Calgary might be a cosmopolitan Alberta city with skyscrapers as far as the eye can see, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Broaden your sights, and you’ll find no end of incredible outdoor activities to pique your interest.
However, not everyone is as prepared as they could be for their safety and well-being. If you’re gearing up for a few outdoor adventures in Calgary and surrounding areas, you might like to prepare in some of these ways:
Address Aches, Pains, and Injuries
Whether you’re skiing through Banff National Park or hiking through Waterton Lakes National Park, you’re bound to experience terrains and environments that push you to your physical limits. When you’ve had aches, pains, and injuries in the past, there’s potential for these to stop you from getting the most out of the many Calgary natural attractions.
Consider addressing any ailments you have before beginning your adventuring in earnest. For example, any chiropractor Calgary residents use can be worth contacting to see if they can help with mobility and pain relief. You might also visit your regular physician to see if there are any medications you can take to make adventuring a more comfortable and pain-free experience.
Know Your Limits
We all have different abilities. Your friends might be more than comfortable scaling the top of the Rockies, whereas your abilities might be better suited to easy hiking trails and flat bodies of water.
Knowing your limits can help you plan the best activities to participate in on your visit to Calgary. Think about your fitness levels, the activities you like to do, and the equipment you have to adventure safely. While there’s nothing wrong with getting out of your comfort zone, it’s crucial to consider your health and safety while doing so.
Get the Right Gear
Alberta’s challenging terrain and temperature extremes appeal to many adventurers looking to push themselves to their limits. When you have the right equipment, you can enjoy a challenge while still remaining comfortable and safe.
However, new adventurers rarely start with all the necessary equipment for safe and fun adventures. Before exploring some of the many beautiful Alberta attractions, plan a shopping trip to get everything you need. Adequate outdoor clothing, packs, shelter, and tools are all crucial for beginners and experts alike. If you aren’t sure what you need, visit a specialty store and talk to the expert shop assistants.
Check the Weather Conditions
Never blindly assume that the weather conditions in Calgary and surrounding areas will suit hiking, biking, climbing, or other outdoor activities. Weather conditions can change dramatically based on elevation and season.
Failure to check a weather forecast before setting out can have severe consequences. Always check the weather forecast for the exact areas you’ll be adventuring. When you know the hour-by-hour temperatures, you can pack and dress accordingly.
Brush Up On Wildlife Awareness
We’re not alone in the great outdoors. We share many beautiful natural environments with wild animals like bears, cougars, and coyotes. Knowing how to act around such animals might help you improve your safety in the outdoors.
For example, it’s helpful to know that you should never run away from a bear and, instead, back away slowly and find a safe place to retreat to. Fortunately, many Canadian government websites provide helpful information on what to do when enjoying national parks and other outdoor spaces where wildlife is present. Brush up on this information before venturing outdoors to improve your chances of a safe and uneventful outing.
Calgary and the wider Alberta province of western Canada present many incredible opportunities for outdoor adventures. The more prepared you are for our natural attractions, the more comfortable and safe you can often be.