The Happiness Function

Are you an avid hiker or new to hiking and planning your first trip? While being outdoors can be an enriching experience, it can have hazards and difficulties. Recently, a hiker asked a popular outdoor forum online for some real-life hiking horror stories. Adventurers chimed in to share true tales and crazy confessions.

So let’s dive in; hopefully, none of these things ever happen to you!

1. Spider-Filled Night in California’s Redwood Forest

One outdoor enthusiast shared an experience about spending the night in the redwood forest in Northern California and encountering many long-legged black spiders. The spiders were lining the perimeter of their blanket during the middle of the night, and they were freaked out.

Thinking that the spiders were waiting for prey, the camper curled up tightly under the blankets and went back to sleep, only to find them gone when they woke up.

Have you seen spiders while camping? We see a lot of them camping in the Ozarks.

2. Green Ant Attack During Outback Fishing Trip

Have you ever heard of green ants?

Someone recounted a frightening experience while fishing in Australia’s Northern Territory Outback. They had slept in the back of a Ute car on a blanket under a tree that turned out to be inhabited by green ants.

The ants attacked them during the night! Ouch.

3. First-Time Camper in Sleeping Giant, Canada

Another person talked about their first night camping in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Canada. The new-to-camping adventurer expressed anxiety about the unfamiliar sounds of the forest at night and their fear of things lurking in the dark.

This is common for people new to sleeping outdoors.

Hearing some rustling outside their tent, the adventurer prepared for the worst – but was relieved to find out it was just a clumsy elk that had trampled down the slope.

4. Nightmare in Grand Teton National Park

A backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park became a nightmare for one traveler when they were combated with continuous rain and sleet.

Despite their best efforts, all their gear got soaked. So finally, the person wrapped themselves in an emergency foil blanket inside their sleeping bag to stay warm (smart move).

The misery made them quit the trip, and on their way back to civilization, they were in disbelief at everyone they met further down the trail who claimed they had the perfect weather.

Weather in the mountains can change in an instant. So always be prepared and pack the proper hiking layers.

5. Challenges on a 50-Mile Hike on the Appalachian Trail

Remember precautionary meds!

One user mentioned hiking 50 miles along the Appalachian Trail with friends after graduating high school. They took four days and walked 12 miles each day.

Unfortunately, they woke up with terrible diarrhea on the last day and still hiked 12 miles before lunch. To add insult to injury, three of the four hikers were covered in ticks, and the fourth unknowingly got Lyme disease from a tick bite.

Always wear protective clothing and bug spray when hiking in tick country.

6. Groin Injury and Mosquitoes

A couple went backpacking and accidentally carried too much weight. They elaborated that one pulled a groin muscle, so they had to leave their packs under trees and hobble back four miles to the car.

Struggling to figure out their location and slightly lost, mosquitoes violently swarmed them.

Later, they found a nearby road and could flag down help.

Always bring bug spray on backpacking trips. You never know, and it is better to be safe than sorry. Also, know how to orient yourselves with a map and compass.

7. Childhood Backpacking Trip in the Smokies

Another maybe not-adventure-lover shared their childhood experience about a week-long backpacking trip through the Smokies with their family. The trip was mostly fine, but there were giant millipedes everywhere.

The worst part of the trip was when the person felt a bee crawling on their leg before bed and got stung.

Talk about a family camping trip you’ll never forget.

8. Philmont Backpacking Trip: Blister Emergency

An individual recalls a backpacking trip to Philmont where a crew member had a humungous blister on his foot that almost went from one side to the other.

What…

Luckily, they were on their way to base camp, and the crew member was sent to the medical lodge for help.

9. Losing a Kid

Imagine being in charge of a group of children and losing a kid!

Yes, according to one youth pastor online, this happened.

The youth pastor confessed they found the child but expressed, “I don’t think anything will compare to the fear of losing someone else’s child.”

10. Skinny Dipping Encounter with a Bull Moose

Finally, many users shared frightening encounters with moose, but one person talked about an encounter with a bull moose while skinny dipping in a remote area. They managed to escape safely.

Talk about a close encounter.

Stay Safe Out There

There’s no denying that nature can be both beautiful and treacherous. So whether you’re a seasoned explorer or an eager beginner, careful precaution and preparation are key when embarking on your next wild adventure.

Stay safe and keep an eye on your surroundings.

Have fun out there.

A thread inspired this post.

This article was produced and syndicated by The Happiness Function.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.