Trail Safety Articles
7 articles in Trail Safety.
Trail Safety
7 articles. Newest first.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe Pre-Trip Hiking Safety Checklist (Day-Of Routine)
A 15-minute safety routine to run the morning of every hike — weather, route, gear, communication.
Photo: Joshua EarleWhat to Do If You Get Lost Hiking (S.T.O.P. Method)
Getting lost is the most common backcountry emergency. The S.T.O.P. method works — here's exactly how to use it.
Photo: Silvia GrešováHow to Read the SAC Hiking Scale (and Why It Matters)
The SAC scale is the most common trail difficulty system on OpenStreetMap. Here's how to interpret each tier — and why a T3 can ruin your day if you're not ready.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Essentials: What to Actually Pack on Every Day Hike
The 10 Essentials are the minimum survival kit for any hike. Here's what they are, why each one is on the list, and what to skip.
Photo: Tobias MrzykHow Trail Difficulty Ratings Actually Work (and Why They Lie)
Every trail app rates trails differently. Here's why an "easy" trail in one app can be a "hard" trail in another — and how to read between the lines.
Photo: Joshua EarleReading Weather Forecasts Like a Mountain Guide
"30% chance of rain" doesn't mean what you think. How to actually interpret weather forecasts for backcountry travel.
Photo: Silvia GrešováLeave No Trace: The Seven Principles That Keep Public Lands Open
Trash, fire scars, eroded social trails. The Leave No Trace framework that keeps your favorite trails accessible.