Hiking Safely in British Columbia

I wish I didn’t have to write an article on hiking safety as it should be pretty self-explanatory by now, but unfortunately every year there are hundreds of SAR call outs in British Columbia due to hikers getting hurt or lost, many times due to poor preparation and naivety, thinking a hike is just a walk in the forest. Sadly, some people end up never being found, leaving family and friends distraught and confused as to how a hike can end up with such dire consequences.

Many people wrongly assume hiking is a risk free activity, and it’s only when things go wrong do they quickly realize that they need urgent help. If they aren’t prepared or equipped to get this help, or to help themselves, there is a very sudden and real risk to this person’s life. The conditions in the wilderness can change rapidly and dramatically, and what started as a fun day out in the mountains can soon turn into a life and death situation. With a little bit of preparation and education the number of SAR call outs could be reduced significantly, so even if this article helps just one person be prepared, it’s worthwhile.

To hike safely in British Columbia, you should do all of the following.

Leave a Trip Plan

The first and most important recommendation for hiking safety is to leave a trip plan. Tell somebody who is not going on the hike both where you are going and when you expect to be back. Then at least if you do get lost/hurt and don’t make it back at the time you said you would, somebody can notify the authorities where you were going and when you left. Doing this simple task eliminates the possibility of you ending up lost/hurt without anybody knowing where to look for you. At the very least have the decency to help SAR find you if you do need saving!

Another recommended practice is to leave trip details in your vehicle, such as where you are planning to go and when you plan to be back. This way if SAR find your vehicle they have a good idea where to look and how far you might have gotten.

Take the 10 Essentials

I did not take the 10 essentials when I started hiking. In fact I was probably lacking a few of the 10 essentials, and this is nothing to be proud of. Fortunately for me I was always hiking in groups at first and relied heavily on their knowledge and preparation, and nothing ever went so wrong that I needed any of the essentials that I was lacking. While I was more prepared than many beginners I see now, I still should have been more self-sufficient. The 10 essentials are as follows:

Navigation – For this I highly recommend taking an offline map downloaded to your device, as well as a fully charged power bank to recharge your device multiple times in a pinch. Never rely on having cell service as your only source of navigation! If you want to be extra safe and not rely on power of any kind, take paper based maps and a compass, knowing how to use both.
Food – Take it. Take lots of it. Dedicate most of your pack to it. Okay that might just be me, but I take a lot of food when I hike. I’m talking about a week’s supply of Cliff bars. If you don’t know what they are you will soon find out. Jokes aside you should be taking a lot of food when you hike, at least a hearty lunch, several snacks and enough that if you get lost you can survive at least a day. Bring high energy food that will keep you going. Carbs are your friend here, don’t listen to those weight loss regimens if you’re going out for a hike.
Water – This is one many people underestimate. You need a lot of water when hiking, especially in the summer when it’s hot and you’re sweaty. There is no hard and fast rule as to how much to take but err on the side of caution with water. I generally know how much I need based on distance/elevation but if you’re just starting out take 1-2L more than you think you need. It’s a good idea to also take water purification tablets or a LifeStraw in case you end up needing to get water from a stream/lake.
Sun Protection – Another one people often forget or underestimate. Some hikes are exposed to the sun for hours upon hours and if you don’t have a sunhat and sun lotion you’re in for a world of pain the next day. I also strongly advise SPF lip balm and sunglasses, and some people like to wear long sleeves/pants to avoid exposure. Don’t assume because it’s winter that you don’t need sun protection either. Snow can even magnify the effects of sun, so be prepared for sun in all seasons.
Extra Clothing – Again, beginner hikers often aren’t prepared for changes in temperature/weather as they wrongly assume that the weather at the start of the hike is the same as the summit. Even if you are hiking on a beautiful sunny day, the temperature at the top of the summit is a lot colder than where you started the hike. How many extra layers you need to pack depends on the season, but you should generally have a jacket, gloves, hat, spare socks, waterproof layers and I always carry a lightweight top to put on at the summit even in the summer.
Headlamp & Spare Batteries – Each person in your party should have their own headlamp and spare batteries. This is one of the most important safety devices to take with you and it’s so small, cheap and light you really have no excuses. Sadly most people do not heed this advice. Simply put, if you get lost or caught out with sunset you have practically no chance of navigating without a light source. Do not rely on your cell phone to light the way, not only are their lights too weak to light up a pitch black trail, their batteries die very quickly with a flashlight on.
First Aid Kit – You can pick up handy little first aid kits at any MEC store or even just on Amazon. They are cheap, lightweight and take up practically no space in your pack. Make sure you know how to use what’s inside, there’s no point in getting hurt only to realize you’ve no idea how to use your supplies.
Fire Starter – This is probably a lower priority piece of kit if you’re hiking in summer especially, but you’ll be surprised how cold it gets at night in the mountains if you get lost. Personally I throw in a small tube of stormproof matches into my pack just in case, and you might want a small firestarter kit. Thankfully I’ve never needed to use mine but it’s good to have.
Multi-Tool – For me this is probably the lowest priority of the ten essentials as frankly I’d have no idea how to make a shelter even if I were to get lost. I would definitely carry a multi-tool on a multi day hike but the necessity of one on a day hike is less important. Still, you can do a lot with a multi tool if you know how to use one, such as applying first aid, starting fires, building shelters and whatnot.
Emergency Shelter – Just throw an emergency blanket into your pack already, okay? Again, they weigh nothing, cost nothing and can be life saving if you get lost overnight. They provide warmth, dryness and are highly visible for search and rescue

