Have you been feeling burnt-out or stressed lately? Hiking in the great outdoors is a reinvigorating experience that will help you get your mind off of things for a while. Hiking is a great experience, especially if you’re planning to do it in the alpine wilderness.
This activity is beneficial to your health, too. Experts from the Harvard Medical School explain hiking helps improve your cardiovascular health and improve you mood.
If you are planning to get in tune with nature, here are two crucial things you need to keep in mind when hiking, especially if it’s your first time.
Preparing Your Gear
One of the most crucial parts of any hike is your gear. You need to create a checklist to ensure you won’t forget anything during the day of your trek. But aside from preparing everything, you also need to learn how to test it. If you don’t know how any of your equipment works, then it’s only going to be completely useless.
Do a trial run of everything you have in a safe place. Some of the equipment you need to bring includes your weather-appropriate apparel, backpack, and plenty of food and water. You also need to bring navigation tools, like a compass and a map. Don’t forget to bring a multi-tool and a first-aid kit in case you need it.
You can print your checklist a day or two before your hike so you can check everything while you’re still at home. When it comes to clothes, wear something that’s quick-drying so you won’t chafe while hiking. You can also top it with a merino wool shirt, especially if you’re also planning to take a Swiss Alps train.
Creating an Effective Action Plan
Once you’ve already packed everything up, you need to determine your action plan so you can stay safe and comfortable throughout your stay. An important thing you need to know is the kind of weather you’ll be expecting. Doing so will help you prepare and alter a few of your plans accordingly. You can check the internet or even ask a park ranger about the day’s weather. If lightning storms are coming, it’s best to play it safe and do a rain check.
You also need to pay close attention to your body as well as your surroundings. It’s best to keep a close eye on the position of the sun so that you will know if you’re moving at the right pace that will help you get to the campsite before the sun starts to set.
Meanwhile, if you’re feeling tired or fetched, you should stop for a while and take a break. Have some snacks and drink a little. Remember that physical activities can quickly consume much of the liquid inside your body. It’s best to replenish your body to keep you adequately hydrated.
These are only a few of the things you need to remember about hiking in the great outdoors. Remember that it’s always best to consider your health all the time so you can guarantee a safe journey.
