15 MISTAKES NEW HIKERS MAKE

Transcription

1 15 MISTAKES NEW HIKERS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM A SIMPLE GUIDE ON HOW TO AVOID COMMON HIKING BLUNDERS

2 INTRODUCTION This is a simple, step-by-step guide on how to hike smarter and avoid common hiking mistakes. When I first started hiking I honestly thought - how hard can this be? I mean, I hiked as a kid with my family, but it was just a picnic lunch with some walking. So, when I got the hiking bug in my early 20's I took the same casual approach I had when I was younger. The thing is, there is so much more preparation needed to have a safe and fun hike. And it really doesn't matter how long you hike for either. So, whether it's one day or one week - creative strategies should be used no matter how long you plan on being on the trail. Knowledge is everything - especially when it comes to the great outdoors. And as a beginner, there are some simple tricks you can follow to make your next hike much more smoothly All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or modified in any form, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

3 CONTENTS 1. Wearing New Boots From blisters to sore feet, new boots are a hiking sin. 2. Starting too Late Avoid traffic and that midday sun with an early start. 3. Not Doing Research Know what you're up against with trail and topographic maps. 4. Hiking Alone Safety in numbers is the best option your first few times on the trail. 5. Going "All Out" Recognize your fitness level and take frequent breaks. 6. Using Any Backpack A dedicated hiking pack will save your back, neck and shoulders. 7. Buying Cheap Gear Do your research and buy good quality gear on sale. 8. Packing Your Kitchen Bring dense calories and leave the pots and pans at home. 9. Wearing Cotton When you sweat, cotton will get wet and stay wet. 10. Hiking on a Holiday Hiking trails will be the most crowded on holidays. 11. Not Checking the Weather Keep an eye on the weather to avoid surprises. 12. Forgetting the Essentials These items weigh next to nothing, so make sure to bring them. 13. Taking Shortcuts Avoid getting lost - use your head and stick to the trail. 14. Snacking in Your Tent You don t want to wake up next to a raccoon, do you? 15. Not Staying Hydrated Hydration is critical bring enough water and a water filter.

4 1. Wearing New Boots Getting a new pair of hiking boots can be exciting. When I got my first pair I wanted to hike as soon as possible! However, you should avoid this at all costs. Wearing brand new boots might be the worst thing you can do before hiking (other than forgetting to bring water). So why is wearing brand new boots a hiking sin? Blisters Getting blisters on the trail can absolutely ruin your hiking trip. One reason blisters form is by having boots that are not properly broken in. A new pair of boots will feel tight on your feet. Because of this, there will be sharp contact points that rub your skin. As a result, this will cause blistering and possibly scarring. Sore Feet Hiking boots right out of the box can also give you sore feet. Your boots should feel snug, but not too tight at the same time. If they're loose, your feet will slide around inside - causing even more painful blisters due to excessive friction. It will take time to build up your foot strength. Don't go all out (see tip #5 for more information) in the beginning. *You can always increase your hiking distance as you gain more experience. Take the time to break in your boots for a few days, maybe even a week. Wear them around the house until they feel comfortable on your feet - then you can get out on the trail.

5 2. Starting Too Late Beginning your hike late in the day is another mistake that should be avoided. There are so many factors that can add time to your day - and you might not even realize it. Before a day hike you will need to: Wake up, eat a solid breakfast, shower, use the bathroom, pack the car, drive to the hiking trail, etc. Sure, these things are a normal part of anyone's schedule, but they will still cause your hiking start time to be delayed as a result. Starting late in the day can also be dangerous. If you sleep in late, then roll out of bed expecting to go on a hike, think again. I don't care how tight your schedule is either, you never know what's going to happen on the trail. You could get turned around, or maybe there's just a cool view 30 minutes out of your way. This is all part of the hiking process, but the problem with doing this late in the day is that you will have a limited amount of daylight. Get an early start to avoid the midday sun. You can avoid the hottest part of the day by hiking early in the morning. The warmest part of the day is when the sun is directly above your head. Dehydration is much more common when you hike in these extreme conditions. Staying hydrated is essential (see tip #15 for more information) Make sure to pack your bag (and car) the night before your hike. This way everything will be ready in the morning and you won't feel rushed. You should also leave your house minutes earlier, just in case there's traffic.

