9 Tips to Prepare For Your First Multi Day Hike

Elena is a passionate blogger who shares about lifestyle tips on Lifehack. Read full profile

Whether you have your sights attack hiking a national park or simply spending a long weekend on the trail, preparation and planning are both extremely important. Starting a hike without the proper food, equipment, medical supplies, and information tin result in an extremely negative experience. At best, y'all'll have a miserable time. At worst, y'all can put your well beingness at take a chance, even your life.

When washed correctly, multi mean solar day hikes can be amazing experiences. Yous'll see nature up close and personal, create memories, and possibly meet some interesting people on your treks. By following the 9 tips below, you tin can help ensure that your hiking trip is a success.

i. Research The Area Y'all'll be Hiking

Be sure you take accurate and up to date information on the areas where yous'll be hiking. You'll want to know what to wait as far as weather, trail closures, and rules and regulations. Start by checking out the official information. This means visiting national park services websites, reading guidebooks, and learning the rules and recommendations put out by your local department of natural resources or section of conservation.

You lot can use that information to brainstorm to program your trip and map your hike. Your next step is to get the unofficial take on things. Look for community forums and word groups that have been formed by hikers and campers familiar to your called area. These are great sources for the kind of unofficial information that you lot won't find through other sources. For instance, experienced hikers may know of landowners along your path who will permit you refill your bottle from their spigot or where some edible plants are accessible.

2. Start Challenging Your Physical Limits

Packing around 30 to 50 pounds of gear is tough for a day. Doing it for two or more days, fatigue speedily becomes an issue if you aren't prepared. Don't wait for your long trek to meet what your body tin can endure. Offset challenging yourself today. Hit the gym and spend lots of fourth dimension on the stair climber. Then, ask a trainer for help learning exercises that strengthen your core and your legs. You'll need this in club to build up both strength and endurance.

On the other hand, be cautious. If you're the bodybuilding type, you may be used to focusing on getting your gains at the gym. Now is not the time for that. If anything, consider trimming downwards a bit. Information technology may aid to focus on a workout routine designed for endurance athletes.

3. Take Special Care of Your Feet

It's one thing to have to nurse a cicatrice after a day of hiking. Information technology'south a special kind of hell to deal with blisters and sore feet in the middle of a national park miles and miles abroad from civilization. Next to your brain, your feet are the well-nigh important trunk part when it comes to hiking. Accept care of them.

Invest in a dedicated pair of hiking boots. Then, utilize them. Take them on several shorter hikes. You lot don't want to start a long hike in a pair of boots that aren't broken in. Next, buy several pairs of socks that are specifically designed for hiking and mountaineering. Merino wool socks are very pop amongst hikers these days. Hither are some features that would make for a great pair of hiking socks:.

They Provide Adequate Cushioning
They Wick Wet Away From Your Anxiety
They Are Warm Without Being Overly Thick
They Are Breathable in Hot Weather

Some people recommend changing socks once daily. Notwithstanding, you lot should probably plan on changing more often if your feet sweat or if you are hiking in hot conditions.

four. Consider Investing in Lighter Gear

If you're planning to hike for multiple days, y'all'll have to add lots of new gear to your pack. This includes cooking equipment, sleeping handbag, tent, and more clothing. That means adding more weight. You might be able to handle that for a day or two if y'all are in skilful shape, but information technology will have its cost as the days pass.

Information technology may be a good thought to invest the money in some lighter gear that is specifically designed for multi day hiking trips. You'll be grateful, even if you tin can reduce your overall load past just ten pounds.

5. Invest in a Good Navigation System

First, never start a hike without grabbing a copy of the trail map. If you have an equipment or battery failure, this could be a real life saver. You should also invest in a waterproof carrying instance for that map. Having said that, it is more than worth the money yous will spend to get a GPS organisation or app that is specifically designed for hikers. These durable pieces of equipment can help you navigate the toughest areas, and tin can withstand a lot of corruption.

6. Make a Hydration Programme

When you plan your trip, it is of utmost importance that you brand a plan to stay properly hydrated. Remember that you can't but throw a bunch of water bottles in your backpack. If y'all do carry water, it'southward a good idea to invest in a hydration vest or belt. This allows you lot to carry the h2o yous accept more ergonomically.

Then, map out places where you lot can refill or otherwise replenish your water supply. If you aren't certain that there volition be potable water sources, it's time to invest in a water filtration straw or purification tablets. If you are hiking in especially demanding surroundings, it may help to bring along some powdered sports drink mix.

7. Be Prepared to Pack Out What You Pack In

Practiced environmental stewardship is the responsibility of every hiker, camper, backwoodsman, or backpacker. This mean that everything you lot bring along with y'all on your hike should come back off of the trail when you finish your hike. This includes food waste. Don't leave it assuming that the animals will devour it. That's not healthy for them, and it gives them a taste for human being food which tin be dangerous for them and other hikers.

8. Program Your Meals to Optimize Nutrition And Avert Waste matter

1 good rule of thumb to keep in mind is 'fresh food kickoff'. If y'all have fantasies of roasting hot dogs over a fire, or preparing a camper's breakfast with pancakes, eggs, and all the trimmings, that's fine. Just plan your menu and so that any perishable items are eaten first.

If you're thru hiking, fresh food may not be an selection. Instead, yous'll desire to rely on dehydrated or freeze stale foods. These are sold in packs at outdoor and camping ground supply stores. If you lot take your ain nutrient dehydrator, there are plenty of trail repast recipes online.

9. Have a Plan And Equipment in Place For Illness or Injury

Never hike without a proper first aid kit. If you lot are hiking long distances, you'll desire to invest in even more supplies than you would normally bring along. Also, bring greenbacks with you. This volition allow you to replace any times that y'all use up when you make your way into campgrounds or towns. Finally, if you determine to hike alone, please invest in a personal location beacon.

Overnight and thru hiking can exist amazing experiences. Proceed the tips to a higher place in mind so that you can get the almost out of each hiking trip.

Featured photo credit: David Marcu via unsplash.com

mcintyrehingivend40.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.lifehack.org/535811/9-tips-prepare-for-your-first-multi-day-hike