Natural Hazards in Hiking
There are some common natural hazards that one may encounter while hiking. Although nature is sometimes unpredictable it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather forecast as part of your hiking preparation. Knowing what to do in some of these situations is vital for survival, therefore it is of utmost importance to be aware of some common steps to take when faced with a potential hazardous condition. Let’s look at some of the more common natural hazards that might occur during your hiking and outdoor activities.
Forest Fires
Many forest fires are man-made: Human error, ignorance or deliberate. Double-check that all your fires
are out when you are ready to leave your camp. Put out any smoldering remains and cover them with sand to prevent re-ignition. If you do find yourself caught in the middle of a forest fire, one of the most important things to remember is not to panic. Rivers and large clearings are natural fire breaks. Calmly find your way to one of these and get on the other side. Just getting on the other side of the barrier should be enough to get you to safety. If it is not possible, remember to always go downhill and try to go in the opposite direction of the winds. The fire will not travel nearly as fast in these directions.
Storms and Twisters
When you see clouds starting to build up and sense more pressure in the air, you can be sure a storm is brewing. Whatever the nature of the storm, it is always best to find some sort of shelter. That may mean quickly setting up camp
for the night or finding a temporary natural structure to wait out the storm. If setting up the tent, find a location that offers some protection from high winds. If it’s a tornado, find shelter in a cave, a hole underground or a deep overhang of rock. If no shelter is readily available, tie yourself to the base of a tree and hold on.
Lightning
Lightning may be fun to watch during a stormy afternoon from the comfort of home, but it poses a real risk outside. Chances of surviving after being struck by lightning are slim. It is very important to make sure that you are below tree line in the mountains if a storm is on its way, and stay close but a safe enough distance to something that is taller than you. The lightning will always go for the taller object first and helps lessen the chances that you will be hit by lightning. Also make sure that you are in a dry area to prevent any transfer of discharge. If you are in an open area where you are the tallest object, lie flat on the ground spreading your arms.
Avalanches
There are two different types of avalanches, wet and dry avalanches. A dry avalanche can actually reach speeds of 120 miles per hour and a wet avalanche travels only up to 5 miles per hour. Once you are trapped in an avalanche, chances of surviving diminish greatly. The best thing here is prevention. Follow the weather report and any trail advisory and always have yours eyes peeled for signs that an avalanche may occur. If any of the six major signs are present, I would skip the mountains for the day and hike that portion of the trail another time. Prevention is always better than cures.
The six major signs of an avalanche are:
• Any recent avalanches
• Signs of unstable snow
• Heavy snowfall or rain in the past 24 hours
• Windblown snow
• Significant warming or rapidly increasing temperatures
• Persistent weak layers
Rivers and Water crossings
Avoid swimming or wading by watching out for places that offer safer solutions. River crossings can be 
risky. Waters that seem calm could have strong undercurrents and shallow looking waters could turn out to be quite deep. Try finding a section where the water has boulders and use these boulders as stepping stones. Use your hiking poles for balance or find a long strong stick if you do not have hiking poles with you. Go cautiously. Wet rocks, especially those covered with moss, are very slippery, so go slowly and plan each step.
