Experience the Wonders of Nature through Hiking: Safety Tips for Beginners
Hiking is an excellent way to connect with nature and appreciate its beauty. It offers a chance to explore and soak in the surroundings. If you're like me, you're passionate about hiking and find it to be a fulfilling experience for your mind and soul. Here are a few safety tips to help you get started on your hiking journey. Let's go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
"Let's wander where the wifi is weak"
There are a lot of changes happening on Amazon right now and a few of the products are currently unavailable. Check out our Amazon Storefront to see our latest hiking gear recommendations.
1. Research hiking trails and route
Start with short and easy trails to get used to the activity. We love using www.alltrails.com, we've used this website countless times for most of our Hikes in California. It provides directions, a map, how many miles, elevation, weather, how to get there, photos, and most importantly reviews from recent fellow hikers. Most information we need is here and based on our experience the site is reliable, however, you should always check other websites for more information and do some more comparisons. Bring a map, compass, or GPS device for longer and more intense hikes to avoid getting lost.
Reminders: Know your limits, and pick your hiking trails wisely.
2. Dress Appropriately: Check the weather forecast before heading out and prepare accordingly
Wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and footwear. It is crucial to Check the Weather this is one way of determining the kind of clothes you need for your hike. We love hiking clothes that are lightweight and breathable. When it comes to our tops we're very flexible as long as it's moisture-wicking and not cotton.
3. Start Early
We love starting early as they said "the early bird gets the worm." Being early means more parking, more time to take pictures, more time to get lost, more time for snacking, and my favorite part, the trail is quieter and the air is more relaxed. Who doesn't like the cool and fresh air in the mountains?!
PARKING
We've noticed after our hikes the steering wheel is blazing hot. Keep your car cool by placing a Sunshade in front of the windshield.
CAR KEYS
Safekeeping your car keys is an essential responsibility of a good hiker. We love using a Carabiner to keep our keys safe.
Talking about pictures, I love to take snapshots of our hiking trails, not just for blogging purposes, I also find it very helpful when we're lost and backtracking tracks using the images I've taken along the way. I've used this camera for a long time, it's great for beginners. We've also gotten used to our iPhones which take great pictures too.
5. Safety First
We take our time as for us it's not a race. Stay on the trail. Shortcuts are great as long as it's an official route, always practice Safety First. Staying on the trail also means checking the path. Look for danger signs like crawling animals, rocks, and tree roots. We rely most of the time on our hiking boots as it has personally saved us from slipping, twisting our ankles, and even tripping on a tree root. We also make sure to tell one of our family and friends which trail we're going for that day. Also, consider hiking with a group or experienced hiker for added safety and guidance.
These boots have powered us through steep hikes and muddy paths. You'd be surprised how good it feels to have your ankles supported by this footwear as you're treading up/down rocky, slippery slopes. It's been a couple years of hikes and they're still looking pretty good through the wear and tear. A must-have for adventurers, for sure.
This is the Ultimate Hiking Tip: Invest in a great pair of hiking boots. We love our Columbia boots and have no regrets. Columbia Men's and Columbia Women's Hiking Boots
6. Do not throw your trash
Leave no trace by packing out any trash and respecting nature. Seriously! If you can't do this better stay at home. If you can't clean up your own mess do not hike. This is basic common sense do not litter and not even leave fruit peels. Try to avoid picking flowers along the way as tempting as it can be and even breaking branches. Leave the hiking trail the way it is, it's also how you show your respect and gratitude to nature. Yes, I'm a hiker and an occasional garbage collector - please clean up your own mess!
7. Bring a Backpack
Pack enough water and snacks for the duration of the hike. We have been doing more short hikes meaning these are hikes that can be completed in a day or day hikes. We carry a small backpack with us that holds all the necessary hiking items we need for the day. Here are our favorite Snacks during our hikes, perfect for beginners looking for a tasty treat.
Day-hikes Essential items to bring:
- Something to hold your trash as you can't throw your trash anywhere.
- Sun protection like sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Reusable Water Bottle and Reusable Straw
- Snacks or meals
- Saved trail map
For emergency purposes:
- Map & Compass
- Base layers or a light foldable jacket
- First Aid kit
- Whistle
- Headlamp
- Flashlight
- Swiss army knife
- Gear repair kit
- This is my thing! I carry with me a "white flower liniment" (topical medicated rub) for pain relief, dizziness, insect bites, or stuffy nose. It's one of those Chinese rubs sold in drugstores.
- Rain gear
8. Hike with good manners
- Spread some good vibes
- We always like to say Good Morning, Hi, or Hello to fellow hikers.
- As Always Safety first
- Let bikers go first, and horses too.
- Immerse with nature
- Hike with an open mind, and leave your headphones in your car. Enjoy the tall trees, the animals, and the fresh air.
- For Hiking Groups
- Please lower your voice, we don't want to hear your problems.
- For man's best friend
- Please keep your dog on a leash
9. Find Reliable Camping Gears
Here are some basic camping gear we used:
Camping is a great way to unwind, be with nature, and be away from stress or air pollution. We love the simplicity of camping under the stars and waking up to a foggy forest.
Tent
I'm all for spending for quality but always within my budget. We have a 6 dome tent that has kept us dry, withstood the wind (when I thought it was going to blow us away), and comfortably fit a party of 3 with room to spare. It says it fits 6 persons but we haven't had a 6th member join us yet; however, it definitely would work. On top of that, it was easy to put up.
Portable Chair
My husband is 5'7 (or 170cm), about 150lbs (68kg) and he likes it. I'm smaller and I LOVE these chairs. Easy to open, and even easier to pack, they're a welcome addition to our travel pack.
Flashlight
Compact, bright, and light (on the wallet) for all occasions. This flashlight has been rigorously tested and is perfect for any situation. We highly recommend it, whether you're camping in the great outdoors or exploring a new city. A reliable flashlight can make a critical difference in unexpected situations, so make sure to have one on hand.
Lunch Bag
We loved this cooler bag as it's lightweight and perfect for short hiking and camping trips, even going to the beach as it keeps our drinks and food cool for up to 4 hours. It's also easy to store this bag as it folds and takes up less space in our cabinet.
Sunscreen
Never head out to the trails without putting on sunscreen, the heat nowadays is not a joke. Also, make sure to use eco-friendly sunscreen to protect yourself and the environment.
Fun card games to play while camping: The Hygge Game
Fun Card Game: Camping/Travel
We love this game as you get to know people in a very fun way. Even just my husband and I would play this game and discover more things about each other.
10 . Encourage Your Loved Ones to Join You on Your Next Hiking Adventure!
Spread the love by inviting your family and friends to join you on your next hiking trip. Hiking is a great activity that offers many health benefits and allows you to connect with nature. By inviting your loved ones to join you on your next hiking trip, you can share the joy and benefits of this activity with them. Here are some reasons why hiking with family and friends can be a memorable experience:
- It creates bonding opportunities: Hiking provides a great opportunity for you to bond with your loved ones and create lasting memories. As you explore nature together, you can share stories, laugh, and connect on a deeper level.
- It promotes physical activity: Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Inviting your family and friends to join you on a hike can encourage them to get some physical activity and improve their health.
- It fosters a sense of community: Hiking with others can create a sense of community and belonging. By sharing the experience with others, you can feel a sense of camaraderie and support.
These are some of our recommended hiking gear options, but remember, there are plenty of other selections to explore. Visit our Amazon Storefront for additional suggestions. With the right gear, you can fully embrace and enjoy your hiking journey.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
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