Hiking Advice

Hiking advice should come from a person with a lot of dirt (in the sense of trail time) under their boots.

That would be me.

I'm as old as dirt!

Well, maybe it only feels like I started hiking at the dawn of time!

But guess what? I'm still in love with hiking, after 4 decades!!

So here's my straightforward hiking advice if you're just starting to get into this wonderful sport.

1. Above all else, find a pair of boots or hiking shoes that fit you PERFECTLY.

Insist on being Cinderella.

Let it become your quest to search out the one pair of hiking boots that were made for your feet.

Need a little more specific hiking advice on the perfect boot quest? Try this!

2. To go along with your comfortable footwear, find two pairs of socks: thin, moisture wicking liner socks, and thicker outer socks with padding in the heel area.

Now I know what you're thinking: 2 pairs of socks will be too thick, too hot, too whatever.

But here's why I urge you to do two pairs: blister avoidance. If you trash your feet early on, it will detract from your trail time and may even discourage you from hiking altogether. We want to avoid that!!

More specific sock advice can be found here. As for blister prevention, try these tips.

3. Carry only what you need on your first few hikes.

This little bit of hiking advice is aimed at your solid core: your spine and deep back muscles.

Maxing them out with a heavy, ill fitting pack is just asking for trouble.

Start out gradually: carry a water bottle and food on a well marked trail.

Build up with daily walks around the neighborhood with more weight on your back.

You'll be able to sense how much stronger your back is getting, especially if you do some self-care. For a bit more information on this hiking tip, read up on how to fit a backpack, or if you prefer a fanny/lumbar pack, try here. And it might be wise to dip into some back injury prevention tips.

4. Approach your daily food intake differently.

I'm not suggesting that you eat wrong now.

I'm merely bringing up the fact that if you're hiking, you're burning fuel differently.

And, you need more fuel, you need more water, and you need to provide both at the correct times.

Confused?

Here's a lengthy explanation of hiking nutrition, written by yours truly. I keep the jargon to a minimum.

5. Hike with people you trust.

If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or stupid or slow or any number of negative emotions, stop hiking with her/him!!

It's okay to learn from trail veterans who have lots of hiking advice, but it's never okay to be bullied into trying a trail that takes you out of your comfort zone (too long, too steep, too dicey, too TOO).

If you think a hiking group is right for you, consider these group hiking tips.

6. Pay attention to what your body says to you during, and especially 24 hours after, a hike.

Why?

Because it's asking for what it needs.

And if you want to keep hiking, you want must pay attention to all of the little "post cards" you're receiving. Inflammation is NOT your friend.

Read up on why right here.

I hope by now that you feel you're in the right place for hiking tips and advice. I'm all about passing on what I've learned over the years, on long and short trails in a wide variety of places.

I encourage you to look all around this website for answers to your questions.

And please feel free to use the box below to ask for information, or to suggest topics. Consider me your virtual trail buddy....

Hiking advice: get yours from a reliable source! Here are a few more options...