From the majestic forests and beautiful vineyards to the one hundred and thirty mountains and turquoise beaches, Cape Town is every adventurer’s playground.
The city is synonymously known for its outdoor lifestyle and was recently listed in second position as one of the best cities to live in as voted by Time Out ranking.
Think paragliding, bungee jumping, sky diving and even hot air ballooning, the opportunities to experience outdoor fun are endless. Among all of these are the wonderful hikes that most locals as well as tourists enjoy.
While most avid hikers use this to get exercise, improve their cardiovascular system increase bone density, or just for their leisure, if safety measures are not properly seen too, this can lead to negative consequences.
Arrive Alive – a well-known campaign used to raise awareness and decrease the number of lives lost in South Africa – has indicated that the risks of something bad happening while hiking are endless. Some of the most common factors include getting lost, medical incidents like strokes or heart attacks, natural disasters like flooding or rock falling, and injuries caused by animals like snakes or insects.
It is for this reason that the following safety risks are to be adhered to before going on a hike:
Let someone know where you are going
Being surrounded by rocks with no real signage around can be a scary situation. It is therefore important to inform others that you that you on planning on hiking along an estimated time they should expect you to return.
Outdoor lifestyle publication Trip Savy also encourages hikers to keep loved ones informed about the route as well as the colour they will be wearing on the day; this will help in case you are lost along the way.
Ensure that you have enough water
The above-mentioned source also recommends packing enough water so that you may not become fatigued or dehydrated by the effects of the sun.
Carry a whistle
Carrying a whistle is known to reach a further distance than your voice would.
Wear proper gear
Several outdoor lifestyle publications, including our Ridestore, recommend being fully equipped with proper gear to prevent any unnecessary injuries. Proper gear often includes wearing a sun hat, glasses, and proper protective shoes that are not only strong but also provide a firm grip when climbing.
Also see: Top 5 hiking trails in the Western Cape
