My partner and I have this special place that we love to hike. Even mentioning the name sets us in an exciting state of letting loose and not be bothered by all the anxieties in life. We somehow feel like creatures of the wild, roaming around this superb place, scurrying beside creeks that curves it way down through the infamous Wild Horse Canyon.
It has a steep, stone-hard trail adorned with small, soft plants and an assortment of living things along the edges. The big waterfall situated at the top that drops into the canyon is just an hour walk away. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. One day last year we decided to take a hike into the canyon on a beautiful spring morning. Our backpacks were full of many things, a camera, our lunch and other stuff.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. It was my first time to assist myself with a walking stick and it just felt like using it at that time. The streams we passed were almost overflowing with water because the previous days had been raining. That day was so lovely. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My husband went ahead of me. He walked on the trough of the small pool. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. I had a hard fall in the water. I was looking up while I was crossing and was unaware of the big rock below. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. After resting a moment and trying to gather my thoughts, it suddenly dawned on me that we were at the bottom and had to climb back out. Since we were at the bottom deep of the canyon, my husband and I were conscious that our cell phones would not get a signal. Fantastic. Because we had been there a lot, we were familiar of a short cut to the road. So, after convincing my husband I could make it to the road by myself while he went for the car, and after all, I had a walking stick that some kind person had just 'happened' to leave for me, we started the climb. It never really occurred to me that what I was in a very tough predicament but because of that walking stick, I was able to make it through. In conclusion, I went home with a gravely injured ankle and used crutches for numerous weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. Be sure that your hiking boots are durable that can protect your feet in case anything happens. I think that my boots saved my ankle from getting broken. Be conscious before acting. You could get yourself killed if you accidentally lose your footing as you step on a rock or a tree root or loose dirt and find yourself at the bottom of some hill.
You will be able to avoid snakes if you know where your foot is landing on. A hiking buddy is important so that in case of emergency, he/she can be able to call for help or assist you like what had happened to me. Learn to take it easy and take the time to rest. Besides, taking a break gives you an opportunity to really look at your surroundings and "smell the flowers". Stay on the trail and don't venture off into the wild places unless you absolutely know what you are doing. Inform your companion if you are going somewhere. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. If you think that rain will pour anytime soon, pack your light rain gear also.
Remember, to bring along a stick, it could really come on handy!
It has a steep, stone-hard trail adorned with small, soft plants and an assortment of living things along the edges. The big waterfall situated at the top that drops into the canyon is just an hour walk away. Sometimes when there is a dry season, we can hike all the way to the bottom, which is even steeper and harder to navigate. One day last year we decided to take a hike into the canyon on a beautiful spring morning. Our backpacks were full of many things, a camera, our lunch and other stuff.
The oversized pine trees along the beginning of the trail had a stick tilting against one of them. That was what I detected when my husband and I arrived there. The fine looking stick would be great for support, that was what I thought when I took it. It was my first time to assist myself with a walking stick and it just felt like using it at that time. The streams we passed were almost overflowing with water because the previous days had been raining. That day was so lovely. We sort of landed almost near the highest point of the waterfall. My husband went ahead of me. He walked on the trough of the small pool. Just as I was about to cross, I broke the number one cardinal rule of hiking - watching where you are going. I had a hard fall in the water. I was looking up while I was crossing and was unaware of the big rock below. I realized I had sprained my ankle pretty seriously and the pain was agonizing. After resting a moment and trying to gather my thoughts, it suddenly dawned on me that we were at the bottom and had to climb back out. Since we were at the bottom deep of the canyon, my husband and I were conscious that our cell phones would not get a signal. Fantastic. Because we had been there a lot, we were familiar of a short cut to the road. So, after convincing my husband I could make it to the road by myself while he went for the car, and after all, I had a walking stick that some kind person had just 'happened' to leave for me, we started the climb. It never really occurred to me that what I was in a very tough predicament but because of that walking stick, I was able to make it through. In conclusion, I went home with a gravely injured ankle and used crutches for numerous weeks.
For safety purposes when hiking, first rule - watch where you go. Always observe your environment. Carry a small first aid kit, water and a little snack. Be sure that your hiking boots are durable that can protect your feet in case anything happens. I think that my boots saved my ankle from getting broken. Be conscious before acting. You could get yourself killed if you accidentally lose your footing as you step on a rock or a tree root or loose dirt and find yourself at the bottom of some hill.
You will be able to avoid snakes if you know where your foot is landing on. A hiking buddy is important so that in case of emergency, he/she can be able to call for help or assist you like what had happened to me. Learn to take it easy and take the time to rest. Besides, taking a break gives you an opportunity to really look at your surroundings and "smell the flowers". Stay on the trail and don't venture off into the wild places unless you absolutely know what you are doing. Inform your companion if you are going somewhere. Do not jam-pack your bag with so many unnecessary items, take only what you need and some handy material that can be of use in case there's an emergency. Also, know if it's okay to be out with whatever climate you have at that time. If you think that rain will pour anytime soon, pack your light rain gear also.
Remember, to bring along a stick, it could really come on handy!
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