Hiking is a great outdoor activity. Especially if you feel your daily life has become a little monotonous. If you’re craving adventure, hiking is a great way to let off steam and bring a little adventure into your life.
Hiking is one way many people take breaks, get away from the city and enjoy the solitude it has to offer. Of course, being familiar with some hiking tips and tricks can certainly make things easier for you.
18 Hiking Hacks for Beginners
If you’re a beginner, hiking hacks will help you prepare for things that you may not have encountered yet as a novice hiker.
On that note, let’s get into the 18 best hiking hacks for beginners:
Hacks for Backpacking
If you want to try a backpacking trip, here are some hacks you will find useful:
- Keep duct tape with you because it is nothing short of a God-send. Duct tapes have a lot of uses, some that you might not even have thought of. Duct tapes can not only fix minor tears in your hiking gear, but you can also use them as a quick fix for a blister.
- This one is also for duct tapes. As a backpacker, you might get lost, so remember to leave a trail behind to find your way back. Put some biodegradable duct tape on trees as you go along to spot them in case you get lost and can easily get back on track.
- For your first time, look for beginner trails, Google the navigation map, and save it on your device, just in case you don’t get signals to access the internet.
- A backpacker is always prepared. You may have to hike uphill or cross over some streams. Put a cork on important things like car keys with a keychain so that they come back up and don’t drown.
- Keep your electronic belongings safe by keeping them in a Ziploc bag. Keep your phone, portable charger, and other electronic gadgets in a waterproof bag to keep them safe from the weather or dampness in the air. In case of a sudden outpour of rain, a garbage bag can be used to protect your items. This tip can even be used for basic camping.
- Learn to tie some basic knots. Backpacking is not exactly survival camping, but it still requires you to have some basic survival knowledge.
- Pack lightweight gear, especially if you are going on a long hike.
Seasonal Hacks
Winter is a great time for some hiking, but the cold weather can be extremely difficult to bear when you’re a beginner and unprepared. Here are some hiking hacks that will keep you safe and warm:
- Tie a little thick thread to the zips and pull them to open or close the zippers on your bags, jackets, anything literally. It is dangerous to keep having to take your gloves off in extreme winter weather.
- Invest in a trekking pole, also known as a hiking pole, to give you stability when you’re on a snowy path. It might seem like hiking gear is not worthy enough, especially when you first begin to use it. However, it will prove beneficial when you are on the ground requiring a bit of support and stability.
- You are sure to get dehydrated quickly on your hiking trip. Keep track of your water intake by setting reminders. Contrary to popular belief, you need just as much water in summer as in winter. Keep filling up your water bottle to consume the required amount.
- During winter, your water will freeze depending on the temperature. Keep your water in an insulated bottle and keep it covered to stop it from getting frozen.
- In order to keep yourself safe from minor injuries and bug bites, wear light pants instead of shorts in the summer.
Hacks for Hiking Clothes
- The exertion in hiking keeps our body heat high and keeps us warm, but it is still sometimes needed to keep yourself warmed up during the winter season. Dress in layers so that you can always take some of them off in case you feel too warm.
- If you want to keep using your hiking boots for a long time, clean them thoroughly after every use.
- Keep an extra plastic bag specifically for dirty clothes. You may need it even if you’re not going on a long hike.
Some Extra Hiking Hacks You Might Find Useful
- Instead of opting for a commercial aid kit, make up your aid kit according to your need. Keep cotton pads, cotton balls, lots of extra band-aids, petroleum jelly (which works well to avoid blisters), and other relevant items that you might need.
- Always carry a fire starter and a whistle for emergencies. Just in case you are injured in a remote area, both these items will help you send out a distress signal.
- Bring a map! You may have a phone with the internet but always remember to think of unexpected things when going on a hike. A map and compass will help in navigation if there is any kind of issue with your phone.
To Sum it Up
Hiking can be a beautiful, wholesome experience for any individual. Mother nature has so much to offer that it is easy to get lost in the wild, literally and figuratively.
It is in your best interest to be prepared, especially if you want to go for solo hikes.
Solo hikes can be eye-opening and soulful, but it is important to also expect the unexpected at all times and be prepared for things even if there’s a very low chance that you’ll encounter them.
Tackling the unexpected comes with experience, so don’t worry about your lack of understanding. Always begin with group hikes so that you can learn from your trail friends and level up to solo hiking when you think you are ready. You can also use these hiking tips and hacks for a great hiking trip.