Hiking is a great outdoor activity with health benefits but as incredible as hiking can be, it always has some risks. Christine Hoyer, a ranger and backcountry management specialist said, ‘no matter how competent you are or where you’re going, things can happen that you do not anticipate in a wilderness setting’. So, we crafted out a few tips to help you as a newbie.

Choose a place that fits a newbie

One mistake newbies make is to go hiking at a place with so many mountains to climb or too long in distance. If you are going hiking for the first time, it’s wise to choose a distance less than 5 miles with a few mountains to climb, but if you must do a long distance, then you need to prepare for this by doing short distances first. We also like you to check the place properly before going on hiking and be sure it is what you can handle.

Know your map well

Understanding where you are and where you are headed will help you enjoy your trip. It is not enough to use your smartphone map to know your location, you need a hardcopy map that you can read as you move. Read your guide, study the map very well, and have an idea of what to find throughout your trip. This will help you know when to take turns as you go on. We will also advise you to download a GPX file, load it on GPS as a backup so at no point would you not know where you are.

Pick the right hiking wear

Hiking has its attire, you shouldn’t put on your regular clothes like jeans and a T-shirt, which might get heavy when you sweat or when you get wet. You can wear wicking clothes, long pants, trousers, long sleeve shirts, etc. You need special3 hiking so you can protect your legs from the bushes and your hands from any elements. For your shoes, you can go with a pair of sneakers or trail runners, but ensure to avoid tight shoes so they don’t cause you blisters. Also, remember your backpack, take enough water, snacks, and an extra cloth in case it rains or becomes too hot.

Don’t go alone

It won’t be wise to go alone on your first hike, we will advise you to go in a group. As you begin and get used to it, you can then plan your trip, but for now, go with others, you never know what you may face on the way. If you have a challenge getting people to go with, you can check out meetup groups on Facebook, like women who explore, girls who hike, etc. But if you still want to go alone, inform someone about it.

Conclusion

Christine Hoyer also adds that ‘the more ready you are, the more probable you are to have a nice time and stay safe.’ We hope you have a great experience applying these tips.