6 3. Not Doing Research Another important step needed for preparation is researching the area you plan on hiking in. It doesn't matter where you're going, try to learn everything about the area before you leave. Why should you get to know the area? Being spontaneous can be fun, but on a hike, it can be dangerous. If you decide to "wing it" and don't wear the right clothes, or bring enough food, you will be miserable on the trail. By doing your research on the area, you'll know what to bring, what to wear and everything to look out for. What kind of things should you know before hiking? Trail Difficulty The length of the hiking trail and its difficulty level should be researched ahead of time. All hiking trails are not created equal. Weather Conditions You should know not only the weather conditions for that day, but also the seasonal weather conditions in the area. General Information Figure out all the other stuff that can be helpful - this will be location specific. For example: Mount Washington is known to have extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions. Begin with a simple Internet search. Many National Park websites have printable trail maps, so you can get a detailed layout of the area. You can also check out hiking forums for more information with a simple search. For example: "Big Bear Hiking Forums."

7 4. Hiking Alone It might be hard to believe, but hiking alone is a common beginner mistake. And the biggest reason for this boils down to safety. Being alone in the outdoors can be peaceful. However, it's a good idea to hike with a group of people your first few times - or bring along someone with more experience. There are two main reasons why hiking in a group is the better option. Safety in Numbers Don't get me wrong, there's always a risk for injury when hiking. There are many obstacles to cross, you might experience exhaustion or dehydration, and the ever-changing weather is always a factor. But hiking with a group of people offers you some sort of safety net, just in case things take a turn for the worst. If you sprain your ankle for example, it will be much easier to maneuver down the trail with the help of a friend. Spread the Load Out Hiking with a group of people can also spread the load out when it comes to carrying gear. If you're going on a day hike for example, you really don't need that much gear. When hiking with 3-4 people you could get away with only bringing one bag. This bag will hold all the gear for your group - only you should alternate who carries it every so often. This will give everyone a chance to rest up. Always hike with a group of people the first few times out. This will make things less stressful if an injury does occur. Take turns carrying the gear with everyone in your party - as new hikers still are not used to hiking with added weight.

8 5. Going "All Out" What do I mean by going all out? Even though hiking is a form of low-impact cardio, it can still be a strenuous activity. Many people (including myself sometimes) can be very stubborn. We want to reach the top of the mountain, no matter how far away it is. However, this mindset could cause harm to your body as a result. You're probably not going to hike a fourteener your first time out. It takes time to work up your fitness level to get in prime hiking shape. When you first begin hiking, it's a good idea to take frequent breaks and only walk for a short amount of time. Going "All Out" and pushing your body too far can: Leave you exhausted or dehydrated Throw of your schedule and cause delays Create tension between others in your hiking group Leave you feeling resentful about hiking (instead of having fun) Many people assume hiking is "just a bunch of walking" but it still requires you to be in decent shape. Believe me, all those uphill climbs will get you. So, it's absolutely critical that you listen to your body. If you're not used to exercising, don't worry. Hiking can be a great way to get in shape too - but you should still start off slow. Find a local hiking trail to practice on. Don't worry too much about elevation - just get out in the woods and start walking. Find a buddy to hike with once a week. Then gradually build up your walking speed as the hike gets easier.

9 6. Using Any Backpack While all backpacks serve the same purpose (holding your stuff) you should always use a dedicated hiking pack. Why can't I use a school book-bag or regular backpack? Although these two backpacks may look similar to the untrained eye, there are a few reasons why you need to avoid them. Higher Risk of Injury Hiking gear is so much heavier than your school supplies. Due to this increased weight difference, there will be more strain on your back and neck. This is the biggest reason why any old backpack will not work. The shoulder straps will lack appropriate padding and there won't be a waist strap either. Not Enough Room Regular backpacks will also lack the appropriate storage room and compartments needed for hiking supplies. Hiking backpacks come in all different shapes and sizes - but they are typically measured in load capacity. Day or Weekend Backpack (1-3 nights; liters) Multi-day Backpack (3-5 nights; liters) Extended-trip Backpack (5+ nights; 70 liters or larger) Your backpack storage load will increase, along with the length of your trip. Hiking backpacks don't need to cost an arm and a leg - but they should fit you comfortably. I would recommend going to your local hiking store to get properly fitted. A hiking backpack must fit correctly to your body, just like a shoe does.

