Jeffrey Weinstein has traveled the world rescuing people trapped in dangerous situations. He recounts one recent incident of a young college student in New Hampshire who found herself in trouble while “leaf peeping,” a term used to describe people’s travel to see the changing colors of fall foliage.
鈥淭hat was a really sad story,鈥� Weinstein said. 鈥淪he went on a trek and didn鈥檛 have adequate clothing. She got lost off the trail. It got dark and she couldn鈥檛 find her way back. Unfortunately, she didn鈥檛 make it.鈥�
Weinstein, an associate operations manager at international crisis response provider Global Rescue,聽said as the fall foliage begin to appear, it beckons people to take to trails and do some leaf peeping 鈥� but there are hidden risks.
Some of the most prevalent 鈥� but often ignored 鈥� risks include insects and biting bugs, he said.
鈥淭here are yellowjackets and bees and wasps and they can be aggressive during the fall,鈥� Weinstein said. 鈥淪ome people are fine if they get a sting, but others can have an allergic reaction.鈥�
Weinstein advises carrying antihistamine on hikes, and to be on the lookout for ticks that can burrow deep into the skin, causing Lyme disease.
鈥淢ake sure you do a thorough check for ticks on your body,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 hard to find them.鈥�
When the red, yellow and brown leaves appear, leaf peeping excursions begin. Sometimes those leaves can cover dangerous hiking hazards, Weinstein said.
鈥淎 lot of people look at the leaves and they say, 鈥榦h, wow, I鈥檓 going on a hike,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 great, but what you need to keep in mind is that those leaves can pose hidden risks.鈥�
Wet, slippery leaves can lead to falls. Sometimes they hide holes or large tree roots that are tripping hazards. Weinstein recommends donning the proper footwear for hiking.
鈥淵ou want to wear shoes that have quality ankle support and good traction,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot running shoes or sneakers.鈥�
The earlier sunsets of fall bring with them an evening glow that can turn a hiking trail into an enchanted forest. Weinstein said unless hikers are ready for outdoor nighttime conditions, they should cut the trek short.
鈥淏e aware that it does get dark sooner. It gets cold quicker,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ave a lighting source and more layers and have the ability to keep warm.鈥�
Before heading out on a new, remote trail or even one that鈥檚 familiar and close by, Weinstein said hikers should research the area and pack a communication device, like a cellphone or a satellite messaging device. He also stressed the importance of always telling a trusted friend or family member about both planned and impromptu outdoor excursions.
鈥淪ay, 鈥榟ey, guys this is where I鈥檓 going. If you don鈥檛 hear from me, contact emergency services,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淲e do a lot of search and rescue and most of the time it鈥檚 due to people who didn鈥檛 adequately prepare for the situation they found themselves in.鈥�
