If you are looking to get involved with hiking then you have picked an excellent hobby to get started with. When you go out on hiking trails, be they on mountains, near lakes or in the heart of the forest, you can take time out from the world, discover nature and make strong and lasting friendships. Before you plan that hike however there are some important things which you need to understand, in order to be able to hike safely and get the most out of it that you possibly can. Here then are some top hiking tips for beginners to help you survive your first weekend.
Planning the Route
Whilst there is a real freedom to hiking it is still important that you plan your route first, to give you an idea of how far you are hiking, where you will be staying and how you can get back from where you have been. Make sure to let someone know what your route is and then they can use your GPS trackers to ensure that you got there safely.
Food
If you are going for a couple of nights you must bear in mind how much food you will need, and then plan this in a smart way as obviously more food means more weight in your rucksack. The most popular meals which are cooked on the fire are boil-in-the-bag meals which can be bought in powder form, or which you can make yourself at home. It is important to eat well while hiking for your health and fitness. The idea here is that you simply boil some water from any source, place the bag in the boiling water where it will steam cook what is inside it. These meals are easy to carry and packed with nutrients. You should also look to take high nutrient snacks such as beef jerky which is light and highly nutritious.
Clothing
The key to the clothing which you take is that it should be light and functional. Check out the weather conditions before you head out on your trail and pack accordingly. If rain is expected then always remember that your skin will dry quicker than any clothes will, so consider wearing shorts for the duration. The most important pieces of clothing to take are great boots and something which will keep you warm, if you have both then you will be just fine.
Tent
Make sure that the tent which you are taking with you can stand up to the elements and also that it is very easy to erect. Putting up a tent in the howling wind is difficult enough as it is, having to do so when there are thousands of pieces to put together makes it near impossible. Check your options before you buy, and find the tent that is strongest and easiest to put up, you will thank yourself for this later on.
And there you have it, make sure that you follow these tips and have a great time out there!
For more health inspired tips from Motivando, click here.
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