Lesson 1: Welcome To Our Short Course On Hiking Tips You May Have Missed
One Step Away From Hiking Like A Pro!
Thank you for joining us in The Let’s Adventure Academy Course Library!
This free short course is brought to you by The Lady Alliance Foundation – helping change the face of leadership in the outdoor industry.
The content gathered for this course was collected through research online, as well as personal experience shared by our team of chapter coordinators and board members. We wanted to especially recognize MEC as one of our main sources of information and imagery for this short course. We love learning from MEC – you can do so here!
Just by being here, you’re helping The Lady Alliance Foundation make a difference. Our collection of free and short courses are to be enjoyed by all to help build confidence in the outdoors.
This course is one of our free courses. If you are able to support The Lady Alliance Foundation through a donation, you can do so here. Every dollar helps!
However we want to ensure that the majority of our education material is accessible to everyone.
We thank you for your support of our foundation, and hope you enjoy the next few lessons on hiking tips! Don’t forget to send this course to a friend to help inspire further education in the outdoors!
Much love,
The Lady Alliance Foundation
Day Hiking for Beginners
Nothing beats a day hike with two or four legged friends. Enjoying forested trails, chasing those waterfalls or tackling those summits doesn’t have to be difficult – but there is more planning and consideration than one might assume.
For those that are used to day adventures, these tips below become second nature.
But if you are new to hiking these are some of the things you can consider to help grow your confidence with day hikes.
Before you set out for a day hike, here’s how to start:
- Choose your hiking buddies
- Do some pre-trip planning
- Bring the hiking essentials
- Learn more hiking skills
Choose your hiking buddies
If you are new, and building confidence, we encourage you to find experienced hikers to go with. Check out your local chapter with The Lady Alliance Foundation, see what local groups are in your area for hiking, or chat with family and friends to build your confidence.
If you’re thinking of joining a group on a hike, take a look at the route they have planned to make sure it matches your fitness and experience level. Not sure if it’s right for you? Reach out to the hike organizer to ask questions before you show up at the trailhead.
Do some pre-trip planning
It’s important to always choose a route that’s right for your level of fitness and outdoor experience. A short out-and-back route is best. Something not too far from home is a great starting place. Elevation, the time of year, weather, and the length of the hike are all things to consider.
Know the trail before you go
The biggest challenge for hikers of all experience levels can be making the correct turns at each trail junction, and staying on track.
Carefully examine a topographic map or guidebooks before you set off, and maybe carry one with you as you go.
You should familiarize yourself with where your route goes, and try to anticipate the conditions you’ll find. Consider springtime muddiness or possible snow. Consider summer time drought without water sources. Pay attention to things like stream crossings, elevation changes, and other trails that intersect your route.
It’s important that each person in your party has an idea of landmarks in the surrounding terrain. When you’re on the trail, look behind you after you pass key landmarks or intersections so you know what to look for on your return route home. Looking back is important, as sometimes these landmarks look different coming the other direction.
Estimate how long a hike will take
The amount of time a hiking route takes depends on a few main factors:
- Total distance
- Elevation gain
- Type of terrain
- Fitness level and size of your group
On flat ground, a hiking speed of 4–6km per hour is average to speedy. For every 300m of elevation gain, add an extra half-hour. Hiking times will vary a lot depending on the terrain. Smooth, dry trails are easier going (and faster) than rough, wet trails, or ones that involve loose rock or bits of bush. A trail with many ups and downs will not only slow you down but also make you more tired.
The number of people in your group and the fitness level of each person are also important things to think about when estimating time. Be prepared to move at the speed of your slowest member and to turn back if necessary. Don’t forget to build in time for lunch and bathroom breaks.
The easiest way to increase the amount of daylight hiking hours is to start early in the morning. If in doubt, be conservative and choose destinations that are closer to a half day than a full day for your first few trips.
Before you go
Check the trail conditions and weather forecast in advance, as well as the morning of your hike. You might need to adjust your plans or what you bring as a result. Know that mountain weather can change rapidly and without warning.
