10.05.2021.
That enchanting moment when we prepare for hiking loosing our spirit into the new views feels so uplifting. Triumphing ourselves or making another relaxing day? Things can get much easier if we come with the right mindset. Hiking interwines pleasure and hardships, moments to catch and moments to loose ourselves. Beginners will love that moment of triumph and will need the right advices.
What are some essential mistakes to avoid?
Wearing the wrong shoes
I’ve seen people going in white fancy boots across muds and still staying clean. Having shoes that are too light will not give you the proper support over the rocks.
If your shoes get broken, always check to repair them with the artisan before buying new.
The proper shoes are the key element before going to the hike. Even the new shoes should be tried before exposing them to new blisters and hours in the road.
Overpacking
This is what I did years ago at Olympus as I didn’t leave unnecessairy bags in the bus. While it’s easy during the simple few hours day hikes, on longer routes where you’re changing many house shelters or mountaineering huts you should be specially careful. Rather take easier snacks ie. energetic bombs than too much biscuits.
Having a professional backpack will serve you with gratitude rather than the cheapest one.
Not drinking enough water
While you might feel it will help you with packing light to carry less water, always have in mind the difficulty of the road and water source you might cross. Water is simpliest rule when going hiking.
Happy surprises from your hiking fellows like the warm tea will recharge you like the miracle.
Starting too fast
While boosting the energy from the beginning can be motivating, it’s also adequate to balance yourself in the short pause. If you’re only beginning, start with the short hikes- ones that are more relaxing.
Dressing inadequately
While the smart rule for any type of hike would be to have the same dressing principle, that means to count on the jacket whether it’s warm or cold. You never know how freezing the forrest can be.
In the winter time never forget to carry gloves even if it’s not too cold at your quarter.
The fact is that proper hiking pants are too expensive but still the most adequate. Bring as much layers as you would need as wearing too much clothes can make your hiking pretty unpleasant. While cotton t-shirts are good for short hikes, think of the special fast drying clothes.
Not bringing trash bag
We should leave the nature how we found it to be. Just thinking that the nature will absorb everything is not enough. Even the fruits.
I love the principle that I found at mountain Olympus in the mountain hub that no one leaves their trash on the site but taking it with them. Because afterwards the mules are the ones that are bringing everything up and down. This is what it makes so sacred. That’s the nature capture that I should remember in every situation.
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace have been established in the backcountry but developed in any settings. Educate yourself as proper example will be much helpful to other and considerable by outdoor ethics.
Not enjoying the landscape
Rushing too quickly just to catch in time is effective when you want to spend 8 hours on the road just to reach the goal. But why not take a moment to just breath the air, smell the flowers and take some photos? Having fun is the ultimate part of hiking.
Taking the best views just to find another angle to be amazed is what I love about mountains. Catch that moment and enjoy the hike with its all ups and downs.
Even if you want to capture every stunning view, take a moment and relax. Feel the beauty you’re surrounded with because your main reason is to enjoy and absorb it. Don’t rush to take every instagram photo even if we all want to do it. Your day off certainly needs to be called your day off. Just enjoy yourself, the power of the mountains can be so curative.
Not taking hiking poles
Hiking poles are the essential gear that will save your health specially when going down. After I bought the new ones I feel like reborn when in mountain. You knees will be thankful. The smart thing is to use properly the hiking poles.
Not training yourself up
Rome wasn’t built in a day so your energy also takes time to be built and exercised. The rule of smart management is step by step, little by little to reach the higher levels.
Not wearing the sun glasses
Not only sun glasses, sun cream also and some hat. The foggy morning can really turn into a fantastic sunny day. It’s your responsibility to be the master of the weather. Sun glasses are here like the water that will pack you with protection and refreshness.
Not checking the weather forecast
While tiny rain can even make adventure, don’t force yourself to go hiking if the weather is too heavy. The beautiful sunny day can be an exquisite experience, take care that it doesn’t turn upside down. Sometimes the weather can be so unpredictable and change in a minute. Sometimes the forrest can bring refreshment but sometimes that refreshment can be too freezing if the altitude is very high.
Even if you’re bringing umbrella rather than raincoat the difference is not that strong.
Starting too late
I’m not saying too early but with the warmer weather early morning can already be too hot. Scheduling the hike later in the afternoon can mean that it will finish in the dark and you don’t want to wait this unprepared. Count that your photos will be much clearer with the weaker Sun.
