Safety
We do our best to ensure hike data is accurate and reliable, however routes change, GPS tracks are imprecise and contributors make mistakes. Please follow official signage on the trail and take extreme care when doing your hike. 10Adventures.com does not accept any liability or damages resulting from the use of the data contained in this site.
Mountain safety is equally as important as your gear. If in bear country, always travel with bear spray and adhere to any party size requirements in your given area. Research before going to ensure you can do the hikes you want. If you don’t have enough people, check on online forums and Facebook groups to see if anyone else is doing the hike; or if it’s a popular hike just wait at the trailhead for more people to show up. Research techniques for dealing with bears - making yourself look bigger, walking away slowly, etc. - before heading out.
Ticks can also be a problem in some regions. Removing a tick as soon as possible will severely reduce the odds of infection and disease. Insect repellent and covering your skin with clothing can help you avoid tick bites when travelling in an area with many ticks. Simply use tweezers to remove ticks, however, be sure to remove the entire ticks, as they can easily split into several pieces when trying to remove them.
A first aid kit is also a must when doing longer hikes. Getting injured in the back-country will usually leave you stranded for a few hours while someone else goes for help; so bring a kit and know how to use it. Remember, on most longer hikes there is no cellphone coverage so never rely on your phone for anything. Consider buying a sat phone for emergency communication if you are embarking on longer hikes; especially if you are hiking solo. Regardless, whenever you go on a hike tell someone - friend, family member, hotel receptionist, etc - where you are going and when you expect to return. They can contact the authorities if you do not return.
When arriving at a campground or a new park, check with park staff prior to hikes to catch up on any recent information regarding weather and any park closing. Rangers can also be super helping with wildlife tips, telling you if there have been bears, cougars or other dangerous animals spotted in the area.
Whenever and wherever you hike always practice leaving no trace. Whatever you pack in you can pack out. Pick up all your garbage so you leave the wilderness as nice as it was before you arrived.