Whether you have been hiking for years, months, or have never hiked before and want to try, there is always more to learn! No matter how experienced you are, we can always enhance our skills in the outdoors either in different terrain, conditions, or even amount of time spent outside. I am continuously trying to expand my knowledge in the outdoors, but after a couple thousand miles under my belt solo hiking, I wanted to share some things I’ve learned along the way. You can find my tips below so you don’t have to make the same mistakes!

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Hiking:

NO COTTON

You read that right…no cotton, basically ever! Cotton doesn’t dry quickly, so if it gets wet or sweaty on an adventure, it can be dangerous depending on temps, with greater risk of hypothermia. Why does this bring greater risk of hypothermia you may ask? Have you ever heard the saying “cotton kills”? This is because cotton holds no insulative value, so when it gets wet, it will not be able to keep you warm in any way. The only cotton MIGHT be nice, is in the desert, however desert temps can drop QUICK at night, so even then, cotton would not be your best choice. It’s better to opt for something more breathable and moisture wicking, such as merino wool or a synthetic blend. 

HYDRATING IS KEY

Electrolytes & hydration are important! Proper fluid intake and electrolyte balances are essential and can be a matter of life or death at high temperatures/altitudes. I’ll also add that proper hydration can buy you time if an emergency does occur. To prevent dehydration, the general recommendation is 1L for every 2 hrs hiking in average conditions and temperatures, and it can help to drink electrolytes a couple hours before activity.
 You will also want to consider the environment you are in (aka for a desert trip, you may want to bring extra electrolytes, etc).

TREKKING POLES ROCK

Use trekking poles! I was against them for years but  poles for years, but if you hike often they can really help in the long run and save you a lot of pain! Trekking poles definitely aren’t always necessary, but they can be extremely helpful in certain instances depending on the hike you’re doing. Trekking poles are helpful because they can relieve pressure off your knees, because you end up dispersing more of your weight across your body rather than directly on your feet. Using trekking poles can also improve uphill hiking time by offering increased endurance during inclines and steep hills. This is partially due to dispersing your weight, but using poles can also help you get in a rhythm when you’re hiking, thus increasing your speed! Trekking poles also offer a little extra stability going over uneven terrain or downhill, especially in steep areas or icy spots. These are my favorite trekking poles by far, made of aluminum, however my partner really likes these ones that are carbon fiber. 

USE RELIABLE MAPS

Apps like AllTrails are not always reliable. Don’t get me wrong, AllTrails is a great place to start and I use it regularly for trail reviews, but the reality is, it’s a user generated app which means it is NOT a reliable source for navigation, because it is not a true map! Another problem with user-generated apps like this, is the stats you see are not always accurate. Understanding how to read and download offline maps is an essential skill if you plan on being on the trails a lot. If you’re out hiking often, especially solo, I highly encourage you to invest in a 2-way satellite communication device. These are awesome tools for tracking your location and sourcing reliable digital maps, as well as communicating with the outside world when you’re out of cell service in the backcountry. I use mine every trip to notify my partner when I start my hike, when I get to the top or set up camp for the night, and when I get back to the car. If you’re not looking for a GPS/communication device but still want a way to download digital offline maps for FREE, check out this video resource! Lastly, knowing how to use a paper map is an extremely helpful tool in the outdoors that can benefit anyone, and a paper map & compass should always be carried with you. I highly recommend taking a course to learn if you don’t know how to navigate with a map and compass already! Always take the extra time to research the trail you’re wanting to hike, and be sure to check multiple sources! The US Forest Service is one of my favorites that I’m sure to always check before a hike.

“…experts say to consider bringing a paper map. That’s because hiking organizations and rescuers around the country are seeing an increase in injuries and rescues. One of the reasons for the additional mayhem on the trails is sheer numbers. Hikers logging treks into the popular AllTrails website increased by 171% in 2020.

                    – Robin Young and Camila Beiner of WBUR News.