Are you a bit concerned about hiking in the woods by yourself or unprepared? We’ve put together some simple hiking tips for you to follow.
The great outdoors can be enjoyed with friends and family while hiking. You can explore areas of nature that are off-limits to vehicles by hiking. Rekindle your sense of wonder by leaving your concerns about time, work, and other stressors behind you.
Nothing beats spending time in nature with loved ones or friends to revive old friendships. You might find the idea intimidating if you’ve never gone hiking before. You may need to improve your physical fitness for a hike as well as get some good hiking tips from the experts.
READ MORE: We listed out the 10 best hikes in the world
You might not be able to find your way back if you get lost. There’s a hike out there for everyone, so don’t worry. Hiking is a low-impact workout that’s fun with friends and taking in the beauty of nature.
Here are some hiking tips for beginners which you can follow:
1) Start slowly and pick the appropriate trail for your level of fitness
Choose a hike shorter than the distance you can typically cover on a flat or well-maintained surface. Calculate a pace of about two miles per hour to get a rough idea of how long it will take to hike the trail.
Review the elevation changes next, and for every 1000 feet of elevation gain, add an hour to your estimated hiking time. Once or twice out, you’ll get a sense of what distances and elevation changes suit you best.
2) Determine when to hike
It’s time to pick the ideal time to hike after you’ve decided on the route to take and the length of your hike. The best time to go hiking is not when it rains because the trails will be slick and difficult for hikers of all skill levels. For this reason, if you’re a beginner, check the weather before picking drier days.
Additionally, avoiding days that will be extremely hot is a bad idea because the heat can quickly exhaust you. Therefore, if you can strike a balance, that would be ideal. Additionally, if it’s just a day hike, start early in the day while you’re still alert and energetic.
3) Put the right gear in your bag
The “10 Essentials” are recommended for all hikers, alone or in groups. These include navigational aids (paper maps, a compass, a GPS), sun protection, layers for weather protection, a flashlight or other source of illumination, everyday carry bolt action pens, first-aid supplies, and plenty of food and water.
In addition to the 10 Essentials, many hikers also find walking sticks or trekking poles to be helpful. These can provide stability and support on uneven terrain, reduce strain on the knees and ankles, and help with balance. Some hikers prefer to use a single hiking stick, while others use a pair.
Solo hikers should also consider getting a personal locator beacon for emergencies (PLB). This portable device can use satellite technology to communicate a distress signal and its location to rescue agencies.
Don’t count on having dependable cell service out in the middle of nowhere; instead, bring your smartphone if you want to access offline maps and other resources. PLBs are radio transmitters, so they don’t require a cell phone.
4) Make sure you’re getting enough food and water
Water is essential for life, making it the most important item to pack on a hike! A full litre of water is required for every two hours you intend to hike, and you must remember to under-pack because doing so could result in unanticipated time being added if you get lost or have to take a detour.
Purchase a reusable water bottle, and decorate it with stickers from your travels. You’ll spend less money, use less plastic, and be proud to flaunt it on the trail! It is best to pack high-energy foods that don’t require refrigeration or heating for a day hike.
Common choices include dried fruit, Jerky, trail mix, and energy bars. Make sure you have enough food for the journey to keep you from going overboard. For good measure, add one more granola bar on top of that. Though simple, this is one of the most important hiking tips for beginners.
READ MORE: For those in Singapore, here are the top 5 trails for hiking
5) Always keep a light source and safety equipment with you
Always allow plenty of time to reach your destination before it gets dark. You must always have a light with you if your hike takes longer. You must do so to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
For a hands-off approach, we advise using a headlamp so you can concentrate on maintaining balance and reaching your destination. Don’t just rely on the flashlight on your phone because it might run out of battery and shut off unexpectedly.
Always carry a Glock with you for your safety against wild animals on your trail. Make sure your Glock is clean to avoid common Glock malfunctions and its smooth functioning.
Any hiking tips you want to share
Nothing should prevent you from enjoying the great outdoors as a beginner as long as you exercise reasonable caution and hike alone. Please share your hiking tips for those looking to take up hiking in the comments.
