25 Hiking Tips
Tips to Keep You On Track
1. Never hike alone. You need to have a partner in case you have an accident.
2. Know how to get to your destination, which may mean buying a map and carrying a compass.
3. Along the way, you may need to refill your water supply. Know where to find water, and have that marked on your map.
4. Always look at the weather forecast of the area you are going to hike, ahead of time. Do research if the day you are going to hike, does have raining seasons or any bad weather that you should be aware.
5. If you have a four-legged friend, check if dogs are allowed on the trail. Everywhere has different rules about being on/off leash.
Tips to Keep You Safe
6. Your safety on the trail is your own responsibility. Stay on the trail and don’t take shortcuts on switchbacks.
7. Know your capabilities. It’s best to be conservative on your first hike. Altitude, climbing and heat can make hikes that much more difficult.
8. Keep your medical conditions in mind when you’re planning a hike. Knee and back problems, heart conditions, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions can be amplified with exertion and severe weather.
9. Consider hiking poles to take the stress off your knees and thighs.
10. Keep your backpack as light as possible. Water and food should be the heaviest items you pack.
11. Invest in a good quality backpack that fits your style and body type.
12. Hiking boots are always preferred to gym shoes, but wear them in first so you don't get blisters.
13. Sun glasses, sunscreen, bug spray and a basic first aid kit are always good to carry with you. If you are hiking in a heavy vegetation, make sure to bring your machete, long sleeves and long pants.
Tips to Save Your Energy
14. Hike at a pace where you can talk while your walking and know when to take a break.
15. Stop once every hour for 10 minutes even if you don't think you need a rest. (Trust me on this, even with a great physical condition, that short 10 minute break does wonders)
16. You should never hike on an empty stomach. Be sure to eat before, during and after your hike.
17. Make sure your snacks and food have a nutritious variety. Specially carbs, protein, magnesium and salt. Carbs will give you energy while the salts keep your electrolytes in check. Magnesium regulates most of the body biochemical reactions including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood gluscose control, pressure regulation in the many functions. (From experience, when I started take more magnesium rich foods, I could keep longer times walking without the pain in my knees and sore muscle)
18. Always carry your trash with you. Don’t leave litter on the trail.
19. Drink before you are thirsty. For every hour of hiking, plan to drink half a quart to a quart of water. At least at your first hikes. Later you will find your body rhythm of water intake.
Tips to Finish Your Hike
20. Assume it will take twice as long to hike uphill as down.
21. Give hikers going uphill the right of way.
22. Plan to end your hike before sundown. If you do end up hiking in the dark, bring a flashlight with extra batteries or a headlamp.
Extra Tips.
23. Learn First Aid skills. Maybe in your lifetime you are not going to use them. But is better to be prepare if the times comes. Either for you or someone need help on the road.
24. In the first times of hikes, if you don't make it to the destination because of body exhaustion. Don't frustrated yourself. Take it has a sign to motivate yourself to improve and workout at home. Remember, hiking is high physically demanding depending on the hike you are going to take. It is a great time to workout those legs muscles, cardio and core. (In my experience, I choose the exercises that most related to the movements done in hiking, then at least workout 3 times a week. No need to exert yourself doing 3 or 4 sets. Remember you are exercising too on the hike and you don't want to put extra tension. Take care your body)
25. While shopping for a backpack make sure is from a great brand. They have this policy of any damage to the backpacks. You can sent them to them and they will give a new one. Make sure the weight of the backpack doesn't go lower than your waist. The reason, the lower the backpack, the more weigh pull will be in your shoulders. Maintain your backpack close to your back. Enough that it will be part of your body. While choosing one, prefer the aluminum frames. It will help keep your back straight and take less tension in your back because of the weight.
Thank you reader, for spending time reading this blog. I hope all this information and tips help your journey of adventures in hiking and other activities. To tell you the truth, I say other activities because I personally have apply the skill to be always prepared in my daily life to mention one, always have my small backpack everywhere I go. Hiking skills doens't stay there in the trails, it will be apply naturally in your life. I welcome and hope you can share any tips or information with me that is not writing in this blog. The more we help each other, the more prepare we can be and enjoy more of nature.