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6 tips for new hikers
With so many spectacular hiking areas on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, it's a wonder we all aren't out there every day. Regular commitments and daily routines often get in the way and make it difficult to get out there and hike.
Rain and cold temperatures can make even the most seasoned hiker want to retreat indoors. Sore legs and feet from ill-fitting shoes or boots can send you hobbling back to your car after what could have been a peaceful walk on an excessible forest trail. Like any other sport or activity, there are important things you should know about hiking to enhance your experience. Here are six tips to get you started.
1. Get stable shoes that fit
Easily the most important piece of gear for a hiker? Shoes! You can hike for an hour or you can do a four-month trek in Nepal, but if your shoes don't fit your feet properly you've got a problem. Make sure you take enough time in the store to walk around and gauge their feel. Try to buy your shoes from the most knowledgable salesperson you can find. The salesperson should be able to match your foot length and width with a brand of shoe that best matches your shape.
For more strenuous hikes or trips in uneven terrain, it's important to have a stable shoe or boot. Tall boots are more stable than shoes and can prevent a rolled ankle or other injuries because of their better grip on your ankle. Many hiking boots are waterproof, so you'll be able to go through deeper puddles and streams without getting wet.
2. Dress for the weather
A cotton t-shirt is just about the worst thing you can wear in cold, wet weather. Cotton absorbs water and keeps it against your body, meaning when you get wet from rain or sweat, that moisture will be stuck in your clothes. Not only does it feel clammy and uncomfortable, it removes valuable body heat. So, how do you stay dry and warm?
There are many fabrics on the market that wick moisture away from your skin, keeping your body heat inside where it belongs. Tech fabrics like polyester or polypropylene are very good at wicking moisture away from you skin. Other fabrics like merino wool and fleece stay warm even when they're wet. New fabrics are coming out all the time that wick well, are warm and don't smell. Not smelling may not be a priority, but I'm sure your hiking buddies appreciate it.
A good waterproof jacket can make a world of different when you're hiking in wet weather found on BC's West Coast. Weather can change in a very short period of time; it's a good idea to be prepared. If you're only 20 minutes from your car, you can easily turn around, butf you're a couple hours away, then you've got a long uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous, walk if you lack a jacket that keeps you dry and warm. A good jacket can be expensive but it's necessary for tackling longer hikes.
3. Know your hiking party's abilities
When everyone in your hiking group can come back from a hike and say they had a good time, you know it was a good hike. Not everyone will be at the same level and it's important to know everyone's hiking experience. You don't want to take new hikers out on a very long, difficult hike. At the very least, they may not like it. At worst, it may be dangerous.
Some people enjoy testing their limits, but often people just want to see beautiful views and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Everyone will be much happier when expectations are clear.
4. Know where you are going
Next to hiking shoes and books, maps are an important and underrated tool for hiking. Maps are an excellent way to become familiar with a new area and get your bearings even before setting out. Local outdoor shops are a great place to find information about an area. The salespeople are probably hikers themselves and will have a story or two about great places to go. If you can, bring the maps or books with you on the trail. Some trails have maps and signs right on them, which makes it easier to find your way around. If they don't, you might need to use your map to get back to the car.
5. Take food and water
You never know when a little hike could turn into a big one. The hike that was supposed to take an hour ended up taking four or five. I love having food on hand when I'm out hiking. Your body uses up a lot of energy on a hike and you need to replenish that with fuel. A car with no gas isn't going anywhere and your body is the same way. Having a little extra food on hand is a good idea in case you're out longer than you anticipated. Even if you don't eat it all, you've got a great snack to share or enjoy on the ride home.
6. Tell someone where you are
In a recent movie entitled 127 Hours, a young man ventures out canyoneering in Utah and doesn't let anyone know where he is going. He steps on a large unsecured boulder and falls, which results in his arm getting pinned by the boulder. The story is about the tough decisions he is forced to make in the 127 hours he's pinned under the rock. Spoiler Alert! He ends up escaping, but without one of his arms.
It's always a good idea to let someone know where you've gone in case you can't make it back. Even if you simply tell the receptionist at the hotel you're staying at, one person can provide vital help if you're lost out in the woods.
Bonus: Keep your camera accessible
The most important strategies for capturing good photos when you're out hiking is to have your camera accessible. If it's deep down in a backpack and hard to reach, you probably won't be using it much. Keep it in a pocket or a pouch that you can access at a moment's notice and you'll be taking pictures all over the place. Photos are a great way to share your hike with friends and family, and encourage them to get out too!
If you have any tips for new hikers, I'd love to hear them in the comments. Happy hiking!
- Photos & text by Ross Collicutt©
