5 Life-Threatening Hiking Mistakes a Lot of People Make

man-hiking

hiking on a trail

4. Going off-trail

Personally, I’ve wandered off-trail many times, but I’ve never done it without taking some precautionary measures. Most times, we’re doing so in a party of two or more and we have all the supplies we need to make it back. What bothers me the most is that beginners chose not to follow the marked trails. They tend to explore their surroundings by going off-trail without the proper gear. No matter how you look at it, this is one of the hiking mistakes that have only one outcome. People get lost or injured and they aren’t prepared for the consequences.

Though it's common for hikers to wander off the trail, it's not recommended unless it's a trail you've been on several times. Going off the trail in a place such as Yosemite, for example, could lead to a person's death. It's always wise to stay on the trail or if you plan to wander far let someone know — it could prove life-saving.

On the next slide read on to learn about something that not many people consider could threaten their lives, but it can. As a hiker, I'm glad I now know to avoid this mistake! 

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47 Comments

  1. Paul Luttrull said:

    Life threatening things when I hike here in California : marijuana growers, meth labs, coyotes (human traffic), mountain lions, wild boar, bear, rattlesnakes

  2. Jay McArthur said:

    6. Always let someone know where you are going and when you are supposed to return.

  3. Mike Locker said:

    Spoiler Alert,,,, low to no information for clicking through pages,,,,,I stopped after drinking water

  4. Erick Rosson said:

    1. Not bringing enough water
    2. Not telling anyone where you’re going
    3. Not dressing for the weather

  5. Shane Michael said:

    not telling anyone where you are going and only bringing a snickers bar and a bottle of water haha

  6. Michael Davis said:

    Hahaha I thought we all was survivalists Im just fine breaking every thing they said shows about the dangers that you really need to watch for …. Predators. …poisonous plants and venomous animals are way more deadly on a hike than any commonsense problems you should be able to get through with basic knowledge

  7. Tobias E. Manor said:

    No thanks, click bait website with useless info. I’ll continue hiking unprepared and dehydrated.

  8. Michael Perkins said:

    And libtard… that’s a buzzword as well.

    Me. I think both sides of the political spectrum divide and conquer while they get rich and fat and share taxpayer wealth with the people that invest in their campaigns.

  9. Michael Perkins said:

    Rule number 11… if you have to go through 10 items on a click bait page to find out the mistakes of hiking… you probably don’t belong in the woods. Ever.

  10. Joe Kunkel said:

    Well I guess adventures have to start somewhere with knowledge. I’d say if your starting here as an adult your way behind the curve though

  11. Todd Hartmann said:

    6. Don’t try to pet kitty cats in the wild.
    7. Don’t try to give a bear a bear hug.

  12. Michael Perkins said:

    Remember.. all mushrooms in the woods are safe. It’s like a mushroom buffet. Enjoy!

  13. Casey Shamblin said:

    But what if he walks up to me, stands up, and sticks his arms out? It would be rude not to let him hug me, right? Especially when they make those loud roars.

  14. Griffin's Ark said:

    Really? If I want to go hiking I need a smart phone? Apparently you don’t hike where I hike. Used to be bring a topo and a compass. I guess I’m to old to go into the woods these days.

  15. Griffin's Ark said:

    The page title is Die Hard Survivor, not neophyte in the woods! You might want to rethink your blog posts or risk giving up followers.

  16. Russell Larson said:

    I’ve read a couple of tgese and the one thing they never include is … Bring a reliable pistol…
    I just dont get it…
    From a racoon to Drug Cartels …. you never know what you are going to run into…

  17. Russell Larson said:

    7. Be mindful… stay Dry….
    Nothing is more Dangerous than Wet clothes
    And Cold Weather
    Extra Socks.. always.. extra socks

  18. Russell Larson said:

    I love my Canik V2
    Its made by a Turkish Security Contractor
    ISO 9000 spec….
    399.99 at Cabelas
    2 mags
    Speed loader
    Paddle holser with 2 set-ups…
    Its a Great gun

  19. Jose Tomas said:

    Hmmmmm…been meaning to get another pistol…might have to go to the range and test one out. Thanks.

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