There’s a place that my husband and I often go to hike. It is so magnificent! We are full of eagerness into running wild with no tensions and problems to worry just by the sound of its name. When we go to this special place, we are like wild nature children running along with the creeks that meander down and into what is called Wild Horse Canyon.
The pathways rather has a vertical drop, rocky and edged with mosses and all various living things. It takes about an hour to get to the top of a huge waterfall that empties into the canyon. At times when it’s not raining, we would navigate our way below which is often difficult to do because of the even sheerer drop. The weather was fine that one spring morning of last year, my husband and I thought of trekking down into the canyon. There were so many things that I placed in our knapsacks, including a camera and our meal for lunch.
The first thing I saw when we were at the starting point of the trail was a stick inclining beside one of the enormous pine trees along the trail. I picked up the stick sensing that it could be useful for me during the trek. It was my first time to assist myself with a walking stick and it just felt like using it at that time. The streams we passed were almost overflowing with water because the previous days had been raining. It was such a beautiful day. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My partner went first and had gone across at the lowest portion of the small pool. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking – watching where you are going. It was a tough fall. I had placed my foot on a rock when I passed through and it caught me off-balance because I was looking above. The sprain in my ankle was so severe that I could feel the ache piercing. I rested for a while and contemplated. Then, I realized we still had to climb back up. Our cell phones had proven to be of no use to us at that time because we were at the bottom deep of the canyon. Fantastic. We had to take the quickest way to the road so that my injury could be tended immediately so we knew which path to go since we had gotten accustomed to the place. After I talked my husband into heading for the car while I took the other way to the road, we scaled up. In any case, I had my walking stick to aid me, credited to the person who was nice enough to leave it behind. I didn’t realize how difficult that was going to be and could not have made it out without that walking stick. In conclusion, I went home with a gravely injured ankle and used crutches for numerous weeks.
Therefore, the number one rule for hiking safety is to look before you step. Constantly be on guard of your vicinity. Include in your back pack a little first aid kit, some snacks, and a bottle of water. Be sure that your hiking boots are durable that can protect your feet in case anything happens. I think that my boots saved my ankle from getting broken. Think, think, think before you step. You could get yourself killed if you accidentally lose your footing as you step on a rock or a tree root or loose dirt and find yourself at the bottom of some hill.
Snakes are commonly found at hiking places so if you don’t want to step on some, always watch where your feet goes. Bring someone along when going out for a hike, rest during intervals and slow down. Anyway, with the both of you taking breaks during intervals, it allows you to actually observe your environment and appreciate its beauty. Unless if you already know the place and is familiar with all the ins and outs of the area where you are hiking, just follow the trail. Let someone know where you are going. Bring in your back pack only the essentials like food and water, and some outdoor handy device. Also include materials that can be of help in case of urgent situations -a flashlight and possibly a sweater for the cold. Verify first if the weather condition is suitable for hiking. In case of a chance of rain, include light rain gear.
Remember, to bring along a stick, it could really come on handy!
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