Five Things to Consider Before Hiking

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

Ever wanted to go on a hiking trip but didn’t know what to expect? Don’t worry, not everyone has been hiking before, and it’s perfectly normally to be concerned about what kinds of precautions you need to take before going. This article will outline five things you need to consider before you take your hiking trip.

Weather

Before taking your hiking trip it’s essentially that you watch and make sure the weather will be suitable for your hike. This includes more than just rainy and snowy weather, excessive heat is also a danger. If it’s very hot you need to be very careful not to dehydrate by brining a cool drink with you. It’s possible to hike under rainy and snowy conditions, but it’s much more important for you to bring someone along with you if you’re going to hike alone in dangerous weather.

Bring a Friend

Bringing a friend with you on a hiking trip is never a bad idea. Not only will a friend help keep you entertained but it will also help keep you both safe. If either of you are hurt the other will be there to get help or to administer first aid. It’s also much safer if there are any adverse weather conditions to be a group because two heads are better than one when solving a problem.

Map Out Your Trail

Before going on your hike it’s a good idea to map out exactly where you will be hiking to and making sure that you’re physically able to walk the distance. With a map you can locate exactly how far away you’re from finishing the hike and can appropriately take breaks and decide when you wish to eat if you’re going to eat during the hike.

Exercise Before Hiking

Exercising before you go on your hiking trip can get you ready for the strain you will be putting on your body. Many hiking trails are full of rough hilly terrain that wears the body out much easier than walking on flat cement ground. Walking an hour a day the week before you go is an excellent way to prepare for your hike and should reduce the strain you feel when you begin.

Supplies and Dress

If it’s very hot outside it makes more sense for you to wear shorts instead of long pants, and vice-versa if it’s cold outside. It’s also a good idea to bring the appropriate supplies if you have any sort of medical condition. For example if you have asthma it’s important for you to bring an inhaler.

If you follow these 5 precautions before you go hiking you’re sure to have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.

Photo Credits: calebdzahnd

5 Backpacking “Tricks” to Use

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Backpacking and hiking can be difficult – not only on your body and your feet, but also on your mind when you’re sick and tired of moving. Thankfully, being in the outdoors doesn’t have to always be so uncomfortable – or so tricky. Here are five backpacking “tricks” you can use to enhance and improve your experience.

1. Bring rain gear.

Rain gear is simple and lightweight – all you need is something water-resistant just in case it rains. For many people, this might be packing a poncho, but anything that is water-resistant and lightweight should work well. You don’t want to get caught in the rain and have all of your stuff soak through – remember to cover your backpack or fanny pack as well. Keep a close eye on the weather forecasts to help you prepare for rain, but always be ready in case the weather unexpectedly goes from sunny to rainy quickly.

2. Bring Gold Bond Medicated Powder.

This can do wonders for the feet and will help you lift your spirits after a tough time out on the trail. If you’ve been hiking or backpacking a while, you’ll know the need to treat your feet well – they’ll be doing much of the work on your journey. The better you treat them, the better you’ll feel overall.

3. Don’t over-pack when you put food in your bag.

Many people want to cover themselves for emergencies, but they also add weight when they do this. A rule of thumb is to keep your backpack under 40 pounds. If you’ve been a backpacker for quite a while and notice how you always bring home extra food, it might be wiser to take other emergency supplies like first aid or water instead.

4. Go on trial backpacking trips to make adjustments.

You may think it’s great to bring a miniature coffee grinder with you on a backpacking trip, but you also might find that the device simply doesn’t work as well when you’re using it in the wild. These are the sort of things that only experience can teach you, so build that experience by going on short hikes and seeing how you fare. Cut out what you don’t need and emphasize what works out there. Keep track of what you’ll need to improve before you head out the next time.

5. Bring a compass.

You may think your sense of direction is keen, but if you get a good compass and know how to use it, you’ll want to make sure that you’re actually being accurate. A compass will tell you where you can head; bring a map along with you as well so that you know which directions will take you where.

Photo Credits: pfly