Hiking 101 - Hiking for Beginners

Hiking 101 – Hiking for Beginners

Planning a hike can be overwhelming! Tell me if any of these thoughts have gone through your mind?

How long are these hikes?
Where are they located?
How long will it take to get there?
Do they leave from the same trail head?
How many hikes can I accomplish in one day, given my experience (or lack thereof!)
What should I really see?
What can I skip?
Am I going to get lost?
Am I too out of shape to hike?
How much water do I bring?
What shoes do I wear?
Do I need to bring food with me? A first aid kit? A knife? Bear repellant? Grenade-launcher? Sigh.
Help. Please help.

At your service. We get it. We know how it feels to be completely overwhelmed and not even know where to start. You know you want to get outdoors, but you don’t know what you need, or frankly, why. Let’s get started with easing some of that fear. After you read these tips, you will feel much more confident about hitting that trail.

Hiking 101

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Plan Your Route

1. Choose a Close Destination

No need to go to another State to plan your first hike. But if you decide to, we have your resources for you right here in our resource library, which you can access for free by signing up for the Adieu Crew at the end of the post, which is our E-mail newsletter filled with freebies and even more tips! But if you are choosing a destination yourself, make sure that you pick one that is close to home. More importantly, even within driving distance, in case of bad weather, or an emergency.

2. Maps and Terrain

Check out maps online (through either Google maps, or the Phone App – 3D Maps) that will help you plan your route. Make sure you know how the route will look, not only in terms of North and South, but also Left and Right. How will you ACTUALLY be stepping and walking and turning on this path? Also, choose a trail that is not that long, as a beginning adventure!

3. Obtain Permits

If you are going to be in a National Park, you can apply to obtain a National Park Pass. We have provided you a ton of detail already, to help you decide which pass is right for you! If you are visiting another type of park, or area, just make sure you are going when it is open (No Wildfires, etc.) and that you have the proper permit. If you plan on doing any fishing, you will need to check for permits for that as well before you go!

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4. Tell Someone or better yet, Bring Someone

Remember to always tell someone of your plans, where you are going, when, and how long you will be gone. This is super important, and then make sure to stay right on the route you specified. If you are more concerned then it’s definitely recommended that you get a GPS Satellite Communicator. Some even have built in navigation. This is highly recommended by us, because frankly, if you need this, you REALLY need it. Anyone can slip and fall in their own driveway, but it’s different if you trip on a rock and can’t move. Better than all of this, is to actually BRING someone with you. This is our first and best recommendation.

Hiking for Beginners

Plan Your Gear

1. Backpack

Get a backpack. For shorter hikes, you don’t have to go out and buy some fancy schmancy backpack, but you will need one to pack some things in. If you are curious what to actually pack in the backpack, we’ve got you covered. Here are the items you need to include in your backpack for a day hike.

2. Shoes and Socks

Keep your feet safe and dry! Painful blisters, or wet feet, or cold/hot feet make your hike miserable. You need to get some quality socks, first. Look into lightweight Merino wool socks. You will thank us later for that one. They keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Pretty much the miracle of footwear.

Next, get yourself some high quality footwear. Again, if this is your first hike and you are only going a mile or so on ground that is relatively flat, your trail running shoes will be just fine. In fact, my opinion is that trail running shoes are USUALLY always fine. That is my footwear of choice, for many reasons that I’ve already written extensively about! If you are interested in whether hiking boots or trail running shoes are right for you, check out our guide!

If you do decide to buy new shoes, just make sure that whether its hiking boots or trail running shoes that you break those babies in first! You’ll thank me again later for that bit of advice too!

Remember to pack some extra socks in that backpack, too. You may never need them, but if you do, you will be beyond glad that you have them!

3. Dress for the Occassion

Some people say you should never wear cotton. Fair enough. But here’s the thing. If you are going on a day hike for an hour or two, you will likely be fine in anything you wear that is comfortable. Think of the temperature. If it is going to be a bit of an extreme cold or hot situation, then listen to the experts. You will want to be wearing a synthetic blend of clothing that will easily wick away sweat, which can either leave you miserably hot, or cold and clammy. Also, pack and extra shirt. You never know. It might get too sweaty, or you might get a bit too cold. It’s definitely worth it to have it.

