Train, Prepare & Conquer
Joseph provides valuable advice on preparing for a day's hike or a hiking expedition.
Joseph has spent years building up his endurance and mastering the art of hiking, from small day treks to monthly Himalayan expeditions. He has done it all in the past ten years, and today, he can proudly say he has witnessed the glory and fierceness of Mother Nature like many people have never seen. Today, many close friends and acquaintances ask him for advice on hiking. His answer always remains the same – train, prepare and conquer.
The three things you must have in your backpack
Before we move into the ground details, I would like to share the three essential items that helped me traverse the wilderness and scale the mountains. Apart from the usual hiking gear, trekking poles, pocket blankets, and dry bags are the three things that you should not even think of leaving home without.
- Trekking poles are an essential item to have on long walks. They act as support on different terrains, giving you balance and taking the pressure off the knees, and they will ensure you do not damage your knee joints in the long run.
- Dry bags, made of waterproof material, will keep your essential items dry and safe. You can also use them as inflatable pillows or makeshift buckets.
Preparing for a hike
Now that we have covered the essentials let me tell you how to plan and prepare for your hike in advance. To have an enjoyable trekking experience, you must train well in advance. Proper training will improve mobility and protect your feet, legs, and other joints working all day. Strengthening your quads and hips will improve cardiovascular endurance, thus minimizing the impact on the body.
Training Tips
Regardless of your destination, train your lower body strength to reduce fatigue and decrease the chances of injury. It will also prepare your body to handle steep inclines.
If you hit the gym, drop the weights for a few days and concentrate on cardio. Your goal would be to reduce the resting period between the sets and develop more lung capacity.
Yoga is a great practice that can improve flexibility and prepare your body for movement. It will also add strength that will aid in the post-hike recovery process.
Devote some time to cross-training by running on a trail to develop overall endurance. Never underestimate the importance of training; if you plan to go outdoors for more than three days, get at least two weeks of training.
Plan your hike
If you are going to a destination you have not been to before, you must read up on the trail's features, associated dangers, and safety tips from people who have already completed the hike. Planning is imperative when hiking for the first time, so never go out on the spur of the moment. A quick Internet search can tell you about the right location and things to remember.
Packing your backpack is an acquired skill you will improve with time. But for starters, try not to fill it up to the point where you are having difficulty lifting the bag. Remember, what feels light now will feel much heavier when you go up a slope or travel on uneven terrain. Keep your essentials in the outer pockets (e.g., food).
Choose the one you feel comfortable taking if your hike has multiple routes. The scenic route might provide better views, but your objective as a first-timer would be to have a safe trip. If you know fill-up locations along the trail, you may start with less water on your backpack.
Navigate the trail carefully
Going on a simple day hike? What could ever go wrong? Over the years, I have learned that the duration of a hike has nothing to do with the possibility of encountering unfortunate incidences. I have been on month-long walks with no difficulty but came face-to-face with injury, getting lost, and being stuck on much shorter trips.
Plot your route before embarking on the trail, and keep notes or sketches of intersections that you can use as reference material. Look at your map frequently and match how much progress you have made. Always keep GPS as a backup, even though a map and compass are two favourite things of veteran hikers. Remember to tell someone about your planned hike - where you are going, when you will be going and when you expect to be back.
There is no substitute for precaution, and you must do everything within your reach to ensure a safe and memorable outdoor experience.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- JOSEPH, P. (2017) Train, Prepare & Conquer [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article233.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Joseph is an experienced trekker.