10 7. Buying Cheap Gear It's easy to get caught up in all those low prices at big retail stores. But at the end of the day, those places do not specialize in hiking gear. Buying cheap hiking gear will only hurt you in the long run. So, don't become distracted by those "low prices" from big box stores. There are two main reasons why you should avoid discount gear. Cheap Gear Delivers False Promises Each time you buy a product, you expect it to perform as advertised. Let's use an example of hiking boots - which is an item of gear that all beginner hikers should invest in. If you buy a pair of waterproof hiking boots, you expect them to be waterproof. They might be at first, but after a few normal hikes, you might start to feel your socks getting wet. Cheap Gear Does NOT Last The big box retail stores will always have the lowest prices - there's no doubt about that. But how long do those items last for? The answer? Not very long. A few weeks ago, I bought myself a pair of slippers from an unnamed big box store. They were only $10 so I just had to get them! To make a long story short, they only lasted one month - before the rubber sole fell apart. The point I'm trying to make is that it doesn't matter how inexpensive gear is. You'll end up back where you started - needing to buy something. You don't need to buy everything at once. Start off with a quality pair of hiking boots, then upgrade you gear as time goes on. Keep an eye on sales at hiking stores and check out the REI outlet website.

11 8. Packing Your Kitchen It's essential to keep your body properly fueled on a hike. It may not seem like it, but your body can burn hundreds of calories on the trail. So, I need to bring a ton of food to replenish all those calories? Not exactly. It's quite typical for inexperienced hikers to have FOFS (Fear of Forgetting Something). As a result, they pack everything in their kitchen. The simple solution to this common hiking mistake is to pack smarter. Eat Dense Calories Dense calories will take up less space in your backpack, while providing your body with the nutrition it needs. Peanut butter, granola bars, seeds and nuts are some of my favorites. Leave the salad and fruit at home. These items are okay on a day hike, but they take up too much space and lack the calories you need. Bring "Easy to Eat" Food Another useful tip for eating on the trail is bringing the right food. Granola bars and trail mix are great choices, because you can eat them with one hand. Save those complex and exotic dishes for when you get home. This tip also applies to kitchen utensils. If you really want to cook up a meal on the frying pan, more power to you. Just remember how much extra weight that will add to your backpack. Lightweight utensils that have multi-uses are the way to go! * Always clean up your food and follow the leave no trace principles Lay out all your food before you pack it and don't forget to bring dense calories. To save even more weight, repackage your food (throw away cardboard boxes and place everything in plastic bags instead).

12 9. Wearing Cotton This is probably the most common beginner hiking mistake. Whenever I go to popular hiking trails, I always see people wearing cotton or denim jeans. "But hey,what's the big deal? At least I'm wearing hiking boots." Hiking clothing is more than just wearing the right kind of shoes. There are two main reasons why you should avoid wearing cotton and denim jeans. Cotton Absorbs Moisture Cotton is NOT a moisture wicking fabric. Meaning that when you sweat, your clothes will get wet and they will stay wet. This is important, because it's not like you're going for a quick run and you can change clothes when you're done. A hike can last for hours - which means that you will be hiking in wet, heavy clothes all day long. Cotton Creates Blisters Let's not forget about your socks! Remember that most socks are also made from cotton - so you should leave them at home. If you frequently get blisters while hiking, wet socks could be causing the issue. Think about it - your socks will get wet and they won't dry. Then your socks will get bunched up inside your boot and rub against your skin. This will cause rubbing, irritation and yes, blisters. Investing in a pair of dedicated hiking socks will solve this problem. Always wear moisture wicking performance clothing when you hike and leave the cotton at home. This type of clothing dries super-fast, so you won't be drenched in sweat - and you can avoid getting painful blisters too.

