Five Things to Know Before You Go Hiking

Hiking is a great past time because it keeps you healthy while letting you connect with nature. Though hiking is generally a positive experience, it does come with some unique drawbacks. When you spend all your time hiking, you need to still think about these five things.

Hiking Gear Is Different From Camping Gear
Many people make the mistake of going on long, multi-day hikes with little experience. This can lead to a lot of problems if you try to go on a hike with your basic camping gear. Though the human body is strong and resilient, there is a very clear limit to what it can carry. Most of your backpack should be filled with water, so you will need to get special lightweight camping gear for overnight hikes. This is an added expense that many hikers do not expect.

Hiking Can Cause Serious Feet Problems
Hiking can definitely take its toll on your feet, especially if you are wearing new or badly fitting boots. Hikers routine experience issues with calluses, swelling, and blisters after long hikes, and if you do not treat them properly, they can cause even more health problems. Another common foot problem that hikers face is infections caused by hiking it wet socks. Hikers can end up with athlete's foot, nail fungus, and a variety of other issues caused by having damp, warm feet that encourage bacterial and fungal overgrowth. While hiking, be sure to wear supportive, dry, and properly fitted footwear. After a hike, clean any wounds and be sure to visit the doctor if they are not healing properly.

It Is Surprisingly Easy to Get Lost
Hiking along a trail might seem relatively straightforward, but the reality is that it is incredibly easy to get turned around in a forest. Each year, thousands of hikers end up so lost that they require a search and rescue mission to locate. For some people, being lost can lead to very dangerous situations. When hiking, you should always take note of your traveling position, and you should stick to marked trails. You might never need it, but a compass is very small and easy to carry, and it could potentially be lifesaving in some situations.

There's An Unspoken Etiquette for Hikers
It might seem like anything goes in the wilderness, but there is actually an unspoken code for hikers. Most hikers try to follow the "leave no trace" rule of not harming anything they hike through. If you accidentally break this rule, you might find that other hikers are quite unpleasant to you. People who destroy trail signs, damage natural features, act noisy, or leave behind debris are not properly following the leave no trace rule. You should carry out anything you bring on the hike with you, including food, trash, and used toilet paper, and you should never take flora, fauna, rocks, or animals out of the hiking area.

You Need to Be Aware of Hunting Season
Most hikers are a peaceful bunch, but you should still keep in mind that a lot of public trails and camping grounds are also used by hunters. During some hunting seasons, certain private property may exclude hikers from the property. Always be aware of the current hunting season to avoid any injury or ruined hikes. During hunting season, wear at least two square feet of blaze orange fabric and avoid hiking during dawn or dusk.

As long as you do not ignore these things, you can enjoy a fun and successful hike. When you are properly prepared for hiking, you can focus on the beautiful scenery and relaxing walking instead of trying to deal with hiking issues.