SAFETY

SAFETY IS THE #1 PRIORITY...

THE MOUNTAINS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE

52 HIKE CHALLENGE SAFETY RESOURCES

We want to make sure you stay safe when working towards your 52 Hike Challenge! Before starting, check out our blog Hiking Safety Injuries, Illnesses, Animal Encounters, Inclement Weather And More

You'll learn:
-What to carry with you on ALL your hikes.
-How to avoid dehydration, heat stroke and injuries.
-What to do if you encounter a bear, mountain lion, or rattlesnake. 
-How to plan for and react to extreme weather. 
-What to do if you get lost in the wilderness. 
And much more.

GPS and Tracking 

One of the most proactive things you can do is take a class to learn how to read a map and compass! As a backup we recommend you ALWAYS carry a printed map in a waterproof bag and know how to navigate it. You should also consider investing in a personal GPS unit such as a Suunto / Garmin watch or a Garmin / Spot GPS device.


Another tool is the Cairn App:
-Keep your loved ones updated, find trail cell coverage (even when you don't have a signal), and download maps for offline use.
-Cairn is a budget alternative to expensive satellite communicators and PLBs.
-Cairn allows you to record stats, save hikes, and shows total stats by year and month.
-Learn more at https://www.cairn.app 

Snow Travel & Mountaineering Safety

We want to make sure all of you are aware that there are dangerous conditions in the outdoors, especially where there is snow. In the above video segment we talked about the proper tools you need to know how to use ANYTIME you decide to go where there is snow (yes, anytime). In other words, we ABSOLUTELY recommend you take a couple mountaineering classes before you even think about going out to any place that has snow. Phillip, co-founder, has been mountaineering since 2002 and can tell you there have been time when he was only a few hundred feet from the summit, came across snow, and decided to turn back because I didn't have the proper protection (ice axe, crampons, and helmet). As a matter of fact, there have been several times he had to turn back, a few times he had 3 or more failed summit attempts on the same mountain, which was very frustrating! There is a saying and it goes like this: "There are bold mountaineers and there are old mountaineers. But there are no old, bold mountaineers" -Unknown.  

You MUST respect the mountains, nature, and the wild. Be safe out there, and please pass on this information to others so they know, it could save their life.

HOW TO GET STARTED LEARNING ABOUT SAFE SNOW TRAVEL

1) Google: "Ice Axe and Crampon Training" or "Avalanche Level 1 Training" to find a mountain guiding company that will teach you IN-PERSON, on the snow. Do not try to learn from a book, video, or friend... your life is worth more than any amount of money paid for this education and training. 

2) Take a class from a professional mountain guiding service. Some of these guides are certified, the AMGA or IFMGA certification is the credential you would want to look for, some guides have been in business for over 10 years and are not certified, but whatever you do, DO NOT LEARN FROM A FRIEND

Rescue & Evacuation Services

Now that you’ve decided to commit to the 52 Hike Challenge you’re going to be outdoors often. Are you concerned about snakes, broken bones, sprain, falls, altitude sickness, getting lost on the trails? A helicopter rescue could cost you on average ten thousand dollars. At 52 Hike Challenge, we are with you every step of the way and have partnered with Global Rescue for travel insurance to give you piece of mind when on your adventures. Global Rescue missions include rescues from the world’s deepest canyon in Peru to the world’s highest peaks in the Himalaya -- and everywhere in between.
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