Fall Hiking Safety

There’s a computer technician working on your favorite machine in the gym, and your trusty biometrics app once again needs to be reinstalled. If your workout routine has gotten a little too technological lately, why not take a step back in time?

Hiking is one of the oldest forms of exercise, and with crisp air and glorious fall colors, autumn is the perfect time. With that in mind, here are some safety tips to make sure your fall hikes stay injury-free:

• The days are shorter now, and darkness comes early. Be sure to plan your hikes accordingly and bring a flashlight.
• Watch weather reports. The fall months can often be unpredictable, and you never know if a warm sunny morning will turn cold and rainy, or even bring snow.
• Dress appropriately. Layers are the key to staying comfortable.
• Make sure your hiking boots have been broken in properly before tackling long hikes. There's no sense in having painful blisters ruin your good time.
• Autumn is also hunting season. Wear something bright and stay away from earth-toned colors as well as brown or black. Also make some noise so that hunters will hear you—whistle, sing, or carry on a conversation.
• Watch out for leaves on the trail. Newly fallen leaves can camouflage the terrain, making navigation difficult. Wet leaves can cause slippery conditions.
• Be careful walking near water, particularly on slippery wet rocks. You may not realize how tired you are until you try to swim to safety, so drowning is a real issue.
• Although the days are cooler, you can still get sunburned. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

A few precautions can make all the difference in your autumn hike—stay safe!