Beyond the 10 Essentials

As well as the obvious 10 essentials there are several other items I’d suggest either taking or wearing in order to provide additional comfort, convenience or safety to make your hiking experience even better:

Good Hiking Boots – Okay, I get it. You can hike many trails in a pair of sneakers and survive. It definitely won’t be a comfortable hike, but it is manageable. Most people that hike in sneakers are people that go on one or two hikes a year and don’t want to invest in a pair of boots. I get it, even I was close to doing that at first. But let me tell you, even if you don’t use them often a good pair of hiking boots will come in handy throughout your life in all sorts of situations. The hiking boots I bought back in 2007 that I barely used at first? Yep, still going strong even today. Hiking boots make your hike far safer, far more comfortable and just provide an all round better hiking experience. You won’t slip as much, you’re far less likely to twist your ankle, they’re often waterproof. Just please, buy a pair and think of it as a long-term investment.
Hiking Socks – Similar to hiking boots, please don’t wear any old sports socks or even worse office socks to go on a hike. You want high quality sweat wicking socks. A proper pair of socks provides comfortable padding, reduces sweating and reduces blistering. In colder weather they provide necessary warmth too. They’re not even that expensive and they last forever. I highly recommend Icebreaker or SmartWool socks. One good pair is enough if that’s all you want.
Wicking Clothes – Similar to socks, all of your clothes should be wicking to enable breathability, warmth and quick drying. Just assume every part of your body is going to sweat profusely on a hike. Avoid denim at all costs and don’t even think about cotton. Merino wool is most preferred but polyester and polypropylene are good as well. Please for the love of humanity don’t wear jeans.
Hiking Pack – Many beginner hikers begin their hobby with a school backpack, or something similar. Some even opt for no pack, or a handheld bag! Either way, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to a hiking pack due to the abundance of accessories and functionality they offer. Hiking packs are specifically designed with hiking in mind and come with all sorts of features to make your experience far more pleasant. To name just one feature I find invaluable in a hiking pack, the anti-perspiration systems many packs offer are a Godsend. Hydration system storage is another invaluable feature. Which brings me to my next point.
Hydration System – This is more for convenience than being a necessity, but a hydration system is one of the most rewarding additions to your hiking accessories for such a low cost. It’s pretty damn annoying having to take off your pack and root around for your bottle every time you want a drink and a hydration system allows you to just drink directly out of the tube from your pack. You don’t even have to stop hiking if you’re like me.
Whistle – A whistle has two main uses for a hiker, one is to alert search and rescue to where you are and the other is to alert animals of your presence. Speaking of which…
Bear Spray and Bell – We’re in British Columbia, bears are everywhere. You need to carry bear spray at all times (and know how to use it). If hiking alone I always carry my bear bell as well but even in a group it can’t hurt. Added bonus, if you’re a fast hiker like me it alerts those slowpokes in front that you’re steaming up behind and they need to move on over!
Bug Spray – Okay this is only applicable to late spring and early summer if you’re lucky, but as soon as the weather warms up and the snow starts melting, the bugs come out to feast. I always throw a bug spray in my pack at these times of year especially, there’s nothing like a horde of mozzies to ruin an otherwise delightful hike. Some people go as far as using a mosquito net but I’ve not been that tortured by mosquitos just yet.
Satellite Communication / Navigation Device – Now we’re getting into the more advanced recommendations. Since I hike alone a lot of the time communication with the outside world is imperative. The only way to guarantee that is through a satellite communication device like a Garmin InReach. These are not cheap, but the guarantee they provide for the ability to call search and rescue or contact loved ones without cell service is invaluable.
Trekking Poles – Not my cup of tea but many hikers wouldn’t dream of going on a hike without bringing their trekking poles. Trekking poles provide numerous benefits, such as reduced leg/knee soreness, increased stability on steep ascents/descents, better balance on slippery surfaces or creeks crossings and some people even like to have them at hand to defend against animal attacks (no idea if they’d help, but whatever makes you comfortable!). For me, trekking poles are a little cumbersome, limit use of hands a lot (not great for a photographer) and would only slow me down I think. I can definitely see their use in winter though.

