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General Advice for a Safe and Enjoyable Hike

  • Eat a hearty breakfast prior to the hike. Lots of carbohydrates, such as pancakes.

  • Do back and leg stretches every day.

  • Bring 2 or 3 full bottles of water.

  • Wear real hiking shoes or boots. NO TENNIS SHOES!

  • Wear thin sock liners under thick hiking socks. If you do not already own a couple pair of these, get some. They are great and will prevent blisters.

  • Wear short pants and a comfortable t-shirt. You may consider bicycling type shorts (if not as outerwear at least as underwear). They reduce the likelihood of chafing between your legs.

  • Wear sunscreen and a cap. Put sunscreen on your ears, too, even if it is cloudy. For something warm, remember NO COTTON. Bring a Polypropaline jacket or pullover.

  • Pack a hearty lunch in a small backpack or fanny pack. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are quite the hunger busters. Bring two sandwiches. An apple or banana has enough sugar to overcome mild hypoglycemia which can occur when one expends a lot of energy.

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How To Reduce Your Pack Weight

  • Remember, there is always something in your pack that can be removed.

  • Reduce the portions. Don't carry the entire bottle of sunblock if you're going for the weekend. Mete out appropriate portions or shop in the "trial size" section.

  • Each pound on your feet equals 5 lbs on your back. Reduce the weight of your pack by getting a pair of lighter weight boots.

  • Replace the AA Alkaline batteries in your flashlight with AA Lithium. Lithium AA batteries weigh 50% less and last 3 times longer. You probably won't need to carry the extra batteries.

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Essential Equipment

  1. Maps/Compass

  2. Watch

  3. Sunglasses

  4. Water & Food - Trail Mix

  5. Protective Clothing

  6. Pocket Knife

  7. First Aid Kit/Moleskin

  8. Sunscreen/Mosquito Repellent

  9. Pen & Paper

  10. Lightweight survival kit with space blanket, plastic tarp, nylon cord, matches, fire starter, whistle, signal mirror, and small flashlight.

 

What To Do If You Are Lost

STAY PUT!

Drink plenty of water. Your body can do without food for a few days, but it cannot function without water.

Signal your position by building a smoky fire.

If you run out of food, don't eat anything unless you are sure you can identify it as edible.

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