Hiking organizations such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Hiking Society have must-follow advice for keeping yourself and your hiking partners safe before and during your outdoor adventure. If you’re going on a backcountry hike where you know cell service is limited, consider carrying a beacon. Footwear — If you’re setting out for a day hike on a low or medium difficulty trail, regular trail shoes could do the trick. After your hike, wash your hands and arms with a mineral-spirit based cleaner like Tecnu to remove the oils. Snakes — According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, snake bites are rare and very few people die from bites.

Source: Washington Post May 26, 2019 17:18 UTC