Trekking advice and tips for beginners

Trekking for beginners can be challenging but it’s, not something you should afraid of trying. To hike you don't need any special abilities; you just have to be capable of walking and realize where you're at. It's a perfect way to indulge in nature, have a decent workout and refresh your mind and body. This post will provide you some critical trekking advice to make your hike healthy and enjoyable as a beginner.

Whether you're on a multi-day trek or only a brief day hike, there's a lot to think about before you begin. When you start trekking first, we suggest you pick trails that suit your current fitness standards. Trekking is, of course, a way to kick-start your workout routine and get in shape, but if you choose a trail that's way above your level, you're not going to like it and maybe even never go trekking again. We're going to talk more about choosing the best hiking path in a little while, but before your first trip, doing some physical training and building up a strong body will help build your motivation as a new hiker.

Hiking with other individuals is the best approach to becoming a better hiker, as it's fun and inspiring. If you live on the Atlantic coast, several regional Appalachian Mountain Club chapters lead regular hikes that you can attend. The same is true for the Washington Trails Association and the Sierra Club on the west coast and nationally. Meetup.com is also a wonderful platform for local hiking clubs, meeting tourists, making hiking companions and planning your own hiking experiences.

Hikers heading out sometimes don't carry enough water on trips. Intend to carry around 1 liter for every two hours, but this may vary depending on the time of the year, weather patterns, the intensity, body mass, and hike complexity. Understanding how much water you need is a crucial skill in such temperatures so pay attention to what your body requires.

Choose a trek slightly shorter than the distance you normally walk on a flat or paved surface. To calculate the time it takes to trek the trail, assume a speed of about 2-miles an hour. Next, study the increases in elevation and allocate for every 1000 feet of increase an hour to your projected trekking time. When you've been out once or twice, you'll get an idea of what variations in distance and altitude you perform best in.

Get a map of the region after you have picked a trail, and check reports and information. Some online services are also superb. Take note of any paths that may converge where you might make a wrong turn. You may also want to look for a nice lunch spot with a view, like a lake or a peak. Check the weather leading up to your trek, and again a couple of hours before. This will provide you with helpful information on what to wear and how to prepare. If the weather is predicted to be terrible, it will provide you the opportunity to change arrangements instead of being disappointed on the trail.

Footwear is one of the most valuable items to choose from, and it's a very personal decision. Many trekkers favor over-the-angle comfort boots while others love comfortable mountain hiking boots. The terrain that you are going to walk on will also influence your choice. Lightweight, low-cut footwear can be great on well-maintained trails without too many challenges, while rugged boots would best fit you on a challenging trail of rocks, roots, and waterways. Whatever you choose, make sure that the footwear is convenient and comfortable for long trips. Use synthetic or wool socks instead of cotton.

No matter how much you plan ahead of a trek, things might go wrong. There are multiple stories out there of seasoned travelers making a few bad decisions and getting themselves stranded or in extreme distress. Sometimes satellites and mobile phones will help you get in touch with emergency responders, but the most secure approach is to let a friend know you're trekking in advance and tell them to call the police if you're not back for quite a while now.

Do allow a little flexibility. If you think you're going to hike for three hours then tell your friend to contact if you're not back in six hours. If things get a little bad or if you just want to rest and appreciate the landscape for a bit, it will provide you a safety cushion. Another aspect that could annoy you being an untrained hiker on the trail is that you will always feel out of breath. You may feel embarrassed to walk alongside individuals you knew were in better physical condition than you.

However, it's nothing to be shy about, because it's perfectly natural for other people as well. Trekking is tedious work, so it can leave your joints and body exhausted and achy.  Newbie or otherwise, if you have sore knees or sensitive feet, there are constructive precautions you may take to avoid causing a major strain on your body while trekking.

This may sound simple but you would be astonished at the number of individuals to be rescued due to a broken ankle. The greatest danger you usually face on a pleasant trek is to step in the wrong spot. It may involve breaking your ankle, falling on a rock, stepping on a root or, worse, startling a dangerous animal. Just be conscious of where you're heading, particularly when you're interacting, getting exhausted or listening to music.

Bring some dry food supplies and first aid for an urgent situation, such as a scenario where you can not make it to the campground assigned for the night. Keep dry fruits, candies, almonds, protein bars, rehydration salts, instant soups/drinks, snacks/digestives in a Ziploc bag that will facilitate in emergencies. You may carry another bag of related things on the trail for snacking. Make sure you've got a decent first aid kit and any specific prescription you might need.