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 HIKING TIPS AND HINTS |
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 Tips and Hints
Congratulations! You have chosen an outdoor activity you can enjoy for years to come. Here are some ideas to make your hiking experiences enjoyable and some "must-do" items for your safety and comfort: 1.Always call your hike leader to register. You will get helpful information about where to meet, what to expect weather-wise, whether to plan on lunch and other "housekeeping" details that will get you off to a smooth start. Also, hikes may be cancelled due to weather and locations may change. Always call and provide your phone number. 2.Get conditioned. Walking on level ground is not sufficient conditioning for hiking. You need to walk or bike up hills, or climb stairs. 3.Start out with easy hikes and progress as you feel able. The other hikers will appreciate that you are not slowing the rest of the group down. You must be able to hike at 2 miles per hour. 4.Trails can be steep, rocky, sandy, and slippery. Wear comfortable, well-fitting hiking boots that are broken in. Wear 2 pairs of socks, a thin inner sock, and a cushier outer sock. Bring moleskin with you in your pack just in case you get a "hotspot". Nothing ruins a hike faster than a blister or sunburn and wear a hat! 5.Water, water, water. One to four quarts every hike no matter what. Your hike leader can advise you if more is required for longer or more strenuous hikes. 6.Be on time and ready to go. Have your gear packed, including a snack, comfort items, and any extra clothing you may need, like raingear or a jacket. Use the bathroom before you leave home. It may be the last toilet you see in quite a while. If you need to use the facilities of the "great outdoors, bring tissue with you, and a plastic bag to take it out. 7.Ask questions, other hikers will be happy to talk to you about why they bring what they do on hikes. Uncertain whether hiking poles are right for you? Whether you would like a camelback instead of water bottles? Where to buy that really good trail mix? Ask another hiker! 8.Desert hiking may differ from what you are accustomed to. Read up on what to do in the event of confronting a potentially venomous snake, how to extract cholla cactus spines from your skin, and how to recognize symptoms of heat exhaustion. 9.Follow the "leave no trace" ethic. Pack out your banana peels, orange peels, tissues, trail mix wrappers. "Take only photos, leave only footprints." 10.Let your hike leader know how the hike went for you. The leader may be able to provide additional conditioning ideas, or provide helpful resources as you continue your hiking adventures. Check out our LINKS page for more ideas. | Hiking 101 | Hiking Tips & Hints | Daypack Essentials | Oct/Nov/Dec Hikes 2010 | | Return Home | Newsletter | Hikes Schedule | Socials | Photo Gallery | Hike Leader Page | Getaways | Great Links/Resources | Contact Us | |
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