Hiking in the Great Outdoors
The are few more rewarding ways of exploring the great outdoors than trekking along a wilderness trail. Enjoying the fresh air, the scenery, and the company of fellow hikers is healthy and therapeutic. There’s also the excitement of a challenge. Even for the most experienced hikers, discovering what lies over the next hill, or navigating a previously unexplored route, provides a sense of adventure.
Choose your Companions
Although hiking on your own has its own benefits of solitude and peace, it is safer to hike in a group. Hiking with friends is preferable. Joining a hiking association is a safe way of hiking in a group, since it will usually include experienced hikers. When first joining a hiking club, make an effort to talk to everyone early on. Strangers will quickly become your friends.
Assess your Fitness
Carrying a backpack on a long walk over wild terrain can be very tiring, even for the fittest hiker. Make sure that the planned distance and pace of your hike is well within your capabilities, and those of other members of your group.
Stretching exercises help to develop suppleness and aerobic exercises, such as swimming, improve the efficiency of your heart and lungs. Stomach toning improves body fitness.
Learn to walk, on flat sections at least, by allowing your leg to swing forward rather than pushing it forward. You’ll cover more ground with much less energy.
If you find a hill really tough, don’t try to be a hero. Take say, 10 or 20 steps up, rest for a few seconds, and then take another 10 or 20 steps and so on. You will eventually reach the top with far less distress than if you force yourself through.
Safety First
Safety must be your first concern on the hike. Before you set off, you should always let someone know where you have gone, how long you intend to be away, and how many members are in your group. Take an emergency signalling device with you, so that you can let rescuers know where you are if you do find yourself in difficulty.
Heliograph: Is a reflective surface that you can use to flash sunlight to attract attention.
Strobe light Flashing strobe lights can be seen up to 3 km away.
Whistle Three blasts, (long, short, long) on a whistle signal help is required. In some high areas cell phone reception may be possible. A cell phone with GPS capability would be especially useful as one’s exact position can be given in times of emergency. However, do not abuse the use of the cell phone by making or receiving calls while hiking.
Checking the Weather Forecast
Always find out the latest weather forecast before you go on a hike. (Newspapers, television, radio, internet, and local or national meteorological office.)
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