With Spring now upon us many of those who love the outdoors, myself included, will be prepping their packs for the first hike of the season. When hiking, there is nothing better than finding a path that you have never previously trekked.
However, when tackling a new path it is always best to be prepared – as I found out. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas, some friends and I had heard of a great hike down to the Colorado River – Gold Strike Canyon. Little did we know just how arduous of a hike this was going to become.
We had hiked some areas around Las Vegas prior to this with very little issues, so we prepped how we normally did: water, light snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses. We misread how long of a hike it was and did not prep adequately.
Fortunately, for us, nothing serious happened, we were just a little hungrier and thirstier than we would have been had we researched properly. This just proved as a reminder, no matter how experienced you are, it is always important to ensure that you are properly packed for a hike.
Here are a few key tips to ensure you stay safe when hiking:
- Always let someone know where you are hiking, when you’ll be hiking, and when you plan to return. Don’t forget to check in when you get back!
- Stay on the marked trails. Trying to find or make shortcuts can increase your risks of getting lost or injured.
- Make sure to have adequate water and to bring salt foods for your hike.
- Consider bringing an emergency kit, even if your hikes are shorter day trips. Hikers typically put the following items in an emergency kit: trash bags, extra food, a small flash light, a whistle, moleskin, and a first aid kit.
- Never hike alone.
- Bring sunscreen.
- If you are hiking somewhere new, make sure you do adequate research
In 2014 there were 37 incidents, resulting in 3 deaths, at Gold Strike Canyon. Ensure your safety and the safety of your friends with proper preparation.
