A couple of years ago my mom who has been been hiking the AT in sections wanted to do a longer stretch she's been putting off. She was 80 and I'm 60. We trained by hiking 5 miles a day here in Florida. We drove up and parked one car at the finish and started the trail 9 miles south. As the day progresses we figure out we can't make it to the end before dark. But even though it was supposed to only be a day hike we packed survival blankets, fire starters and flashlights. We hiked until we were too tired to go on and made a shelter with one blanket and covered with the second one. We'd also packed extra food and drinks. What could have been a disaster turned into a experience we'll never forget.
A couple of my favorite tips, learned while hiking: 1. Stay on the trail. 2. If you must get off trail, leave a clear marker to get you back on trail. Bonus tip, carry a loud whistle. You may need it if you get tired of yelling, in case your buddy gets lost off trail.
I drove an hour and a half to a new trail to day hike in. I started the trail but immediately felt like someone was watching me. I’d never gotten this feeling while on trail before. As I was alone, I took a few moments before ultimately deciding to turn around and go back home. It sucks but I’m still alive!
i got this feeling in a new area once. it was an area i hadn’t researched properly yet so maybe i was subconsciously warning myself? maybe it was an animal? i don’t know. it’s really a feeling like no other and i never ever ignore it.
Science has proven your body responds to danger before your brain can process it. It's a survival instinct that shouldn't be ignored. Some call it intuition, and others a sixth sense. Regardless of what it's called it's there for a reason, and it's real. I've had this feeling in known and unknown areas where I hunt. It just tells me to be extra alert to my surroundings, due to it most likely is an animal I can't yet see.........or maybe bigfoot.
Especially for solo women at a trail sign-in, use initials and last name... or gender nuetral trail name. The pct has your permit number that also identifies you if need be. I'm sayin this from experience.
Or "If you read the trail sign-on and see a woman's name and you believe she's solo, leave her the hell alone". Let's not put the responsibility for behaviour on women for a change.
@sharonlivingstone5956 Exactly, great point... nothing like interrupting someone's experience ... for me, I had just played the role of matriarch in training with two bereaved brothers... the last thing I wanted to do was care for a needy man. Plus the way he approached me and the unequivocal demands he was making to hike together, I felt unsafe. I stuck with a group until I lost him at a resupply stop. It definitely colored th exhilaration I had been experiencing..
@@janefreeman995 I've been hearing similar stories to yours from women hikers a lot recently - a man insists on walking with a woman, never asking permission then puts the onus on the woman to extract herself safely from the situation. It doesn't matter whether their intentions are innocent or evil, it still burdens women. And I am sorry for your loss. I hope you and your brothers are OK.
@sharonlivingstone5956 Thank you, we're good now. Yes, It was bizarre. The guy announced to the group of hikers at a campsite that he and I would be hiking together ... Zero discussion with me. I stuck with the group. The other thing is that I'm no spring chicken nor he. I'd felt somewhat protected by my age, so I can't imagine the added hassle for younger women. I have a friend, now older who is cute, blond and has big boobs... she said the unwanted attention was endless and everyday. She wears large clothes and has social anxiety and trust issues. We're out there to feel affinity with nature thus respect for ourselves, so we all need to put our best foot forward.
I will never go again without a source of sugar. Hiking on the PCT from Mammoth to Yosemite, I flat out ran out of calories to the point that I just had to stop at the side of the trail. I was so refreshed when a fellow hiker came by with a piece of candy. What an immediate difference it made. If you are out of calories, the energy needed to digest a better meal may not be available. Great video Jessica. Blessings from CA.
Mile 22 of a marathon, I thought I couldn’t go on, and then I was saved by someone handing out mini chocolate bars. That chocolate fixed everything. It was like a miracle.
I carry a small waterproof case with emergency survival equipment and a bivy, as well as spare meal even when day hiking. Being able to have fire, water, food and shelter when caught out is the difference between sometimes making it and not. It's not expensive to put together a kit and my added weight is ~1kg. 100% worth it!
What Dixie said about hyperthermia in the summer is absolutely a thing. Take it from a Texan. If you're been out in 100° temps all day, and the temp drops to 70, you're going to feel cold. And you will not get warm, especially if that temp drop comes in the late afternoon or evening. So always have a warm layer.
Panic is your enemy. Communication is your friend. PRB or Garmin or whistle or Walmart radio. Every year, tourists searching for blueberries get lost EVERY summer in our neighborhood. Search & Rescue (Alaska State Troopers or US Army Blackhawk) usually finds them about a mile from a major road, If they had not panicked and simply sat quiet for a bit, they would have heard the highway traffic and could have walked out.
A tip for those of us with cardiovascular issues. Learn your heart rate max; preferably by having a fitness trainer do an evaluation, but the old 220 minus your age formula can also work. Wear a smartwatch that measures heart rate. I use a Garmin Fenix 6. Check your hr periodically or if you feel tired and certainly after any steady climbs. If your actual hr is more than 80% of your hr max; STOP. Sit down and rest until your hr is under 100; better yet under 90. If you think you are feeling rested and back to normal after a few minutes, check your watch, often it takes an extra 5-10 minutes after feeling rested for your hr to get back where it belongs. It is worth the wait. Yes, this means you will be taking more and longer breaks while hiking and often feeling like a bit of a wimp. But it is a whole lot better than feeling a sudden crushing pain in your chest. Or almost as bad; a dull steady pain that doesn’t go away until they do a heart cathertization. (Run a pipe cleaner through your arteries)
As a middle aged geyser with vascular abnormalities, my pulse is always elevated. Resting heart rate is in the mid 80's, it's 110 after taking a shower. It can get up to 140 when I'm heavy exercising at the gym which would be 80% of peak for my age. But on trail, it's usually about 110 or so. I have had chest pains with long uphill climbs while carrying 30 lbs of water & gear. I just wish I had a lighter weight blood pressure monitor. Electrolytes and getting enough sleep are what help me the most.
