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Health, Safety, and Courtesy

Good preparation is always important for any kind of recreational pursuit. Hiking Southern California’s backcountry is no exception. Although most of our local environments are seldom hostile or dangerous to life and limb, hikers should be aware of some pitfalls.

Preparation and Equipment

An obvious safety requirement is being in good health. Some degree of physical conditioning is always desirable, even for those trips designated as easy or moderate. The more challenging trips (rated “moderately strenuous” or “strenuous” in difficulty) require stamina and occasionally some technical expertise. Fast walking, running, bicycling, swimming, aerobic dancing, and any similar exercise that develops both your leg muscles and the whole body’s aerobic capacity are recommended as preparatory exercise.

For long trips over rough trails or cross-country terrain (there are several in this guide), the most adequate way to prepare is by practicing the activity itself. Start with easy or moderately long trips first to accustom your leg muscles to the peculiar stresses involved in walking over uneven terrain and scrambling over boulders, and to acquire a solid sense of balance. As I note later, hiking boots rather than lightweight shoes are preferred for such travel, primarily from a safety standpoint.