Easy Tips on How to Survive Your First Ever Hiking Trip
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Keyword: hiking
One of the biggest mistakes that novice hikers do is to pack too much or pack too lightly. Both of which can yield less than desirable results. There are a few things you should do beforehand that can make your first hiking experience something really worth remembering. These should start with:
1. Knowing where you are going and how long you will be gone. Impromptu trips out to the wilderness may sound great... if you are already an experienced hiker and you have a great working knowledge of the terrain. But if this is your first hiking trip out there (or first hiking trip ever,) these unplanned outings may lead to sore feet, inadvertently becoming lost, or worse.
You should know exactly what route you plan to take during your trip out. Calling the people who manage the park (or area that you plan to hike through) will give you some knowledge as to what trails might be closed during your trip, possible sightings of wild animals you should be wary of, and even a warning of possible weather disturbances that may affect a person's visibility while traveling.
Knowing your potential traveling period through your chosen route would also give you an idea as to how much you should pack for the day. If you are camping nearby and hiking through certain areas of the woods, you can pack a lot since you might be leaving some of the heavier gear in your campsite. However, if you plan to hike across a certain terrain to reach recommended safety posts, your best course of action would be to pack lightly so that your traveling time will go faster and easier.
Naturally enough, carrying maps (and other tracking machines like GPS devices) is a must especially if you are not well versed with the area.
2. Break in your footwear. Many first time hikers buy a new pair of boots or shoes... which is good. After all, you cannot expect to go through nature trails with shoes or slippers you normally use daily. This practice is especially encouraged when the the terrain you have chosen is not known for its paved concrete paths and smooth trails (which is almost always the case.) However, putting on your new footwear for the first time on the exact day you plan to the hike is the fastest way to develop corns, sprains and a limp down the line.
If possible, try to break in your boots or shoes a whole month before your planned trip. This will make your footwear become more pliable, which in turn, will lessen the possibility of scrapes, twisted ankles and other feet related injuries.
Always wear socks if you are using hiking boots. Socks will lessen the impact of every step you take which means that you can travel easier without suffering from the usual aches and pains. If you plan to take a more waterproof pair of footwear, always bring a spare and towels to dry off. If you are wondering which kind of footwear you should take, try to read back on tip #1 to see exactly what terrain you will be passing through. |
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Author Resource:-
Kellie is an expert when it comes to Backpacking Hiking. To find out the latest News and Tips on Backpacking and Hiking, visit Backpacking Hiking at http://backpackinghiking.net/
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By :
Jessie Stone
Submitted
2010-10-01 07:34:22 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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