wasn’t particularly odd for a chilly Wednesday morning in December. Plus, I usually don’t mind being the only hiker as I enjoy the solitude of an empty trail.

I took my normal precautions, such as reading the latest trail reports and telling two friends where I was headed and when to expect me home. I also placed a note on my dashboard with my route and emergency contact information should I not return by the time specified. I don’t usually do the latter, but a completely empty trail made it feel more necessary. Nature is unpredictable, as is any accident, so I try to be prepared.

A WALK IN THE WOODS

It was drizzling as I walked to the trailhead and as I glanced at the bulletin board at the start of the trail I looked intently at the poster of a missing woman who mysteriously vanished while hiking on a nearby trail this past summer. I’d forgotten about the incident until that moment. My eyes then moved to the poster about proper bear preparedness and I recalled that there was a sighting on the trail recently, though it was reportedly “non-aggressive” (doesn’t ease the nerves). I felt mildly uneasy but buckled my backpack and continued on – I try not to let fear prevent me from doing what I otherwise would.

I walked beneath the trees, which were dense and made the day feel darker than it already was. It felt eerie and I walked with a sharp stone in one hand and my keys in the other, alert and ready to defend myself if needed. After I rounded what felt like my 40th switchback but happened to only be a mile up the trail, I suddenly stopped. I didn’t stop because I saw something sketchy or even necessarily because I was afraid, but rather because I was flummoxed at what I was doing. Here I was, “enjoying” my day off by gripping a sharp rock and trying to sedate the pit of uneasiness burrowed in my stomach. It was a far cry from the “peaceful day in the mountains” I was aiming for.

I found myself in a state of deliberation; do I continue up the trail or go back down?

On the one hand, I’d driven all that way and was already on the trail so it made sense to push on and not let a little fear hold me back. But on the other hand, I was in a dark forest on a rainy day, holding a pointy rock and having“what if?” questions fire into my tiny brain at lightning speed – “what if someone is hiding behind a tree?,” “what if the bear doesn’t want to have a non-aggressive picnic with me, but wants to serve me at their picnic instead?” – and did I really want to feel anxious for another 8 miles, possibly putting myself in danger just to prove that I can be independent and have more control over my fears?

Above: Flashback to turning back on a solo hike in the Slovene Alps, en route to Tromeja, the border where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet. I really wanted to make it, but opted to turn around due to the remoteness of the area and increasing snow.

After a few moments in the dark undercover of the trees, with rain slipping through and pattering against my face, I looked up and glanced down, then back up and back down again; my head following an invisible tennis match between the trees. Up or down? Conquer fear or admit defeat? In the end, I turned around. I wasn’t particularly peachy about it but I did it nonetheless. With each step, I felt a bit defeated by my decision but tried my best to replace that with something more closely resembling pride because sometimes turning back is just as hard as going forward.

Fifteen minutes later, I had made it safely to my car and drove back the way I came. Knowing that there was a tried-and-true trail on the way back that I’d done before I felt like my day could still be salvaged. I knew this other trail to be popular and not quite as isolated - and I was right. When I arrived, there were three cars in the lot and as I began walking I felt a surge of comfort and confidence with each step. I had to remind myself that although hiking helps to challenge me, I also do it to get out of my head while being amongst greenery and mountains and fresh air. I don’t hike to feel anxious and there is a clear distinction between challenging myself and being reckless in doing so to prove a point. Recognizing that line is something I learned that day.

The morning didn’t go as planned but I am happy with my decision and for the experience. Would I have been just fine on the first trail? Probably. But for peace of mind and just sensible safety, I’m proud that I turned around. When it comes to travel and hiking, it’s not something I often do, and should probably practice more of.

BE MINDFUL, BE SAFE

This bit of reflection comes after reading about the recent tragedy in Morocco of two wonderful Scandinavian women who were brutally murdered by religious extremists while camping in the Atlas Mountains. From what I read of them, they were both adventurous souls who were enamored with the outdoors, enthralled by the world and sought to satiate their curiosities. Their lives were cut short, but in that time they likely saw so much beauty in the world and experienced more than many ever will. This news makes me feel many things; I feel utter sadness that this is something that happens in our world; I feel guilty for always jetting off when I have a comfortable and safe life at home; I feel inspired by their passion and fearless spirits; I feel twinges of regret for the risks I’ve taken while traveling; I feel lucky that I’ve not fallen victim to tragic circumstances and been in unsafe situations.

I’ve travelled on my own across several continents and I do try to be mindful of my surroundings, but as the old saying goes, you never know. And you really never do. I could tell you that those women were murdered by Muslim men that practice Islam and that I lived in a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population (Indonesia), yet the most unsafe I’ve ever felt while traveling was at a train station in Marseille, France. In Indonesia, I never felt threatened or in an unsafe situation. In fact, Indonesians are amongst the friendliest bunch I’ve encountered. And how many people travel to France versus Indonesia? But in the end, it’s not about religion, nor is it about what country you are in – it comes down to human behavior. And, as you may have noticed, there are humans everywhere. A whole lot of them, in fact, and some are not so good. Despite this, I find solace in knowing that a whopping majority area.

Above: In Indonesia, I took a doozy of a fall that ended with seven stitches just under my knee cap. Since it happened in a rural area, the only option was to get back on the bike and drive back. I tried to be nonchalant while I drove to the beach, where I would need to wait for a boat to take me to the hospital. I stopped at a small store in a village along the way and asked for bandaids and Kleenex (I know… wildly useless, but in the moment it seemed like a fair request), and without my asking, a boy offered to clean my leg, which was covered in blood. At the time, I thought I could clean myself up just fine, but I realized afterwards that I was nauseous and couldn’t have done it without his help. Plus, he didn’t charge me for what medical supplies he had sent me off with, which were minimal but helpful, and as a random Westerner with likely far more money (and only able to give him what little amount I had on my person), this was the ultimate kindness. Once at the beach, a few others helped as well. In my travels, I’ve found humans to be generally well-intentioned and kind.

