Today’s post is about those who enjoy to get out in the summer and go on trips such as hikes and other things! This is basically just a guide on what to bring with you and what to keep in mind while exploring!
— A fully charged cellphone with service. It’s important that you are able to call someone especially if you are going far out and get lost, That way you can call help.
— A bottle of water, maybe two! We all know it’s important to drink water especially if it’s hot out so that we don’t get dehydrated and become ill. 💦
— If you decide to take a hike a night, Take a flashlight as well! Or you could just use a flashlight on your cellphone that way you can see what’s in front of you. 🔦
— Apply some sunscreen to help you keep from burning before you begin your hike.
— If you hike in an area that are known to have many bugs, It wouldn’t be a bad idea to spray some bug spray either.
— Throw on a hat or sunglasses! Just a little accessory to help protect your eyes from the sun. 🌞
While going on a hike in the heat, It’s recommended you wear comfortable clothing that don’t make you hot like a pair of shorts and a T-shirt would do greatly. Wearing hot clothes can increasingly cause you to become hotter way quicker. Stay safe this summer and always take care of yourself! With much love, 💗
Hiking can be so much fun but not if you’re a beginner. Beginners tend to make mistakes that ruin the experience for them. These mistakes can be dangerous as well.
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So, if you are new to hiking, what are the mistakes that you need to avoid?
1. Failing to wear the right clothes
News flash: Denim is not the most comfortable clothing for hiking. It may look good on you, but it won’t do anything for you when it’s cold or raining. Cotton tends to absorb moisture unlike wool and polyester fabric. It takes a long time for cotton to dry out.
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2. Buying a poor quality tent or sleeping bag
Yes, you will find camping items at thrift shops or Wal-Mart even, but this doesn’t mean that you should buy them! No matter how tempting it is to buy a $10 sleeping bag, you shouldn’t. You’d regret it when you find yourself freezing to death while camping. Go to a reputable outdoor stores and get your gear from reliable brands.
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3. Using a road map when hiking
Not all maps can help you figure out he trail. When it comes to hiking, you need hyper-detailed topographical maps called quads. You can also use trail maps especially those that include geographical features like ridges, peaks and rivers. You’d find guidebooks in local book stores, so take your time to check them out before you set out to hike.
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4. Packing more than they need from a medical kit
You are not going to war. Although being out in the wilderness or the woods can be scary, you don’t need to pack every medical supply that you can find. You just need to pack your first aid kit essentials like bandages of various sizes, medical tape, sterile gauze, alcohol, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and antibiotic ointment.
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5. Not knowing the basics about lightning
It’s not just metal that attracts lightning. It is also attracted to tall and isolated objects. Just standing under a tall, lone tree could place you in danger. Lightning could strike the tree or the ground near it. You don’t have to be hit directly. Secondary hits or strikes can be just as dangerous. Make sure to go into the forest or any low point ravine or hills instead.
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6. Packing too light.
Even an experienced backpacker wouldn’t go ultra-light without serious consideration. You need a lot of experience in order to have the confidence to pack only the most basic needs. Packing only about 10 to 12 pounds of weight would mean less provisions of food, water, fuel and clothes. If things could go wrong, this could be very dangerous for you.
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7. Using newly-opened boots
Hiking means walking - a lot of walking! This means you need to wear your most comfortable hiking boots. This means you can’t wear something straight out of the box. You need to break your boots in before you use them for hiking or backpacking.
So, buy a pair of hiking boots weeks ahead of time. Wear them around the house. Use them when you mow the lawn or go on errands. Walk around the block with them. If you develop blisters, apply bandages but continue wearing your boots until you’ve completely broken them in.
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8. Failing to start early
When it comes to hiking, the earlier you start the better. This is especially true if you are planning to take on a difficult or long route. Even the most experienced hikers need to start early every time they take on a new route. A few wrong turns can be inevitable when you start late.
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9. Failing to check the weather or ignoring the forecast
No, you don’t have to cancel a hike just because of a little rain. You only need the right gear to deal with a little rain. But if it’s heavy rain, you might have to cancel the hike. The trail might be incredibly slippery for beginners. Make sure to review the noaa.gov website. They use Google Maps interface to create accurate five-day forecasts.
If you find yourself in a strange and new place, there is only so much that you can learn without actually seeking the help of a local or a guide. This is especially true when you want to explore areas that are completely strange to you.
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When planning or preparing for an adventure in a remote location, it is important to know what you’re getting into. A multi-day hike or trip through a remote terrain can be tough. It can be physically and mentally challenging as well. Good planning will ensure your success. One is the best ways to ensure your success is to hire an experienced and skilled outdoor guide.
When Should You Hire a Guide?
When budget is a concern, when should you hire a guide and when is it okay to go solo?
If you are worried about your safety and you’re uncertain about the logistics, then you should definitely consider hiring a guide. When you hire one, you are basically buying into his wealth of experience and knowledge. You can go solo if you are sure of your own experience and knowledge.
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What to Consider When Traveling Solo?
When you choose to hike, trek or travel on foot and without a guide, you need to consider your safety. This is your foremost concern. Know the answers to:
What happens if?
What will I do if?
You need to know your capabilities and make sure to have a backup plan for any eventuality. Be willing to push your limits, but know your limits. Remember that your plan could go wrong, so you need to be prepared.
It is a punishing, but beautiful day, along a sculpted mountain spine towering over two lakes, and paralleling the snowy Alps just six miles south as the crow flies. The best part might be the solitude: the heady terrain and committing nature keep the crowds away. Read more >>
