officials offer safety tips for hiking season

With warm weather flourishing and forests finally consistent in showing shades of green, hiking enthusiasts are getting ready to hit the trails. While the prospect of a walk in the woods may at first seem perfectly harmless, previous accidents continue to remind us that it’s important to be cautious. Whether you plan on rock climbing in the White Mountains or just going for a stroll in the woods, hikers are encouraged to follow some basic safety tips this summer. 

The N.H. Fish and Game Department’s hikeSafe program provides guidelines both for experienced and novice hikers alike. Initiated in 2003, the program is aimed at teaching hikers the basics of proper planning, preparation and responsibility. Fish and Game officials hope that educating hikers will cut back on emergency calls to the N.H. Search and Rescue Department and reduce reliance on volunteer search and rescue organizations, which are frequently called upon for extra manpower. 

Fish and Game Lt. Todd Bogardus says that although more serious hiking emergencies tend to occur in the winter, the majority of search and rescue calls come from ambitious hikers who get turned around in unfamiliar territory throughout the year. “It tends to happen weekly,” Bogardus said. “We get about 140 calls a year, mostly hiking-related incidents like people who have gotten lost or injured. But with Memorial Day weekend approaching, there will be a lot of people out there.” 

Despite the warm spring weather, dangers for hikers abound, especially in the White Mountains, which are highly valued for their plentiful trails and scenery. “Right now is still a transition time of year, and being New Hampshire, it’s unpredictable,” Bogardus said. “In the mountains, you can climb really high in a short amount of time, and weather can come in fast. At altitude, there’s increased wind strength, and it may even snow. This is a danger people need to be aware of in New Hampshire.” 

Even for the less intrepid hiker, there are a variety of setbacks to be prepared for. Heavy rains this spring have left large amounts of water near rivers and streams, resulting in increased water levels and faster-flowing currents that are dangerous to traverse. HikeSafe also cautions hikers to protect against ticks and lyme disease, as the timing of the spring thaw has left a heavy tick population in New Hampshire forests. HikeSafe advises bright clothing, making it easier to spot the ticks, and plenty of insect repellent with DEET. 

Other suggestions for hiking safely include studying the terrain and weather conditions before you set out on a hike, knowing your limitations and when to postpone a trip, letting other people know your plans beforehand and sticking together with groups of hikers. To prepare further, hikers in the Portsmouth area can get practice with GPS tracking systems and compass work at Eastern Mountain Sports, which offers courses and tour guides for amateurs and veterans alike. Bogardus encourages hikers to visit www.hikesafe.com for a complete list of recommended gear, advice for every kind of terrain and tips for dealing with wildlife, all of which will help hikers prepare for outings of any kind.