How to Prepare for a Hiking Trip

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Hiking Boots
Protection for your feet is top priority for any hike whether an hour, a day trip or a month long quest to the finish the Appalachian Trail. Footwear is not where you skimp on money or comfort. Buy from a store that specializes in top quality gear and has knowledgeable salespeople. It is important to have plenty of space in front for the toes so that when you are walking steeply downhill, your toes won't bang against the (usually) hard inside front of the boot. At the same time there should not be too much room in the ankles or your foot may constantly slip up and down at the heel resulting in blisters! Be sure to wear heavy hiking socks when trying on boots. Good hiking boots will serve you for thousands of miles!
Step 2

Rain wear
Rain must always be considered as a possibility on any hiking trip. In the mountains rains will appear suddenly resulting in a drastic drop in temperature. A hiker without rain gear may be in serious trouble. (Exception is the desert!) A nylon poncho with an attached hood is a good start. This should fit to the knees and can be used as a tarp in emergencies! The only disadvantage to this type of protection would be in high winds. Nylon rain suits are also available with pants, but are extremely hot! Gore-tex material is more expensive and doesn't last as long as nylon.
Step 3

Water Bottle or Canteen
It is essential to drink water while hiking; not soda, fruit juice, you need water! Any water encountered along the hiking path may not be safe, so it is wise to carry more than you think you will use! Most people require one quart of water for an easy to moderate hike in cool weather. If you are hiking in warmer to hot conditions you will need two to three quarts depending on your physical condition. If you are on a difficult or long-distance hike in hot weather no less than a gallon of water for a day hike. Most headaches that occur after a hike are due to dehydration. Always carry your liquids in unbreakable containers!
Step 4

Day Pack
A day pack is a small frame less backpack with enough room for everything you need to bring; lunch, water, rain wear, extra clothing, plus a few small items. Try your pack on as they come in an assortment of shoulder options. There are also many different sizes on the market from medium to weekender packs. To take an extended trip you would need a full-sized external or internal frame pack.
Step 5

Other Items to pack:
1. Always have a map of the area and a compass. Getting lost is very easy in an unfamiliar place.
2. Pack a small first aid kit for minor scrapes and cuts. The kit should include: bandages, adhesive tape, and antiseptic cream plus an elastic ace-type bandage in case of a twisted ankle or a knee problem. Moleskin is great for any blister problem that may occur.
3. Insect repellent is required for warm weather.
4. Sunscreen and a sun hat are vital to avoid excessive exposure to your skin.
5. A small whistle is recommended in case of an emergency. A series of three blasts is the normal signal for help. Don't play with the whistle!
6. Flashlight and spare batteries are needed if you should get seriously delayed on your hike.
7. Toilet paper or other tissue is recommended, as you never know when nature will call!
8. A knife is also a good tool to have. You do not have to have a fancy one with a hundred tool blades. Just a simple small knife is adequate.
9. Matches are a smart thing to carry incase you have to spend a night out. Bring waterproof matches or keep them in a plastic bag.
10. A walking stick is a wonderful tool for keeping your balance and to help in stream crossings. I usually pick up a stick along the trail and drop it when I get tired of carrying it.
Step 6

Food
For a day trip always have a good breakfast before you leave and then lunch is your only meal to pack. Food is required to fuel the body, so dieting while hiking is not smart! Along with your lunch pack some snack foods to keep your energy level high are highly recommended. A good idea is to pack all food in sturdy double plastic bags or plastic containers to avoid leaking. Avoid soft fruits and perishable items in warm weather. Pack a sandwich and fruit for lunch. A few suggested snacks are cheese, crackers, tins of sardines, tuna, trail mix, yogurts, and peanut butter. I usually use pita pockets for my sandwiches to avoid my bread getting smashed in my pack. You can fill a pita pocket with anything! Apples are great, as they don't get squashed in your pack. Chips usually end up as a bag full of crumbs, so go for fresh vegetables like celery, carrots, zucchini and broccoli. Make your own custom trail mix with treats you enjoy, nuts, dried fruits, crackers, pretzels, and cereal. Avoid rich sugary desserts that have no nutritional value. I do keep a small bag of hard candy to suck on in emergencies.
Step 7

Leave your radio at home!

ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME!
Radios do not belong in the woods. People who are hiking are there to enjoy the sounds of nature, or the quiet. If you want to become offensive really fast turn on a loud radio in the middle of a hike. You will be shouted down faster than I can type, TURN IT OFF!
Pets really don't belong in the wilds and have the potential for getting into trouble. Unleashed dogs sometime harass and harm wildlife. Dogs that bark and are threatening to other hikers are not appreciated either. Few people will object to a leashed well-behaved animal! Dogs and other pets are NOT permitted in some parks and wilderness areas, so make sure you know the rules before hand. If leashed pets are allowed, please keep them on the leash. You are responsible to bury your pet’s waste.

Comments

maverickblues said

on 7/2/2009 Excellent article! And I can't agree strongly enough with your first point; high quality boots, hiking socks, and liners are absolutely essential to a hiker's health, safety, and comfort on long treks. 5*