Hiking is an extremely engaging activity that helps improve your overall physical condition. The natural walking and climbing motion provides you with a low-impact but very effective workout. Furthermore, you will be able to set the perfect pace and length of your workout. Many people use walking in the morning or evening as part of their fitness routine. Following are some hiking tips that will help you have a better hike trip up the mountain:
- Hiking in a group is always fun. It is advised to have at least one other person with you if you are going on some low-traffic trails. Some of the benefits of hiking together in a group are as follows:
You can learn from more experienced hikers and pass on your knowledge.- Aid for injuries, you can always have friends looking out for you.
- You can distribute loads for common group gear.
- You can meet new people and build new relationships.
- Make sure to drink often to stay hydrated. Carry enough liquid for the day and your pack will get lighter as the day fades away.
- Carry small snacks and eat them often, it will keep your energy level up so you don’t have to keep waiting for a big lunch meal after you have emptied your body’s reserve.
- You should keep a small amount of surplus food ready in your bag, just in case.
- You should leave your hike plan with someone back at home and try to call them whenever you get off the trail.
- You should not forget to bring and use sunscreen and a nice hat to prevent sunburn, even on a cloudy or a cold day.
- You should plan a hike that is suitable for each and everyone in your group and let the slower ones set the right pace.
- Keep your pack properly organized and put only the required items where you can easily find them.
- Repackage your bag to reduce the weight. There is no need to take an 8-ounce bottle of insect spray just pour some into a 1-ounce spray bottle that’s travel friendly.
- Leave all your cotton clothes at home, you will not need them.
- You should keep a bandanna tied to your trekking pole bag’s strap for an instant wipe off when needed.
- Do not forget to take your emergency first aid kit before leaving for the hike. Replace all the consumed items. Also invest in a survival kit.
- Water is important for staying alive, but it is also quite deadly when mixed with the cold on the trail. You should try to keep yourself, your trekking pole bag and gear dry. Put all the food and the rest of the items in zip-lock bags, a sleeping bag should be carried in heavy duty plastic garbage bag, clothes should be packed in waterproof bags. Make sure to carry and use rain gear.
- If you feel like your hands are swelling while hiking, then raise them. Try to hold onto your pack shoulder strap for a few minutes and see how that helps. Use the trek poles to help you keep your hands elevated a little bit and keep the muscles super active.
- You should take your photo ID, an insurance card and your credit card on the trail. Before a long trek, try to take digital photos of your documentation and email it to yourself, it can be very helpful if the documents are lost or stolen. Keep them in such a way that they are easy to access.
- You might see rock cairns, piles and piles of rocks, along the trail. Don’t try to destroy them, but don’t add to them either. Don’t create unnecessary cairns, tree blazes, or any kind of other sign to mark the trail, people should be able to safely navigate their route and scarring the beautiful landscape hasn’t helped anyone.
- Short hair is the best while hiking as they are much easier to manage in the wild and they are less inviting for bugs and critters who are always looking for a place to live.
How To Prepare For High Altitude Hiking?
Following are the 6 things that you need to take care of if you are planning to go on a high altitude hiking:
- Slower Pace – If you are not prepared for the lack of oxygen, you will defin
itely find yourself needing frequent rest stops to recover. But, you can slow your pace as you gain elevation, by doing this you will keep your body working without trying to overexert yourself.
- Even The Rhythm – Maintaining perfect breathing or rhythm is more important when you are hiking at higher altitude than lower. This will prevent any overexerting during the trip.
- Deep Breathing – When you first feel that you are getting out of breath, start thinking about the pattern of your breathing. Try to take deeper breaths and smaller steps until you can achieve a sustainable pace again. On the steeper sections of the mountain, deliberately place each foot and try to take a fixed pattern breath, this may be the way to go.
- Sunscreen – Sunscreen is very important since the sun is more harsh when you are higher up. There will be snow, light-colored rocks, low temperature, and no shade above the tree line, this contributes greatly to the sunburn on your body.
- Sunglasses – Packing your sunglasses in your trekking pole bags will help you prevent squinting and headaches. Snow blindness and the sunburned eyelids are serious problems that you could face. You should use side guards on your sunglasses for more protection to your eyes.
- Extra Clothes – You should carry clothes with long sleeves, long pants, good hats, and gloves to protect yourself from the sun, heavy wind, and super cold. Weather can change in a heartbeat, it can easily drop more than 30 degrees in just 1/2 hour or even less than that.
It is advised to always hike with a trained friend or experts in remote places and carry all the necessary items in your trekking pole bags. You should have a backup plan ready before going up there and be prepared for all the problems that you might face.
Hiking is fun and also a superb exercise for your body. Make sure you do it as instructed by the experts so you don’t end up with bad muscle pulls and injuries while returning from the amazing trip to the wild mountains.