Hike in a Group

It might seem a bit hypocritical of me writing this since I hike alone a lot and I love it, but unless you are a pretty experienced hiker I will always recommend hiking in a group. The reason is pretty obvious, you’re a lot safer in a group if things go wrong. If one person gets hurt there is someone there to call help and administer first aid. If one person runs out of food or requires extra layers, there is someone else there to provide these.

When hiking alone you are totally self sufficient and it requires a lot more experience, preparation and safety plans. I share some solo hiking safety tips here, but if you aren’t experienced please stick to hiking in a group.

Stick Together & Arrange a Meeting Point

When hiking in a group it’s important to stay within visual distance of one another. Unfortunately there are times when fitness levels within a group are significantly varied with one fit person being frustrated by one slower person (and vice versa!). I know this can be annoying for both parties on a long hike and it might be tempting to just tell the faster person to go ahead.

That’s fine to the extent that you can both see one another but don’t go so far ahead you’re out of sight.

Also, just in case you do get separated it’s important to arrange a meeting place. You can’t rely on cell phones as you likely won’t have signal, so just decide a spot where you will meet back up before you set off. You don’t want to be in a position where one person thinks the other person is lost, ending up calling search and rescue, only to realize they were waiting for you back at the car.

Be Prepared for Bear Encounters

Hiking in British Columbia invariably means hiking in bear territory. As such it is important you not only carry bear spray (see above), but also know how to reduce the likelihood of encountering a bear and also how to respond in the event of encountering one.

BC Parks has a useful page on what to do in all of these scenarios, as well as how to use bear spray should you need to.

Check the Weather

It’s very important that you research the weather conditions specific to your hike. There are a number of ways of doing this but I always like to start with simply Googling the weather for the general area that the hike is located in, say Chilliwack, and look to see the weather throughout the entire hike, not just the beginning.

Now if your hike is a low elevation hike without much change in altitude, this is probably sufficient to get an idea of conditions throughout your hike. However, if you are hiking to a high elevation summit it’s crucial that you also find out what the weather is like at, or near, the summit. One excellent website for this is Mountain Forecast which allows you to search weather based on the peak you are going to. If your exact peak is not listed, look for nearby peaks of a similar elevation. Elevation is really key as the weather and temperature can change rapidly from a summit at 1,000m elevation to a summit at 2,000m elevation.

Another good website that seems to have a lot more peaks than Mountain Forecast is Yr.no. Through a combination of research across a few sites you should get a good understanding as to the conditions throughout your hike at various elevations and times and thus know how to prepare properly.

Set Off Early

I pretty much start all my hikes as close to sunrise as possible. Maybe not so much in the summer when sunrise is at 5am and sunset is at 10pm, but at all other times during the year I do, even if it means a 4am wake up. Many of the search and rescue call outs are a result of people getting caught out in the dark because they have started their hike too late.

I had one close(ish) call where we started a long hike at around 7.30am and, without going into too much detail, the hike was unsuccessful and we ended up having to make the very long hike back to the car far later than expected. A full 12 hours later we got back to the car at 7:30pm. Had we set off on this hike at 1pm it is very likely we would have ended up having to call SAR or at the very least walking back to the car in darkness with our headlights on.

Aim to be finished with your hike several hours before sunset in case things go wrong and you end up taking longer than expected. Even though I set off so early and am always finished well before sunset, I still carry a headlight just in case. Never go on a sunset hike unless you are extremely familiar with the trail and everybody in your party has a headlight with backup batteries.

I truly believe if everyone followed all of the hiking safety advice in this article that the amount of call outs to search and rescue would decline dramatically. Let’s not put any more strain on an already strained emergency response and hike safely and responsibly in British Columbia.