@@MikeycatOutdoors - Good sleep is definitely the foundation of good health. HR monitors can be relatively light. My Garmin Fenix 6 only weighs a few ounces and has all the features of a smartwatch including linking to an app on my IPhone. I generally stop and rest anytime it tells me my hr has gone over 160, which shouldn’t be possible at my age but I seem to have a higher hr max than most people. Worries the heck out of my cardiologist.
@@petersperry5414 I've eyed up the Fenix watches but never pulled the trigger on one. I've been using Fitbits for years to monitor my sleep quality, steps per day, and pulse rate during exercise. I do know I need at least 6.5 hrs of uninterrupted sleep and an hour of deep sleep to perform physical activity. I also have to avoid sex for at least two days prior to heavy exercise or outdoor activities unless I want my hormones out of whack and chest pain galore. The lack of an IVC and nutcracker syndrome (congenital vascular defects) also disrupt my blood flow from my lower body. It makes exercise interesting at times. My blood pressure shot up to about 156/110 on a 10 mile hike in the Red River Gorge last year. I learned to pack my pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, electrolytes and hawthorn hibiscus tea to help lower my blood pressure and keep my electrolytes replenished.
As a member of the Yamhill County Search and Rescue in Oregon I can write that there is excellent safety advice this video. I will be sharing the link.
50 year backpacker here, have high navigation skills, but have lost a camp for awhile twice. And had to use a compass to get back to trail from a side trip. And keep those map and compass skills up on some day hikes. My area we lose hunters every year, often bad navigation started a whole cascade of bad things.
Good tips, Dixie, especially about carrying trekking poles! And watching for widow makers.....so easy to forget at the end of the day when you're tired.
Thank you for all these tips put into the public pervue. Years in SAR in the Smokies and elsewhere, the only thing I would press is knowing how to use all the equipment you carry!
Getting lost going to the bathroom. Using your InReach Mini or other GPS navigation device, you can mark a waypoint for your camp location, and then when you are ready to return you can navigate to your waypoint.
Great list! I'll add that if you're in grizzly country, carry your bear spray *everywhere*, even if it's just a short walk from the trail or campground. Don't leave it in your tent like we did, only to have a bear show up about as far the other side of our tent as we were....
@@Bananakid11 Damn right. Most hikers are leftist city slickers who don't have a health respect for nature and think everything will always be peachy. I'm from the country. I've been out in the woods and been charged by a boars, come across momma bear and cubs, etc. Many don't realize just how many people get attacked by animals in the wild. I'm not risking my daughter's life on ignorant optimism. Not to mention just how many crimes we have at campsites in America.
Great tips. I have never been so grateful for that extra meal when I watched my dinner slide off my stove. Whatever amount of water you think you need, double it. I’ve gone out on day hikes with a full gallon of extra water and surprised when it’s almost gone. That sun (regardless of the temps) with wick the moisture aware from you.
I always carry extra water for myself and others I'm with in my hiking party. I've broke into that extra water nearly every time. These days I can't carry as much as I used to, but 25-50% more than you think you'll need is a good amount.
Dixie, I Thank you so much for your light hearted, down to earth videos. I have been a fan for several years now. Due to a physical condition I haven't been able to get out much, however I hope to have corrective surgery and I'll be out on the trails once again. I had the heebee geebees in the Saw Tooth Mountains when I was there, many years back, hope it went better for you. I primarily forage now, day hiking and often bushwacking my trail. So, yes have become separated and lost, it is easy to become disoriented collecting wild edibles because you are looking down. Wonderful tips and advice! Your videos are just great. Thanks, Dixie, keep up the good work! and yes, getting poles!
Great tips. It is easy to get complacent when your tired and on a long hike. I lost a bear hang rope on the AT north of RT 19E last year and started to climb up the tree to retrieve it. About 10 feet up I finally realize how stupid and risky this maneuver really is since I was at least 15 miles from any help and being 63 years old at the time. The bear hang rope was not worth risking my life for so I did without it and lived to hike another day!
Thanks for the useful tips. Usually I do multi day hikes in the mountains, but if I go out just for a day or just checking area away from my base camp, I always have the same setup: rain protection(jacket, poncho etc.), insulating layer, 2 navigation units - my phone with maps/trails downloaded and InReach(I can also use it for navigations with downloaded waypoints), headlamp/flashlight, Gossamer foam pad(2.7oz) can give ground protection, also good for sitting to take a break, emergency bivy/blanket, bottle with water plus filter, lighter, food. It sounds like a lot, but in reality in a small daypack it all comes to 2-3lb plus water and food. What Dixie said about hypothermia is very true. Even in summer, our body temperature is about 98 F with outside temps in 70-80 F, if tired, hungry, dehydrated, wet from the rain, body temperature may drop to 70-80 F, then person is unconscious and without help is gone.
I'm very glad you are in a position to make this video and share this valuable information. I have ignored some of these tips and survived, but, as you know, you have a lot more fun if you're not worried about dying.
An extension of taking navigation and communication to the bathroom, it's useful to take a small survival kit with you any time you step away from your main pack. I keep a mini survival kit in a 2 liter dry bag in my cargo pocket when I step away from my pack. I call it my "O-shit-kit" It contains the absolute bare essentials: a knife, fire starters, lighter, and small bit of cordage. I also keep my portable battery pack, charge cords, spare flashlight, and daily meds in this dry bag. Effectively it is my ditty bag with some extra survival gear. I need to add a space blanket or trash bag to it.
