If you're considering taking your first weekend hike you may be thinking its as straight forward as throwing on a pair of boots, grabbing your Thermos flask and setting off to the hills. Unfortunately it's far from that simple and there's a myriad of very important factors you will need to carefully consider and plan in order to ensure your weekend hike goes smoothly, enjoyably and most importantly, safely!
While the planning will be highly dependent on the terrain you intend to walk on. There are a few hard and fast rules you'll need to follow to make certain your planning covers all of the important aspects of Hiking, leaving as little as possible to chance, well, apart from the weather that is!
Firstly we'll need to think about the route you want to take. There are many locations across the UK and even further afield, that are very popular with Hikers, so with the help of the internet it’s normally very easy to do a bit of background research and find the perfect route for you. Unless you are an experienced Hiker or plan to travel in a group with somebody who does have that level of experience, it's always more sensible to stick to the more known routes.
In Snowdonia for example, there are various routes which Hikers tend to stick to. While they may not be marked well on the actual ground, the maps and guide booklets will point you in the correct direction. Take a look at the route well in advance and check the relief and vertical interval. This can be found on OS maps if you cannot find it elsewhere. It will indicate the steepness of the ground.
As you plan to be out on the ground for several days, make sure your route isn't too challenging or you will lose some of the enjoyment if you begin to struggle. Also consider how far the nearest facilities are away, just in case. Take a spare OS map and keep it in a pocket on you, just in case you lose your rucksack in an emergency.
Now you have your route in hand, it's time to think about matching up your equipment to the route you've chosen to walk. Clearly the time of year will have an impact too. Hiking in mid January would be much colder and wetter than early September. You're personal gear will obviously need to include some sturdy and supportive boots which will not only keep your feet warm but also protection and support on the hills.
Then there's your clothing. Don't be fooled in to thinking that because it is dry and warm when you begin your hike, that it will stay that way! It’s normally the case that when you don't take your waterproof clothing, it’s guaranteed to rain! Go for a layer system of clothing rather than one or two big thick layers. Thin, multiple layers work best to keep you warm by trapping air within the layers. This is turn will keep you warmer. Alternatively it also allows you to remove layers and regulate your temperature should you get too hot.
Don't forget to take spare socks. Your feet will invariably get damp and there's nothing worse than hiking with damp feet. A good trick is to pack individual pairs of dry socks in sealable sandwich bags before you set off. That way if your rucksack gets wet, your socks will always remain dry and ready to slip on.
Your rucksack will contain all of your hiking gear and food supplies for the trip, so make sure before you leave that it can take the weight of the contents and that it hasn't any small tears of rips. They may be OK now but out on the hills half way through your hike is the worst time for a bag to tear open and dump your kit across the floor! It's also a good idea to fit the rucksack to you before you leave. Simply layer up and put the rucksack (containing your kit) on. Then adjust the straps to get the best most comfortable fit to you.
Probably the most important age old rule of Hiking is to never do it alone. This is also just good common sense. That's not to say that nobody does. In fact many experienced hikers enjoy hiking alone, however it is not recommended. There are some advantages to walking in a group other than the obvious safety issue.
In a group of hikers it’s a lot easier to push on when you're feeling tired and exhausted, but still have a while to go until you reach your next rest stop or camp site. There's also the fact that hiking responsibilities can be shared, which eases the load. For instance not everybody will need to be carrying a tent or food supplies at once, this task of carrying hiking gear can be shared round.
If there's a more experienced walker in the group, newer less experienced hikers can learn from the way he or she does things on the ground, be it map reading, orienteering, or setting up camp. Learning from others by actually doing, is one of the most effective forms of bettering your skills!
Now you have your route planned, and all your equipment prepared to go. Finally but no less importantly, you should think of the less obvious aspects of hiking. Hiking can be a very physically taxing activity, so do you think you are prepared enough for this hike? How fit are you and are you carrying any injuries? Have you been ill lately?
If so maybe you need to take a few small short hikes beforehand to make certain your body is in the right condition to manage it. This can be just as important as having the right hiking gear!
What about the psychological aspect too? Do you have a lot on your mind which makes cause you to be distracted and unable to concentrate?
Problems at work or home may distract you and cause you to make some silly mistakes on the hills. It may sound strange but many hikers have been rescued off the hills and mountains after losing their way while being 'distracted'.
Also, do you feel you have the right skills needed? If you're travelling in a group, does at least one or two of you have first aid training and are you as a group carrying a first aid kit?
These subsidiary considerations can easily be missed out of the plan at the early stages, but by following the tips in this article you can successfully and safely plan for an enjoyable, memorable hiking trip!
