Outdoor adventures: The do’s and don’ts during summer

Outdoor adventures:

The do’s and don’ts during summer

By Jody Hanslo, fi refi ghter, medic, mountain guide

Majestic mountains boasting spectacular views of rugged and lush landscapes makes SA a hiking mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and travellers alike. There has been some debate about the safety of this activity, however the reality is that it’s diffi cult to know what's best. Here are some tips about single day and multi-day hiking that can help keep you safe.

Know your route

You aren't going to a party where you can easily fi nd a way out if anything goes wrong. Do some research about the route you plan to take. Keep it simple, check if there are water holes or rivers, how much elevation gain, and whether there are technical bits along the way – whatever you can fi nd really.

Don't take just any advice

Ask questions on relevant social media platforms and rather deal with the insecurity of being judged for asking than not having any idea. Mountain people are usually friendly and happy to help.

Hydrate yourself

Start hydrating yourself one or two days prior to the hike and take lots of water with you. If it's a long hike in the heat, two litres of water should be enough, unless you know that you need more. Again, this depends on the planned route and potential duration.

Check the weather and be specific about the location

Check the hourly forecast and look at details like precipitation, humidity percentage, cloud cover and wind speed. It all counts when in the mountains.

Pack proper sustenance

Chocolate, sweets and energade can only keep you going for so long. A wholewheat peanut-butter sandwich can save your life.

Start as early as possible and check drive time

A setback in start time could potentially contribute to being stuck mid-afternoon in unpleasant scorching heat. A route where there are rockpools along the way or at the turnaround point is good for a bit of a later start. In summer it gets super-hot super early, and some popular routes are completely dry. Not being properly prepared and starting in 20-degree weather at 7am for a long trek is asking for trouble.

Save emergency numbers on your phone

Ensure your phone battery doesn't die. Have a fully charged phone and carry a portable charger.

Leave your route plan with a friend

Give a family member or friend info about what you plan to do and when to expect you to be safe off the mountain. They could relay this important info to emergency agencies if needed.

Keep together

When hiking, keep the group together as much as possible. If the trail is simple and easy to follow then you can perhaps let down your guard a bit. It's so easy for someone to take a diff erent path when there is no one around. Don't assume they will choose the same route you did. Additionally, be cognisant of less experienced hikers who might struggle if they are separated from the group.

What to wear

This is always weather dependent but packing in a warm top that's easy to carry usually comes in handy when unexpected weather arrives. Good hiking shoes are important and could give you an advantage, but isn't compulsory. Again, this depends on the conditions of the terrain and route. Be sun smart

Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat could make the world of diff erence and slow down fatigue or the onset of heat exhaustion.

First aid

Take personal medication (e.g. inhaler/ allergex) and have at least one person in the group take a fi rst aid kit including plasters, a bandage, dressings, medical tape and pain medication. You can add to this as you see fi t.

Share the load

Share the load with the group – carrying a weight over time contributes to fatigue. Let the stronger and fi tter hikers carry the heavier items. Teamwork makes the dream work. Adventuring in the mountains is incredible, but to ensure that it is a success, planning goes a long way to mitigate the associated risks.