True. Sounds unrelated but I had a horse that had to be put on electrolytes a couple of days before long trail rides (and until I came home). She did great as long as I did that. She had mild colic once on a hot day and a more experienced owner told me that. I can see it bring the same for people.
Wow another super video with LOADS of information definitely going to be watching more over the coming days Subed and and notifications turned to stay on top of future videos as well.
Great video and lots of good tips even for those who venture out in the bush a fair bit! I also carry a small bug net in case the mossies are really bad or if one needs to stay out overnight unexpectedly. Weighs only a few grams and can make a night a bit more comfortable in north climates if you're under a tarp. Thanks again for your wonderful videos - really enjoyable!
If your secondary navigation is a compass & map, be sure to know the magnetic declination for the area you’re hiking in. NH White Mountains has a declination of -W 6.68 degrees. Not knowing that is a danger if you’re relying on your compass.
Umm...No. W 14d 12m in the NH Whites, indeed variations on W 14d for most of New England. I think I found the site you got your number from, and see how it led you astray. First result on Google, right? The text was reading NH declination, while the pointer for their map was sitting outside of Lima, OH and was displaying the Lima declination data while claiming it to be NH in the text. You can confirm on the NOAA Geomagnetic calculator page, or by moving that sites map pointer to NH and reading the data display by the pointer.
In my opinion relying solely on electronic devices for navigation is a huge mistake. You need to develop situational awareness. Actively practice looking around, noticing landmarks-big rocks, trees with broken branches, anything different. Turn around and look back.Where are the roads? Can you hear traffic? If you leave the trail which way did you go? East? West? Leave markers. If you get lost, sit down and don't wander off without a thought out plan. If you have health issues, sort them out before going. This is all simple stuff that I learned in the Boy Scouts. What happens when your digital device fails? You should be able to find your way out if you have paid attention going in.
These are all good tips. I'm so glad you mentioned going with your gut when somebody gives you the creeps! If any of you can't afford or don't want to spend the money on an inReach, consider Zoleo! I'm so glad I got one.
Hi Dixie, love your videos. I was hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu (don’t be impressed: it nearly killed me and I was lucky to finish). The guides who do this all the time said that Trekking poles are great but when you are going down the mountain you should lengthen the poles longer than your normal and also take your wrists out of the straps so that if you do fall forward you can easily toss your poles away and not get impaled by them. I know you mentioned that you had an incident with your trekking poles. Have you ever heard of either of these admonitions before?. I’m asking several hikers this question
Keep in mind a bear can be behind you! They aren't always in front or side where you can see them. And they can run really really fast (cross the length of a football field in 6.5 seconds). Smell a hotdog a mile away. *Don't count on a bear running away.* Bear don't care! Carry bear spray.
I agree, an extra day of food. At least. Search and rescue are slow, so more than one day is a very real possiblity if you get hurt or lost. Or if someone else is, you have extra to give them to help out. Other people can run out of supplies too.
@@oldschooljeremy8124 they definitely would, but Jessica was only armed with a harmonica when she confronted the mountain lion. Bagpipes are not considered ultralight.
Almost all cel phones have a built in GPS. There is an app for IoS and android called GPS status that allows you to set a waypoint, and it will tell you how far and what direction back to that waypoint. Set where you dropped you pack when nature calls. (Or your car if you're dayhiking, or whatever.)
Excellent advice on all subjects as usual . Thanks Jess. But I would add that if a bull moose or a bison decides to attack you on a trail, you should definitely try to run away, but you are probably already dead.
If you know the weather is coming down and snow is forecasted and you are in the high country, stay where you are safe and don't think it will just be little. Blizzards happen up there and you can be lost and never found. Remember that young Japanese couple on the Annapurna trek last year? So don't take chances.
@Navy1977 Certainly a possibility. I won't reach the Sierra's until May 1st, so hopefully it won't be too crazy. Worst case scenario > I might have to skip the High Sierra's. We shall see.
The latest person to die from the selfie on the edge of a cliff stuff, was related to not knowing that the ground under his feet was not strong enough to hold his weight. It looked sturdy from the top view, but was undercut severely. It crumbled, he fell and died.
I stood out on a big rock about a minute later it just broke in half... I dropped 5 to 10 ft... the worst part is the rock falls with you, so when you land It's Not Over..! you're Tumbling With The Rock behind and over you... those pictures always make me cringe...
#11 a must. Just ask yourself when looking at the price of these devices, how much is my life worth? These devices have affordable plans worth having. Been using one for a decade now while hunting, fishing, hiking and traveling. Backups for navigation and communication is just wise. If I have technology, I usually also carry old school devices as a backup.
Oef, when you started the chapter about «falls/watching your feet» and all the pictures shown were from famous spots along the fjords in Norway 😅 It is true though, many tourists fall in these places when trying to take the perfect souvenir picture 😔 The drop offs at fjords are no joke, they are sheer and there is no way of stopping your fall until you hit the water 😅 Another tip would be to wear appropriate foot wear for the terrain you plan on walking, I have seen too many people trying to hike to a famous spot like Preikestolen on flipflops 😑 😅 It is a well maintained and relatively easy trail but it is still very rocky and slippery with a badly hurt ankle just waiting to happen and then the helicopter guys will have to come get you. Also I always have a whitsle with me because if I need attention, the sound it makes is unnatural enough to grab attention from people looking for you and also as long as you can breath you can blow the whistle while you voice will give out eventually.
Hike with only one earbud - yes, or no earbuds at all. Here in central Arizona, a rattlesnake doesn’t want to bother you, and will rattle if approached. Do not take away your sense of hearing. Don’t do it.
Being a Type 2 Diabetic, I occasionally get low blood sugar. Therefore I always carry glucose tablets with me as part of my every day carry (EDC). I have had to rely on these tablets on more than one occasion when out on a hike.
