PIPESTEM, W. Va. -As we move into the warmer part of the year, you may be wanting to spend some time outdoors. One option to do so, Pipestem Resort State Park, is starting to see an increase in guests coming to spend time in nature and enjoy their 26 miles of hiking trails.
However, the park’s activities coordinator, Scott Hill, says he regularly sees people venture into the woods unprepared, which occasionally results in a call to the park’s headquarters for a rescue. He says staying safe can be as simple as bringing along your phone and a buddy to hike with.
But it also takes dressing for the occasion, with proper footwear being the most important, along with long pants to avoid ticks, layers for varying temperatures, and a hat and sunscreen. You should also use common sense and know the difficulty level of trail beforehand, working your way up to the tougher trails.
“Everybody gets excited. It’s sunny, they’re with their buddies, they have their flip flops on. It was great at 8:00 am, and it’s not so good at 2:00 pm… during the middle of a hike. So, remember your footwear is most important foundation, okay? …Know your limits, go to those limits, and then enjoy it the next time and your limits are a little bit further,” says Hill.
Hill also reminds people that they share the woods, not just with each other, but with wildlife. This means you shouldn’t interact with the deer, raccoons, and especially bears you come across, and you should follow the rule “leave no trace” to help protect the land for the next generation.
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