Hiking is a fun experience that will get you outdoors more and help you to exercise. There are several things that you will want to do and bring with you to make your experience more enjoyable. Keep reading to learn more about how to create a better outdoor fitness experience the next time you want to go out hiking.
1. Get A Hydration Backpack
One of the best-kept secrets of professional hikers is that they use a hydration pack. A hydration pack will allow you to stay hydrated and not have to take a break to dig out a water bottle. There are plenty of choices when it comes to backpacks, and many will have room for other things that you need to bring with you on the hike. In addition to the hydration backpack, if you are going on a long hiking trip, you should pack some high-protein snacks so that you have enough energy to complete your hike.
2. Taking Friends
Hiking alone might seem great, but you do not want to hike alone, especially if you are new to hiking or the area you are hiking is new to you. Hiking can be dangerous, so having a support system with you will help make the experience safer. Having friends with you while you hike will also help you to have good fun while hiking. Having fun while hiking will help to encourage you to hike more often. Who knows? Once you get comfortable with being out in nature, you and your friend could go trail running which is an excellent way to connect with the outdoors while getting a great workout in.
3. Wearing Moisture Wicking Clothes
One of the best-kept secrets of professional hikers is that they know the right clothes to wear. Just wearing your regular outfit to go hiking is not going to make the experience very pleasant. Even if you are hiking in the winter, you will break a sweat. When that moisture sits on your skin, it can make you feel very uncomfortable. Having wet skin and clothes is also a recipe for rashes and infections. There are many different kinds of hiking clothes, including shirts, pants, socks, and shoes that all have moisture-wicking capabilities. You can find these at your local hiking supply store, or you can go online. If you have hiking buddies, be sure to ask them where they purchase their hiking clothes.
4. Finding The Right Area To Hike
The most important thing you will need to do is to find the right area for you to hike. If you are a beginner, you do not want to start out in a very strenuous area. You will want to look for a beginner trail, and as you gain experience, you can go to harder and more advanced trails.
In addition to finding the trail, you will want to keep in mind if you need to pay a fee to hike in the area or if you need to have a permit. In some cases, the area that you wish to hike it only allows a few people to hike it at a time. For example, the Half Dome hiking trail will only allow a certain number of hikers each day. The secret for getting a half dome permit is to make sure you pay attention to when it opens for permits and ensure that you apply for the permit two days before your planned hike. Also get a head count beforehand to see how many people want to go.
5. Planning
One of the best ways to ensure that you have a good hike is to plan out your hike. People who have been hiking for years will sit down and plan out where they will hike to, any stops along the way, and more. To plan your hike, you will need to figure out where you want to hike and get a map of the trail. If you are new to hiking, try and find someone that is familiar with the trail to go with you. Even if you are experienced, it is a good idea to take a look at the map where the trail goes. Even making sure you have the right hiking shoes is an important part of planning for any hiking excursion.
Be sure to take the map with you in case you get lost. Some hikers may think that their cellphones will be adequate maps, but, in many cases, you will not get a good cell signal on the trail areas. When you are planning your trip, make sure that you tell someone where you will be and what time you will be back.
Conclusion
Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and exercise. Armed with the secrets above, you should have no trouble having a wonderful hiking experience.