No, not at all but I make sure I drink a lot of water. I will add that I only take half a pill and wait to see if that helps. I usually feel the positive effects within 15 minutes. To date, I haven't needed to take more than half a pill.@Navy1977
Love your tips videos but I’m a subscriber for awhile and to be honest the tips videos are great and amazing but they do get repetitive and redundant if your a subscriber. So I do tend to skip watching anything but your hiking videos. Still a huge fan your very inspiring!! Wish you could just make hiking videos for a full time living!!
We always carry one “heavy meal”per hiker. If required this meal could last for two meals plus Hersheys dark chocolate nuggets, chicken broth cubes, hot chocolate or tea (season dependent). A Geary video
This doctor told me if you build up sweat.... And you're tired and dehydrated.... And it's cold out.... If you sit down.... Your clothing will get real cold... And if you move very much... It will transfer the coldness into your clothing and then to your skin because you've sweated.... But if you sit perfectly still.... You will kind of warm yourself up a little bit... But as soon as you move a little bit you'll feel that coldness coming through... So the tendency is to sit there and kind of take a nap... And the doctor told me the body will go into a deep sleep... And the body temperature drops and you never wake up... This almost happened to me... I stopped for a rest.... And got so relaxed I didn't think I was able to move very easily.... I forced myself and forced myself to try and stand up.... I was totally exhausted dehydrated and hungry and my cabin was only a quarter mi away and it was getting dark.... I finally was able to stand up... I wanted to sit there and go to sleep... I started moving and I made it home...
#20 Be aware of your immediate surroundings: when solo, do watch over your shoulders, there can be an oncoming cyclist, stray dogs and creepy people. When the latter happens l prefer for them to go past me.
If you carry a phone, keep it tethered to you or your backpack. I am so happy with my Koala Hangtime, but you can use other means. It's sad how people get hurt when dropping their phone and try to retrieve it.
18:16 I've ran into a few creepy women in the woods or at a trailhead. There were a few places I was going to camp , but moved on up the trail a few miles .
Great tips and stories. BTW are you still getting the runaround from Garmin insurance? Mine is up for renewal and it's expensive, especially if they won't pay. Thanks....
@Navy1977$ 40 per year per person and basic coverage and $399 per year if you engage in higher risk trips. Rock climbing etc. It's 80 for the two of us. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but for us it's a stretch. Great to have if they pay but a waste of money if all you get is a runaround.
I’m curious and I don’t think any TH-cam video on hiking/camping has ever talked about this. Do responsible people ever carry a gun on these trips just in case a bear attacks or perhaps bad people attack your tent in the middle of the night, things like that, or is this something never discussed but most people do? (Can you tell I just listened to a podcast about murders in national parks?)
Look at the comments in her Appalachian Trail gun video and you’ll see one reason people avoid the topic. Another is most hikers don’t carry. Plus, now TH-cam’s monetization policies restrict a lot of gun talk nowadays
A couple of years ago my mom who has been been hiking the AT in sections wanted to do a longer stretch she's been putting off. She was 80 and I'm 60. We trained by hiking 5 miles a day here in Florida. We drove up and parked one car at the finish and started the trail 9 miles south. As the day progresses we figure out we can't make it to the end before dark. But even though it was supposed to only be a day hike we packed survival blankets, fire starters and flashlights. We hiked until we were too tired to go on and made a shelter with one blanket and covered with the second one. We'd also packed extra food and drinks. What could have been a disaster turned into a experience we'll never forget.
What a wonderful story that will bring a lifetime of smiles and joy.💖💞
That’s exactly how it’s supposed to go! What a great memory for you now
A couple of my favorite tips, learned while hiking: 1. Stay on the trail. 2. If you must get off trail, leave a clear marker to get you back on trail. Bonus tip, carry a loud whistle. You may need it if you get tired of yelling, in case your buddy gets lost off trail.
I drove an hour and a half to a new trail to day hike in. I started the trail but immediately felt like someone was watching me. I’d never gotten this feeling while on trail before. As I was alone, I took a few moments before ultimately deciding to turn around and go back home. It sucks but I’m still alive!
i got this feeling in a new area once. it was an area i hadn’t researched properly yet so maybe i was subconsciously warning myself? maybe it was an animal? i don’t know. it’s really a feeling like no other and i never ever ignore it.
Science has proven your body responds to danger before your brain can process it. It's a survival instinct that shouldn't be ignored. Some call it intuition, and others a sixth sense. Regardless of what it's called it's there for a reason, and it's real. I've had this feeling in known and unknown areas where I hunt. It just tells me to be extra alert to my surroundings, due to it most likely is an animal I can't yet see.........or maybe bigfoot.
Especially for solo women at a trail sign-in, use initials and last name... or gender nuetral trail name. The pct has your permit number that also identifies you if need be. I'm sayin this from experience.
👍
Or "If you read the trail sign-on and see a woman's name and you believe she's solo, leave her the hell alone". Let's not put the responsibility for behaviour on women for a change.
@sharonlivingstone5956 Exactly, great point... nothing like interrupting someone's experience ... for me, I had just played the role of matriarch in training with two bereaved brothers... the last thing I wanted to do was care for a needy man. Plus the way he approached me and the unequivocal demands he was making to hike together, I felt unsafe. I stuck with a group until I lost him at a resupply stop. It definitely colored th exhilaration I had been experiencing..
@@janefreeman995 I've been hearing similar stories to yours from women hikers a lot recently - a man insists on walking with a woman, never asking permission then puts the onus on the woman to extract herself safely from the situation. It doesn't matter whether their intentions are innocent or evil, it still burdens women.
And I am sorry for your loss. I hope you and your brothers are OK.
