In light of the recent Gabby Petito's murder, and discussions about sketchy encounters women have had on the trail I wanted to make a post about hiking and camping safety. This isn't meant to be all encompassing so I left out lots of survival tips. I've spent a lot of time in the woods for fun, work, and as a SAR volunteer but I'm always learning new things so I welcome all suggestions or criticisms.

  1. First and foremost: apply FDS principles to increase your chances of having safe people in your life. Never do hiking dates. I extend the non-dating parts of the vetting process to include all my friends regardless of gender.

NEVER GO SOMEWHERE ALONE WITH A PERSON YOU DON'T WELL.

One of my biggest takeaways from my volunteer work is: do not assume someone knows what they're doing just because they say so or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Men who don't know what they're doing like to overstate their wilderness skills, whereas the most capable outdoorspeople I know never brag about their abilities. If someone is boasting then that's a red flag, and I would not hike or camp with them. Always trust your gut in a situation. He may have done the same unsafe thing many times, but that was a matter of luck instead of safety.

Always tell someone where you are going, who you'll be with, and when you will be back. Mention that you've told people this to him. Take your own vehicle so you can leave alone if you have to. If the location you'll be at has the option of filing a travel plan then do it, and if there are trail logs at the trail heads then use them. Stick to your plan.

Familiarise yourself with the area before you go. Do not leave navigation up to someone else, and have everyone keep track of navigation in case. This takes away some of the leverage he could use against you, and is vital if you're forced to separate. Make a plan for what you'll do if things go wrong just like you would for a bear encounter or if you are injured.

If you were supposed to be hiking with a group, but for whatever reason only one of the men shows up then do not be afraid to cancel. Your safety trumps their hurt feelings.

Always bring the ten essentials whenever you hike. Do not assume the person you're with will bring what you haven't. If I'm going on a longer hike with someone then I'll visit them a day or two prior to hang out, and pack our gear together. That ensures everyone will have what they need. REI's Day Hiking checklist is a good start. I highly recommend personal locator beacons, and you can get them for as low as $100.

Some backcountry trails have first come first serve lean tos and huts. Be careful if you choose to use them. One thing I do if I run into strangers on the trail is take a picture of the scenery in a way that indicates to them that includes them on the edge of the frame. Then I'll make a comment such as 'had to send my friend a photo of how beautiful it is out here.' If I have service I'll send it, if I don't then I'll pretend to. That way they realize there's a photo out there showing I encountered them.

Problem areas don't always pop up on the official radar. Ask around the in your local hiking community about sketchy parts, and evaluate the amount of risk you're comfortable with. Pay attention to how they talk about people. They'll rarely outright say a person is a problem, but you can usually read between the lines (the missing stair metaphor.)

Do not break difficult news while out there. If you come to a realization such as not wanting to date them anymore then do not tell or hint about it to him until you're back from the trip.

  1. Unfortunately, as the Gabby Petito tragedy shows, we are most likely to be harmed by the men in our lives. I rarely go hiking with a man if he's going to be the only other person there, and when I do it's always with men I've continued to get for a while. Many women choose to not hike with men at all.

If you don't have women friends who like hiking then consider outdoors meet ups for women. Camping stores like REI often have women's only classes or trips. Women who work at these places can be a good resource for finding women's outdoors groups.

  1. There are a lot of options for self-defense, and picking the one that is best for you is a highly personal decision. If you aren't comfortable with it then it will not be as effective if you have to use it.

Bear spray is easy to use, works very well, and is more effective in an animal attack than guns. If you're in bear country you should have it on you anyway. Practice with it using the dummy cans in the store, and be aware that even if you use it perfectly while upwind some of it will mist back on you.

Firearms are controversial, and expensive. I own one, and bring it with me when I hike or camp. If you choose to go this route then make sure you get the appropriate permits and training. They're going to be more difficult to use effectively when your adrenaline is up. Knives, marital arts, and tasers all require you to get close to an attacker, so they're not ideal.

Dogs can be great trail buddies, and are convenient space heaters when camping in chilly temperatures, but there are downsides. Some places won't let you hike or camp with them. If they aren't leashed then they could take off if they see something they're interested in. They can antagonize wild animals, and may draw in predators like coyotes and cougars.

Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Great Pyrenes, Huskies, Dobermans, and Malamutes, are some protective breeds that can handle the physical demands of the backcountry. These breeds need a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation so be prepared for the responsibility if you get one. Do not assume they will defend you because of their breed, or do things like bark a lot when someone comes to the door. You can train them to protect you, but if they know him well then your dog might not defend you if you're attacked.

I know the post sounds doom and gloom, but don't let it scare you away from the outdoors. Being out in nature is a rewarding experience, crime is rare, and these are simple precautions you can take to help you stay safe.

Hike on Queens!