If you get wet, you could quickly become chilled. It’s also a good idea to pack an emergency blanket, even for a day hike. It’s a good idea to pack an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet. Rain gear is a necessity for any hike that isn’t close to the road. If you accidently fall in the creek you could become hypothermic, even in mild weather. Be comfortableīring rain gear and extra clothing.
Deep creek waterfall hike full#
The best foot protection comes from hiking shoes that provide full ankle support. Sneakers are okay for hiking on graded trails, but if you have weak ankles you shouldn’t wear them on rocky or rooty trails. Sandals are fine for wading in the pool, but they don’t provide adequate protection for hiking on most trails. They provide no protection and can cause falls or twisted ankles from walking on uneven terrain. Protect your feetįlip flops are dangerous. In addition to the safety issues, hiking off trail introduces the likelihood of trampling vegetation. The next step you take could be on a leaf-covered rock that falls out under your foot and causes a fall. If you do hike off trail, you should go slowly, watch every step, and wear ankle-supporting shoes. The moment you leave the trail, the chances for getting hurt or becoming lost increase significantly. No shoe will provide a sure grip if the rocks are covered in silt or algae. Stay off slick surfaces.Rocks at waterfalls and in streams can be extremely slippery, especially wet ones. Stay off slick surfacesĪll rocks can be dangerous to step on, but wet and algae-covered rocks are especially slippery. Be extremely careful when crossing streams if the water is more than a few inches deep. Never enter the water anywhere near the top of a waterfall. River currents everywhere are stronger than you may realize. Churning currents called hydraulics can trap you under water. Don’t swim anywhere near where the waterfall hits the plunge pool.
Logs or rocks may be hidden under the surface, and the sudden impact of the extremely cold water can cause temporary paralysis that could lead to drowning. Stay in safe waterĮveryone likes to play in the water, but you should be extremely careful in the waterfall environment.
Deep creek waterfall hike how to#
You must have the right kind of rope and safety harness and have the proper training in how to use them. Some people think a rope will protect them, but this can create a false sense of security that leads to disaster. The waterfall atmosphere can cause even experienced hikers to lose full control of their senses and fall.
Never climb waterfalls or go anywhere near the top. Safety is not just something you read about it’s something you do. Please read and FOLLOW these safety practices. Often, accidents occur because people don’t fully realize the hazards. Numerous rescue operations in western North Carolina have led to the deaths and injuries of first responders.ĭavid Casey, with Pisgah National Forest, sums up safety advice by stating that we should all “have situational awareness.” In other words, slow down, look around, pay attention, think! If you get hurt, you could jeopardize others. This leads to lengthier response times for rescue personnel who sometimes put themselves in harm’s way for the rescue effort. Nearly all waterfall accidents could be avoided by understanding the potential dangers and taking them seriously.Īccidents often occur in remote and hard-to-reach locations. The reason people get hurt at waterfalls is because they put themselves in dangerous situations. A waterfall doesn’t reach out and grab people and fling them over the top. People say that waterfalls are dangerous, but there’s nothing inherently hazardous about them. Some thought they had the necessary skills and experience to prevent anything bad from happening to them. Some had no clue they were doing anything dangerous. None of these people thought they were going to get hurt. Tragically, people die every year at North Carolina waterfalls and countless others suffer injuries.
Waterfall Safety People get hurt at waterfalls because they put themselves in dangerous situations
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