Hiking on a first date is usually a terrible idea. It’s especially bad when meeting someone for the first time. It’s not safe and who wants to be trapped for hours in the woods with someone you aren’t feeling a connection with?… Who has misrepresented themselves?… Or who’s weird, creepy, annoying, or boring?

Hiking alone just isn’t safe. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginning hiker or an expert. Things can happen to the best of hikers. Things you should consider before a solo hike and tips to keep you safe.

To avoid getting sprayed by a skunk, give them plenty of space. They can spray up to 10ft. If you see a skunk at a distance, back away slowly and non-threateningly. If you’re within range of being sprayed, stay calm and still, the skunk will usually move on. Let’s look further at what to do. Especially when they turn their back on you to spray.

Trekking poles are commonly used by hikers and other outdoor adventurers for improved stability on various terrains and to reduce the force placed on joints in the lower body.1 But if you don’t adjust your poles to the right length you won’t get the benefit. In fact, they might increase the strain of hiking instead…

You can protect your knees while hiking with these simple techniques that minimize the stress placed on your knees by terrain, your stride, and weight load.

Obstructing your ability to hear your surroundings on a hike is not the safest bet. The sensory deprivation that results from headphone or earbud robs you of auditory cues to dangers while hiking. For your safety on the trail, be fully aware of your surroundings.

When evaluating hiking, trekking, backpacking, and mountaineering, hiking is easiest and the foundation for each making the other three special classes of hiking.

Hiking, the simple act of strolling down a path through nature, offers a unique opportunity for exercise, socialization, learning, escape, reflection, expansion of thought, and improved mental well-being. One unparalleled activity with benefits covering the gamut of physical, social, familial, cognitive, mental, spiritual, and financial well-being.