SAFETY

Most hazards are related to weather conditions, human error, plants, animals, and diseases encountered along the trail. In the last ten years, only two people have been injured by another human being on the Appalachian Trail, (source: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2007, http://www.appalachiantrail.org).
The three most common reasons people leave the trail are:
Improper foot care
Improper equipment and
Dehydration
To address these hazards and safety concerns I will:

A. Carry a cell phone with for the duration of the trip. It will not always have reception, but will be useful when in range. Due to the limited electrical availability the cell phone will be charged using a battery operated charger or a hand cranked charger. I will never tell anyone that I am walking alone, always saying “we” instead of “I” and using common sense. I will be leaving my itinerary with my family and checking in as often as possible, but minimally on a weekly basis.

B. As I am walking along the trail, I will be making noise to deter animals from coming along my path. I will have a whistle to scare animals away if they get to close. I will be tying my food at least ten feet up and ten feet out on a limb of a tree to keep animals from eating it while I am sleeping. I will be careful to check shelters for rodents before entering them. If I find evidence of rodents, I will take care to clean the area before setting up camp.

C. Weather conditions like rain, lightening, extreme heat, cold weather, ice, snow and hazardous hiking conditions can be a concern if they are not properly thought out and prepared for. During extreme heat I need to remember to take plenty of breaks, drink large amounts of water, use sun block, wear UV blocking clothing, hats and keep up energy with small meals. Getting wet is a part of hiking and can be worked through by wearing the proper rain gear. When lightening is present I should stay out of clearings, away from tall trees and flag poles, off of solitary rocks and open hill tops. The safest place is inside a car or building. Since these are not available to me, taking shelter in a stand of small tress or the forest is best. If I get caught out in the open during a storm with lightening, I should crouch down on my pack or sleeping pad, roll into a ball and avoid standing water. A cold rain can be the most dangerous of all, causing hypothermia or exposure. Hypothermia can be avoided by dressing in layers of synthetic clothing, eating well, staying hydrated and knowing when to hole up in a warm sleeping bag in a tent or shelter. When there is cold weather, I will layer my clothing, take breaks while hiking, drink plenty of water and eat small meals to keep up energy. While walking through snow, ice and hazardous hiking conditions, an evaluation of the path needs to be done and hiking should be done with caution and the use of hiking poles. Planning is a key element for success while hiking; however it is best to be flexible with scheduling in order to make smart decisions along the trail.

D. The proper equipment is essential for hiking success. I have spent many hours researching and asking questions of other hikers, to find the proper equipment for this trip. All of the equipment that I have purchased is high quality, tested and dependable. I have designated people to send me care packages to restock or change out equipment as the seasons change such as: rain/snow gear, base layers (under garments), wool socks, hat, gloves and replacement boots. Items that need to be replenished on a more frequent basis like cooking fuel, blister and foot care and hygiene products may be purchased in towns close to the trail.

E. Common diseases along the Appalachian Trail include Lyme Disease and Hantavirus. Lyme Disease is best avoided by using insect repellent, checking your body for ticks daily and minimizing skin exposure. I have purchased 100% deet to deter ticks and other insects from biting my skin. Hantavirus is a disease that comes from rodent’s droppings. There was a case of this disease on the Appalachian Trail in 1993. This disease can be avoided by checking shelters for rodents before entering. If rodents or evidence of rodents is present, then the shelter should be cleaned and the rodents removed before sleeping in the shelter. Closed shelters should be aired out for an hour before entering and you should never sleep on rodent droppings. Hand washing is a must to encourage disease control. Cases of foxes, raccoons, and other small animals with rabies have been reported on the trail. Bites from rabid animals are rare on the trail. In the event of a bite, the bite should be taken seriously and treated immediately.

F. Feet must be properly cared for and maintained to ensure a safe hike. The most common foot issue is blisters. Moles skin is the most commonly used treatment to prevent and care for blisters. Once a blister has occurred it must be broken, cleansed and covered to prevent infection. Mole skin may then be placed over the blister to protect the skin from further rubbing; this also helps to keep the skin free of debris. Feet should be allowed to breathe when taking breaks during the day. Boots should be removed and socks changed to keep feet dry. Wearing thick wool socks with polypropylene sock liners help to cushion feet, while the liner wicks away moisture it also adds protection to blisters. Ace bandages are included in the first aid kit to aid with foot and ankle care as needed.

G. Plant hazards include poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, vines and tree roots. All poisons can and should be avoided. While hiking, looking for a camp site and a place to attend to personal needs, looking for poison is imperative. I have been studying the different types of poison: what they look like, where/how they grow and how they can cause a skin reaction. Vines and tree roots can be a hiking trip hazard. The best way to avoid these is to stay alert while hiking.

*The source of the information in the safety section is from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2007, http://www.appalachiantrail.org.