Hiking is very fun and rewarding. The fresh air, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife are just a part of what has made hiking so very popular. The low cost and health benefits attract people of all ages. Walking has long been shown to be one of the most low impact and beneficial exercises you can do. It's important to be well prepared, however, especially for longer hikes. Getting back to where you started from and having a good time should be your main objectives. This means having the right gear and good information about the route you're hiking. We hope you find the following information useful.
Trail Details Get a good idea of where you will be going including the type of terrain and the distance of the trip. Find out the difficulty of the terrain so you know whether or not it's a trail you'd like to try and what sort of gear you'll need to take with you. Tips such as "stay left of the river" often make the difference between success and failure so do a little research if you can. Asking other professional hikers you encounter among cv writers is also a great way to garner information. On longer or more obscure trails try to bring a map of your route to avoid confusion. Sometimes trails can be partly hidden by vegetation or washed out from heavy rains. Also, remember that fresh snow does a great job of hiding trails. If the trail is hidden a GPS is very helpful or you can also look for cairns. A cairn is a pile of stones stacked by previous hikers to show the proper route. Food & Water Start off by being well satiated (not stuffed) and very well hydrated. This will allow you to carry less and have a good level of fuel in your body before you ever begin. Bring about 200 calories of food and 12-24 ounces of water for every hour you will be hiking. This can vary quite a bit dependent upon the difficulty of the trail, as well as the weather. Try to bring a little more than you need in case you are unexpectedly delayed. If it's going to be a hot day and you have a steep climb planned, bring plenty of extra water. If you are working your body hard and perspiring heavily, you should take a drink at least once every ten minutes. Don't over do it and listen to the needs of your body. Taking smaller drinks can help keep you from feeling bloated or getting stomach cramps. Children usually need to be reminded to take drinks because they will not think about it until they are dehydrated. Weather The weather is one of the most important factors to the success of your hiking adventure. Check it often including right before you go whenever possible. The weather can change very rapidly, especially at higher elevations. On longer hikes, especially in the summer months, it's a good idea to assume the worst of the weather and bring some rain gear. Some hikes, such as high elevation climbs, are safer and more pleasant in the spring or summer. Likewise, hiking in deserts or tropics is usually more enjoyable in the colder months. Equipment Temperatures can vary greatly during the day, especially at higher altitudes. Bring an extra layer for warmth but start out comfortably cool because you will be getting warmer as you go. If there is a possibility for colder weather brings a coat. Rain can hit almost any time so we recommend having a rain poncho on every long hike. They are light and take up almost no space when storing them. It's important to have shoes that fit well to prevent blisters and twisted ankles. Make sure your shoes have plenty of traction for the terrain and are waterproof if needed. If your shoes aren't waterproof you might think about buying some gaiters. A hat and a waterproof sun block with an SPF of at least 30 is a good idea if you're going to be in the Sun for much of the day. A sturdy backpack or camelback are indispensable for carrying extra clothes and supplies. Overheating leads many possible problems such as dehydration and heat stroke. Trail Ethics Since hiking has become so popular with more people on the trails every year, it's important to be courteous to your fellow hikers and leave things as you find them. This includes properly disposing of your trash, staying on the designated trails, leaving plants and minerals as you found them, and picking up after your dog(s) if you have any. Do your part to share the trail. If you meet some people on the trail, it's polite to move over and let them pass, especially if you are a more capable hiker. Since trails often have uneven footing please pay particular attention and slow down when passing by fellow hikers.
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December 2018
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