@sharonlivingstone5956 Thank you, we're good now. Yes, It was bizarre. The guy announced to the group of hikers at a campsite that he and I would be hiking together ... Zero discussion with me. I stuck with the group. The other thing is that I'm no spring chicken nor he. I'd felt somewhat protected by my age, so I can't imagine the added hassle for younger women. I have a friend, now older who is cute, blond and has big boobs... she said the unwanted attention was endless and everyday. She wears large clothes and has social anxiety and trust issues. We're out there to feel affinity with nature thus respect for ourselves, so we all need to put our best foot forward.
I will never go again without a source of sugar. Hiking on the PCT from Mammoth to Yosemite, I flat out ran out of calories to the point that I just had to stop at the side of the trail. I was so refreshed when a fellow hiker came by with a piece of candy. What an immediate difference it made. If you are out of calories, the energy needed to digest a better meal may not be available. Great video Jessica. Blessings from CA.
One of the perks of serious hiking. Candy is an essential intake at times!
Agreed! I hit the 'wall' once overdoing it and now carry dextrose gel packs with me for an extra pick-me-up.
Mile 22 of a marathon, I thought I couldn’t go on, and then I was saved by someone handing out mini chocolate bars. That chocolate fixed everything. It was like a miracle.
I carry a small waterproof case with emergency survival equipment and a bivy, as well as spare meal even when day hiking. Being able to have fire, water, food and shelter when caught out is the difference between sometimes making it and not. It's not expensive to put together a kit and my added weight is ~1kg. 100% worth it!
Tip #20: "Always backpack with someone who runs slower than you."
😂 👏
😂😂😂
I know 😂 That's just a good survival technique in general.
😂😂😂😂 good one 😉
😂❤
The photo in the thumbnail just gave me a fear of heights I didn't think I had. I cannot belive it's a real photo✨️
What Dixie said about hyperthermia in the summer is absolutely a thing. Take it from a Texan. If you're been out in 100° temps all day, and the temp drops to 70, you're going to feel cold. And you will not get warm, especially if that temp drop comes in the late afternoon or evening. So always have a warm layer.
And I've camped on mountains in the west that dropped to the 20's mid summer. Then butane won't work, either.
Panic is your enemy. Communication is your friend. PRB or Garmin or whistle or Walmart radio. Every year, tourists searching for blueberries get lost EVERY summer in our neighborhood. Search & Rescue (Alaska State Troopers or US Army Blackhawk) usually finds them about a mile from a major road, If they had not panicked and simply sat quiet for a bit, they would have heard the highway traffic and could have walked out.
A tip for those of us with cardiovascular issues. Learn your heart rate max; preferably by having a fitness trainer do an evaluation, but the old 220 minus your age formula can also work. Wear a smartwatch that measures heart rate. I use a Garmin Fenix 6. Check your hr periodically or if you feel tired and certainly after any steady climbs. If your actual hr is more than 80% of your hr max; STOP. Sit down and rest until your hr is under 100; better yet under 90. If you think you are feeling rested and back to normal after a few minutes, check your watch, often it takes an extra 5-10 minutes after feeling rested for your hr to get back where it belongs. It is worth the wait. Yes, this means you will be taking more and longer breaks while hiking and often feeling like a bit of a wimp. But it is a whole lot better than feeling a sudden crushing pain in your chest. Or almost as bad; a dull steady pain that doesn’t go away until they do a heart cathertization. (Run a pipe cleaner through your arteries)
As a middle aged geyser with vascular abnormalities, my pulse is always elevated. Resting heart rate is in the mid 80's, it's 110 after taking a shower. It can get up to 140 when I'm heavy exercising at the gym which would be 80% of peak for my age. But on trail, it's usually about 110 or so. I have had chest pains with long uphill climbs while carrying 30 lbs of water & gear. I just wish I had a lighter weight blood pressure monitor. Electrolytes and getting enough sleep are what help me the most.
Good advice. Thanks. Heart issues don't have to stop you, just be aware of your body.
@@MikeycatOutdoors - Good sleep is definitely the foundation of good health. HR monitors can be relatively light. My Garmin Fenix 6 only weighs a few ounces and has all the features of a smartwatch including linking to an app on my IPhone. I generally stop and rest anytime it tells me my hr has gone over 160, which shouldn’t be possible at my age but I seem to have a higher hr max than most people. Worries the heck out of my cardiologist.
@@petersperry5414 I've eyed up the Fenix watches but never pulled the trigger on one. I've been using Fitbits for years to monitor my sleep quality, steps per day, and pulse rate during exercise. I do know I need at least 6.5 hrs of uninterrupted sleep and an hour of deep sleep to perform physical activity. I also have to avoid sex for at least two days prior to heavy exercise or outdoor activities unless I want my hormones out of whack and chest pain galore. The lack of an IVC and nutcracker syndrome (congenital vascular defects) also disrupt my blood flow from my lower body. It makes exercise interesting at times.
My blood pressure shot up to about 156/110 on a 10 mile hike in the Red River Gorge last year. I learned to pack my pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, electrolytes and hawthorn hibiscus tea to help lower my blood pressure and keep my electrolytes replenished.
As a member of the Yamhill County Search and Rescue in Oregon I can write that there is excellent safety advice this video. I will be sharing the link.
50 year backpacker here, have high navigation skills, but have lost a camp for awhile twice. And had to use a compass to get back to trail from a side trip. And keep those map and compass skills up on some day hikes. My area we lose hunters every year, often bad navigation started a whole cascade of bad things.
NE Wyoming and SE Montana. @Navy1977
Good tips, Dixie, especially about carrying trekking poles! And watching for widow makers.....so easy to forget at the end of the day when you're tired.
Thank you for all these tips put into the public pervue. Years in SAR in the Smokies and elsewhere, the only thing I would press is knowing how to use all the equipment you carry!
