Hiking patterns
Plan and enjoy time outdoors so that every trip ends safely back at the car.
Most problems on a day hike are decided before leaving home: the route, the weather, the gear and who knows where you are. The patterns in this area focus on that preparation and on simple techniques on the trail.
Patterns in this area
- Dress in layerspreparation
Outdoors you swing between too hot and too cold, get damp with sweat on the climbs and chilled at every stop, and a single heavy jacket can't keep up.
Applies when
- you'll be active outdoors for more than an hour or two
- temperature, wind or effort will change during the day
- you can carry a small pack for the layers you're not wearing
- Leave a trip planpreparation
If something goes wrong on a hike, nobody knows where to look or when to raise the alarm.
Applies when
- walking in areas with patchy or no phone coverage
- hiking alone or in a small group
- the route is longer or more remote than a short, busy walk
- Set a turnaround timesafety
On a walk or climb it's tempting to keep going "just a bit further", and people end up descending tired, in the dark or in bad weather.
Applies when
- you're heading out and back, or to a summit, viewpoint or other goal
- daylight, weather or energy could run short before you return
- the group might be tempted to push on when the goal feels close