THE GREAT OUTDOORS

10 things you should never forget when going for a hike

Image: Dominik Jirovský

Nature’s beauty is undeniable, and exploring the great outdoors is a great opportunity to connect with its many wonders. However, heading into the wild without proper preparation can easily become a recipe for disaster. Whether you’re gearing up for a week-long camping trip or a short hike, knowing the basics of survival is essential. And while most of it comes down to careful planning beforehand, here are 10 survival tips that will help keep you safe and ready for whatever challenges nature throws your way!

Image: Sylwia Bartyzel

Modern technology can be incredibly useful, but in the wild, it’s prone to failure due to battery drain or signal loss. Without outlets to recharge, your devices could leave you stranded. Always carry a physical map and compass as backups, and if you’re unfamiliar with them, take the time to learn basic map navigation—it’s a potentially life-saving skill!

But you don’t need to be an expert to benefit from an old-school paper map. By simply studying the area beforehand and memorizing prominent landmarks, you can vastly improve your orientation during the trip, and significantly reduce the chances of getting lost.

Image: Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo

While this might seem obvious, it’s important to remember that a first aid kit is an essential part of your gear for any nature excursion. Even though you’re unlikely to need it, not bringing one exposes you to unnecessary risks. The last thing you want is to be caught without one during an emergency, far from help and medical services.

However, not just any first aid kit will do. Basic items like bandages, antiseptic, and tweezers are crucial, but you should also consider the most common injuries or issues you might encounter in the area you’re visiting and customize your kit accordingly. If you’re unsure of what to include or prefer a prepacked kit, opt for a more comprehensive option. Finally, knowing how to use every item in your kit ensures you’re prepared to handle emergencies, ensuring your safety and the safety of those around you.

Image: Kieran Osborn

While it might be tempting to drink directly from natural sources, doing so without purification can lead to serious illnesses such as cholera and hepatitis A. Even if the water appears clear and you're far from civilization, it could still harbor harmful bacteria and parasites, either from feces or decaying animals upstream.

If you must drink directly and lack a portable filtration system, choose water from the highest source you can find, and try to trace where it’s coming from. However, it’s best not to take any chances—boiling the water is a simple and effective way to make most sources safe to drink, preventing potential health risks during your trip.

Image: David Schultz

Never underestimate weather conditions when venturing into the wild. Enduring a storm at home, cozy under a sturdy roof, is one thing—but it’s a completely different situation when you’re camping in the woods or hiking in the mountains. In these environments, even a mild storm can become life-threatening if you’re unprepared.

Always check the weather forecast before heading out, but remember that weather is inherently unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly. Strong winds or snowstorms in mountainous areas can be extremely dangerous, and even in wooded regions, you must watch for falling branches or lightning strikes. To stay safe, assess the expected temperature range and rainfall, and pack clothing and gear that can handle sudden weather changes. If the forecast predicts consistently bad weather during your trip, consider postponing it.

Image: Sylwia Bartyzel

Knowing how to start a fire is an essential survival skill in the wild. Whether for warmth, cooking, or signaling, having access to fire is crucial—one of humanity’s oldest and most reliable tools. Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on ancient methods like rubbing sticks or using flint and steel (though it doesn’t hurt to know them); modern tools make fire-starting much easier.

Carry at least two different fire-starting methods—a Bic lighter is a universal favorite, and stormproof matches are another reliable option. Additionally, bring dry tinder in a waterproof bag to help you start a fire even with wet wood. Always make sure to extinguish your fire completely when you’re done, as it can quickly become a danger to both you and the environment.

Image: Les Argonautes

In the wilderness, a warm meal is more than just something to look forward to—it’s the essential fuel you need to survive and keep moving. Even if you plan to catch fish or game for dinner, don’t rely solely on that. Also, resist the temptation to eat local fruits or seeds; it’s easy to misidentify plants, and many can be highly toxic.