Trekking poles are a must for Silk blazing.
Thanks for the reminders Dixie!
Getting lost going to the bathroom. Using your InReach Mini or other GPS navigation device, you can mark a waypoint for your camp location, and then when you are ready to return you can navigate to your waypoint.
Great list! I'll add that if you're in grizzly country, carry your bear spray *everywhere*, even if it's just a short walk from the trail or campground. Don't leave it in your tent like we did, only to have a bear show up about as far the other side of our tent as we were....
You can carry bear spray, I'll keep my 10mm.
the most American comment of today goes to you sir :D
@@Bananakid11 Damn right. Most hikers are leftist city slickers who don't have a health respect for nature and think everything will always be peachy. I'm from the country. I've been out in the woods and been charged by a boars, come across momma bear and cubs, etc. Many don't realize just how many people get attacked by animals in the wild. I'm not risking my daughter's life on ignorant optimism. Not to mention just how many crimes we have at campsites in America.
Great tips. I have never been so grateful for that extra meal when I watched my dinner slide off my stove.
Whatever amount of water you think you need, double it. I’ve gone out on day hikes with a full gallon of extra water and surprised when it’s almost gone. That sun (regardless of the temps) with wick the moisture aware from you.
I always carry extra water for myself and others I'm with in my hiking party. I've broke into that extra water nearly every time. These days I can't carry as much as I used to, but 25-50% more than you think you'll need is a good amount.
Dixie, I Thank you so much for your light hearted, down to earth videos. I have been a fan for several years now. Due to a physical condition I haven't been able to get out much, however I hope to have corrective surgery and I'll be out on the trails once again. I had the heebee geebees in the Saw Tooth Mountains when I was there, many years back, hope it went better for you. I primarily forage now, day hiking and often bushwacking my trail. So, yes have become separated and lost, it is easy to become disoriented collecting wild edibles because you are looking down. Wonderful tips and advice! Your videos are just great. Thanks, Dixie, keep up the good work! and yes, getting poles!
@Navy1977 Creepies on the trails at that time.
Great tips. It is easy to get complacent when your tired and on a long hike. I lost a bear hang rope on the AT north of RT 19E last year and started to climb up the tree to retrieve it. About 10 feet up I finally realize how stupid and risky this maneuver really is since I was at least 15 miles from any help and being 63 years old at the time. The bear hang rope was not worth risking my life for so I did without it and lived to hike another day!
Thanks for the useful tips. Usually I do multi day hikes in the mountains, but if I go out just for a day or just checking area away from my base camp, I always have the same setup: rain protection(jacket, poncho etc.), insulating layer, 2 navigation units - my phone with maps/trails downloaded and InReach(I can also use it for navigations with downloaded waypoints), headlamp/flashlight, Gossamer foam pad(2.7oz) can give ground protection, also good for sitting to take a break, emergency bivy/blanket, bottle with water plus filter, lighter, food. It sounds like a lot, but in reality in a small daypack it all comes to 2-3lb plus water and food. What Dixie said about hypothermia is very true. Even in summer, our body temperature is about 98 F with outside temps in 70-80 F, if tired, hungry, dehydrated, wet from the rain, body temperature may drop to 70-80 F, then person is unconscious and without help is gone.
I'm very glad you are in a position to make this video and share this valuable information. I have ignored some of these tips and survived, but, as you know, you have a lot more fun if you're not worried about dying.
Great advise, even for seasoned hikers as a reminder. I hope you get well enough soon to resume your passion.
Hello, I asked a few days ago and maybe I missed this but did Garmin ever pay for your Emergency in the mountains ? Thank you
Yes! They did 🙌🏻
@@HomemadeWanderlust
Thank you 😊
Such a Great Studio Decorations!! You are Boss!
An extension of taking navigation and communication to the bathroom, it's useful to take a small survival kit with you any time you step away from your main pack. I keep a mini survival kit in a 2 liter dry bag in my cargo pocket when I step away from my pack. I call it my "O-shit-kit" It contains the absolute bare essentials: a knife, fire starters, lighter, and small bit of cordage. I also keep my portable battery pack, charge cords, spare flashlight, and daily meds in this dry bag. Effectively it is my ditty bag with some extra survival gear. I need to add a space blanket or trash bag to it.
Electrolytes are critical for proper muscle functioning~especially the heart muscle!~ so bringing enough electrolytes is critical.
True. Sounds unrelated but I had a horse that had to be put on electrolytes a couple of days before long trail rides (and until I came home). She did great as long as I did that. She had mild colic once on a hot day and a more experienced owner told me that. I can see it bring the same for people.
Hah hah hah hah stayin alive stayin alive- good lookin out for us sweetheart! Thanks ! 🌿🧘🏼🙏
Wow another super video with LOADS of information definitely going to be watching more over the coming days Subed and and notifications turned to stay on top of future videos as well.
Great video and lots of good tips even for those who venture out in the bush a fair bit! I also carry a small bug net in case the mossies are really bad or if one needs to stay out overnight unexpectedly. Weighs only a few grams and can make a night a bit more comfortable in north climates if you're under a tarp. Thanks again for your wonderful videos - really enjoyable!
If your secondary navigation is a compass & map, be sure to know the magnetic declination for the area you’re hiking in.
NH White Mountains has a declination of -W 6.68 degrees. Not knowing that is a danger if you’re relying on your compass.
Umm...No. W 14d 12m in the NH Whites, indeed variations on W 14d for most of New England. I think I found the site you got your number from, and see how it led you astray. First result on Google, right? The text was reading NH declination, while the pointer for their map was sitting outside of Lima, OH and was displaying the Lima declination data while claiming it to be NH in the text. You can confirm on the NOAA Geomagnetic calculator page, or by moving that sites map pointer to NH and reading the data display by the pointer.
