Staying Safe on the Trail: Hikes Committee Outdoor Safety Webinar Series
By the PATC Hikes Committee
The PATC Hikes Committee recently launched an educational webinar series focused on essential hiking and backcountry safety. The first two sessions, "Tick Awareness and Prevention" and "Heat Injuries, Blisters, and Snake Bites," successfully drew strong attendance from across the PATC hiking community. A third session covering first aid kits, risk management, over the counter medicines, and allergy and anaphylaxis safety has just wrapped up. Designed to support both general members and active hike leaders, these online events represent the beginning of a continuous safety and information initiative.
Expert Insights & Practical Knowledge
The initial webinars were co-sponsored by the Center for Wilderness Safety (CWS), a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over two decades of experience in wilderness medicine education. Sessions were led by CWS Director and Co-founder Clif Castleman. Clif skillfully blended extensive technical knowledge with wit and humor, transforming complex medical protocols into an entertaining and highly informational hour. We look forward to a continued partnership with the Center.
Program Expansion and Future Topics
The Hikes Committee is expanding its curriculum to cover a broad spectrum of trail-ready skills. Additional sessions currently under development include:
- Common hiking and orthopedic injuries
- Winter hiking challenges and hypothermia
- Digital trail navigation via Gaia GPS and AllTrails
- Hike docent training
Watch Online and Get Involved
Missed a live event? Full recordings of all past webinars are uploaded publicly to the
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club YouTube Channel under the "Videos" tab.
The Hikes Committee relies on member feedback to shape future programming. If there is a specific safety topic or backcountry skill you want covered in an upcoming session, please submit your suggestions directly to the committee at
Hikes@patc.net.