Hiking Safety Abroad - Security Tips for International Backpacking
With the growing popularity in outdoor sports like hiking and backpacking, safety is a major concern. Many backpackers travel abroad to hit the exotic trails in foreign countries. Unfortunately, many become victims of crimes because of poor security practices. Here are some hiking safety tips to help keep hikers safe while abroad. Criminals seek out backpackers because they are easy targets. Why? First, many travel alone to isolated places where a law enforcement presence is non-existent. Second, backpackers tend to carry everything with them in their bags, including important items like passports, cash, mp3 players, and credit cards. So what can you do as a backpacker to be safe and enjoy your trip to a foreign country? 1) Never hike alone. Travel with a group of backpackers instead. Besides, this will make your trip more enjoyable and give you the opportunity to develop friendships with others who have the same interests.
For helpful hiking and backpacking how-to information, 2) Inform family and friends of your plans on a regular basis. This will prevent them from worrying after not hearing from you for a couple of days. Many panicked family members and friends contact embassies and law enforcement abroad to start a search for loved ones after losing contact, only to find out later that the "missing person" was in fact up a mountain hiking, with no form of communication and in no danger. 3) If you have a local contact person, provide complete details of your plans for the day before heading out on a hike. Also provide contact information for that person to your family back home. 4) Always carry a cellphone and a list of important phone numbers, including your country's embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. 5) Never hike anywhere near a country's border. It's just too easy to get lost and unintentionally wander across into another country. This could get you arrested or captured. 6) Carry a GPS and good hiking maps of the area and check them regularly to be sure you know exactly where you are. 7) Carry a small first aid kit to treat any injuries to yourself, your travel companions, or anyone else along the trail. 8) Make sure you are physically able to take on the task of hiking. Be careful if you are hiking in high altitude locations and allow yourself time to acclimate. Remember that any extreme variation in climate, which is different from that of your home country, can cause health problems. 9) Be sure to check out weather conditions ahead of time. 10) Use a skilled guide who is familiar with the area. This prevents you from getting lost or accidently straying into "bad areas." Also, the guide will have local points of contact that he can call on for help in emergency situations. 11) Leave your passport, extra cash, and credit cards at the hotel in a safe rather than carrying them in your backpack. For identification purposes, carry a certified copy of your passport, which is available from your embassy or consulate. 12) Don't believe the common
travel safety myths.
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