October sees the most hiking accidents in fall; slips and getting lost account for more than half

[Financial News]  October, during the autumn foliage season, is the month when the most hiking accidents occur each year, with slips and getting lost accounting for more than half of the causes, a report found.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 14th, October had the most accidents, with 3,542, among the 28,624 hiking accidents recorded over the three years from 2022 to 2024. Those October accidents resulted in 2,364 casualties.
Looking at all hiking accidents over the past three years by cause, missteps or slips were the most common, at 8,440 (29%). Accidents involving people getting lost followed, at 7,073 (25%). Physical ailments caused by chronic conditions and other factors accounted for 4,508 (16%). Falls and getting lost together made up 54% of all accidents.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged hikers to take special care, as the autumn foliage that began turning on Seoraksan on September 28 is expected to spread gradually south and reach its peak nationwide in late October.
To prevent hiking accidents, check the time required for the hike, the locations of shelters and the weather before setting out, and choose a trail suited to your fitness level. Stay on designated trails rather than taking side paths, and, if possible, hike with others.
It is especially important to set a descent time in advance in autumn, when daylight hours grow shorter quickly. In Seoul, sunset will come earlier, shifting from 6:01 p.m. on the 11th of this month to 5:47 p.m. on the 21st and 5:35 p.m. on the 31st. The ministry recommended starting hikes early in the morning and descending one to two hours before sunset.
If you get lost while hiking, do not try to press on; retrace your route to a location you recognize. In an accident, use a mountain location marker or a national grid reference number installed along the trail to give rescue teams your exact location.
Lee Chi-seon, head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Prevention and Safety System Division, urged hikers to “enjoy the autumn foliage while following safety rules, such as choosing trails suited to their fitness level.”

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter