Hiking Basics

Hiking will take a bit of getting used to both from a technical and fitness standpoint. For starters:

• Don’t push yourself. Exhaustion and trying too hard may lead to danger.
• If something doesn't feel right – listen to that.
• Wear comfortable footwear. Leave the climbing up steep trails with flip flops to our friends in Nepal.
• Be careful around loose gravel or soil. They can give way quite quickly. Always look at least a few meters ahead of you to make sure you know what’s coming up. Also, look where it's lying, not where it’s flying. There are a lot of hazards that you need to watch out for.
• When hiking steep terrain, keep your knees bent.
• Use caution when stepping on rocks. Rocks may be loose or slippery and can easily lead to a twisted ankle if you slip.
• If you are on a trail with a steep drop off on one side, stay on the other side.
• Don’t drink from streams, creeks or lakes. It may look refreshing but may contain bacteria/parasites/pollution that won’t do you any good.
• If nature calls, avoid peeing on plants, trees, etc. Try to find some gravel/rocks that are not around soil and at least 60 meters away from any water source. If your other end is calling out, dig a hole about 30 centimeters deep and aim. Make sure you cover up afterwards.
• Plan your hike. You don’t want to try to find your way back in the dark.
• Bring matches and paper incase you are caught in the dark and need to stay warm.

What to bring on a hike

WATER! There are a number of items that need to be packed but by far, a number of problems start with lack of water and energy. Bring at least a litre of water for even the smallest of hikes. Other items include:

• Food. Healthy food that doesn’t give off a strong odour is ideal.
• At a minimum, well worn shoes with exceptional traction. Hiking shoes are quite cost effective and are also very comfortable to wear day-to-day.
• Dry clothes. When your clothes get wet, hypothermia can set in very quickly.
• Layers of clothing. You can always remove layers. It is best to have extra layers and a water resistant layer for unexpected weather and/or temperature changes.
• A camera and cellular phone. There are some amazing views and you can call your friends and brag about it. Also, cellular phones are important to bring in case you get lost and need help.
• A hat.
• Bring some duct tape (Blisters), insect repellent and suntan lotion.
• A first aid kit.

Looking for more information? I have pages on Safety and the Health Benefits of Hiking.