Going on a Hike... Hike Safe.... It's your Responsibility!

Have a great time hiking in New Hampshire's vast wilderness but please prepare properly before you head out!
A. Plan your destination
B. Notify friends and family:

• of where you are going
• what trails and mountains you are hiking
• who is with you
• how long you expect to be gone (day or multiday)
• map it out
• check your gear

For Summer Day Hikes:

The Ten Essentials:
1. Map (Terrain maps can be found online or in many bookstores)
View Larger Map

2. Compass (know how to use it)

3. Warm Clothing:
■ Sweater or Pile Jacket
■ Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
■ Hat (wool)

4. Extra Food and Water (A healthy, average-sized person can produce as much as 32 oz of sweat during per hour of moderate to vigorous exercise.  Trail bars or mix are great for a quick energy boost)

5. Flashlight or (Headlamp so your hands are free)

6. Matches/Firestarters

7. First Aid Kit/Repair Kit

8. Whistle (uses a lot less energy than yelling if lost, and is more apt to be recognized as a sign of distrress)

9. Rain/Wind Jacket and Pants and/or Poncho (Weather can change rapidly)

10. Pocket Knife


Pleasure trip or serious hiker?  Please take the next 8 minutes of your life to watch this video, it could save you a lifetime.  Expect the unexpected and be prepared, the conditions can change very quickly in the New Hampshire Mountains.  You will enjoy your trip more with the peace of mind that you are prepared for what the conditions may throw at you.


"hikeSafe: It's your responsibility" highlights the experiences of three avid hikers and the lessons they have learned in the mountains of New Hampshire. Though the mountains are beautiful -- and hiking can be incredibly fun -- the mountains must also be respected, and hiking must be approached with full understanding of its demands. These hikers share their knowledge, sometimes earned through discomfort and even danger. Whether lost alone on a wilderness trail, buffeted by icy ridgetop gales, or forced to spend an unplanned night out by a raging river, the hikers speak earnestly and candidly so that others may benefit. The hikers stress the hikeSafe responsibility code, which encourages outdoor enthusiasts to be fully prepared for the challenges of the outdoors.


Some quick FACTS:

Three hundred twenty-one incidents involving 457 subjects were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects in the incidents was 35.6 years, with 64.5% men and 35.4% women; 73% of the subjects resided in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. At the time of the incident, 57.3% of the subjects were hiking. Injuries precipitated 39.3% of the rescues, whereas lost and missing persons accounted for 41.4%. Fractures accounted for 33.7% of the reported injuries; 49.7% of the injuries were to the lower extremities. Sixty-four of the subjects (14%) died; 32.8% drowned, and 23.4% died from cardiac events. Volunteers were used in 53.3% of the rescues, a rescuer was injured in 2.5% of the incidents, and at least 36.4% of the subjects were transported to a hospital.


FYI:

Three states besides New Hampshire – Hawaii, Oregon and Maine – have laws allowing agencies to bill for rescues!
$25,000 is the going fine in New Hampshire.