Hiking is an experience where you can bask in the glorious scenery around you while having one of the most thrilling adventures of your life. Furthermore, hiking allows you to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the great outdoors. It provides a sense of accomplishment as you conquer new trails and reach stunning viewpoints. Moreover, it offers a chance to rejuvenate your mind and body as you breathe in the fresh air and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.
Successfully climbing up the mountain is an unmatched feeling that cannot be topped. It’s the best way to have an adventure and connect with nature at the same time. This already exhilarating experience can be improved significantly when you know exactly what to bring and how to prepare for your hiking trip. This article is going to help you prepare for a safe yet electrifying hike.
The biggest question that arises when preparing for hiking is what essentials you need to bring with you to have a better experience. So, these are the list of things you need for a hike.
Clothing and Footwear:
When it comes to clothing, packing weather-appropriate clothing for your hike is one of the most integral parts of your preparation. Because, you cannot successfully or safely hike without the appropriate clothes.
During summer, what you need to pack is;
- Moisture-wicking shirts and shorts
- Quick-drying shirts and shorts
- Hiking pants or leggings
- Breathable socks (thin wool most preferably)
- Tank tops
- Lightweight hiking shoes or trail runners
- A lightweight insulated jacket for when it gets cold
- Hiking boots for longer hikes
- A wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses
For a winter hike, you need to pack;
- Moisture-wicking base layers (synthetics or merino wool)
- A fleece, down, or puffy jacket for mid-layer
- A waterproof and windproof outer layer
- Thick wool or insulated socks
- Insulated and waterproof boots
- A merino wool or synthetic beanie
- Earmuffs
- A neck gaiter or a scarf
- Thick and insulated gloves
- Hand warmers
- Snow or insulated pants
For a spring hike, you need to pack;
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirt
- Convertible hiking pants (for when it gets warm)
- Thin hiking socks
- A hat
- Light rain jacket
- Sunglasses
During fall, what you need to pack is;
- Long-sleeved base layers
- Fleece or a light jacket for mid-layer
- Waterproof and also windproof jacket for the outer layer
- Hiking pants
- Warm wool socks
- Sturdy hiking boots
- A hat and gloves
- A neck gaiter or a scarf
It is better to opt for Merino wool, Polyester, and fleece instead of fabrics like cotton and denim as they can cause you a great inconvenience while hiking.
A Hiking Backpack:
A hiking backpack is an essential piece of gear for hiking. Because, they are needed to carry your essential equipment and clothing. To have enough space, hikers must opt for a 40–50-liter backpack with padded shoulders and a hip belt. Backpacks like Osprey Atmos AG 50, Osprey Aether, and Gregory are particularly reliable for a hiking trip.
Safety Gear and Essentials:
It is integral to care about your safety the most while partaking in a sport like hiking. To ensure a safe hike, hikers need to carry specific gear so they can reach the main destination without any hiccups.
GEAR:
- A first-aid kit
- A headlamp
- Leatherman Wave or Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier
- A flashlight
- Emergency whistle
- Knife
Other essentials that you need for hiking are;
- Water
- Energy bars (Clif bars, KIND bars)
- Trail mix or dehydrated fruits
- Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Moisturizer and lip balm
- A cell phone
- A portable charger
By carrying these essentials, you will not only be worried about what is ahead of you but also be prepared for everything that might come your way.
Navigation tools:
It is quite easy to get lost while hiking sometimes because of not knowing the trail properly. That is why navigation tools are necessary to carry as they can be helpful. To have a successful hike, you can carry the following tools;
- Topographic maps of the area you’re hiking to
- A compass
- A GPS device
By carrying these navigation tools, you won’t get lost in the middle of an unknown destination.
Having all these essentials in your backpack will ensure you a great hike, but only knowing what to pack is not the reason for a successful hike. You need to prepare for the trip for at least a month before attempting to hike to your preferred destination.
One of the main steps in preparing for a hike is researching the trail you are going to hike on. This is because you need to have complete knowledge about the difficulty level or the length of the trail. It is also helpful to check the recent trail conditions; that way you will know what to expect and whether the hike is for you or not.
By being aware of your trail, you will be aware of the weather too. Being updated about the weather by monitoring the weather forecast will help you be prepared for what might happen and you can then pack accordingly.
You need to choose a trail according to how fit you are to make it to the end. It is integral to assess your fitness level before choosing the trail. Don’t ever be too confident about the trail. Instead, train as hard as you can for what is ahead of you.
Here are some of the exercises that you should try before a hike.
- Goblet squats
- Hip roll exercise
- Step-ups
- Squat curl overhead
- Lunges
- Knee raises
- Kettlebell deadlift
- Stretching
- Cardio
By working out with these exercises, you will be able to increase strength in major muscles, build endurance, and improve your balance significantly. These factors are quite essential when ensuring a safe journey.
Knowing how to read a map or how to navigate a compass is quite necessary, too. It is important to learn basic skills like how to use the basic first-aid kit if someone is injured. These basic skills will go a long way and will be helpful during a hike or any adventure in nature.
The last but most certainly not the least factor is to be aware of the “leave no trace” rule. You need to respect nature and wildlife by minimizing your impact. It is necessary to pick out all the trash and follow the designated trails too.
Hiking is not just a spontaneous adventure; you need to prepare and train to have a successful hike. Additionally, by adhering to these measures and also ensuring you have all the essentials with you, you will be able to hike your desired trail without any inconveniences
Check this article out to learn more about hiking: