There’s something sacred about stepping onto a trail at first light. The crunch of dirt under boots. The rhythm of breath matching the rise of the terrain. The quiet confidence that comes from being prepared.
But confidence without preparation is not strength — it’s exposure.
Dr. Rob Scanlon is an acclaimed author and wilderness medicine expert, with a focus in critical care and pulmonary medicine. His experience and knowledge be invaluable for hikers. We gathered some of his top tips on safety when out on the trails.
1. The Trail Is Neutral — Your Choices Matter
Mountains, forests, deserts — they are not hostile. They are indifferent. Trouble usually doesn’t begin with a dramatic event. It begins with small decisions:
• Leaving without checking the weather
• Skipping water because “it’s just a short hike”
• Ignoring a hot spot on your heel
• Pushing past fatigue to “make good time”
Survival situations often grow from minor oversights compounded by ego or hurry.
Safety starts before the trailhead.
2. Plan Like a Professional
Search and Rescue teams don’t rely on luck — and neither should hikers.
Before heading out:
• Check weather trends (not just current conditions)
• Share your route and return time
• Know your turnaround point
• Pack essentials — not conveniences
The classic “Ten Essentials” still save lives. Navigation, insulation, light, first aid, fire, repair kit, nutrition, hydration, emergency shelter — these aren’t optional for longer or remote routes.
Preparation is not paranoia. It’s stewardship of your life.
3. Know the Big Three Risks
From years in wilderness medicine and SAR response, three categories consistently create emergencies:
Weather Exposure
Hypothermia doesn’t require snow. Wet plus wind plus fatigue can spiral quickly — even in moderate temperatures.
Terrain Injuries
Ankle fractures, falls on descents, loose rock. Fatigue lowers awareness. Most injuries happen on the way down.
Dehydration & Heat Illness
Heat exhaustion creeps in quietly. Headache, nausea, irritability — by the time you “feel bad,” you’re already behind.
Early recognition saves lives.
4. Fitness Is Safety
Strength, endurance, and balance reduce injury risk dramatically. A prepared body supports clear decision-making. Fatigue clouds judgment — and poor decisions compound risk.
Train for the trail, not just the summit photo.
5. Humility Is a Survival Skill
Turning around is not failure.
The trail will still be there tomorrow. Pride has put more people into rescue scenarios than storms ever have.
The strongest hikers are not the fastest — they are the most aware.
6. Community Responsibility
Every call-out affects more than the person in trouble. Search and Rescue volunteers leave families at dinner tables. Teams mobilize in dangerous conditions. Helicopters fly in marginal weather.
Trail safety is personal — but it’s also communal.
When you prepare well, you protect yourself and those who may have to respond.
Final Thoughts
Surviving the Trail isn’t about fear. It’s about respect.
Respect for terrain.
Respect for weather.
Respect for your limits.
Respect for the unseen variables.
The wilderness rewards preparation and punishes complacency.
Have fun. Walk strong. Pack wisely. Turn back when needed. And come home safely!
Written by 52 Hike Challenge Leader Mike McKinney