Practical Advice for Hiking in Canada

Hiking in Canada is a perfect way to experience the natural beauty of this huge country. By knowing the hazards and how to avoid dangerous situations, hikers can keep safe & stay alive.

Personal safety starts by taking responsibility for you and your party. Preparing for hiking hazards before heading out is a good start.

Because the terrain in Canada varies so much from region to region, hikers should know the seasonal hazards and local dangers.

Hiking hazards in Canada include:

• Weather conditions- Temperatures can range from +45 C near Osoyoos, BC to -45 C at the northern latitudes. I've seen snow fall in the Rocky Mountains during the summer months and winds on the BC Coast that reached up to 100 kilometers per hour. And lightning always poses a threat in all locals.
• Water conditions - Most lakes, rivers & oceans in Canada are cold except for the shallow lakes. Heat loss in water is more severe than in air. After 10 minutes in +10 C waters, people begin to lose muscular coordination; after 20 minutes judgement becomes impaired and after 40 minutes to 1 hour, severe hypothermia usually leads to death. Also, when hiking along the coastlines, people must respect tides and rogue waves.
• Terrain - The steep trails in the Rocky Mountains requires more attention than hiking along the forest trails of northern Ontario but hikers still have to watch for terrain dangers wherever they go. Learn about the local hazards, especially the changing trail conditions.
• Wildlife - Hiking in Canada means that you'll be visiting the home of bear, cougar, moose and even buffalo, rattlesnakes and scorpions. Know what animals to watch out for before heading into their territory. AND DON'T FORGET TO BRING BUG SPRAY IN THE SUMMER!
• Hypothermia - No matter the season, changing weather conditions can lead to a mild or severe drop in core body temperature. Carry extra clothing layers and provisions in your backpack just in case a cold front moves in.

These are list of only the major hazards that you may encounter when hiking in Canada, but if you use common sense, hiking will be safe, fun, scenic & memorable.

When you see the quinessential Canadian landscapes like the turqoise lakes of the Rocky Mountains or the autumn foliage of northern Ontario, most people don't think of the hiking hazards in these picturesque environments.

Here are a few hiking hazards for the different regions across the country:

• Pacific Coast - Hiking on Vancouver Island is amazing but hikers need to be aware of wildlife (bears, cougars), tides, rogue waves and hypothermia from the ocean and torrential rain. Thick tree roots can lead to sprained ankles and, in the Coast Mountains, steep slippery slopes can lead to nasty falls. In the interior, the hot, dry conditions in the Okanagan can lead to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
• Rocky Mountain Highs - Steep slopes are the obvious hazard but also the elevation gain can pose a threat to people suffering with breathing and heart conditions. Changing weather conditions can also lead to hypothermia. In winter & spring, avalanche of snow have killed skiers, snow-mobilers & hikers.
• Prairie Treks - Hiking on flat land can lead to heat exhaustion, leaves one vulnerable to lightning strikes and more prone to getting lost when noticeable landmarks aren't in site. Wildlife hazards include rattlesnakes in the south, scorpions in some parts of the bad-lands and, more rarely, badger, deer & elk encounters.
• Parkland & Boreal Forest - It's easy to get lost in the thick forests forests. Also, the air-temperature drops quickly after sunset, even in summer.
• Northern Tundra - It's easy to get lost when there's no distinguishing features on the horizon. With little natural protection from the elements, exposure to wind, rain and snow is common.
• Canadian Shield - The thick forests of the Canadian Shield can easily disorient a hiker. There are water hazards and wildlife hazards throughout.
• East Coast - Similar the west coast, tides and rogue-waves pose a threat on the Atlantic Coast. Depending on the beach, rip tides can also sweep hikers wading in shallow ocean waters.

No matter where you trek in Canada, you need to take precautions.

When you set out to discover Canada, the first thing to do is create a hiking plan.

• Research where you want to go, what are the forecast weather conditions and how long it it will take to complete the trek. Then tell someone who's not accompanying you of your plans and the expected time of your return.
• Try to stick to your hiking plan as much as possible trail conditions pending. Just in case something goes wrong, the rescue team will be able to narrow their search to a specific location.
• Give your body some time to acclimate when going to a higher elevation. For instance, people coming from sea-level will have to go slow at first when hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park. It usually takes a few days for your body to get use to the thinner air.
• Just as the previous generation did for us, help preserve parks, trails and scenic places for future generations. Pack out what you pack in and stick to the main path so as not to trample pristine ground. For instance, when hiking the West Coast Trail, don't leave any thing behind since the wildlife may become habituated to human trash.
• Hiking with your dog - Dogs love the great outdoors but these human-breed animals usually scare wildlife from their natural environment. Don't get me wrong, I bring my dog on hikes but they're kept on leash to minimize the chance of any unfortunate interaction with the native animals.

Hiking in Canada is a perfect way to discover the scenic wonders at your own pace. Just use common sense and you'll arrive in good time and in good health.