Today, pre-packaged hiking meals are affordable and reliable for most situations. Estimate how many meals you’ll need and pack a bit extra. Always bring high-energy, non-perishable foods that can sustain you in an emergency. Nutrient-dense options like nuts, dried fruits, and energy bars are ideal for long treks and unexpected delays.

Image: Joseph Corl

This is one of the most common mistakes many overconfident hikers make. We can’t stress this enough—always inform someone of your itinerary and expected return time. Let a friend or family member know where you’re going. This way, if something goes wrong, rescuers will have a clear starting point and timeline to locate you.

Additionally, avoid venturing into unfamiliar areas alone. Even if you’re well-prepared, having a partner or friend with you provides extra safety—and it makes the experience more fun. After all, what’s an adventure if you can’t share it with someone you love?

Image: Jesse Gardner

Shelter is essential for protection against the elements and can be crucial for survival. While you might be tempted to leave a heavy tent behind in certain regions or seasons, it’s generally not advisable. Even on sunny days, you’ll need a place to retreat from the sun’s heat. A proper shelter shields you from hypothermia, insects, and other dangers, ensuring a safe and restful night.

Even a basic shelter can make a significant difference—carrying a rope and tarp can be sufficient to keep you dry and protected. Learning to build a shelter from natural materials is also a valuable skill for emergencies, but planning ahead can save you a lot of effort. Whether you’re using a tent, a tarp, or constructing a natural shelter, always choose a safe, level spot away from potential hazards like falling branches or rising water, and set up while there’s still plenty of daylight.

Image: Clay Banks

As any experienced hiker can tell you, layering is key when it comes to clothing in the wilderness. Start with synthetic "moisture-wicking" base layers to keep sweat off your skin, add a couple of insulating layers for warmth, and finish with a waterproof, windproof outer layer to protect against the elements. This system will allow you to adjust your clothing as conditions change, keeping you comfortable and safe at all times.

Footwear is just as crucial. While traditional advice often emphasizes sturdy boots with good ankle support, the effectiveness of these boots in preventing sprains is still debated. Many hikers now opt for trail runners, which are lightweight, flexible, and often more comfortable over long distances. But ultimately, the choice between boots and trail runners depends on the terrain and conditions you’ll encounter. Whichever you choose, make sure your footwear is well broken in and paired with quality socks to prevent blisters and keep your feet in top condition.

Image: Maël BALLAND

In wildlife-rich areas, making noise is a smart strategy to avoid startling animals, which can prevent potentially dangerous encounters. Most animals prefer to steer clear of humans, so announcing your presence can help them avoid you. Bear bells, clapping, or shouting periodically are effective ways to keep wildlife at a safe distance. Some campers also set up trip-wire bear alarms around their campsites to deter any curious visitors.

Additionally, always store your food away from your sleeping area, and keep it tightly sealed to minimize scents that could attract animals. In bear country, although aggressive encounters are quite rare, it’s always wise to carry a last-resort defense like bear spray. Remember, you’re the one in their backyard, and respecting their space and taking precautions ensures that both you and the animals can coexist peacefully.

Words and their different meanings

Same word or different world? English that gets lost in translation

The English language can travel as far as humans do. In fact, it has been doing so for thousands of years. Words can contain more than one definition, and even more than two or three are sometimes accepted. The important matter is to understand each other, and that is not just a problem of words, but of context, place, and relationships. How many times has it happened to you to be using all the right words in a conversation and still end up completely confused? Let's look at some words that may have confused us on more than one occasion!

If you've ever dunked your biscuits in milk, you know exactly what comfort looks like. But ask for the same thing in London and watch the confusion unfold. In the UK, a biscuit is what we'd call a cookie. Ours? They'd call it a scone.

The word itself has a messy history. Before 1800, nobody could even agree on the spelling: bisket, bisquet, biscuit. It described a sweet baked treat made with flour, eggs, and sugar. "Bis" also means twice in Latin, because the original biscuit was bread baked twice to survive long journeys.

