Hike smart: Plan your trip, anticipate risks

“One of the biggest risks hikers face as they’re transitioning from spring to summer is having to deal with the varying terrain,” says UW Medicine’s Dr. Andrew Luks, a critical-care physician at Harborview Medical Center. As a hiker and climber himself, he offers tips to people who will hit the trail and perhaps venture into higher altitude.

• Travel with good maps of the area.
• Let friends and family know your destination, your route, and an estimate of your trip duration.
• Pack enough food and water. 
• Wear appropriate clothing and pack warmer clothes. Quick weather changes can put you at risk for hypothermia.
• Consider traveling with devices that can be used without cell service.