How Not To DIE On A Thru-Hike

[@maureenobryan6141]

Wonderful smart tips! Might I add, know how to fall. It's almost inevitable that you'll fall at least once on a long distance hike (or even day hiking), with a simple trip over a rock, or your shoe getting caught in a root. It happens! With a heavy pack on your back, you'll have that added weight falling with you. If possible, try to tuck and roll - falling on your side rather than face first or both wrists bracing you, risking a break. I know, a fall happens so fast you don't have time to really think about it, but at least try. Can't tell you how many roots have reached up and grabbed me, planting myself on the trail! Thankfully, no breaks, and don't plan to! Certainly has made me very aware of picking up my feet and watching the trail ahead!

[@akwild1]

Thank you Maureen. In 2022 on the PCT my feet swelled and required size 15 shoes. That was quite an adjustment and I stumbled a lot, one time landing straight forward. I used to ski a lot back in the day, so I think I learned to fall. Thanks for your insights. I've enjoyed seeing your adventure pics on Facebook.

[@richardfish3650]

My Old Guy Rules for hiking my favorite adventure, the Grand Canyon: Start early. Go slow. Rest often. The solo hike prime directive and mantra: Don’t break the Old Guy.

[@akwild1]

Absolutely. If you break the old guy, you gotta carry him out. I love starting early, too. Nothing like hiking with the sunrise on the trail. Makes me nostalgic just thinking about it.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

very good advice, Ray. if I were to add anything, it would be. If you find yourself in a bad spot, whether you're lost or hurt or any stressful situation, the worst thing you can do is panic. you need to stay calm so you can reason out the situation. what I always found helpful was to close my eyes , take a couple of deep breaths, and say to myself, "What do I need to do to fix this? Dwayne

[@akwild1]

Good advice, Dwayne. I think that's what the Yupik Elder was saying with the "Don't follow your first thought," advice. One day last winter I got my snowmachine stuck at 25 below and night was coming. I almost panicked, but I took a breath, figured out what steps needed to be taken to solve the problem and moved forward. Hiking the PCT also taught me to be a little more fearless, too.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

@akwild1 I am sure it did, that is quite an undertaking , a journey of that distance is nothing short of a strong will and definitely something to be proud of Ray. Dwayne

[@BCVS777]

All good advice. I do not make long trips but do hike 15-20 miles a week. I avoid people and trails and usually go across country exploring places I haven’t been before…I can do that here. I remind myself to SLOW DOWN and NEVER ignore or push through pain or discomfort…it will only get worse.

[@akwild1]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I don't remember ever encountering a long-distance older hiker who hadn't experienced some kind of foot or leg pain on the trail. It seems like a given, so stopping and alleviating the pain is a good way to go. Thank you for your comment and for watching this episode.

[@Karen-dq8nw]

I love the birds at the end! It's that time of year, finally. One more safety tip - I don't sit at a picnic table and put my stove in front of me and cook. I always stand up when cooking at a picnic table, or set my stove on the ground. It's too easy for that stove to get knocked about, especially in a group, and then all that hot water comes into your lap!

[@akwild1]

Thanks Karen, I think I'll start ending my videos with miscellaneous clips from hike and wildlife encounters. I agree. Having a stove at eye level sounds like a catastrophe waiting to happen.

[@backpacker3421]

I spent an evening in a Canadian emergency room after a pot of boiling water toppled off the stove and landed in my lap. Thank goodness that was a bike camping tour, so I was in my biking shorts and the pad in the middle protected all my most important parts. But I had 2nd degree burns on both inner thighs.... That was back in 1992 or maybe 1993. Thanks to the ranger who gave me a ride to the ER after hearing me scream.... and the amazing doc who did such a good job with the bandages I was still able to bike the final day's 25 miles and ride the ferry home without breaking a single blister.

[@akwild1]

That sounds painful. Everything I mentioned I either experienced or witnessed. You are not alone for sure. Thanks for your story. Hopefully, others might learn from our examples.

[@WildCloudberry]

Excellent advice! I especially like that part about learning how to hike in inclement weather and pre-hike gear practice. I've learned my most valuable lessons hiking in pouring rain and on slippery snow close to home. Trying to get microspikes on your shoes for the first time on a slippery slope with numb hands isn't optimal. I've identified problems and changed a lot of gear after local gear tests. Thanks for your great advice 👍

[@akwild1]

It is a new way of looking at things. I try to see past the misery I'm enduring by recognizing it will help fortify me for future unpleasant moments on the trail. Knowing you've overcome challenges sets your mind to grasp with the new ones that await. Than you for watching and your comment.

