Safety should always be your number one consideration in every hike. Below are some safety tips:
ALWAYS send a link of your intended route and the approximate time you intend to return to someone close to you – a spouse, parent, good friend. In case of emergency, the rescue services will have some idea where to start looking.
Send a link to yourself of the location where you leave your car. Speaking from unfortunate personal experience, this can save you a lot of time wandering around hunting for your car when you think you know where you left it.
Always check the weather forecast before setting out! https://ims.gov.il/en Do NOT hike in or near riverbeds, especially in the south, if there is even a small chance of rain. Always consult with more experienced hikers if you’re not sure whether the area you want to hike in is safe. If unsure, don’t take a chance.
It’s a good idea to buy some electrolyte powder or tablets to add to your drinking water both before and after a hike to replenish the minerals you lose by sweating. iHerb is a good source for this.
Drink, drink, drink!
Cut your toenails. I learned this the hard way after losing one or more toenails on several occasions due to overly long toenails being jammed into the toes of my boots on some long, steep descents.
Summer is snake season in Israel. If you must hike through dense undergrowth and cannot see where you are stepping, beat the grass/bushes/path just ahead of you with your hiking poles to give any dangerous creatures ample warning to let them know you’re coming. They are not interested in you but may strike if surprised.
Steep ascents/descents. The main thing is to get up and down them safely and to realize that this is not a race or a contest. Stop, rest and breathe as often as you need to. (And don’t forget to lift your head and look back to see how far you’ve come.) Some descents require doing risk assessment with every step. Is there fine gravel that will shift or slip out from under you? Is it boulders or bedrock that might be slippery if damp? Will that stone that you want to step on wobble? Or crumble? If you feel unsure about being able to descend safely without slipping, don’t risk it! Sit on your bum and scoot down. If necessary, you can make up some time where the terrain is flatter.
Blister prevention tips: apply Hike Goo to your feet then pour approx. 1 TBSP talc powder into your sock before putting it on your foot. Personally, I would probably only take these two products with me on a multi-day hike, not a day hike. But if you are prone to blisters, I highly recommend using both simultaneously.
What other tips for safer and more comfortable hiking can you suggest? Let me know!