How to prepare yourself for a hiking trip?
Hiking is a wonderful activity. It is great for clearing the mind, it keeps the body in shape, and it allows participants to see wildlife and nature up close. It can be a learning experience or it can be a relaxing jaunt away from the hustle and bustle of the real world. Hiking can take the form of extreme hiking like traversing a steep mountain for days and months, or it can be a lovely stroll ending up on a nice perch for an afternoon picnic. One thing that is important, though, and is a constant reminder for all hikers is safety, and that generally means being prepared. We have all been taught that preparation not only saves lives, but it can also help us to avoid nasty situations and to extricate ourselves from equally dangerous circumstances. Why not take a look at how to prepare yourself for a hiking trip?
Without question, there are several factors which are key to any hiking expedition. Those factors include the weather, your clothing, your knowledge of the area to be hiked, whether you have sufficient food for the trek, the amount of items to carry, and of course, the state of your body. Maybe a short hike into a marked trail with lots of other people on a sunny afternoon may seem easy enough, but if you are planning a hiking trip, every decision you make in advance will determine the success of your trip. Your comfort, your health, your safety, and your enjoyment will all be affected by the things you do before you start your trek.
One of the first things you will want to do is follow the weather, as it is important for many reasons. The temperature will determine what you should wear and how many pieces of clothing you should carry in your knapsack. And here is where problems arise for many individuals. The biggest mistake new and inexperienced trekkers make is relying on the weather patterns in their own areas or on the conditions at the beginning of the hiking trip. What you must realize is that the temperature and wind can quickly change depending on the area. If you are climbing a mountain, for instance, it could be balmy and comfortable near the bottom, but as you reach higher altitudes, there might be snow and ice on the ground coupled with a howling wind. Without some sort of protection against the elements, you will needlessly place yourself in a precarious position.
Ideally, you will want light enough clothing that your load is not too heavy to carry, but at the same time, underwear, t-shirts, socks, sweaters, and coats that will keep your body warm and free from moisture. Likewise, it is important to pack the items in such a fashion as you can quickly grab what you need as you require it. For example, attach your nylon shell or jacket to the outside of the backpack ready for the chill of the wind. And other items that you might need quickly, place them near the top of the sack so that you are not fumbling in the cold trying to find something to wear. The weather is nature, and it can be unpredictable, annoying and downright treacherous. Reviewing upcoming forecasts, however, will help you prepare for your hiking trip.
Once you understand the weather patterns and have the appropriate clothing ready, you should review maps of the area, and familiarize yourself with any oddities or events that might prove troublesome or even dangerous. Ridges that are too difficult to maneuver, lakes or rivers in the middle of the proposed trek route, deadends, hunting zones, private property, and avalanche restricted areas are all places you want to avoid. At the very least, you should know where they are so that you do not stumble upon them unexpectedly and get caught up in a terrible situation.
Food is another consideration when you prepare yourself for a hiking trip. Many advanced trekkers take food items like protein shakes and bars, and other high energy snacks. But, you need to have the right balance between what you can carry and how much you need to eat. We all see the images in the movies of families hiking and stopping for a fire to heat their can of beans. While this notion is quite heartwarming, someone has to carry those heavy cans of food. Plus, what do you do with the tin cans when they are empty? You need to carry them back or until you find a garbage can. Again, prepare wisely when choosing food. Find out what others do and make a shopping list so that you have specifics.
Additionally, remember that whatever you decide to bring along, you have to carry. So, if you want tents, blankets, food, clothing, a portable chair, and the kitchen sink, you have to find a way to get those things loaded in the sack, and then, ideally on your back. Be conservative when choosing. Opt for safety, and if you are not sure you need twenty pairs of underwear, then leave some behind. You can rinse out a pair along the route. Likewise, shoes and boots are really heavy to carry. Be sure you only have what you absolutely need. Finally, ensure that everything you bring along has a purpose, and that all the items are lightweight. This is no time to say that the everyday silverware and dinner plates will do. They are far too heavy. Buy proper utensils for the trip.
Lastly, and probably most important is the preparation of your body. Hiking is not an activity you just decide to do, and then, one day trek a hundred miles. Your body needs to be in shape before starting, and practice will help to get you motivated and fit. Your health can suffer greatly on a hiking trip and if something happens, you will have to depend on others to either help directly or leave and get assistance. Think about both your mental and physical health. To prepare, start out by walking around the neighborhood. Increase your stamina everyday by going further. Add in a bit of variety by walking up and down the stairs several times, finding steeper areas to cover, walking in grass, concrete, and stone, and anything else that trains your body to push forward.
Once your body is more or less ready to take on a new adventure, introduce your backpack to the mix. Get used to walking with it on your back. You will notice that you do things differently and you need to make adjustments so that you are not too sore when finished. Day by day add more weight to the sack. Finally, you will work yourself up to comfortably carrying your full load for a couple of hours on a practice run. Also, be sure that the backpack you choose is best suited to your body shape and weight.
Hiking can be a lot of fun for many people. It is a solitary activity, a group endeavor, or it can be done as a family. No matter where and how your choose to hike, the key components are the same. But, the most important factor is safety. And, to maintain safe practices, you need to adequately understand how to prepare yourself for a hiking trip.
If you follow these tips thorougly, you should be able to make your hiking trip an unforgettable one. Though, if you'd like some more tips/information you might also check out some of the following quality web sources. Enjoy your trip!