13 10. Holiday Hiking Don t get me wrong holiday hiking can be a fun family activity. But at the end of the day, there are more downsides that could leave you feeling stressed out. Hiking on a holiday is kind of like going to the mall on Black Friday. The thing is, there aren t even that many holidays to begin with - let alone ones where you want to spend the day outside. After all, who goes for a hike on New Year s Eve in the Northeast? The Long Search for Parking More people on the hiking trail means more cars in the parking lot. This only adds more time to your day, as you continue to search for that perfect opening. The worst part is, some lots might even be full by the time you get there. Imagine you packed up your car and drove an hour - only to find the parking lot is full! Sure, you can park on the street, but that s not always a guarantee. Peace and Quiet? For me hiking is all about taking a break from society and experiencing the peace and quiet of the outdoors. But it s hard to do that on holidays when people are grilling and blaring music. You ll find more of that stuff at campsites, but it s still worth mentioning. Finding trails that are less popular is always the better choice if you do decide to hike on a holiday Don't forget that campsites will always be the most crowded. If you still want to go holiday hiking, make sure to get an early start. This way you can beat the crowds and traffic. Try to find trails away from big campsites. You can still find fun hiking trails, even if they aren t as popular.

14 11. Not Checking the Weather Have you ever been caught in an afternoon thunderstorm? They tend to come out of nowhere and you never seem to have a rain jacket or poncho. Even if it s a beautiful day, you should keep an eye on the weather. Checking the weather first thing in the morning isn t enough. Instead, check it periodically as your hike continues throughout the day. It s smart to turn back if you can see the weather is only going to get worse. Greater Risk for Injury Failing to check the weather can drastically increase the chance of getting injured. Rocks, logs and other surfaces will be slippery so you ll need to be extra careful. You could also get injured from trying to rush back to your car. If it starts raining when you re on the summit, you have a long, wet hike down the mountain. Don t be careless and run if that s the case. Bring rain gear and take your time on the trail to avoid injuries. The Weather Can Change Even if you do check the weather before a hike, it can change at a moment s notice. Looking at the hourly forecast is the best way to go as it will give you more of a detailed screen-shot of your area. You should also consider using multiple weather apps on your phone. You wouldn t only read the news from one website, would you? Use multiple sources to get a diverse outlook on the forecast. Try to stay positive when you re hiking in the rain you can still have fun! Always keep a poncho in your backpack they weigh next to nothing. Download more than one weather app for your phone and continue checking them during your hike. And always take it extra slow in slippery conditions.

15 12. Forgetting the Essentials Sunscreen and bug spray are two essential items when it comes to hiking. Forgetting just one will be annoying but forgetting them both can really suck. No matter how long your hike is these essentials can make or break a hike. Let s start off with sunscreen, because it s one of those things many people tend to forget. I mean, it s not like you re lying on the beach, right? Wrong. The sun can reflect off many surfaces. Even if you have minimal exposure to sunlight, you still need to protect your skin. You might be hiking in the shade, but the sun can reflect off surfaces like snow or water. To avoid a hiking sunburn, make sure to apply sunscreen before you leave the house. This way it will have time to absorb in your skin. It s also smart to continue applying sunscreen on your hike. You re going to be sweating (especially if it s hot) so make sure to reapply on the trail. You can still get a sunburn on cloudy days. Now let s talk about bugs! You never know when you re going to run into a swarm of mosquitoes. The best approach is to stay prepared, by always carrying small bottles (less weight) in your backpack. You can realistically encounter bugs anytime of the year. And if you re miles into your hike with no bug spray, it s going to be a long walk back to the car. Apply bug spray right when you get to the hiking trail. Avoid applying it to your skin while you re still at home as that will only make for a very stinky car ride. If bug spray isn t enough, wear long (breathable) clothing. I get that too much gear can be an issue with new hikers so the best option is to bring smaller bottles of sunscreen and bug spray. Remember that they re hiking essentials so put them in the same category as water and you ll never forget them.

