Warmer weather across the United States has drawn more people to parks and forests to hike and run on remote trails. In a single week in April in New Hampshire's White Mountains, seven hikers were rescued and another was found dead after he did not return from a solo backpacking trip.
To understand preparedness, John Lambert of the Boston University School of Public Health surveyed more than 600 visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. He asked people returning from day hikes or trail runs about their wilderness experience and the gear they carried. The study was published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. Participants were classed as wilderness prepared only if they met a set of equipment standards: at least one liter of water, a set of emergency items from the Park Service list, a map or wayfinding device, and either rescue devices or recommended first aid items.
Lambert found most hikers and trail runners did not carry the necessary emergency gear. Those with less previous wilderness experience were especially underprepared, and many were not ready for higher altitudes. He suggested parks could reduce incidents through targeted educational outreach and a focused public health program to teach packing and preparation. "Being prepared can save your life or someone else's," he said.
Difficult words
- wilderness — area of natural land far from towns
- preparedness — state of being ready for danger or problems
- survey — ask people questions to collect informationsurveyed
- gear — tools or equipment for a particular activity
- rescue device — tool used to get someone out of dangerrescue devices
- wayfinding device — tool or map that shows directions outdoors
- outreach — activities to inform and help the public
- altitude — height above sea level or groundaltitudes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever prepared for a long hike? What did you pack and why?
- Which items from the article's equipment list do you think are most important for safety, and why?
- How could parks share safety information with hikers and trail runners in a way that people will follow?
- Do you think solo hiking is riskier than hiking with others? Explain using ideas from the article.
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