Hiker Safety: Prepare | Practice | Promote
In 2016 a very close family friend, Kris "Sherpa" Fowler, went missing on the PCT in October of that thru-hiker season. "Sherpa" is still currently missing and has yet to be found. He is believed to be near the PCT in the White Pass area of Washington. Since 2016 I have had a strong interest in hiker safety and promoting safe practices to other hikers, their families, and have had Search and Rescue experts on my podcast sharing their expertise regarding hiker safety.
In the summer of 2021, while I was taking a break on a hike, I randomly started searching through Instagram to see if there was a hiker safety account I could follow or a hiker safety website for more information. To my surprise, I could not find anything specifically related to this on Instagram or even a dedicated website. So on a whim, I started the "Hiker Safety" Instagram account, purchased the web domain, and started sharing relevant articles and specific episodes of my podcast that were hiker safety-related.
As an educator by day but a hiker at heart, my hope with the @hikersafety Instagram account is to raise awareness and start a dialogue to keep trekkers free from danger. By having hikers tag the account and use the hashtag "hiker safety,"; information can be shared among the community and what individuals or groups are doing to be safe on their own hikes. A platform like this enables short video clips of their 10 Essentials and other safety items to be posted. I then re-share the tags and help spread the word more about being safe and safety perspectives. The Hiker Safety website is growing to be a source of information from articles on the 10 Essentials, podcast episodes with Search and Rescue Experts, where to find compass and navigation courses, 10 essentials for your dogs, and more!
The motto and action plan for Hiker Safety is to "Prepare, Practice, and Promote." And while I'm not reinventing the wheel, I believe it's essential to focus on what's already out there. Social media is the perfect venue to accomplish this.
The 10 Essentials I follow and promote at Hiker Safety were created and trademarked by The Mountaineers Club:
The 10 Essentials:
Navigation (Map, Compass, Satellite GPS)
Headlamp (extra batteries)
Sun Protection (Sunglasses, Sun Protective Clothes & Sunscreen)
First-Aid Supplies (foot care, insect Repellent)
Fire (Waterproof Matches/Lighter/Stove as appropriate)
Shelter (emergency bivy)
Extra Food (Beyond Minimum)
Extra Water (Filtration system)
Extra Clothes (emergency overnight)
Now let's get to those hiker safety action plans:
Prepare: Following the Leave No Trace Principles with Plan Ahead and Prepare! Be sure to carry the 10 Essentials on every hike, whether a day hike, section hike, or thru-hike. In addition, leave an Itinerary with someone before you go out on any walk. Especially a Day Hike! Include trailhead, start time, scheduled stop time, mileage, and take a picture of yourself and your gear to be included with your itinerary. Often hikers are often swept up in the planning, logistics, gear prep, etc., and one of the most important items is overlooked; your family and loved ones know where you are! Communication should always be an essential part of preparing for a hike; it could save your life as well as increase your odds of being found if missing.
Practice: Be sure to know how to use the gear involved with the 10 Essentials before you go out on a hike. For example, if you have a compass and don't know how to use it properly, it will not do you any good. I highly recommend taking a basic navigation course with your local outfitter. You will not regret it. Consider your cell phone could lose its charge and research satellite devices. Know how to use a fire starter; practice at home before you hit the trail!
Promote: Educate others and share how being prepared can save your life! Most hikers I know love to talk and hear about the latest gear. So why not share your 10 Essential gear items and how you stay safe out on the trails. When I first started hiking, I never really thought of what I would do in an adverse situation, but my pack weight was good! And it only took one injury and a trip to the ER that changed my whole mindset. The goal of "Hiker Safety" is to add "safety' to your gear list and engage people to talk about the possibilities.
As we move forward with the motto and action plan of "Prepare, Practice, and Promote," I hope you will join me and begin to share how you are being safe on your hikes. Think about your families, Search and Rescue efforts, and carrying the 10 Essentials on every hike! I would also encourage you to start educating and sharing your 10 Essential Gear Lists and specific items you carry to remain safe in an emergency situation. While we hope you never find yourself in difficult circumstances while adventuring, by becoming part of the dialogue, it could keep you safe and maybe even save a life.
Not only do we need to #giveashit about public lands, but we also need to #giveashit about being safe in the backcountry. For more information on Kris "Sherpa" Fowler; go to The Fowler O'Sullivan Foundation at https://fofound.org
Be Safe Out There!
—Jester
