When the trappings of our digitized world mount upon us, we must sometimes take an exodus away, back to, a return to our naturalistic, animal form. Sometimes you have to turn off the computer, ignore the emails (they will never stop, anyway), and generally leave the rapid stream of information, wade to the sylvan shore, and reconnect with Mother Earth. You consider humanity as you move through structures not made by humans, and your AfterShokz bone conduction headphones give you both the within and the without; you hear the music in your head and the world outside. You are in touch emotionally, and safe physically, because of the in-betweenness of your outdoor adventure headphones.
Tips for Safe Hiking
Hiking is an unsure practice in many ways. For example, the weather can change the terrain suddenly, fading daylight can disorient you, you may not hear a rockslide or falling tree; you have to stay alert and aware, and AfterShokz headphones allow you to, hearing everything around you.
For a complete list of safe hiking tips see this Department of Environmental Conservation page. In the meantime, here are some highlights from the tips they’ve compiled:
- Shield yourself from the sun, and carry lots of water, to avoid dehydration.
- Always tell a friend exactly where you’ll be, and don’t go alone if you can avoid it. Sign a registry of which trails you’ll be on, and at what times.
- Avoid waters, however shallow, where there could be a strong undercurrent.
- Turn back if you see daylight is nearing its end. Trails are less navigable and look unfamiliar in the dark.
- Don’t litter! If we don’t work together to keep the wild pristine, we’ll lose it. If you carry it in, carry it out.
Another safe hiking organization, Hike Safe, has put together this instructional video to help you even further on your journey:
What You Should Bring, Every Time
Additionally, you should also always have the following items for safe hiking with you, as listed by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, and double check them before you leave the car to start your hike:
- lots of water
- food/snacks
- rain gear and extra clothing
- map
- compass
- light source
- first aid kit
- matches/firestarter
- a knife or multi-tool
- and, common sense.
The Safe Hiker’s Responsibility Code
Finally, you can help yourself hike responsibly by adhering to the Hiker’s Responsibility Code. All hikers ought to internalize this list and consider its importance before embarking on a hike, to make sure that they are doing so with all the consideration for safety they need.
The beauty of AfterShokz headphones is in their ability to blur the line between inside and outside. Remember, no man is an island, so they’re the best bone conduction headphones for safe hiking. Instead of looking at your surroundings as a museum, as if everything is under glass, from behind your sonic separation, you are an active participant in your surroundings. The chirping of birds folds itself into your music. You hear your buddy warning you about the unsettling army of chipmunks amassing to your right. You are aware of the dangers and delights of the animal kingdom due to the power of bone conduction technology. You are safe, sound, and enlightened.
Remember, there are many places to hike beyond the woodlands. Deserts, ice worlds, tropics, all are beautiful in their own right. Check out this list of the best places to hike in America from Discovery News, throw on some AfterShokz and get out there! There’s an entire world contained within the borders of our country.
Next time you feel boxed into our society, remember that you can escape it anytime you please, and be sure to bring AfterShokz along with you to complete your existential journey. We recommend checking out our Bluez wireless Bluetooth headphones for your next hike.
What is your ultimate nature playlist? The perfect music can make an ordinary moment transcendent, and we’d like to know what you’re listening to when you’re hiking with headphones on. Leave us a comment below to let us know or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter, and keep checking our blog for Safer Sportz ideas!