[@backpacker3421]

Avoiding camping areas with more than a couple sites is a GREAT piece of advice and one I had never thought of or heard in almost 40 years of solo backpacking. You're absolutely right - and even if there are no odors, you can guarantee the local bears and rodents, etc are very much aware that it is a spot where some forage may be left behind and they will probably be checking it out from time to time even if there are no odors. THANK YOU! Definitely going to add that to my standard practice.

[@akwild1]

Thank you. I like smaller sites anyway; too many tents and peeps make it seem like a Walmart parking lot. Another thing I never do is turnover rocks in an established campground. I won't get gross, but in Washington on the PCT, there were a lot of people who couldn't find there way far away from camp to do their business. Thanks for watching.

[@Ramón-c8f]

good advice, thanks for being there

[@akwild1]

Any time! I appreciate you for tuning in.

[@HuangXingQing]

Very good for a refresher prior to leaving! Thanks.

[@akwild1]

Thank you. I hope one or two pieces of advice helps an older hiker. Thank you for watching.

[@MOGirlOutside]

Great tips. Especially the one about your lighter & gas stove. I have scorched my fingers before 😬

[@akwild1]

Thanks Laurie. You and me both!

[@rita-lisav]

Thank you, nice video! Best wishes from Finland!❤

[@akwild1]

Thanks for watching! All the best to Finland!

[@meljane8339]

I hear what yr sayin' 'bout the stove. ... during covid, I lived with some "elderlies," one of them, dear sweetheart, was, like myself, a former park resident. One time, she lit the stove, and like a cartoon, made a momentary fireball... (that was the one in charge of making the perfect ice cubes-- I think she was showing off why) Well, on my whisperlight, I think that I actually: secure the stove to be able to stay upright, turn on the pressurized+aerated denatured alcohol behind a windscreen, then light my lighter, then place my pot. In that order. I have made fireballs with that darn thing, also. Luckily, on concrete or clear dirt or sand. I also use tin foil to warm my precooked foods in hot months, and have been looking into other methods of solar cookers and chargers ( no-fire, cook methods ) . Cooking in the nighttime also helps minimize fire risk, as embers and other hot material are visible in darkness. Coffee is often disliked by creatures; so, even in my storage unit where mice are currently attacking everything, I still have had coffee left. 😂 T.Y. for the suggestion on

[@akwild1]

Thank you for your stories. I remember one of my first stoves, a Svea. Seems like the dark ages when I think about it. How far we've come. Glad to hear rodents don't like coffee. That would upset me to see my coffee destroyed in the morning. I'd probably break down in tears. We tend to attract younger hikers, too. Perhaps they find us amusing for some reason. Happy Trails!

[@danidaskam1027]

Great advice! Thank you!

[@akwild1]

Absolutely. Thank you for watching.

[@lukasmakarios4998]

Don't try to act younger than you feel. Once, I was hiking with my son and I tried to hop over a log. My foot didn't get high enough and I tripped. I managed to roll as I landed, reducing the impact, but I think I cracked a rib. It didn't stop the hike, but that hurt some for about a month. Think before you try to act like a kid. Hiking is fun, but more fun if you don't hurt yourself. 😅

[@akwild1]

Good advice. Thank you. Last year in Oregon I must have hopped over 2000 blowdowns. Burn, the Husky, had no problem. However, 500 miles later I had the balance and agility to quickly dispatch blowdowns.

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

Good info! Thank you for sharing. If I may add, and this kind of goes with your "pace yourself", don't compete with your younger self! Could 20 year old me blast out 20+ miles with a 35 pound pack and wake up and do it the next day? Absolutely. I'd be miserable, but I could do it. Could 55 year old me blast out 20+ miles with a 35 pound pack? Not if I know what's good for me! I do. And that's not it! To those who still can, more power to you!

[@akwild1]

55 is so young. Thank you for your insight. The cool thing about long-distance hikes is sooner or later you find your groove and you don't model it on the expectations of others. Knowing your limitations is key. Thank you.