Tip No 1, Don't get dead. 👍 Keep safe out there Dixie.
In my opinion relying solely on electronic devices for navigation is a huge mistake. You need to develop situational awareness. Actively practice looking around, noticing landmarks-big rocks, trees with broken branches, anything different. Turn around and look back.Where are the roads? Can you hear traffic? If you leave the trail which way did you go? East? West? Leave markers. If you get lost, sit down and don't wander off without a thought out plan. If you have health issues, sort them out before going. This is all simple stuff that I learned in the Boy Scouts. What happens when your digital device fails? You should be able to find your way out if you have paid attention going in.
These are all good tips. I'm so glad you mentioned going with your gut when somebody gives you the creeps!
If any of you can't afford or don't want to spend the money on an inReach, consider Zoleo! I'm so glad I got one.
Hi Dixie, love your videos. I was hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu (don’t be impressed: it nearly killed me and I was lucky to finish). The guides who do this all the time said that Trekking poles are great but when you are going down the mountain you should lengthen the poles longer than your normal and also take your wrists out of the straps so that if you do fall forward you can easily toss your poles away and not get impaled by them. I know you mentioned that you had an incident with your trekking poles. Have you ever heard of either of these admonitions before?. I’m asking several hikers this question
Great tips Dixie. Thank you.
hope you are in good health and start hiking again.
all good life saving tips. thanks Dixie.
Such wisdom. Thank you.
Great video with very smart tips, and great channel! All the Best to you 😊
Keep in mind a bear can be behind you! They aren't always in front or side where you can see them. And they can run really really fast (cross the length of a football field in 6.5 seconds). Smell a hotdog a mile away. *Don't count on a bear running away.* Bear don't care! Carry bear spray.
@Navy1977 😂
I agree, an extra day of food. At least. Search and rescue are slow, so more than one day is a very real possiblity if you get hurt or lost. Or if someone else is, you have extra to give them to help out. Other people can run out of supplies too.
Harmonica defense against mountain lions was not mentioned, but a very important safety tip.
Wouldn't bagpipes be even better? ; )
@@oldschooljeremy8124 they definitely would, but Jessica was only armed with a harmonica when she confronted the mountain lion. Bagpipes are not considered ultralight.
I like this video, u are so right about giving ur location trail with pictures of route good advice 💯‼️👏👏👏
Smart vlog ! Thanks for sharing ❤️
BY FAR THE MOST KOOL VEDIO EVER!!
Almost all cel phones have a built in GPS. There is an app for IoS and android called GPS status that allows you to set a waypoint, and it will tell you how far and what direction back to that waypoint. Set where you dropped you pack when nature calls. (Or your car if you're dayhiking, or whatever.)
BTW, I no longer call them "trekking poles", they are, web whackers, snake slingers, garbage pickers, and tent suppliers! 😅
Bring (or wear) something orange, just in case you have to be seen in an emergency.
Excellent advice on all subjects as usual . Thanks Jess. But I would add that if a bull moose or a bison decides to attack you on a trail, you should definitely try to run away, but you are probably already dead.
I peed my undies just looking at that picture of you sitting on the edge of that rock
Love UK
All right!!!!!! more closet files!!!
If you need to go further into the woods, to go potty, take an azimuth with your compass, and use the back azimuth to return to the trail!
If you know the weather is coming down and snow is forecasted and you are in the high country, stay where you are safe and don't think it will just be little. Blizzards happen up there and you can be lost and never found. Remember that young Japanese couple on the Annapurna trek last year? So don't take chances.
Good info before I hit the PCT! Only a few weeks away now! Thanks for your advice. Plant Papa
@Navy1977 Certainly a possibility. I won't reach the Sierra's until May 1st, so hopefully it won't be too crazy. Worst case scenario > I might have to skip the High Sierra's. We shall see.
@Navy1977 I think you would be correct about that.
@Navy1977 Yes. You can see more @ Plant Papa
@Navy1977 Thank you subscribing! Much appreciated.
A question, how much do you use your neck knife while on trail? Has it saved you in any way? Is it worth the weight?
It will be worth its weight in gold if the time comes that you need it for an emergency. Good for cutting snacks also
The latest person to die from the selfie on the edge of a cliff stuff, was related to not knowing that the ground under his feet was not strong enough to hold his weight. It looked sturdy from the top view, but was undercut severely. It crumbled, he fell and died.
Oh no 😢
I stood out on a big rock about a minute later it just broke in half... I dropped 5 to 10 ft... the worst part is the rock falls with you, so when you land It's Not Over..! you're Tumbling With The Rock behind and over you... those pictures always make me cringe...
Heh heh....my Bee Gee FB comment made the video! I'm so proud!😂
It has been stuck in my head since you commented 😂
@@HomemadeWanderlust Which is exactly why I urge others to stay away from it! 😁
thumbs up for the beegees.
Nice one Dixie! :)
#11 a must. Just ask yourself when looking at the price of these devices, how much is my life worth? These devices have affordable plans worth having. Been using one for a decade now while hunting, fishing, hiking and traveling. Backups for navigation and communication is just wise. If I have technology, I usually also carry old school devices as a backup.
Great video!
Your thumbnail freaked me out! 😮
Oef, when you started the chapter about «falls/watching your feet» and all the pictures shown were from famous spots along the fjords in Norway 😅 It is true though, many tourists fall in these places when trying to take the perfect souvenir picture 😔 The drop offs at fjords are no joke, they are sheer and there is no way of stopping your fall until you hit the water 😅 Another tip would be to wear appropriate foot wear for the terrain you plan on walking, I have seen too many people trying to hike to a famous spot like Preikestolen on flipflops 😑 😅 It is a well maintained and relatively easy trail but it is still very rocky and slippery with a badly hurt ankle just waiting to happen and then the helicopter guys will have to come get you. Also I always have a whitsle with me because if I need attention, the sound it makes is unnatural enough to grab attention from people looking for you and also as long as you can breath you can blow the whistle while you voice will give out eventually.
