If you are considering hiking in the great outdoors and you are new to
the experience, you may want to do a little bit of homework before hitting
the trails. What follows may perhaps help you minimize risk and enhance
your hiking experience, as well as that of your fellow hikers. You may
also find some useful trail related information in the links page
Hiking
The 10 essentials ^
So called because no one should go hiking without them. In an emergency, they could make all the difference -or at the very least, make it much more tolerable -learn more about them here.
- Map
- Compass
- Extra clothing
- Extra food
- Extra water
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches & Fire starter
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen (& insect repellent)
Dress for success ^
While on most day-hikes you could easily wear regular clothes, -and a lot of people do- looking for certain fabrics and materials can make your hike that much more comfortable.
Hiking boots are strongly recommended. They provide much better support than regualr shoes or sneakers, as well as better traction. They will also help keep the mud and snow out and your feet dry. Waterproof breathable materials such as gore-tex or similar also help keep your feet dry.
Socks should be made out of wool or acrylic, rather than cotton. These materials help evaporate moisture, better maintain their shape when wet, and provide extra cushioning.
Liner socks, made of moisture-repellant materials, and worn under your socks, will further diminish the chance of blisters and help keep your feet dry.
Dressing in Layers will enable you to adapt easily to whatever conditions you encounter and cope with unexpected weather. Even if the weather is warm when you set out, keep in mind that it often gets cooler and windier the higher you go.
Typically, the innermost layer or two should be made of polypropylene or other moisture-repellent materials. Your next layer or two could be made out of lightweight and warm fabrics such as fleece. Your outtermost layer should always be waterproof, ideally with a hood.
Long pants can protect you from thorns and insects, but they also make you warmer. There are special trail pants that can be easily coverted to shorts by undoing the zippers in each leg, and packing away the lower halves.
Leading a Hike ^
So you did your research, went to the store, got all the right gear, spent several hours reading up on hiking, have gone on a hike or two, and have a pretty a good idea of your endurance level. You can't wait to go experience the great outdoors again... but no one is announcing any hikes.
You're all dressed up with no place to go, so to speak. Well, have you thought about leading hike? -Yes, You!
Here are a few humble suggestions on how to go about it:
Decide what kind of hike you want ^
Start by deciding how long of a distance you want to hike, the level of difficulty, aproximate time you want to spend (keep in mind driving time besides the actual hike time, and then add some extra time for good meassure. This is particularly important for day-hikes.
Select a trail ^
Pick up a good trail guide-book, or find a good site on the Web. There should be plenty of trails that suit your needs. Make sure the conditions are favorable -many trails are closed depending on the season, others require special gear such as snowshoes. Unless you're very familiar with the trail, it is a good idea to call the ranger station to make sure the trail is open, this is particularly important in winter -and while you're at it, you can find out if any fees are charged -if they do so it is usually on a per vehicle basis. Ideally, you could get a map of the trail. These can often be found in bookstores, outdoor stores, or at the ranger office.
Route and directions ^
Aside from protecting the environment and saving money, car-pooling is always more fun than riding by yourself. Common choices are P&Rs, strip malls, or any location where parking is abundant, free, and safe. In winter time, you'll probably get extra points if your choice of parking is located next to a coffee shop or other indoor locale, where the early birds can wait for the last minute arrivals. Try to choose a location that is convenient for most people. If you're destination is west of Bellevue, don't pick a meeting point in downtown Seattle -you get the idea.
Announcing the hike ^
OK! You've been a good kid and done all your homework; now all you need are some playmates. Remember that the sooner you post your announement, the more people will be likely to attend. Before you post your message to the mailing list, you may want to make sure you are providing enough trail information for people to decide if they want to join your hike -distance, level of difficulty, and so on.
Make sure to include driving directions for both the car-pooling location and the trail head. Don't assume people know what you're talking about. The best way to avoid confusion, is to leave no room for it.
Some of those joining your hike may be less experienced than you. It is always good to remind everyone about the approximate level of difficulty, as well as advising people to bring food and water, sunscreen, appropriate clothing, and other essentials. Finally, you may want to provide a means of contacting you in case anyone has questions.
On the trail ^
You made it! The trail awaits you, and you are ready for a fun workout among friends in the great outdoors. Have fun, be trail-friendly, and send us the pictures of your hike so all can see them here!