4. Consider Trekking Poles

If this is an easy hike on flat ground, you won’t need these. But even if you are hiking something short, if the terrain gets steep or rocky or in any way NOT FLAT, then these can really be a lifesaver. They help your knees, your balance, and your overall enjoyment. Anyone who says that these poles are for rookies, don’t know what they are talking about.

5. Water, Water Everywhere (and some snacks)

Invest in a CamelBak Hydration pack. This can serve as your daypack as well if you don’t bring that much stuff. If you don’t invest in this, make SURE that you bring enough water. That’s probably double what you are already considering. Just trust me on this one, you need water. Two to three liters, at least.

And snacks! Because, who doesn’t love snacks? Make sure to bring some snacks that are healthy and filling that will be there for you if you do get hungry. Also, if you do happen to get lost, then you will at least have something as you make your way back home.

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6. Emergency Communication

Most of the places you will find yourself hiking in won’t have the best cell phone service. In all of our articles, we HIGHLY suggest purchasing a GPS device that also allows 2 way communication. It can be a literal lifesaver.

Hiking 101 Roadmap – You Can Do This!

Prepare Yourself

1. Be Honest With Yourself

Be honest with yourself first. Can you walk or run? Do you have any health issues? Better safe than sorry. Make sure that you are answering these questions honestly, and have a talk with your doctor beforehand to make sure that you are physically ready for a hike.

2. Drink Water

Drink a ridiculous amount of water the day before you go, and the day of the hike, BEFORE you leave. Hydration is no joke. People feel more tired, make mistakes, and lose muscle ability if they are dehydrated. You can also consider drinking some beverages with electrolytes!

Hiking Trails 101

You’re Actually Hiking!

1. Actually Hiking!

Yay, you! You are actually hiking now! Make sure to pace yourself. Don’t run these trails. They are meant to be enjoyed. Save your energy, as sometimes you may not know how later elevation will affect you.

2. Leave No Trace

These trails you are enjoying are probably gorgeous. The reason people visit them is because they are free of clutter, debris and trash. It’s really up to all of us to ensure that they stay that way. That includes common sense things like don’t leave trash on the trail, but also some less commonly known ones. Cairns are rock formations that people build as little towers along trails. We at Van Adieu are against these. They distract from the nature around you, and are messing with nature itself. Sometimes these are placed by Park Rangers in order to guide hikers along challenging trails to make sure they don’t lose their way, however, when the rest of the population does it, it’s more like natural graffiti.

Other helpful tips to be able to do your part in leaving no trace can be found on our website. One final tip for the ladies, make sure if you need to go to the bathroom on the trail, you bring a bandana or some toilet paper, and a ziploc bag that you can throw it all into, so as not to pollute the environment!

3. Wildlife Safety

You are about to adventure into the wild! Good for you – that’s awesome! As you enter the Wild Kingdom, the most important thing to remember that you are entering THEIR stomping grounds (literally), and with these wildlife safety tips, you will be much better prepared to adventure….safely! Make sure you understand the most common wildlife encounters in the United States, and give you wildlife safety tips to keep these animals (and you!) happy, healthy, and un-hurt!

WILDLIFE SAFETY RESOURCES

This FREE checksheet has wildlife safety resources, as well as a place for you to write notes and keep when you are camping/hiking!

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4. Pictures and Journaling

Take pictures. Lots of them. Enjoy your surroundings. Sit down and rest. Eat a snack and look at the beauty that God created. And then, journal. I’m a huge fan of journaling. You can learn a lot about nature, and yourself, when you are hiking. It’s time away from technology to get back to who we truly are, and what is really important. Take this time to really write things down, or just enjoy. ENJOY. ENJOY. ENJOY.

Are you interested in traveling to more places, and having us help you plan even more adventurous trips? We would be happy to! Please subscribe to become part of our awesome Van Adieu Crew, and you will receive our weekly news, tips, inspiration, as well as have ACCESS TO OUR ENTIRE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY, which includes Itineraries for National Parks, as well as Resources and Inspiration you will love!

We can’t wait to hear how your hiking trips are going! Tell us all about them! Have you found something that is a “must have” that you take with you that we haven’t thought of? Did any of these tips help you? Give us some feedback and as always, show us your pictures!