Beginner's Guide to Hiking
Whatever your motivation to hiking is, I’ve got you covered! Let’s conquer that fear by getting you prepped and informed of what-to-dos on your very first hiking venture. So, grab a pen and paper and let’s get started!
RESEARCH
We all heard that adage, “Failure to prepare is a preparation for failure,” and that is true in all aspects. Now how do you prepare? First, research.
Resources are all over the web for your benefit. You’ll get to know what it’s like to where you’re going and eventually build up a more concrete and detailed plan of your hike. You’ll be able to assess your capacity too; if you think the hike is much too difficult then you could switch to an alternative hiking location or set the trip to a later time until you think you are able to take up the challenge.
What do you need to research?
1. Location. Do you need travel? Are you traveling by plane so you need to buy plane tickets or just by car?
2. Difficulty of the hike. Are you physically ready to endure long and uphill climb, or do you need to train with shorter, level hikes?
3. Duration of the hike. You will need to bring more supplies if you go on overnight hiking as compared to when you’re doing a day hike.
4. Climate. Your apparel will all depend on the climate of your hiking location. You won’t wear a jacket on summer or a shirt in winter.
5. Permits. Do you need to acquire permits prior to your hike?
You can also save time and effort of researching when you join in on a group unless you would like to hike alone. There are a lot of Facebook groups and pages of outdoor enthusiasts you can team up with. Not only does it save you time but also the effort of carrying supplies too. You’ll get to meet new friends and learn a lot of things about hiking from your mentor. And it may be a cliché, but the more, the merrier!
WHAT TO WEAR
Comfort never goes out of style. These are basic clothing and accessories as you’re starting out.
Hat and Cap – Any protective covering for your head and would keep stray hair from your sweaty, oily face. A good alternative which most mountaineers use is a BUFF headwear.
Shirt – Long sleeved and short sleeved shirts made of soft, lightweight and synthetic fabrics are the most appropriate. They keep you dry and won’t trap moisture and sweat, at the same time keeping you cool. Long-sleeved shirts will keep your skin from being exposed to sun and scratches while short-sleeved shirts are a comfortable choice for hot and humid temperatures but you’ll be more prone to sun exposure and plant and insect stings.
Shorts and Pants – Pants and shorts should be made from durable and quick drying materials. Spandex and nylon are a good choice. Veer away from cotton as it traps sweat and dries longer. Wearing shorts will make you cool and give you more freedom to move. On the other hand, pants would protect your legs from blood leeches and other insect bites, plant scratches and from freezing in cooler temperatures.
Shoes and Socks – Others prefer boots, some rubber shoes. It is a personal preference. It is necessary that you invest in a good footwear as your feet will be doing all the work the entire time. Too fitting footwear often lead to blisters and aching feet. Choose boots or shoes which have an inch allowance so your feet can move and breathe even with socks on.
Any footwear that is comfortable and can withstand long walks and a variety of terrain will do. Just do not forget to slip on wool socks or socks made of synthetic materials to go with your shoes.
Jacket and Rainwear – Again, this will all depend on the climate of your hiking location. Waterproof jacket and poncho work well in keeping you dry; while bubble jacket, puffy vest and gloves is your perfect companion in the cold weather.
WHAT TO BRING
Pack light. You don’t want to strain your back with too much load. Just bring the essential items and don’t bring the kitchen sink.
Backpack – Backpack is an important consideration when hiking. Although, again, this will all depend on the duration of your hike. If you’re going on a day hike, a small backpack is perfect as you will only need it to carry some food and water. For a longer hike, a different kind of backpack is appropriate, the one which has back support. We will reserve this topic for another time.
First Aid Kit – Bring along a first aid kit with Band-Aids, bandages, aspirin, oral rehydration powder, antiseptic cleansing wipes, hydrocortisone cream pack and antibiotic ointment. If you’re too lazy to pack, there are several outdoor shops that sell a complete kit.
Camera – You don’t want to forget, do you? And of course, you wouldn’t want to miss all the Instagram worthy scenery, right? You won’t be able to brag about what you did and where you’ve been if you can’t post them on Facebook.
Sunscreen – An SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen is excellent to cover up your ears, cheeks, and nose from getting torched by the blazing heat of the sun.
Bug spray - If you don’t want to be coming home with a lot of bug bites then you should consider taking along one.
Pocket Knife – Aside from it being a survival tool, who knows why you need it for. Just bring one. At least you’re prepared.
Food – It depends on how long you’re planning to hike but you have to make sure your supply is sufficient to get you through the entire journey. Food such as nuts, candies, and chips make great trail food. They provide you with calories and carbs for energy. Fruits like apples and oranges are high in water content which will rehydrate you from a long day of walking. You may also bring power bars for your much-needed energy boost.
For longer hikes, you may pack sausages, sandwiches, and ready-to-eat or easy to cook food like salad and mashed potatoes.
Water – This is an essential supply you must bring. Generally, 1-2 liters of water is enough for your entire hike. Transfer the content to a Nalgene bottle, stainless steel or aluminum water bottle to keep it cool. To avoid hydration deficit, consume water before hiking.
OTHER TIPS
1. Keep your pace. Walk slowly than normal. When you speed up, you’ll get tired easily and you won’t be able to appreciate the adventure. Just take it slow and take regular stops to rehydrate, rest for a bit and replenish your energy.
2. Let someone else know. We don’t want another 127 Hours movie, so care enough to call or send a message to a friend or family member about where you’re going and when you’re coming back. Let them know about important details about your trip so they can alert the authorities if they don’t hear back from you.
3. Leave no trace. This simple saying encourages everyone who visits the mountains or national parks to take their trash home and properly dispose of them.
Using these tips will definitely help you out hiking this season. Where will you go? What advice would you give to a beginner hiker? Leave a comment to share your ideas; I’d love to hear them!
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