Hiking is considered to be a retreat for body and soul for the adventurer. Therefore, trekking community and mountain lovers consider the activity as the fuel to rejuvenate. Still, there are many risks of hiking. As it is one of the adventure sports, it cannot be the free of its core essence – challenge of life. Although risks of hiking are there, hiking enthusiasts embrace the challenge to meet their limit. Their boisterous spirits turn this activity as the act of passion.
Above all, you are an amateur or an experienced hiker; you cannot be ignorant about the risks of hiking. Playing with Mother Nature can be lethal sometimes. There many unknown dangers of hiking are associated on the trail. Due to that, your life may be at peril. So, while enjoying your mountain-love, you have to be little cautious about the common hiking hazards.
What are the common risks of hiking?
Variation of temperature –
You have started your journey at the sea level. Therefore, your body is accustomed to natural temperature. But, when you are gaining high altitude, the weather is changing. So you may fall sick if you cannot acclimatize with the weather properly.
Short daylight hours –
In the mountain, the day is short. Naturally, you have to complete your walking part till the sunlight is there. Otherwise, it is quite difficult to follow the uneven and unknown route at night. There are various risks involved in it. Even you may lose the track.
Sunburn –
High altitude sun is intense. So you have to wear either full body covering cloth or use suncream to protect your screen from blistering.
Falling/sliding –
All the trails in trekking are not convenient to climb. Sometimes it is rocky, and after rain, the slippery and rocky terrain is dangerous. So, you have to be careful enough to step on the trail. A careless step can toss you down. Even, it can be fatal too.
Dehydration –
As there is limited water source in the mountain, your all day walking can straw out water from your body. Therefore, you have to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water while hiking. Otherwise, your muscle may cramp, and it will be more difficult for you to move.
Snow-blindness –
In spite of snow looks fantastic. But, in the daytime, it can be harmful to your eyes. As because snow is reflecting direct sunlight and UV rays to your eyes, you can suffer snow blindness. Staying longer in naked eyes can cause blindness too. Always wear UV protected sunglass to protect your eyes.
Altitude sickness –
This is one of the causes of panic among the trekkers. Due to high altitude, less oxygen supply in the body, the trekkers suffer Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS). It causes dizziness, nausea, headache at the initial stage. Don’t consider it lightly. Even it can be fatal if ignored for a more extended period. If you are suffering from AMS, immediately, you must descend to low altitude. To prevent AMS, try to acclimatize with the weather as much as you can. In this way, your body will be conditioned in the less air density.
Poison –
There are many poisonous flowers and plants in the mountain. Therefore, don’t smell a beautiful flower or eat a juicy hanging fruit. Not only they can spread allergy infection in your body, but it can cause death also.
Wild animals/Insects –
Mountain flora and fauna is full of various species. Above all, when you are trespassing in their zone, they can also respond. Sometimes, that can be little apprehensive for you when a Himalayan jaguar considers you as breakfast or dinner. There are insects like leeches or snakes too. So don’t be panic. You need to be little cautious on the same.
Weather –
Nature is very unpredictable in the mountain. Rain, storm or landslides are very common in the rainy season. Try to avoid the rainy season. Even the most accessible trail can be the difficult one for the natural disaster. Take the basic protection. Rest is on luck.
Avalanche –
Avalanche is the deadliest form of natural calamity. The sliding boulders with the snow are disastrous and fatal. It’s entirely on the wrath of nature. So human can hardly resist the same.
Injury –
While climbing, if you have slipped, you may have the chance to get injured. Therefore, carry the basic first aid with you. For any severe injury, you have to take the help of the experts to come down as soon as possible.
Stomach issue –
Sometimes, water causes stomach problem in the mountain. Therefore, take the proper medicine to prevent any stomach issue.
After all, risks of hiking depend on your luck and some necessary precautions you have taken while hiking on the mountain. At the same time, when you are exploring some magnificent places on earth, you should not be afraid of the probability of accidents. Instead of panic, plan your journey with an experienced guide and take the precaution and medicine with you to dodge common hiking hazards.
Happy hiking!