Hiking Questions

Hiking questions: Here's the scoop.

As a professional educator in university classrooms, I always tell my students "There's no such thing as a dumb question."

But in reality, there is, at least for hikers.

A dumb hiking question is one you never ask.

Why?

Because it leaves you feeling dumb, or at least feeling inadequate about your knowledge base.

Here's another reason.

Because every question about hiking has an answer. But if you don't ask, you'll never hear the answer.

I don't pretend to know the answer to every question a hiker might ask me. [Not that I wouldn't like to be in that sweet position! But hey, I'm human.]

In reality, I do have years & years of trail time under my boots, on varied terrain, in all seasons. So I might be able to answer your question.

And there's also my training as a scientist to fall back upon. If I don't know the answer myself, I'm pretty sure of how to go about locating an answer. And I'm more than willing to share my sources with you.

So go ahead! Ask your hiking questions.

I'll be posting the questions I've received, along with my answers, here. You can ask me a question about my answers, or ask a completely different question. And you can add to my answer, so we can build a complete knowledge base.

No tidbit about hiking is too trivial or unimportant to ask about. If you're wondering, chances are other hikers are wondering, too.

And I'm not shy about admitting when I'm stumped. So I may have to "put you on hold" virtually while I go in search of an answer to your question. Actually, I kind of like it when I don't know the answer. That means I get to learn something new, right along with you.

Use the convenient form at the bottom of the page to "Ask Diane A Hiking Question". And then watch your in box for an answer. And who knows? Your question might end up on this website for other hikers to learn from.

Remember, I always welcome rebuttals or additional information to supplement my answers. Nothing like pooling our resources, right? How many hikers does it take to find an answer? As many as it takes!!

Here's a great hiking question to get us started, from Megan:

"I am beginning to hike on Sundays only until summer, where I will go more often, so I can't be in pain. I first went last Sunday and my thighs are SO sore and have a burning pain when walking up and down stairs in work. Do you have any suggestions to help lessen the pain after hiking?"

And my answer:

"Muscle soreness is a complex topic, and depends upon your level of conditioning before you even begin your hike. If you're really sore after one hike (you didn't mention how long it was and if there was elevation gain), you need to do these things:

1. Stretch before you hike. I have a web page on this, with ideas for how to stretch your thigh muscles.

2. Drink lots of water during and after your hike.

3. Stretch at the end of your hike. Use the same stretches as for #1.

4. Go for daily walks, even 20 minutes is long enough. This will get your thighs used to the idea of walking for many minutes at a time.

5. Stop using elevators and escalators; walk up the stairs every chance you get!

6. Soak in a warm bathtub filled with Epsom salts. See my web page on

anti-inflammatory actions for more ideas.

7. You might consider if your back pack was too heavy, and if your foot wear supported your feet enough.

8. Do you use hiking poles or sticks? Using them will take some of the load off your legs.

9. Consider getting a professional Swedish or deep tissue massage. This moves the toxins out of your muscles faster - it's lactic acid and other metabolic by product which are making you miserable! Drinking lots of water helps flush them out, but soft tissue work will help, too.

10. You might have to modify your diet if you're going to work up to really long hikes - more proteins (lean meat or fish) and lots of vegetables. This will help you repair faster from your training hikes, and you won't be as sore."

So this gives you an idea of how detailed my response might be when you ask me a question. And you're welcome to email again with follow up questions.

Now... what are you waiting for? Send me your hiking questions!

Hiking questions come in all shapes and sizes, just like hikers. Return HOME for more hiking tips.