Do you think that hiking is like a stroll in the park, and you will just have fun walking and climbing? No, it is not. It is much more than that. Therefore, it is important to be informed about what you are up to when you say you want to go on a hike. Moreover, pre-planning is essential to avoid making a must anticipated hike a forgettable one.
Essentially, when it comes to hiking, you do not just grab your backpack but prepare yourself mentally and physically. So, if you have recently planned to go on a solo hike or with a bunch of friends, then you need to read this article before you buckle up.
This article gives you tips on preparing for your upcoming hike quest.
Check Your Fitness Level
Generally, it takes two to three months to prepare for the hike. You should never plan to go on a hike the next day because your fitness level might not be at par with what is required. You must keep yourself fit and be able to hike with strength and power.
At the height when the air starts picking up, you fall short of breath, which may deteriorate the health of people who have breathing problems or cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is essential to keep a check on your fitness level ahead of time. And if you have shortcomings, you should work on them to get yourself fully fit for an adventurous hike.
Pick Your Trail
It is always important to do your research on hiking trails to help you choose one that fits your needs. You may prefer a hiking trail that is long, short, near to your residence, or based on other parameters that you want to scale the metrics on.
Also, chances are that you want to hike the next week but you are not fully fit for it. In this case, you may do your research and find a trail that is short in distance and can fulfill your instantaneous hiking gratifications.
To do your research, you may ask your friends and people you know about their personal experiences and look up on the internet and search for the best hiking trails near you. On the web, you can also see people’s feedback and comments on a specific hiking trail that can better help you make a decision.
Moreover, you can put up your query on Quora or social media platforms about the trails near you. For doing so, you will obviously need the internet, and anything like Xfinity will make sure you do your research without any hassles. After all, it is among one of the top internet service providers in the country; the best thing is that you can browse here (For Spanish Customers).
Anyhow, the following are the things to look up for when picking a hiking trail
Travel Time
How long would it take you to reach the hiking trail? This is the question you need the answer to choose a hiking trail. There might be a trail on a 30-minute ride or you may have to travel out of the city for a hiking experience. You must estimate the travel time so that you can plan whether you need to allocate a day or days for it.
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Trail Distance
How many kilometers would you have to walk on a trail? It all depends on your caliber, potential, and motivation to determine whether you would want to choose a trail with short or long distance.
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Time of the Year
Some hiking trails gather too must tourists and are crowded in winter and spring. Therefore, if you want to go on a hike on the famous hiking trail, then you must look for shoulder seasons when there is little to no crowd and when you can attain the mental peace you seek.
Practice Hikes
If you do not do regular exercises, then your body might not be trained and adept to support you for an intensive hike. Therefore, it is essential to do short drills, exercises, and hike practices to stretch your muscles and legs to avoid cramps and other problems that are most likely to occur after a hike.
Tools:
Once you decide on your hiking trial and the day, you must start collecting the essential tools you would need for hiking. Here is a quick list of the essential items you may need:
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Navigation Tools
In case you get lost or lose track, a navigation tool may help you.
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Water
You need to carry abundant water because you get extremely dehydrated during hiking.
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Food
Food is essential for you as it fuels your body to keep moving.
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Safety Items
If you are hiking an easy and well-maintained trail, then you would not need to carry safety items; however, it is always essential to be ready for any situation. Therefore, you must carry safety equipment, such as a flashlight, fire starter, and whistle.
Other Essential items include:
- First-aid
- Sun Screen
- Trash Bag
- Bug Spray
- Clothing
- Toiletries
Trash Bags and Leave No Trace Principles
Trash Bags and Leave No Trace Principles are essential components of responsible hiking and outdoor activities. Trash bags serve as a simple yet effective means of carrying and disposing of waste, ensuring that the environment remains clean and pristine. They allow hikers to pack out their trash and leave no trace behind, minimizing the impact on nature. Leave No Trace principles further emphasize the importance of minimizing human impact on the outdoors, promoting practices such as proper waste disposal, respecting wildlife and vegetation, and staying on designated trails. By adhering to these principles and carrying trash bags, hikers can contribute to preserving the beauty of nature for future generations to enjoy.