Always tell someone you trust where you’re going and when to expect you back. Leave a note or a trip planning form that explains exactly where you are going, the names of the people in your group, and your intended route (both to and from). Remember to contact this person when you’re done – many search and rescue operations have been launched for people who were never actually lost.
Finally, check out these 7 tips for hiking responsibly so you can leave the trail as wild as when you started.
What to wear and bring hiking
Part of what makes hiking such an easy way to enjoy the outdoors is that you don’t need a ton of gear to get into it.
- Start with a comfortable backpack. For day hikes, a 20–30L pack is usually the right size for what you need to carry.
- Bring the 10 essentials for hiking, even if you’re only planning a short day hike. The purpose of the 10 essentials is to help you deal with an accident or emergency, which could happen on any trail.
- Wear sturdy footwear (leave the flip-flops at home). For flat, smooth trails and dry conditions, a pair of trail running shoes can do the trick if you don’t have hiking footwear. If you’re tackling more technical routes, longer trails or rough weather, hiking shoes or hiking boots help support your ankles and your feet.
- Ditch the cotton socks. Blisters can ruin a day hike – wear synthetic or wool/wool-blend hiking socks to keep your feet dry and happy.
- Wear quick-drying layers. You’ll heat up on the uphills and cool down when you stop for lunch, so layers are key. Learn about what to look for in clothing layers, and always bring extra clothing as part of your 10 essentials.
How to pack your backpack
Check out this video from our friends at Fjällräven xxxx!
How to set up your tent
Check out this video from our educator, MEC xxxx!
How to set up a tarp
Check out this video from our educator, MEC xxxx
How to start a campfire
Check out this video from our educator, MEC xxxx
Lesson 3: Did You Clip Your Toe Nails? – Tips Easily Missed
Hiking Tips Easily Missed
- Clip your toenails! We don’t mean to sound like your mother, but this tends to be forgotten before hiking. Long toenails while hiking back down the mountain can turn downhill fun into downhill pain really quick.
- Bring a bandana that you can dip in streams or lakes and wrap around your neck for some instant cooling in hot weather.
- Water bladders are more convenient to hydrate frequently.
- Socks on Socks. Double socking helps with blisters. Wearing a thin, high hiking sock underneath a second, lowers hiking sock will help transfer the rubbing off your foot and onto the two socks. The inner layer should be higher than the outer layer so that you can pull the sock tight if need be.
- Layer, so you can de-layer. Check out our layering short course on guidance here.
- Hiking poles help with knee support. Downhill with bad knees can be quite painful. Hiking poles help alleviate the pain.
- Bring a down puffy or warm layer for the top. Down jackets are best as they are light and easy to pack.
- If in doubt, expect rain.
- Leave no trace. Products such as Kula Cloths help minimize waste on trail. Try to pick up at least one thing that is not yours from the trail, stay on the trail and minimize your impact.
- Do you carry a whistle? 3 blows on a whistle is an SOS signal.
- Don’t wear headphones while hiking, especially in bear country.
- Leggings or hiking pants are perfect for hiking. If you are wearing a backpack, high waisted pants are best as a backpack tends to push them down.
- High top hiking shoes are best for keeping rocks and debri out of your shoe.
Food and Beverage for the trail:
It’s good practice to eat before and after a hike, as well as bring snacks. Here are some snack ideas:
- Trail mix.
- Nuts, seeds, nut-based bars or nut butter packs.
- Fresh, whole fruit that doesn’t require refrigeration such as apples, bananas and oranges.
- Dried or freeze-dried fruits and veggies.
- Energy bars, chews or gels.
- Granola or granola bars.
- Ready-made tuna salad pouches.
- Whole-grain tortillas.
Avoid bringing food with heavy packaging (or packaging at all if you can avoid trash on the trail!) and be aware of the to-go containers you use as they can add weight.
Avoid bringing beverages in heavy containers, such as glass, as well. Water and electrolyte drinks are best while on the trail. Expect to drink one half to one quart of water every hour you’re hiking.