Things You'll Need:
- Good shoes
- Good socks
- Layers of clothes
- Water and food
- 1st aid kit
- Cell Phone (for emergencies, not chatting on the trail)
- A buddy
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Step 1
Get a map and plan where you are going (take the map with you!!!), know the trail distance, elevation gain, weather report, and how long it will take before you are back home again. Pack accordingly. There are many trails books at sporting goods stores. There are trails on the internet. There are friends you know that have hiked trails. Newspapers sometimes have regular articles about local trails. Check for hiking clubs in your area.
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Step 2
First you need good walking shoes or hiking boots depending upon your ability and the terrain you will be walking/hiking on. That is not negotiable. Some people never get out of their tennis shoes and if it works for their feet then fine. It's what works for you. But the shoes are the most important part. If your feet hurt, you can't walk/hike. A tip to keep from getting sore feet is to put talcum powder on your feet before putting your quality socks on. Some people like petroleum jelly on their recurring problem spots. Never use junk socks (or shoes); you'll get blisters and then you’ll be in pain until they heal and may never hike again. I've become spoiled with my hiking socks. Now I don't want to wear any socks other than hikers!
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Step 3
Plan your clothes to wear and take with you. Layering clothes is the best way to go for me. Wear a tank top that you can strip down to if it gets really hot out. A t-shirt over that is what I like to do, then maybe a hooded sweatshirt or windbreaker with a zipper in the front. A light jacket is optional depending upon the weather. I've never needed more than my sweatshirt around here on the California central coast, but at times I've been cool and wished I'd had a little more. You don't want to have too much to haul around though. Smart people wear long pants even in hot weather. Sometimes we aren't smart and have been lucky so far. If you fall or brush your legs against poison oak, you'll be happy you have long pants on. Jeans or regulation hiking pants work well. Jeans are heavy, especially if you get them wet from crossing a creek, but they are durable. Hiking pants come in many styles and price ranges but the ones I like zip off to become shorts and are very lightweight and slick so that ticks have a hard time getting a foothold. They are made of windbreaker style fabric for more warmth if it's cool, and have rip-stop fabric so that a little hole won't become a new fashion statement. I had a cheap pair that I bought in Australia and I got what I paid for. I don't use them anymore because they’ve fallen apart. Now I have nice ones that I got at an outdoor sporting store on their sale rack and love them. I also wear my jeans when my hiking pants are in the laundry. Maybe I need another pair? There are a lot of wonderful hiking clothes that you may want to purchase after you know you will continue hiking.
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Step 4
Bring water and healthy food; more than you think you'll need. At least a quart of water for a couple of hours (bladders are great!); if it’s hot, bring more. I usually bring way more than I need (I like to juice a lemon and put the juice in the water) and share if anyone runs out. Bring snacks in case you get hungry. You never know when those hunger pangs will hit. Something like durable fresh fruit and energy bars works well. We also like to bring dried fruit and nuts.
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Step 5
Know where you are going and share it with someone, your contact, who is NOT going! Tell them when you are leaving and when you will return. If you do not return on time, your contact will know that you need to be found. Just remember to make sure your contact knows when you return so they will not start a false search party! Make sure you stick with your schedule or let your contact know that you have changed it.
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Step 6
When you come home, take a shower (phewey, what's that smell?!?!?) and then jump in the spa. A shower never felt so good. Upload your pictures to your computer to share, print and remind yourself what a fabulous time you had. That will encourage you to get offa that couch and get out there again.
