Photo: Alex E. Proimos
Two years ago, I was hiking the Angel’s Landing trail in Zion National Park, when I realized that I had made a series of poor decisions.
I was hiking a strenuous trail not suitable for beginners or people with a fear of heights, both of which applied to me. I was exhausted, hungry, cranky, and feeling generally out of shape. But when I had to decide between turning back and going for the top, I elected to keep going.
Looking back, I realize what silly and dangerous errors I made that day. I don’t mind sharing them if it will help other novice hikers have more pleasant and safer experiences than I did, and hopefully avoid the dirty looks I received on the trail.
1. Poor Choice of Trail
It almost goes without saying that hikers should consider the length, time, and difficulty level of a trail in deciding whether to try it. Hiking a trail that is too long or strenuous for you will sap you of your energy, frustrate you and your hiking companions, and leave you with sore muscles the next day.
I was too enamored with the thought of the photographs I could take from the top of Angel’s Landing to objectively evaluate the trail. I decided that a strenuous, five-mile trail, the last part of which climbs up a steep ridge with sheer cliffs on both sides, was a perfectly reasonable starting point for someone who had never hiked more than three miles round trip on easy-to-moderate trails.
You can avoid the same mistake by starting small and working your way up. Cut your teeth on short, easy trails, then gradually increase the length and difficulty level of your hikes. Before long, you’ll be able to enjoy full-day hikes or overnight trips. In the meantime, those longer and more strenuous trails aren’t going to go anywhere.
Photo: endbradley
2. Failure to Prepare
For some reason, I thought a casual stroll on the treadmill at the gym once a week would be enough to prepare me for a vacation full of hiking. Wrong.
The “incline” feature on the gym treadmill didn’t come close to simulating the experience of climbing up steps cut into a rock face while holding onto chains for safety. I should have done proper conditioning before I planned a vacation around hiking in national parks.
If you have your heart set on a particular trail, make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for it. Try to simulate the experience of hiking it by tackling similar trails in your area first.
3. Improper Clothing and Supplies
I knew the basics about what to wear and carry while hiking. Not only did I have the good sense to break in my boots ahead of time, but I dressed in layers, wore sunscreen, and drank plenty of water.
Unfortunately, I took it too far. Terrified of leaving something behind, I carried a day pack stuffed with extra clothing, a first aid kit, food, extra water, and camera equipment. I had never hiked with a pack before, and it threw off my balance.
When you prepare for a hike, take reasonable precautions. For day hikes, dress in light layers and carry the water and food you need. Minimize what else you carry. If you recently purchased or plan to purchase a pack, wear it on a few short trails to familiarize yourself with how it feels to hike with it.
Photo: Garrulus
4. Setting the Wrong Pace
I had every intention of starting with short, easy trails and working my way up to Angel’s Landing. But as soon as the shuttle to the Angel’s Landing trailhead stopped by, ambition took over.
I set a fast pace at the beginning and tired myself on the first set of switchbacks. By the time I reached the famous “Walter’s Wiggles” section, I had to rest at every turn.
If you’ve planned more for the day than hiking, do those other things first. Visit the other sights and take the other photographs you want to take.
When you do begin your hike, pace yourself: you’re not running a race. Remember, once you reach the farthest point, you usually still have to return to the trailhead. Save your energy, or you risk exhausting yourself on your hike and being too tired to enjoy anything else.
5. Refusing to Turn Back
Faced with a choice between continuing up a trail not suitable for me and turning back, I made the wrong decision. Like a miniature version of the “summit fever” that some mountaineers experience, I insisted on pushing myself beyond my reasonable limit. I made it to the top of Angel’s Landing and back down safely, but I didn’t enjoy a moment of it.
You should hike because you find it rewarding, not because you want to check a trail off your list. There is no shame in turning back if you find yourself on a hike that is too long or too tiring. Ultimately, you want to look back fondly on your hike, not cringe at the memory of how miserable you were or how much pain you were in the next day.
Much more experienced and responsible hikers than me may read this article and shake their heads in dismay. To those of you who fall into this category, I assure you that I have seen the error of my ways.
If you plan to hike Angel’s Landing or anything like it anytime soon, don’t worry: you won’t see me on the trail.
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12 Comments... join the discussion!
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Great write up. I too hiked this trail this past Winter (jan 2010) and was blown away by how difficult of a hike it actually is. Granted it was covered in ice the top 600 feet of elevation gain, I was tired before starting this.
Great tips and do NOT take them lightly, I could have easily fell off I was so tired and did slip two times pretty good. Realizing this I took a nice break, ate lunch, and kept moving after that but it got serious for a minute!
– beautiful hike though!!! –
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Great article! I had no idea that sensation was called “summit fever” – definitely been there, along with rushing for great photographs, wearing the wrong shoes, and pooh-poohing the level of experience required. I’ve had some unpleasant experiences but nothing like what you went through. As awful as it must’ve been, your pain has been useful…thank you!
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I don’t claim to be a great hiker or overly experienced, but I am always prepared for the worst case scenario, even when taking a short hike near my home. I know some people think it’s crazy, but what really makes me angry is people who truly aren’t prepared to be on the trail. Just because a person can walk doesn’t mean they are fit for hiking anything that comes along, as you point out in #1 above. This past summer I saw people who tried to hike Half Dome in flip flops with half a bottle of water. That is not just stupid, it is also ridiculously irresponsible. The National Park Service (and local and state rescue groups) spend millions of dollars on rescues every year, many of them on mistakes that were made because of recklessness and unpreparedness. Granted, there are experienced hikers who are injured and killed on the trail every year, but the majority of rescues could have been avoided.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Jen. I really people learn from what you have to say. It’s such an important topic when it comes to simple outdoor safety.
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You said it. The part that always gets me is how you can prepare and prepare and prepare, but then when you actually get on the trail, you end up getting floored by the SINGLE DETAIL you didn’t prepare for.
I had a wonderfully complicated hike on Enchanted Rock because it didn’t occur to my friend and I to pack our tent in a backpack instead of a huge canvas duffel, which would have been fine had our campsite not turned out to be on the opposite side of the mountain from the ranger station where we were parked. I had rope burn on my shoulders for WEEKS.
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Good tips on hiking. Picking the right trail based on your physical ability is key to your full enjoyment on the hike.
I have some tips on training for hiking on my website about Jasper National Park:
http://jasperjournal.com/hiking/training-for-hiking-in-jasper-national-park-and-the-canadian-rockies
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Yes but….. Everything you say is true but as I am sure you learned when you reached the top, Angels Landing Overlook is well worth all the pain it takes to get there. I am an experienced slackpacker (google it) and have hiked in many areas including the South Kabab and Bright Angel trails in Grand Canyon. I would put Angels Landing Overlook beseid any of them in a heartbeat.
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Very well done. You can check The American Hiking Society web site too.
10 Essentials hikers should carry is a good list.I didn’t get in over my head on a short hike, but didn’t carry a 28 lb pack around on and off for a few days before heading out. Next time I’ll give myself some training time.
I see hikers without water and in flip flops all the time around here!
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I made most of the mistakes here a few months ago. The biggest one was refusing to turn back.
In a fit of summit fever and also not to wanting to be the only one (along with two much older people) staying back, I climbed on. In the end, I just exchanged mild embarrassment for a lot of it since I was the last one to get down, practically had to be carried down by the poor trek leader!↵ -
Good tips. I’m sad to hear you didn’t enjoy Angels, but sometimes with travels comes learning. You agree the views are bad ass right though even though you were miserable getting up there?
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