Deadly hiking: All the things not to do

There's plenty of information on how to have a safe and enjoyable hike. Phoenix has an in-depth "Take a Hike. Do It Right." list of guidelines, a great resource for safe hiking.

There's also much to learn from hiking don'ts. These mistakes can cause serious harm, potentially even death. It's good to know the biggest mistakes a hiker can make so you can avoid them.

We talked to Steven Salter, an avid hiker and Master Educator with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, to learn the worst possible ways to plan and execute your hike. He would know, since he's a certified Wilderness First Responder.

“Definitely, preparation is the most important thing," Salter said.

Here are six of the worst things you could do when planning your hike.

1. Pick a hot day

In Phoenix, pretty much every day from May to October is a hot day. But if  the National Weather Service issues an excessive-heat warning, it's definitely not a good idea to hike that day. Heat stroke and dehydration can be very dangerous.

The time of day also matters. It's cooler in the morning and after sunset, so those are the ideal times to hike during the hot summer months. Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you're likely to be out after dark.

2. Hydrate improperly

Nothing is more crucial to a safe hike than drinking plenty of water. While sports drinks can be good in addition to plain water since they contain electrolytes, drinking sugary sodas and alcoholic beverages are a bad idea.

Alcohol is both dehydrating and mind-altering. You'll lose fluids and make terrible decisions.

“Being inebriated or under the influence while hiking can generally turn out pretty bad,” Salter said.

While it's a myth that soda dehydrates you, caffeinated drinks are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to urinate more frequently. This is true for any caffeinated drink, including coffee and tea.

3. Bring only junk food

Every hiker needs snacks to stay energized. However, the type of food you bring is important. Nutritious snacks such as beef jerky, energy bars and trail mix are classic hiking snacks for a reason. They work.

Salty snacks also are good. They replace the salt lost via perspiration, and they lesson the potential of hyponatremia, which is a lack of sodium in the bloodstream caused by drinking too much water.

Food with little nutritional value, such as most chewy candies, don't help your body continue hiking. And although too many Snickers bars aren't good for anyone, they're one of Salter's favorite hiking foods because of the mixture of nuts, chocolate and fats. 

4. Wear denim, cotton and flip-flops

Dressing comfortably is important when hiking, but leave these three items at home. Denim jeans and cotton T-shirts are heavy materials that will bog you down. Flip-flops offer no protection for your feet. And wear good socks.

"Nothing ruins a hike faster than a blister," Salter said.

He recommended dry-fit or lightweight shirts and clothing, and he said to wear whatever shoes are most comfortable for the type of hike you're doing. 

“Shoes are very much comfort based … you can even go hiking in cowboy boots if you’re (agile) enough," Salter said. "But for the average person, a comfortable pair of shoes is very important.”

5. Go off trail

Just don't. You can get lost, injured or fall off a cliff. 

Going off trail also can harm the environment. Salter said you may create a spider trail that others then follow by mistake. That can damage habitat and harm the cryptobiotic soil, which is vital to the Southwestern environment.

6. Hike alone

Hike with others or, in the least, let others know when and where you're hiking. If something goes wrong on the trail, your fellow hikers can summon help. If you don't return on time, those in the know can point first responders in the right direction. Overconfidence can be deadly.

“A lot of people like to go alone," Salter said, "but that can be kind of dangerous, since you might think of yourself as Superman in some sense of, ‘Oh, I can make it. I do this all the time.’ But all you need is that one time you can’t.”

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