Let’s talk hiking. Hiking is my favorite past time. There is something life giving about getting outdoors and experiencing the fresh air that can’t be passed up. Over my years of hiking, I have learned some valuable lessons. I want to share them with you today in hopes that you will become someone who enjoys and seeks out hiking. My hope is that soon you will call it one of your favorite past times.
Below I am sharing with you a picture of one of my all time favorite hikes. It’s the Lake Isabell Glacier Hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. I share it with you to encourage you to get out and hike.
- Always be prepared. Always have a plan before you go for a hike. You need to pick a trail. Trail levels come in easy, moderate, and hard. I do research and looking up trains on the AllTrails App. This App you can download for free. Not only does AllTrails tell you the difficulty level, but you can see the reviews of others who have hiked the same trail recently. These reviews help you know the trail condition and get a better idea of the difficulty level. Keep in mind, if you are hiking at a higher elevation, easy is going to seem hard if you aren’t used to the thin air. Its important to know if a trail is a loop or if it’s in and out. Also, keep in mind the weather. At high elevations, in the mountains, it’s a good idea to go hiking in the morning. The reason for this is that by the afternoon, storms can come out of nowhere. When this happens, the risk of getting struck by lightening is greater at higher elevations. One last thing that is the most important thing, always let someone know where you are going, even if you are going with someone else! Let them know the amount of time you estimate you will be gone. If something happens, someone needs to know you are missing and where to tell emergency crews to search.
- Have the right gear. The right gear is essential when hiking. Without the right gear, you can get hurt. First, let’s talk clothing. Depending on the time of year, you want to make sure the clothes you are wearing will keep you warm or cool, and dry. I suggest wearing layers. It’s always easier to shed a layer than to not have enough layers. Second, make sure you have good hiking shoes. I would highly suggest they be waterproof. On a lot of trails, you will have to pass through shallow creeks. Make sure your shoes have a good grip so you don’t fall when you encounter loose dirt, muddy areas or rocky areas. Also if you have weak or injury prone ankles, it would be a good idea to have a shoe that has ankle support. Its really easy to roll your ankle-I have some experience with that! Thirdly, I suggest trekking poles. When you are hiking in really steep areas, especially on the way down, these have kept me from falling several times. Finally, I suggest you have a backpack with all the essentials. For a short hike, a smaller day pack is fine. I discovered water packs several years ago, which are now a backpack essential for me.They go right inside my backpack. Instead of taking bottles of water that get hot, I put in a water pack full of ice. The great feature of the water back is the hose attached. This hose allows you to take a drink anytime and stay hydrated instead of having to stop and dig out a water bottle. Here are some supplies Here are some other things I suggest you have in your backpack: sunscreen, bug spray, energy bars, flash light, rain coat and a first aid kit. Check and make sure the first aid kit includes a fast acting ice pack and a wrap. If not, I would add those items.
- Don’t start off too difficult. I would ask that you not skim over this section. It’s beyond important to start off with an attainable goal. Don’t pick a hike that is too hard for you. You really want to make sure you pick a hike that you can succeed at. And remember, starting off easier and working up to moderate and then hard is totally fine. Every year in Colorado they have to do rescues of people who tried to hike up to 12-14 thousand feet with no experience with hiking at high elevations. It’s dangerous and not a good idea. So start off at the level you are confident you can succeed at.
- Always be willing to stop. Sometimes you pick a hike you think you can accomplish. For instance, it might be rated moderate, but half way up, you wonder who decides on the ratings because this the hardest hike you have ever done and think you can’t do it. Its always okay to stop and just turn around. Don’t ever feel you have to keep going. That is when it can get dangerous, especially if you are pushing yourself beyond your skill level. \
- Enjoy the experience. Finally, enjoy your hike, whether you finish the entire hike or not, you are doing it! After all, you are outside, challenging yourself, and becoming stronger every hike. This in and of itself will make the experience enjoyable and worth it.
Let’s get outside and make adventures going hiking!!!!