16 13. Taking Shortcuts For whatever reason, I see many new hikers taking shortcuts and creating their own path. And while bushwhacking can be fun, you might want to stay on the trail as a new hiker. Shortcuts can get you turned around, cause erosions and increase the chance for injury. Are they shorter? There are many reasons why new hikers might want to get off the trail. Maybe they want to get home earlier, or they just want to go around the mountain (instead of over it). Unless you know the trail like the back of your hand, a shortcut could increase your hiking distance. Do you see other people getting off the trail? Don t assume they know where they re going. Erosions and Wildlife Taking shortcuts can also cause erosions and disrupt wildlife in the area. You might think how much harm can one person do? but if everyone has this mentality, it can cause large scale damage. Rain will wash new trails away which will cause damage to hiking trails that are already established. This mud can also wash over vegetation and disrupt wildlife. Increase the chance for injury Don't assume hiking trails are random, because they have been carefully mapped out. They are designed to cause minimal impact to the environment and be safe for hikers. Taking shortcuts is a risk in itself you want to avoid areas with loose rocks or rotted trees that are about to fall. You won t know what hazards to expect once you step off the hiking trail. Wait until you ve developed more hiking experience, before venturing off the trail. When you truly grasp the leave no trace principles, off-trail hiking can be a fun way to respect the area, while avoiding the crowds at the same time.

17 14. Eating in Your Tent You re going to burn hundreds of calories during your hike so it s essential to keep your body fueled with the right food. But you shouldn t eat your food in any old place. You might only have a small amount of food, but critters in the area can still smell it. Food Can Attract Animals The biggest reason why you shouldn t eat in your tent is animals. Even if your tent is zipped up, it won t stop a raccoon from scratching (and possibly damaging) the tent lining. And remember that if a piece of gear breaks, you will have to deal with it for the rest of your hiking trip. This can be annoying especially when it could have been avoided in the first place. Your Tent is for Sleeping I m a believer that tents are for sleeping. You wouldn t eat in your bed at home, would you? There s no need for it really and we all know how easy it is to spill food when you don t have a table. Eat your food outside and enjoy the relaxing elements of nature. Build a campfire a safe distance away from your tent, so you don t have to worry about flames being too close. More Cleanup Eating in your tent will always create a bigger mess (compared to eating outside). If you spill food, you'll need to rinse it off although you might not have extra water and soap to do so. That means you ll need to wait until you get home. We all know how much easier it is to clean a fresh spill than a dirty one. It will be much harder to clean days later, when it s dry and crusty. To keep it simple, don t eat in your tent. Remember to build fires away from your tent, so flames won t reach it. For added protection, try storing your food in a bear canister as it will help eliminate the smell of food.

18 15. Not Staying Hydrated Water is the most important piece of gear you should bring on any hike. Hiking can be spontaneous for many new hikers. The most common spontaneous way to hike is being on vacation and seeing a popular hiking trail nearby. Even if your hike is short, you still need to bring water. At the end of the day, you never know how long your hike will be. Maybe it s very crowded and it takes a longer to summit, or maybe you just take more breaks than originally planned. Here are some beginner hiking blunders that relate to hydration: Not Being Hydrated Before Hiking Don t wait until you ve reached the mountain to start drinking water. One common symptom of dehydration is feeling thirsty. Meaning that if you feel thirsty on the trail, it s already too late. The best way to get hydrated is by drinking water early in the day. If you know you re going for a hike, drink water at home and in the car driving to the trail. Packing Soda and Beer There s nothing wrong with enjoying these beverages at home, but you should avoid bringing them on a hike. Soda and beer will not keep your body hydrated like water can. These unnecessary drinks will also add more weight to your backpack. To make things worse, you ll be sweating more (due to all the weight) and won t have the water your body needs. *If you re camping or going on a picnic it s okay to bring soda and beer. Just remember to bring all those empty cans back with you and follow the leave no trace principles. Make sure your body is hydrated before you leave the house and drink on the way to the hiking trail. Bring enough water for your hike and a water filter just to be safe. Water filters take up very little space and can save your life.