{"id":9786,"date":"2012-05-10T08:33:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-10T15:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/idyllwildtowncrier.com\/?p=9786"},"modified":"2013-02-04T15:29:05","modified_gmt":"2013-02-04T22:29:05","slug":"off-the-main-roads-how-to-save-your-own-bacon-%e2%80%a6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idyllwildtowncrier.com\/2012\/05\/10\/off-the-main-roads-how-to-save-your-own-bacon-%e2%80%a6\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Main Roads: How to save your own bacon \u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planning on heading out on a hike? Great! <\/p>\n

Just one thing I\u2019d like you to do first. Look in the mirror. You are looking at the person responsible for your own safety. Got it? Good.<\/p>\n

Any good Girl Scout knows that the hike starts before leaving the house. Whether it\u2019s a quick trail run, bagging one of the local peaks or a multi-day backpacking trip, preparation is the key to having a safe and fun time in the wilderness.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you should have before stepping onto the trail:<\/p>\n

Common sense \u2014 Most often, it\u2019s not a person\u2019s equipment that saves their bacon. It\u2019s their experience and good judgment in the use of their equipment and training. Having the right gear is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another. Get the training and information you need before you go.<\/p>\n

Wilderness first aid training \u2014 That moldy prepackaged first aid kit from REI stuffed in a crevice in the bottom of your pack won\u2019t magically ward off bad luck. Carry the basics and know what you have; then make sure you know how to use everything you carry. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to routinely be doing anything more than casual strolls, it\u2019s very a good idea to take a wilderness first aid course. (Check out wildernessoutings.com<\/a> right here in Idyllwild). <\/p>\n

Map and navigation experience \u2014 Always bring a map of the region. Even if you don\u2019t need it for yourself, you can use it to point lost PCTers in the right direction Make sure you know how to read and orient the map. At the very least pick up a map from the local ranger station to familiarize yourself with the route you\u2019re taking.<\/p>\n

Pre-pack your backpack with the ten essentials \u2014 If it\u2019s already packed, you can\u2019t forget it! I know you\u2019ve heard it over and over, but it bears repeating. Say it with me now: Map and compass, sun protection, extra food, extra water, extra clothes, light source, first aid kit, fire starter, knife.<\/p>\n

Overnight options \u2014 Contrary to what you see on TV, rescues usually take multiple hours to coordinate, even when one is lucky enough to have a helicopter available. If you\u2019re injured, you might be stuck in one place for a long time through nasty weather extremes. Bring the bare minimum for staying safely (if uncomfortably) overnight in the wilderness. The right gear can make the difference between a merely unpleasant night and a deadly one. <\/p>\n

A hiking partner \u2014 A cell phone does not replace a hiking partner. Hiking into the back country alone, especially in winter, can be dangerous. Batteries can go out, certain areas do not get reception, and you may drop, damage or lose your phone. Keep a list of your favorite bitious hikes. <\/p>\n

Personal necessities \u2014 Rely on a medication prescription? Throw a few extra pills in a Ziplock baggie in your daypack. Wear contacts? Make sure and bring extra contacts and a set of glasses. I\u2019ve had contacts tear and glasses break. Trust me, it\u2019s not fun trying to make your way down the mountain while only seeing a vague blur of the trail ahead of you. <\/p>\n

Know the conditions and bring the right gear \u2014 Check in with the weather reports, other hikers and the ranger station. The front desk of the U.S. Forest Service ranger station usually has the scoop on the most recent trail reports from your friendly Forest Service Volunteer Association wilderness rangers and equestrians. <\/p>\n

Know when to turn back \u2014 The peak will not wash away in a rain storm, but you might not fare so well. There\u2019s nothing more risky than continuing in conditions for which you\u2019re not prepared, even if it doesn\u2019t seem \u201cthat bad\u201d at the time. Set realistic goals, for example a five-hour round trip to San Jacinto Peak from Humber Park is not likely. <\/p>\n

Let someone know before you go \u2014 No one will know you\u2019re missing if they don\u2019t know you ever left. Even for trail runs, I always text a friend what trailhead I\u2019m heading up and my approximate ETA. A twisted ankle doesn\u2019t have to turn into a night alone in the wilderness. <\/p>\n

Remember, others may come out to help you save your bacon, but ultimately, you are the one responsible for your own safety. Have a safe and fun time in the wilderness!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Planning on heading out on a hike? Great! Just one thing I\u2019d like you to do first. Look in the mirror. You are looking at the person responsible for your own safety. Got it? Good. Any good Girl Scout knows that the hike starts before leaving the house. Whether it\u2019s a quick trail run, bagging […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":527,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"amp_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[40,70],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nOff the Main Roads: How to save your own bacon \u2026 • Idyllwild Town Crier<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/idyllwildtowncrier.com\/2012\/05\/10\/off-the-main-roads-how-to-save-your-own-bacon-\u2026\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Helene Lohr\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" 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