The Ultimate Hiking Guide: My Tips and Tricks for Conquering Your Next Trail
Hiking is a great activity if you enjoy being outdoors. It's a great opportunity to get some fresh air, see nature, go exploring, and get some exercise. Something that is nice about hikes is there is such a great variety. Some are flat, some are steep, some are less than a mile, others can take several days or months. No two hikes are exactly the same so there is always a new hike to try. I grew up doing a lot of hiking and just got back into it again this last summer. It was fun to take my son, A, on some adventures and watch him enjoy exploring the outdoors like I used to when I was young.
Find a Hiking Partner
In my opinion, hiking is always more fun with a buddy. I like being able to share the adventure with someone. This is especially true now that I have A. It makes the hike so much better being able to see his excitement with discovering new plants and animals. A and I did the same hike several times together this last summer and it was fun to get to the top of the hike and admire the view of the valley together while eating a snack. I find it to be a great way to bond with others as there is little opportunity for distractions so you are focused on the present moment together.
Plan Ahead
It is good to be prepared before going out on a hike. Usually, I bring some snacks and water, check the weather, find directions to get to the hike in case I lose phone service, and make sure we will be done in plenty of time before it gets dark. Sometimes, hikes can take longer than expected, especially if you take a wrong turn or it is more strenuous than anticipated, so having snacks and water is important. Hikes are usually away from any businesses so I make sure to have my phone fully charged in case I get lost and need to call someone when I come across phone service.
Safety
Safety is a top priority when hiking. If the hike is very steep and the weather is supposed to be rainy, I wait to go on another day. If there is snow across the trail and there is no way to safely cross it, then I choose to cut the hike short and head back. And above anything else, I NEVER stand near the edge of a cliff! I don't care what kind of view is below, it is never worth it to me to get too close to the edge. I trip enough over my own feet to know that it isn't unlikely to happen in a place with unlevel ground, rocks, and sticks.
Leave no Trace
When hiking, always make sure you take your trash with you. It is no fun to go out into the wilderness and see a bunch of trash everywhere. This also goes for carving things into trees and rocks. When I go on a hike, it is because I want to see nature, not evidence of every person who has hiked the trail and what snacks and drinks they consumed. By leaving nature as you found it, it allows everyone else to enjoy the beauty and appreciate it for what it is.
What do you do when you go hiking?
Find a hiking partner
Plan ahead
Consider safety
Leave no trace
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