Despite this recent unsettling tragedy, I do still want to go to Africa; I want to visit the pyramids of Egypt, to eat my way through Ethiopia, frolic through the deserts of Morocco, and go on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. I also want to visit the Middle East (sorry Mom), and see Iran and Jordan. Every country has it’s difficulties, and I plan on visiting all these places, but I’m okay not going quite yet, or visiting with a friend or group (you’re welcome, Mom). Would I be fine going on my own? Probably. But you never know, and I’m not feeling particularly risky at the moment.

Bear in mind that all these sentiments are coming from a risk-taker. I am many things, but an avid rule-follower is not one of them and if I’m told not go somewhere or do something, I’m rather good at disregarding it entirely. Admittedly, it’s not one of my finer qualities… I’m also fairly strong-willed and often don’t have a large enough dose of fear in me and will spontaneously venture out willy-nilly (which is usually great!), but I have to remember that it’s okay to take a step back as well. For now I’m happy with my current travel plans and being aware of my limits; it’s not an admittance of defeat, and I need to remember that. As much as I love to go off the beaten path, the well-trodden one is just as wonderful. Speaking of which, I’ll be in New Zealand this March, Patagonia in February and, who knows, maybe a work trip to Antarctica is on the horizon (penguins are 100% the least threatening creatures on the planet, this is inarguable scientific fact).

A Few tips

To bring this all full circle, if you are heading outdoors, traveling alone, or just a human looking for some safety tips, I’ve got a few to share. Not a lot, but why not share the few goodies I have in my back pocket?

First step is to get yourself outside or to a new place, that’s a good place to start. Next, be smart, stay safe, and have fun. Easy peasy! For a little extra guidance, read on.

Outdoors Communities

If you live in the PNW and are looking to hike or camp, I highly recommend checking Washington Trails Association before you head out. It’s a HUGE resource for hikers and is especially great for learning current trail conditions (especially sweet to know in winter). I’m not familiar with what others use outside of the PNW, but I’m sure similar websites exist.

in the bag

My pack always has a first-aid kit, extra layers, a lighter and a pocket knife. (And a beer, obviously.) Rarely do I actually use these things – except the beer of course, I absolutely utilize that – but it is good to be prepared. During winter in the PNW, I also pack my poles, micro spikes, and an emergency poncho.

A fun tidbit: most backpacks are overachievers and have whistles built into the top buckle that goes over the chest. Handy little thing that could be.

Tried and true backpacks:

Osprey’s Aura 65 for overnight backpacking
REI Co-op’s Traverse 35 daypack for women
Osprey’s Talon 33 daypack (I prefer the men’s bag - pictured right)

There’s an App for That

While I’m off adventuring, I use All Trails, an app that has information and maps for hikes all over the world. My favorite feature is the offline map tool. By downloading the trail map, you can follow your progress as you go (including distance and elevation grades). This helps to make sure you’re on course, or is a great tool to see how much farther you have to go because let’s face it, sometimes your legs are done working for the day and all you want to do is get a mountain in your field of vision ASAP.

Beer Saves Lives

Okay, hear me out: I was recently in a discussion about survival items. In our hypothetical scenario, we had a list of 20 available items (32 oz. water bottle, matches, tent, etc), however, we could only choose 5. While I assumed the 16 oz. can of beer was on the list a joke, I learned that it can actually be quite helpful in a pinch!

Not only does beer offer a small amount of hydration, but it has a small caloric count as well. Plus, once it’s empty you can refill it to carry water, or cut it up to create a small, sharp weapon or tool. If that’s not enough, aluminum is reflective and can be used to signal for help or even start a fire. SEE! Beer saves lives and is an official hiking essential in my book.

Before You Go

Before heading out, I always text a friend to say where I’m going and that they are now casually responsible for my life. I try to tell two people where I’m headed and what time to expect me back since I won’t have service while out and about.

It’s also good to know the ins and outs of your car in case of an emergency. I keep a first-aid kit and spare clothes in the back and know how to access my spare tire. I like to keep my info up to date info for emergencies as well. Things I don’t currently have but really, really, really should are jumper cables, chains, and a gas can. I feel like at one point I had all these things, but they have since mysteriously vanished over the years.

Recreation 101

If you’re in the market for a little extra professional guidance, REI has a large database on how to buy proper gear as well as expert advice on staying safe, such as their Avalanche Awareness series. It’s not a class, which clearly has a 99% higher chance of being useful, but it’s better than nothing!

They also offer a ton of classes and events ranging from informational to recreational. I recently took a maps and navigation class and loved it (happily photographed on right), but they offer more exhilarating things as well, such as snowshoeing at night with guides, paddling down river, and climbing big things like mountains and whatnot. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people in your area.

TO WRAP THIS ALL UP

I know I’ve used a ridiculous amount of words and it sounds like a lot to consider when all you want to do is just take a jolly walk outdoors, but proactivity can save lives and keep us out of sticky situations. I’m no pro and have my share of misadventures, so I’m not here to preach safety ad nauseam (I don’t even have a spare gas can – I’m clearly not a reputable resource), but it never hurts to knowledge share.

Have any other tips? I’d love to hear them! (Seriously, douse me in knowledge, please.) In the meantime, safe hiking and travels wherever you may be headed in this great big world!