The Practical Girl’s Guide to Hiking

 

Growing up in a tropical country, I only went to beaches and when I was younger. I grew up in a very humid climate in the Philippines where hiking is not really a thing. Sure there are some mountains but most of them were not open to the public (at least at that time) for hiking. I was introduced to this recreational activity by my husband who likes to do outdoorsy stuff and hiking was one of them. I remember on my first hike, I absolutely hated it. It was sweaty and I was tired and barely had any stamina to go on after hours in the hot Georgia sun.

Fast forward to 6 years later, hubby and I are still at it, and I now love hiking! It is a physical activity that torches major calories (if you do the work) and it’s fun going around seeing new places too. We now include hiking as part of our travel agenda. It took me awhile to get used to it and enjoy it, but now I really do! Plus it’s our bonding time as a couple which makes it more fun.

Now I know some girls who don’t hike or are scared to do so. I wrote this post for them, so they can have a guide for a no-frills hike and maybe enjoy it along the way. Read on.

 

 

Stunning mountains in Weeping Rock trail in Zion National Park, Utah. A difficult, but oh so rewarding hike!

 

Prepare yourself beforehand. Do your research and find out the deets on where exactly you are going. Which trail do you plan to go to? For how long do you want to stay there? Keep in mind that there may be other trails around and make sure you are going to the right one. Some places do not even have a specific address, so you may need to get coordinates to program it on your gps. Other places may not have parking either or a specific place to start a trailhead. Sites like Alltrails  and Hiking Project are great online resources to thousands of popular trails around the country and the globe.

Hydrate and fill up. Most hiking places I have been to are around remote locations, some more popular than others, so food (or food of your preference) may not be readily available. What my husband and I do mostly (when time allows us) is to hydrate as much as we can in our hotel and eat like maybe a light to moderate (in amount) meal so you aren’t starving going up that mountain. I like to eat like maybe a banana with almond butter, drink my favorite Matcha (it gives me energy!) and maybe some nuts or if I’m starving, maybe a sandwich or leftover meals. 😉 This will prepare your body for the workout ahead!

Wear comfy clothes. Check the weather to your destination so you can wear what is appropriate for the weather. This is especially true if you are travelling to another state/country (or even city) as it can be cool where you live, but extremely hot to where you are going. In the winter, layering your clothes is the way to go, the innermost layer (like a thin base layer) should not be too warm as it can get hot and sweaty as you traverse that trail (you may want to take it off later), so layer sparingly. In the extreme heat, light and loose clothing would be most comfortable.

 

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Proper footwear is a must. And you don’t have to spend a lot. I swear I see people decked out in extremely pricey hiking gear only to see them only hang out in the visitor center. Do not be these kind of people! Trust me your pair of Nikes or Adidas that you wear to work out/run or bike or whatever is good enough. Sure a great pair of hiking shoes is great, but you do not need to spend a lot on them. If they’re comfortable for walking around in for hours, then whatever shoes you have in your closet will be fine.

Don’t be afraid to go solo. Hiking is an amazing activity for self-awareness and just to enjoy nature by yourself! For girls, I would advise to get on it earlier on the day, and finish before dark to be on the safer side. I feel like this is something to do if you want peace of mind with nothing but your deep thoughts, not to mention you’re burning some calories too! But if you want to…

…Bring a friend or family member. Or a dog! It could be hours going up that mountain and if you’re not feeling adventurous enough to go by yourself, it is so much fun going with someone! A boyfriend, family members, even a dog makes hiking so much more enjoyable! If going with kids or pets though, be sure to check the terrain so it is not too difficult.

Bring your hiking neccessities. Water, powerbar, maybe fruit and some trail mix or even presciption meds if you’re on any. This will keep your hike safe. Especially during extreme weather if you frequently get migraines or dizzy spells, you better bring some OTC meds just to be on the safe side. Rescues can take long and they are pricey if you happen to need them.

 

 

Stay on the designated trails. Do not carve out a trail when you pass by or manipulate rocks and etc. Trails are designated in areas that are deemed safe for the public. Avoid getting lost and confused by staying on the carved trail. Remember whatever you do, or are trying to do, nature will always win.

Be considerate to other people on the trails. Greet people, be friendly and talk to others, and most importantly, share the trail. If there is someone behind you who is jogging and you aren’t, politely let them pass. If there are people going back and it’s a small walkway, let them go ahead. This way you will avoid accidents (like falls or hurting yourself) by giving ample space. You do not own this place, share it with others.

Leave the place as you found it. Take only photographs and leave nothing but footprints as the saying goes. Believe it or not people work hard to keep your state park clean and visitor friendly. Do not take anything other than what you brought with you. Take your trash and throw it on designated trash bins. Do not touch species that are being studied (they are usually labeled). And please do not hurt or mess with the animals! Some of them may be the last of their kind.

Don’t overexert yourself. If you feel like you’ve had enough after a couple of hours, stop and rest. If it’s your first time hiking, don’t kill yourself by going non-stop all day. You will hurt yourself. And as I said above, rescues can take forever if you may need need one. So be on the safe side and gauge if you can still go on. Call it a day if you are tired AF 😉

 

Another gorgeous view from the Weeping Rock trail in Zion National Park in Utah. It is arguably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

 

Tell me if you do enjoy hiking as much as I do by leaving a comment below. Or better yet, share with me some trails you have been before that you have truly enjoyed the most. I may check it out 😉 I have some other favorites like Mount Pisgah in North Carolina, Mount Tammany in Pennsylvania and Bear Mountain in New York.

Happy Hiking! 🙂

 

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