Walking in the Wilderness: 6 Best Tips for Your Next Hiking Trip
In 2020, billions of people around the globe were forced inside their homes because of the pandemic. This was a necessary measure to keep people safe from the virus, but it also meant that many were cut off from enjoying nature. These lockdowns and similar social distancing measures created an intense need for people to take their electric hunting bike and head out to reconnect with nature and one of the ways this manifested is through a boom in hiking.
According to hiking apps, there was an increase of over 52 percent of hiking in just 2020 alone compared to the previous four years. This is understandable given how hiking is a great way to exercise your body and calm your mind. Hiking is helps work out your cardiovascular system, exposes you to vitamin D from the sun and exposes you to the calming effect of nature. If you want to take your family out for a hike, you have to be prepared.
Here is some sage advice for when you plan to go on a hike alone or with your family.
- Dress Appropriately
Hiking can be very rough and you need to be wearing the right clothes if you want to have a comfortable time traipsing through the wilderness. You can choose from plenty of appropriate denim wear for ladiesand gents if you want to wear something comfy and durable.
Children should have long pants and sturdy shoes to protect their legs from insect bites and scrapes. You should be wearing light clothes if its hot out and many layers if the temperature is way down.
- Maintain Distance
If the surge in hiking statistics is anything to go by, you may encounter other hikers when you go on your wilderness trip. These people may also be out in nature for their health, or they can be exploring for the sake of being outdoors. Either way, unless they require assistance because of an emergency, you should keep your distance. This is the best way to protect you or your family from unnecessary exposure. If you pass by any other hikers, maintain a distance of at least six feet when communicating and wear a mask if you must get closer.
- Pack Food and Water
Hiking is a rough endeavor, even if you take an easy route. You’ll have to climb over logs and rocks, stay for hours under the sun and brave the elements for at least a few minutes. You must have enough food and drink to maintain your energy and momentum through your hiking. Pack plenty of water in bottles or thermos, ideally at least one liter per person for a half-day’s worth of hiking.
Your food supply provide you with quick bursts of energy on the route. Trail mix is the best snack for hiking because they contain chocolates for sugar and a variety of nuts for protein. If you plan on hiking through the day, make sure to pack a hefty lunch for a much larger dose of energy.
- Alert Authorities and Friends
Even the easiest hike can go wrong because of unforeseen circumstances, and you may need assistance. If you want to avoid getting lost in the woods without any possibility of aid, you should alert the relevant authorities and tell at least a couple of friends about your hiking trip.
Even if you only plan on hiking for a few hours, you should file a hiking plan with the park you plan on going and tell people how long you intend to be out for. This will ensure that someone will go looking for you in case something goes wrong. This is a crucial step and a matter of life and death so be sure to do this with every hiking trip you take.
- Take it Easy
Hiking can be pretty rough on your body and you shouldn’t treat it as a race. A hike is one of those times when the journey beats the destination so take your time when you explore a trail.
Stop and take photographs of the interesting wildflowers you find on your path. Have a light snack under the shadow of a stand of ash trees. Enjoy the feel of sunlight on your skin and the cool wind on your face. This will help you relax your mind and feel at one with nature. Not to mention it will give your body plenty of time to recuperate from the strain and prevent you from getting sore.
- Learn the Wildlife
Always familiarize yourself with the particular wildlife of the area you plan on hiking in. Are there any types of poisonous snakes in the paths you plan on trekking? Are there large carnivores like mountain lions or bears you should be worried about?
Once you’ve determined the type of wildlife, do your best to protect yourself from them and learn where to avoid going. If snakes are said to nest in shadowy crags along the mountain, don’t go near them. If meat might attract predators, don’t bring a huge salami sandwich with you. Learning about the wildlife will be instrumental in keeping you safe. Hiking is one of the best ways you can exercise your body and reconnect with the outside world. However, just like every exercise, you will need to prepare for it if you want to do it safely. These tips will keep you comfortable and free from harm as you feel the power of nature.
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