Nothing feels more American than grabbing a bag of chips on a vacation road trip, somewhere between a gas station and nowhere. But in London, the scenery is totally different. Order chips in a London pub and you'll get something closer to what we call French fries: hot, thick, and usually next to a piece of battered fish.

Here's the real twist: what the British call "crisps" is exactly what we call chips. The words essentially swapped sides of the Atlantic. The word itself traces back to simply "chipping" a potato into pieces. By the 1860s, fish and chips had become a British institution.

Tell a British person nice pants! And they will probably cover his mouth and start laughing, either from embarrassment or from amusement. In the UK, "pants" mean underwear. What we call pants, they call trousers. Consider yourself warned.

Back in the old days, both countries used the same word "pantaloons", borrowed from Pantalone, an old merchant character from Italian theater who wore long, baggy trousers. Americans shortened it to pants and kept the meaning. Over in Britain, they kept a more intimate definition. There is more: in modern British slang, calling something "pants" means it's terrible.

The meaning of jumper literally jumped from one piece of clothing to another. In the US, we call a jumper a sleeveless dress, often worn over a shirt. Many school uniform regulations include jumpers for girls. Instead, the UK version is different. There, "jumper" means a pullover, jacket, or sweater.

How many tasks did you table this week? Well, let’s table that issue for now; we'd better talk about this tomorrow. In this phrase, to table something means to postpone under consideration, but what if it meant the exact opposite? In fact, it does.

The American Heritage Dictionary lists two meanings for the phrase "on the table". The first one is the one already mentioned, and the second one is to put something up for discussion right now. Confusing to say the least, isn’t it?

No surprise that the UK and the Commonwealth use the definition we don’t use. Because why would it be simple?

One goes on a baby’s head, the other on a Lamborghini: both are called a bonnet. The important thing to know is that in both cases, something important is being covered. In America, a bonnet is a hat. The kind of hat that has a brim and a ribbon that ties under the chin.

We have all seen them on babies, on ladies, and on pioneers. Instead, in the UK, a bonnet is the hood of a car. That part that covers the engine. So, phrases like "pop the bonnet" have nothing to do with the cute accessory; it simply means opening the hood of a car.

The word trolley can mean very different things depending on where you are. It can be a little train or a streetcar in the USA, often used in street rides and city tours.

On the other hand, on the British side, a trolley is nothing more than a cart. Its most common use is for a shopping cart. So, "catch the trolley" and "grab the trolley" have completely different meanings. Does anyone have any idea about this one?

You probably heard "this song is a total banger" before. "Take on Me " by A-ha and "Funkytown" by Lipps inc are, with no doubt, total bangers. But what if I told you a banger can come with potatoes? In fact, bangers and mash is one of the most famous dishes in England. So the meaning must be different. Or rather, the word simply has more than one meaning. Banger can be a music hit for the Americans and a sausage for the British at the same time. You just have to be careful how and when you use this word.

If someone lives in a huge apartment in New York and has a fancy car, wears fancy clothes, and goes to fancy restaurants, you might think he’s a refined or classy person, and you will probably not be wrong. But, if I go on a trip to London, I will hear this word is rather used as a verb, not as an adjective. Why is that? Because the British use of this word is different. Fancy means to want or to desire something. "Fancy a cup of tea?" or " fancy going to the cinema?" So, in London, the real question is not to be fancy, but what you fancy doing.

So which came first: angry or crazy? We’ve reached the last word, and here is the story behind mad. In Britain, mad has always meant crazy, referring to someone suffering from madness, a serious mental illness. That meaning never left. Ask any British person today, and a mad person is still someone out of their mind. They also use mad to mean enthusiastic. Passionate. That is where "Jack is mad about Mary" comes from. He is not angry at her. He is completely gone for her.

Using mad to mean angry? That is actually on us. It is an Americanism. Somewhere along the way, Americans took the word and redirected it straight toward anger. And we never looked back.