Phones, gps devices can malfunction, nothing wrong with having a paper map (laminate if needed) and a compass.
I prefer The Grateful Dead over the BGs. 😂 Do like "10 yrs on"
another great video from you
Hike with only one earbud - yes, or no earbuds at all. Here in central Arizona, a rattlesnake doesn’t want to bother you, and will rattle if approached. Do not take away your sense of hearing. Don’t do it.
Being a Type 2 Diabetic, I occasionally get low blood sugar. Therefore I always carry glucose tablets with me as part of my every day carry (EDC). I have had to rely on these tablets on more than one occasion when out on a hike.
No, not at all but I make sure I drink a lot of water. I will add that I only take half a pill and wait to see if that helps. I usually feel the positive effects within 15 minutes. To date, I haven't needed to take more than half a pill.@Navy1977
I made my girlfriend get a prescription for injectable Glucagon for going out.
Love your tips videos but I’m a subscriber for awhile and to be honest the tips videos are great and amazing but they do get repetitive and redundant if your a subscriber. So I do tend to skip watching anything but your hiking videos. Still a huge fan your very inspiring!! Wish you could just make hiking videos for a full time living!!
Get stronger. If you are too weak to carry your pack then stay at home.
what will be the impact on lake meade
Not only does an insulating layer protect you from hypothermia, it also keeps you from having a terrible time being cold.
We always carry one “heavy meal”per hiker. If required this meal could last for two meals plus Hersheys dark chocolate nuggets, chicken broth cubes, hot chocolate or tea (season dependent). A Geary video
👍🐿👍awesome
This doctor told me if you build up sweat.... And you're tired and dehydrated.... And it's cold out.... If you sit down.... Your clothing will get real cold... And if you move very much... It will transfer the coldness into your clothing and then to your skin because you've sweated.... But if you sit perfectly still.... You will kind of warm yourself up a little bit... But as soon as you move a little bit you'll feel that coldness coming through... So the tendency is to sit there and kind of take a nap... And the doctor told me the body will go into a deep sleep... And the body temperature drops and you never wake up...
This almost happened to me... I stopped for a rest.... And got so relaxed I didn't think I was able to move very easily.... I forced myself and forced myself to try and stand up.... I was totally exhausted dehydrated and hungry and my cabin was only a quarter mi away and it was getting dark.... I finally was able to stand up... I wanted to sit there and go to sleep... I started moving and I made it home...
Did your insurance ever pay the bill fro. Your evac.
Did she mention the survival harmonica? Let piece of kit.
Don't underestimate the strength of flowing water you're trying to cross.
The thumbnail looks like a clip from a Wile E Coyote moment !
I don’t like trekking poles and would never use them . They trip me and slow me down.. I’m under 5ft tall so no need for them .
i do know peoplev who have posed at the end of waterfalls and fallen off. careful out there!
#20 Be aware of your immediate surroundings: when solo, do watch over your shoulders, there can be an oncoming cyclist, stray dogs and creepy people. When the latter happens l prefer for them to go past me.
The biggest mistake I’ve made is assuming there will be water ! Even if it says there will be on the map never trust it
💚
If you carry a phone, keep it tethered to you or your backpack. I am so happy with my Koala Hangtime, but you can use other means. It's sad how people get hurt when dropping their phone and try to retrieve it.
@Navy1977and I'm very clumsy. 😂😂
I can’t help but think that one day that ledge in the thumbnail is going to snap off when someone puts their weight on it.
Tip #1: don't sit on farthest point of rock ledge high abve ground.
18:16 I've ran into a few creepy women in the woods or at a trailhead. There were a few places I was going to camp , but moved on up the trail a few miles .
Creepy is creepy regardless.
After learning how costly it is to active your PLB what would happen if you activate it for another hiker and he doesn’t pay for it? 🤔
The rescued party would be responsible for it, think of it like calling 911 from you phone for someone else.
@@jafo2502Thank you. It’s daunting to imagine getting stuck with a $60,000 bill! You could lose your home.
I’ve heard of inch worm. So sad.
Instead of a single earbud you can use bone-conduction headphones.
“Don’t let your trekking poles kill you.” 😂😂
Listen to the Bee Gees😆
Great tips and stories. BTW are you still getting the runaround from Garmin insurance? Mine is up for renewal and it's expensive, especially if they won't pay. Thanks....
@Navy1977$ 40 per year per person and basic coverage and $399 per year if you engage in higher risk trips. Rock climbing etc. It's 80 for the two of us. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but for us it's a stretch. Great to have if they pay but a waste of money if all you get is a runaround.
They paid it!
@@HomemadeWanderlustI'm very glad to hear that, both for your sake and my own peace of mind. Thank you for the reply.
Take a harmonica! It scares off mountain lions, and black bears 😉
I’m curious and I don’t think any TH-cam video on hiking/camping has ever talked about this. Do responsible people ever carry a gun on these trips just in case a bear attacks or perhaps bad people attack your tent in the middle of the night, things like that, or is this something never discussed but most people do? (Can you tell I just listened to a podcast about murders in national parks?)
th-cam.com/video/FjqQsLXjQy4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=B0wmMmUizKIKRRCE
Look at the comments in her Appalachian Trail gun video and you’ll see one reason people avoid the topic. Another is most hikers don’t carry. Plus, now TH-cam’s monetization policies restrict a lot of gun talk nowadays
Thanks!
#1 Listen to the experts.
#2 Don't do stupid sh!t.
#3 Have fun. :)