Ready to start or improve at hiking and backpacking? I’ve been hiking from the time I could barely walk and have climbed many 14k+ mountains in the western United States. These are some of my top tips.
Mentality
This is something that I haven’t seen anyone else on the internet talking about and in my opinion it’s the single most important part of climbing.
Slow and Steady
Unlike other sports, hiking doesn’t use a lot of fast twitch muscles. Instead it’s about endurance and conserving energy. Your goal when hiking should be to pick a pace that you can comfortably keep up without stopping. Ultimately you will outperform anyone that has a fast pace, but stops and rests often this way.
Just like life, consistency is key. Pick a slow, comfortable pace and don’t stop; you’ll be surprised at how much energy you will save and how fast you’ll reach the mountain top. My dad and I climbed Half Dome in Yosemite back in 2017; we hiked approximately 8 miles of moderate climbing in 3 hours by maintaining a slow pace and never stopping to rest (+50 minutes as we waited to get up the cables).
Of course, sometimes you’ll have to stop to rest, take a picture, or grab something from your pack and that’s fine. Just make them as lean and productive as possible; you might not even want to sit down to resist the temptation.
Don’t Quit
Climbing can be brutal; elevation sickness, fatigue, and overall discomfort can trick your brain into believing that you should go back. Don’t give in, don’t go back until you’ve accomplished your goal. Outside of weather conditions or other general safety considerations, nothing should stop you. Ignore the pain (it’ll go away), push through the fatigue (it’s making you stronger), and keep your legs moving towards your goal. You’ll never regret trying your absolute hardest, but you will always regret quitting when you know you had more in the tank.
Watch Your Thoughts
Hiking is a phenomenal way to experience nature and clear your mind of all your normal worries and concerns. When it get’s hard you’ll start to question just how motivated you are to finish the hike. An inside joke among my old hiking buddies and I was saying “who’s idea was this?” when it got hard. Focus on the end goal and take it one step at a time; keep moving and think about how far you’ve come, not how much you have left.
Fitness and Training
Take Long Steps
To quote Chariots of Fire, “Slap to the face each stride you take,” especially on hills. Taking long, slower steps on steep hills saves a ton of energy and keeps you going a consistent pace. Let your calves and quads do most of the work.
Start Small
The best way to train for hiking is just to do it. I recommend doing 1-3 mile moderate to hard hikes at first, focusing on keeping a steady pace and stopping as little as possible. The more you do these types of hikes, the stronger and more confident of a hiker you will be. Then start hiking longer trails for even more fun and better views.
Breathe Deeply
Even when the air starts to get thinner, resist the urge to take short, shallow breaths. Instead, take slow, deep breaths while focusing on breathing with your diaphragm. Here’s an article on how to do that if you’ve never heard of that before.
Safety
Start Early
Starting early has a ton of benefits including cooler temperatures in the summer and giving yourself more time to get up and down the mountain safely. Always plan to be on the trail longer than you think you’ll need to be and decide what time you need to head back no matter what.
Be Prepared
Do your research when deciding on a new hike. Talk to park rangers and people who have climbed it before to get a good sense of the difficulty and common pitfalls. Make sure to bring everything we talk about in the equipment and supplies section as well.
Hike with a Buddy
Hiking with friends is not only a more enjoyable experience, but it is also highly recommended for safety purposes. Look out for each other and let your loved ones know your plans and when they should contact park rangers if they haven’t heard from you.
Equipment and Supplies
I’m a firm believer that you don’t need the latest and greatest gear to be a good hiker, however, there are a few basic things that you’ll need to get started.
Good Shoes
I did a good amount of hikes in worn out Nikes back in the day, but I don’t recommend you do the same. Instead, pick up a good pair of trail running shoes. These have the comfort and familiar feel of tennis shoes with excellent traction and good arch support. Lightweight hiking boots can also be a good choice if you’re hiking on very rough terrain or need additional ankle support. No matter what shoes you decide on, BREAK THEM IN before the hike! I’ve seen many people neglect this and end up with blisters that can end their hike.
Backpack
If you’re just doing a day hike, almost any backpack will be fine. However, if you’re planning on camping on the trail or have a lot of heavy equipment, an internal frame backpack is a must. These packs have a waist strap that takes some of the weight off your shoulders which make them invaluable when backpacking.
Clothing
The first step to wearing the right clothing for hiking is checking the weather often before your trip. Once you have a good idea of the temperature range, you’ll want to dress in layers so you can easily take them on and off as you get warmer or colder on the trail. Any comfortable clothing (ie. not jeans!) will be fine, but hiking pants or even those zip off pants are great options if you want a dedicated fit. Remember to take more clothing than you think you’ll need and it’s also a good idea to pack an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet.
Extra Supplies
The rest should be fairly obvious. Make sure you have the nutrition you need by bringing food and carb and protein heavy snacks. Plenty of water and a water filter kit is a must. A map (or All Trails app), sunglasses, sunscreen, first aid kit, and an emergency blanket round off the list.
How to Find Hikes in Your Area
I’ll keep this short. Internet searches, Google Maps, and hiking apps like All Trails are great places to start. Try some old school tactics too; talk to friends that hike, people you meet on trails, and park rangers to get some personal recommendations.
Conclusion
Well now you know everything you need to begin and improve at hiking! If you enjoyed this article make sure you subscribe to our email list so you can be a part of the amazing things we’re doing here at Remix Outdoors!
