SOLO
SOLO Risk Analysis
By Katie Mitchell
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Hiking alone can be daunting, especially with all of the rumors flying around about how to stay safe: bear bells, bear spray, so much water it weighs you down... what is the truth? SOLO is here to help you figure out which precautions to take when heading out.
1. Bears.
Everyone is scared of bears and mountain lions and being mauled by an animal generally larger than them on a hike. Well, fear no longer. The chance of dying by bear attack is 1 in 2.7 million. That's right, go ahead and spend time worrying about something else.
2. Heat
There are approximately 735 heat related deaths a year. Make sure to bring appropriate water for you and any pets that tag along on the adventure.
3. Location
It is imperative when picking a hiking destination to know what is in store. This list from Outdoor Magazine of the nation's deadliest parks (pulled from Search and Rescue data) will help you know the risks of where you are headed.
4. Falling
Believe it or not, falling is one of the top risks for adventurers in the National Parks. While the risk is not as high as drowning, we suggest making sure sturdy footing is a priority.
5. Lack of Communication
The cold cases reported by the Investigative Services of the National Parks Service total only 1-2 missing peoples cases per year, which means the odds of being lost on the trail are low. Make sure to reach out to friends before embarking on a solo hike.
Sources for this infographic/article:
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html,
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/upload/Highlights-of-2015-from-ISB.pdf,
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/upload/2017-Highlights-of-ISB-508C.pdf,
https://whimsicalhikers.com/causes-of-backpacking-and-hiking-deaths/,
https://skyaboveus.com/climbing-hiking/Whats-Killing-Americas-Hikers,
https://www.outsideonline.com/2161406/10-most-deadly-national-parks,
https://www.cdc.gov/pictureofamerica/pdfs/Picture_of_America_Heat-Related_Illness.pdf