Love Hiking? This Simple Hack Could Save Your Life — And Most People Don't Know It

Hiking is a good workout you can do during your holiday break, but remember to practice safety tips.

KEY POINTS

• Professional guide Cris Hazzard says most tragedies are preventable with preparation and proper gear.
• A reliable LED headlamp is the most overlooked but lifesaving item hikers should carry.
• Hikers are urged to check park websites, share their plans with others, and not delay calling for help if they run into trouble.

Hiking offers peace, adventure and breathtaking views, but it can also carry fatal risks when preparation falls short. In recent months, a troubling number of disappearances have been reported in US national parks — underscoring how a few simple precautions can mean the difference between life and death.