A hiker in the mountains, with a map and first aid kit, showing nature's beauty and hidden dangers.

Beyond the Hike: Unveiling the Surprising Risks of Wilderness Adventures

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"From Skin Deep to Serious: A Deep Dive into the Unexpected Injuries That Can Derail Your Outdoor Escapades."

Each year, millions of people across the globe seek the thrill of outdoor adventures, from the serene beauty of hiking trails to the challenging peaks of mountaineering. These experiences offer unparalleled opportunities for connection with nature and personal growth. However, beneath the surface of these idyllic pursuits lies a realm of potential risks, including unexpected injuries that can quickly turn a dream adventure into a medical challenge.

This article examines the often-overlooked dangers associated with wilderness expeditions. It examines a comprehensive analysis of injuries sustained by participants in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) expeditions from 1984 to 2012. This deep dive offers valuable insights into injury trends, common causes, and the impact of these events on participants. The goal is to provide readers with a better understanding of wilderness risks and actionable strategies for safer adventures.

This data-driven exploration goes beyond anecdotal experiences and provides a factual account of injury patterns. By understanding these trends, outdoor enthusiasts, educators, and organizations can implement targeted strategies to reduce risk and enhance the safety of wilderness expeditions. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions and enjoy the benefits of outdoor pursuits responsibly.

Unpacking the Hidden Hazards: Common Wilderness Injuries You Need to Know

A hiker in the mountains, with a map and first aid kit, showing nature's beauty and hidden dangers.

The wilderness presents a unique set of challenges, and understanding the types of injuries most likely to occur is critical for safety. While serious incidents like bear attacks and fractures grab headlines, the most frequent injuries are often related to soft tissues. Soft tissue injuries, encompassing cuts, scrapes, blisters, and infections, are the second most common type of injury in wilderness settings.

The NOLS study revealed that a significant portion of injuries occur during activities. Hiking and camping, the most popular outdoor activities, accounted for a large number of incidents. Other activities, like cooking, also presented risks, with burns being a common concern. Moreover, the study highlighted the often-overlooked reality of activity-independent injuries, such as skin infections, underscoring that safety is not solely dependent on the activities performed.

Hiking: Falls, slips, and accidental contact with branches and rocks were common causes of injury. Blisters were another significant concern.
Camping: Injuries often occurred from walking around camp, with the risk of accidental contact with cacti and insect bites.
Cooking: Burns from hot liquids or contact with heat sources and accidental lacerations from knives were common.
Activity-Independent: Skin infections, including cellulitis and rashes, were among the most frequent injuries.

The NOLS study also revealed important insights into injury trends. The overall incident rate declined over the 28-year study period, highlighting the impact of safety improvements and preventative measures. While injury rates decreased for most common activities, the study suggests a constant need for vigilance and ongoing risk management. This includes improving pre-travel medical screenings, providing better protective gear, and promoting education on hygiene, first aid, and the identification of potential hazards.

Embrace the Adventure, Stay Safe: Your Guide to Risk Mitigation

Wilderness adventures offer transformative experiences, but a commitment to safety is essential. By understanding common injuries, recognizing hazards, and employing preventative measures, you can significantly reduce your risk. Prioritize education and awareness, embrace pre-trip planning, and always be prepared for unexpected challenges. With the right mindset and knowledge, you can confidently explore the wilderness and create lasting memories, knowing that you've taken the necessary steps to ensure your well-being. Prioritize safety, be prepared, and enjoy your next adventure!

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.wem.2017.06.005, Alternate LINK

Title: Trends In Skin And Soft Tissue-Related Injuries In Nols Wilderness Expeditions From 1984 To 2012

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Wilderness & Environmental Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Kimberly A. Stanford, Lara Phillips, Yuchiao Chang, Drew Leemon, Tod Schimelpfenig, N. Stuart Harris

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What were the primary findings of the NOLS study regarding injuries in wilderness settings?

The NOLS study provided valuable insights into injury trends in wilderness expeditions from 1984 to 2012. It revealed that while serious incidents like fractures occur, soft tissue injuries like cuts, scrapes, blisters, and infections were more common. The study highlighted that hiking and camping activities accounted for a large number of incidents, but also emphasized the often-overlooked reality of activity-independent injuries, such as skin infections. It also showed that overall incident rates declined over the study period, indicating the impact of safety improvements and preventative measures. However, it suggests a continued need for vigilance and ongoing risk management, including improving pre-travel medical screenings, protective gear, and education on hygiene, first aid, and hazard identification.

Besides hiking, what other common activities lead to injuries during wilderness adventures, and what types of injuries are most associated with these activities?

Besides hiking, camping and cooking are other common activities that lead to injuries during wilderness adventures. During camping, injuries often occur from walking around the campsite due to accidental contact with cacti or insect bites. Cooking-related injuries include burns from hot liquids or contact with heat sources, as well as accidental lacerations from knives. Activity-independent injuries, like skin infections, are also prevalent regardless of the specific activity undertaken.

What are 'activity-independent injuries' in the context of wilderness expeditions, and why is it important to consider them when planning for safety?

Activity-independent injuries in wilderness expeditions refer to injuries that are not directly related to specific activities like hiking or cooking. Skin infections, including cellulitis and rashes, fall into this category. These injuries are important to consider when planning for safety because they highlight that risks exist beyond the immediate actions being performed. Focusing solely on activity-related hazards can lead to neglecting other potential dangers, making it important to maintain vigilance regarding general hygiene, sanitation, and environmental factors, which are elements that influence these independent risks.

What measures can be taken to mitigate the risk of injuries during outdoor adventures, according to the information?

To mitigate the risk of injuries during outdoor adventures, several measures can be implemented. These include improving pre-travel medical screenings to identify pre-existing conditions that may increase risk, providing better protective gear to minimize the impact of falls or other accidents, and promoting education on hygiene, first aid, and the identification of potential hazards. By prioritizing education and awareness, embracing thorough pre-trip planning, and always being prepared for unexpected challenges, individuals can significantly reduce their risk and enhance their well-being in the wilderness.

How did the injury incident rate change over the 28-year NOLS study period, and what factors contributed to this change?

The overall injury incident rate declined over the 28-year NOLS study period. This decrease highlights the impact of safety improvements and preventative measures implemented over time. Factors that likely contributed to this decline include improvements in pre-travel medical screenings to identify and address pre-existing conditions, the provision of better protective gear to reduce the severity of injuries, and increased education on hygiene, first aid, and the identification of potential hazards. Despite the overall decline, the study suggests a continued need for vigilance and ongoing risk management to further reduce injury rates during wilderness expeditions.