[dfxm12]

People are missing out on a very enjoyable past time because of fear mongering.

It's subjective that people would find it enjoyable. Even of all the past times one can do, there are similar ones, like birding, hiking, gardening, etc. We're not short on past times that, even in the worst case, won't even leave you vomiting.

[boring_twenties]

Hiking is far from risk-free, there are many ways to die and people do so somewhat regularly.

[slothtrop]

No one needs to pick up a manual to hike.

[boring_twenties]

Um, yeah you do. You need to be able to, at a minimum, survive overnight in the event you get stuck up there.

[slothtrop]

Hiking doesn't necessarily mean going "up", let alone through highly steep paths. Walking through the woods in uneven terrain is hiking.

[boring_twenties]

OK, I should have said "out there" instead of "up there" -- happy now? It doesn't change my point at all. What happens when you twist your ankle in those uneven woods and are unable to get out before nightfall?

[slothtrop]

Don't hike alone? This isn't complicated.

The context in the above conversation is that the activity is framed as riskier than it realistically is.