We all start from the bottom. May it be in life, career, and other things. We begin the race not at the head of the pack but at the back. Some of us may be privileged enough to have a head start but for the majority, the count always begins at zero. Experience makes us better and teaches us how to do things differently and more efficiently. But while we’re still starting out, banking on a few pointers wouldn’t hurt. It’s the same when going on your first hike. Ample preparation is necessary to ensure that your first hike is memorable and fun, and not something you’ll regret doing. I’m no newbie but I still consider myself as one despite having survived many summits and I’d like to share with you some of my insights about this well-loved sport. Here are 8 Newbie Hiking Tips which you might just find useful.
—Do Your Research
The mountains are not to be trifled with. No matter how easy they say it is, don’t get too complacent and make sure to prepare for the challenge. When you’re up there, there will be numerous factors that will determine the outcome of the hike. More than the elevation and the promising views, one who’s new to hiking should research about the features of the trail and the kind of terrain that will be encountered during the hike. In the Philippines, there are mountains that are classified as fairly easy hikes but will pose a great challenge during rains such as Mts. Romelo and Daraitan.
Other things that you must know are guideship requirements, permits, and community rules. Avoid making a habit of bypassing the local authority governing the mountains for your own safety as well as the safety of the local community.
—Hydrate
Drink plenty of water at least a week prior to your hike. This is to ensure that your body is well-hydrated. Hiking is a strenuous activity that consumes more body fluids than your usual day to day activity. Not having enough electrolytes in your body may lead to dehydration during the hike. Dehydration makes the hike more difficult and is potentially dangerous. You should also drink at least 2 liters of water while hiking and have trail snacks to go with it to sustain the energy you need. Another thing is to limit your caffeine intake and avoid alcohol before, during, and after the hike.
—Exercise
Mountains are categorized based on the level of difficulty. Here in the Philippines, the standard states that levels 1-4/9 are minor hikes which are generally easy and require minimal navigational skills while levels 5-9/9 are major hikes that translate to difficult and technical mountains. Hiking mountains is physically taxing and one important factor that will determine its end result is your fitness level. No matter how easy the trail is, one would find it difficult had he not prepared his body for the challenge. Hitting the treadmill for 30 minutes daily at least a week or two before the hike could make so much of a difference.
—Begin With Day Hikes
Hiking is a really great outdoor activity but it is not for everyone. Those stunning photos on Instagram are enticing yet they don’t really show the hardship before those click worthy shots were taken. Should you wish to go on a hiking adventure, I suggest that you do a day hike first to assess whether it is something you would like to pursue further or not. Multi-day hikes require more preparation and unless you’re with experienced companions, it is not advisable to first-timers.
—Pack Light
Again, hiking is not easy and absolutely exhausting. To avoid adding to your burden, pack lightly. Just bring with you essentials. For day hikes, 2 liters of water and some trail snacks would suffice. You may also bring along extra clothes and a travel kit containing first aids and basic self-care needs.
—Wear Appropriate Clothes and Footwear
One of the fundamentals when we travel is to wear appropriate clothes anytime and anywhere, not only to feel comfy but to protect ourselves. Hiking requires that we wear appropriate clothing to protect us from unknown hazards that we may encounter while on the trail. We also have to use the right kind of footwear to prevent injuries.
—Practice Respect
Hiking is an outdoor sport loved by people from all walks of life. You will encounter a lot of people who may be different from you or may have opposing beliefs and ideals which is why it is important that we practice respect. This does not only apply to people we cross paths with but to the environment as well. Practice Leave No Trace and leave as little of a negative impact as you can.
—Hiking is Not a Race
Don’t be pressured or be ashamed if you’re the weakest link. If you’re falling behind as long as you’re trying to keep up, you’re okay. Hiking is not a race and you’re not defined by how much time it took you to finish the hike. You’re also not expected to square up with the more seasoned hikers. Instead, take your time to appreciate the trail, the challenge, and the views.
There you have it. Lovelies. I hope you find these tips useful in getting started with your hiking adventure. Any additional inputs are welcome in the comments. Share this with your friends. Until next time. Ciao!
