There's a place that my husband and I often go to hike. It is so magnificent! Even mentioning the name sets us in an exciting state of letting loose and not be bothered by all the anxieties in life. This location is so breathtaking that we become like the off-springs of nature's wild, dashing next to the creeks that zigzag its way down into the canyon, the prominent Wild Horse Canyon that is.
The pathways rather has a vertical drop, rocky and edged with mosses and all various living things. The big waterfall situated at the top that drops into the canyon is just an hour walk away. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. One day last year we decided to take a hike into the canyon on a beautiful spring morning. I brought for us something to eat for lunch and other things into our backpacks, even a camera.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. I have never used a walking stick before and this was purely on impulse. We trekked near streams that were gushing with too much water due to the spring rain that had poured from days before. We were lucky that the weather that day was doing well for us. We nearly arrived at the bottom or should I say, the peak of the waterfall. My husband had gone ahead and already crossed the little pool at the shallowest part. Always watch where you go, that is the primary cardinal rule when going out for a hike. Unfortunately at that time, I broke that rule when I was about to pass through the pool. 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. I knew I had a very bad ankle sprain and was in excruciating pain. I rested for a while and contemplated. Then, I realized we still had to climb back up. We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Terrific. Because we had been there a lot, we were familiar of a short cut to the road. So, after convincing my husband I could make it to the road by myself while he went for the car, and after all, I had a walking stick that some kind person had just 'happened' to leave for me, we started the climb. I could not have gotten out not for that stick that aided me. At that time, I never thought that I was in a really tight situation. To conclude what happened that day, I got an ankle that was seriously sprained that led me to use crutches for quite a few weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. 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. Be conscious before acting. 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.
Being aware of every step will also help you avoid stepping on any snakes. Always hike with a buddy, take breaks to rest and pace yourself. Furthermore, resting lets you enjoy the wonderful view. 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. If you had to take a leak or want some private time, you better let your hiking buddy know where you are off to. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. Be prepared and take your rain jacket, preferably the light one, with you if you know that there is a likelihood of a downpour.
Last but not the least, your handy dandy hiking stick!
The pathways rather has a vertical drop, rocky and edged with mosses and all various living things. The big waterfall situated at the top that drops into the canyon is just an hour walk away. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. One day last year we decided to take a hike into the canyon on a beautiful spring morning. I brought for us something to eat for lunch and other things into our backpacks, even a camera.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. I have never used a walking stick before and this was purely on impulse. We trekked near streams that were gushing with too much water due to the spring rain that had poured from days before. We were lucky that the weather that day was doing well for us. We nearly arrived at the bottom or should I say, the peak of the waterfall. My husband had gone ahead and already crossed the little pool at the shallowest part. Always watch where you go, that is the primary cardinal rule when going out for a hike. Unfortunately at that time, I broke that rule when I was about to pass through the pool. 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. I knew I had a very bad ankle sprain and was in excruciating pain. I rested for a while and contemplated. Then, I realized we still had to climb back up. We recognized that our cell phones were useless because we were way below in the canyon, so there was no signal. Terrific. Because we had been there a lot, we were familiar of a short cut to the road. So, after convincing my husband I could make it to the road by myself while he went for the car, and after all, I had a walking stick that some kind person had just 'happened' to leave for me, we started the climb. I could not have gotten out not for that stick that aided me. At that time, I never thought that I was in a really tight situation. To conclude what happened that day, I got an ankle that was seriously sprained that led me to use crutches for quite a few weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. 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. Be conscious before acting. 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.
Being aware of every step will also help you avoid stepping on any snakes. Always hike with a buddy, take breaks to rest and pace yourself. Furthermore, resting lets you enjoy the wonderful view. 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. If you had to take a leak or want some private time, you better let your hiking buddy know where you are off to. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. Be prepared and take your rain jacket, preferably the light one, with you if you know that there is a likelihood of a downpour.
Last but not the least, your handy dandy hiking stick!
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