Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities today. People love to go for long walks, enjoy the scenery, and challenge themselves on the toughest trails. But not everyone comes back with a smile on their face. Here are 11 horror stories of hikers in an online forum who faced some of the scariest moments on the world’s longest trails.
1. Spiders, Sunburns, Sandstorms
During an arduous trek through a part of the Pacific Crest Trail (a 2,650-mile trek), one hiker experienced gruesome sunburns, got bitten by a poisonous brown recluse spider, and on top of all that, endured a sandstorm that would have carried them away if it weren’t for the weight of their backpack.
2. Duct-Taped Feet
On the Appalachian trail, a couple grossly underestimated the 8.5 mile-hike. The pair climbed a few miles before their feet tore open into blistered gashes. Using their resources, they resorted to wrapping their feet in duct tape. A few miles later, as they prepared for dinner, the heavy winds prevented them from cooking, so they consumed powdered pasta out of the bag.
3. Stubborn Sandal-Wearer
An explorer recalls their venture with their father during their younger years at Havasu Falls, a ten-mile mission in each direction. “As a kid, I hated hiking, so trying to be clever, I didn’t pack hiking boots, thinking my dad would cancel the hike if I ‘forgot’ them. Nope, by the time we got back to the car, I had huge blisters on every spot on my feet where the Nike sandals I wore touched them.”
4. Tripped the Tortoise
Amidst a traipse, an eager adventurer ventured six miles into the woods near their house, tripped, and stumbled into a tortoise hole, trapping their leg inside the gaping opening. It took three hours for the hiker to spring their leg from the burrow, permanently injuring their knee.
5. Ice Sock
Remember being a teenager and underestimating the stakes of outdoor excursions? This person remembers their invincibility all too well. With a 20-degree windchill, this hiker strapped on old boots with a hole in them and plodded through the snow for an undisclosed amount of miles. The snow entered the boot and froze, melted, and refroze until the ice coagulated into a circular icicle. As soon as they arrived back at their campsite, their foot morphed into a bright purple hue.
6. You Are Not Alone
An adventurous trekker embarked on a 10-day, five-mile hike through Escalante, Utah, a scenic Western town known for its slot canyons and gorgeous rocks. While sleeping, a strange noise awoke this hiker, raising their heart rate and sending them into an overly alert state. This hiker believes a person stalked them for four hours due to the human footprints found in the morning. Plus, the workers only gave out one permit that day.
7. Hounding Hornets
Most hiking horror stories, such as this horrifying hornet run-in, happen on the Appalachian Trail. When one commenter was 16, they hiked 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail with two friends. After passing midway through a narrow trail, they noticed a strange sensation on all of their legs. As they looked down to assess the damage, they realized hundreds of hornets gravitated toward them. They sprinted away, knowing they were allergic to some stinging insects. After they batted off the remaining bugs, they attempted to find the others but ran into another swarm.
8. Multi-Layered
Layers help regulate body temperature, but sometimes Mother Nature has different ideas. Two hikers endured a 1.5-day hike (ten miles per day) in Canada and poured sweat, leading them to remove their layers and leave on their thermal shirts. Cold rain drenched these two a few moments after delayering, sending them into shock. Thankfully their campmate cooked some food and helped them warm back up.
9. Good Morning
Who hasn’t taken a rebellious high school trip into the wilderness? One respondent remembers bringing a blanket into Northern California for a gorgeous stargazing outing amidst the ten-mile hike. When this individual woke up, hundreds of black spiders formed a border around the blanket.
10. Moose Mate
Upon a teenage backpacking trip in Northeastern Maine (28-mile loop), one classmate accidentally set up camp near a game trail, meaning some moose decided to saunter through the campsite in the middle of the night, looking for the lake nearby. The campers say they never desire to see a moose that close ever again.
11. Sow Bear
After spending a couple of days in the backcountry, a group of backpackers in the Sierras decided to head to an established campground to see some waterfalls. Instead, they were greeted by a sow bear with her two cubs. So they all stayed inside the only (small) tent they had for the entire day.
But sometime in the middle of the night, they heard a lot of snuffling around their tent. As their shoulders touched each other and the fabric of the tent, one person suddenly felt a big bump from the outside, only to realize that it was actually the bear.
More From Savoteur
Climate change is a growing concern across the globe, and one of its most significant threats is rising sea levels. With each passing year, the risk of flooding and coastal erosion becomes greater. According to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, 15 U.S. cities could be underwater by 2050. Here is a list of those cities and what’s at stake for each.
Put on Your Lifejackets: 14 U.S. Cities That Will Be Underwater by 2050
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
Some of the world’s most breathtaking lakes are in the United States. Yet, not all lakes are created equal, and some are downright dangerous. These 12 lakes make it to the list of the most dangerous lakes in the U.S.
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
As summer approaches and beach-goers flock to the coast, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers that can lurk beneath the waves. From treacherous currents to deadly wildlife, America’s beaches can be beautiful yet perilous. Here are the 15 most dangerous beaches in America.
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The world is home to many awe-inspiring bodies of water, and some of the most fascinating are the deep lakes. These lakes boast impressive depths that can leave even the most experienced divers breathless. Here we share the deepest lake in the world, ranked by depth.
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
Wild swimming is becoming popular with people who love escaping crowds and immersing themselves in nature. However, those looking for unbridled wild should always research where they swim beforehand, lest they find themselves in trouble.
Finding the right wild swimming spot takes a lot of research and monitoring of safety criteria, such as tides, proximity to sewage, and time of day.
An online post is sharing the most dangerous swimming places on Earth. Here are some you should avoid if you value your safety.
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