Final thoughts
How many times did I wonder to see that fabulous view of the mountain surrounded by the lake? Incredible and simple colours of nature can just bring magic. Take yourself to the adventure of excitment when you triumph yourself and win the mountaineering goals, when you’re surrounded by even more incredible views. Hiking can be so rewarding bringing the wonders of nature.
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I love hiking and spending time in the outdoors. I grew up in the North of Scotland and most weekends I was out with my family walking, camping, skiing etc.
Thanks for mentioning the trash bag, I hate it when people drop litter. Surely if you carried it to the mountain you can carry it back?
I have done several on this list. I bought some new boots without breaking them in for a weekend hike and I regretted it for the next two days. And there have been several times we went on hikes and didn’t bring enough water and it felt like we are going to die.
This is a great list of things to avoid. I never seem to think to bring a trash bag and always end up with trash all in my back pack, it then takes a while for me to clean out the back pack.A trash bag would be more convenient, good tip.
Haha I overpack on any trip I take- so I need to avoid this if I ever get out and about! Thank you for sharing these helpful tips and mistakes x
Ah yes, wearing wrong shoes, the gift that keeps on giving… D:
Love this post – you’ve outlined a lot of important things to remember! I used to be an avid hiker many years ago and honestly a good pack and good shoes were essential! I also learned to always go early in the morning – as you mentioned that afternoon sun can be no fun! Thanks for taking me down memory lane for a couple minutes – happy hiking!
We are rookie hikers and have made these mistakes quite a few times. It is so hard not to overpack – especially when hiking with kids but it seems we do it every time!
I am a big fan of hiking, especially on the mountains. From my experience I can tell that it’s essential to wear proper hiking boots to prevent ankle injuries. Also hiking poles are good for the knees if hiking back down.
Now that we’re allowed out a bit more, I can’t wait to go walking somewhere, anywhere else! I’ve never been a massive trekker but I’m up for trying new things now! Thanks for your tips – especially the rubbish bag one!
Rosie
Really great advice here, thank you so much for sharing (I would also add wearing the wrong socks, not just shoes! I’ve been there – not fun!!)
Oh I’ve done lots of these. Managed to get 2 boys round a 5mile hike at the weekend without incident though.
These are some great tips, especially bringing a trash bag. I feel like it’s the one thing I’d forget, and the first thing I would want once I got out on the trail. I used to go camping with a group when I was a kid, and we’d always clean our campsites before we left, sometimes even packing out trash that other visitors had left behind.
Love all of these tips! I never hiked so these will come up in handy when I go for my first one. Overpacking has always been an issue in whatever trip I take, so I really need to manage that before starting!
Preparing properly for any trip makes the entire experience more enjoyable. Not knowing what to take, I often am guilty of overpacking as well as starting out too eagerly. It is important to pace myself so as to stroll, not struggle, and I love the idea of taking a handy trash-bag as one place to keep rubbish.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I have made so many of these mistakes in the past!
As soon as I got myself a proper fitted women’s backpack a load of pain went away and I found walks were easier. I always bring more water than I need but strapped to my hips three litres felt like one.
I tend to hike in areas that have quite volatile weather so I’m prepared for anything from snow to blistering heat whenever I go on a day hike. I am not making that mistake again!
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Really great tips here! I haven’t hiked in years but I always remember that I would often get overexcited so overpack and always forget to pack the appropriate footwear. Will be coming back to this the next time I plan to go for a hike so I don’t fall into the same traps and mistakes.
Number 2! When I attempted quandary peak I didn’t make it bc I grossly overpacked and didn’t eat before either!
I’ve never tried hiking poles, but may be worth considering!
Great tips! I am one of those hikers that doesn’t love hiking poles though. 🙂
I can attest that wearing the right shoes is important. My husband encouraged me to buy hiking boots and they have made all the difference in protecting my ankles.
I’ve just recently started hiking and I have been thinking about whether or not I need to get hiking poles. I think I’m going to go ahead and get them now. Thanks!
Having enough water is so important, I love hiking so much!
Wow, I am definitely guilty of some of them. Will be more careful next time! Thank you for sharing.
What a great guide packed with some really useful tips! Great post xx
These are such great tips, especially for beginners. I’ve never been on a proper/ longer hike more than a few hours in one day so I know I’d make several of these mistakes if I were to do a longer one, especially when it comes to overpacking x
Great tips! I always forget trash bags!! great reminder..and pacing myself is important too!
Love these tips – I’m a sucker for overpacking so I need work on that once we can travel again! Thanks for sharing! X
I used to be terrible with wearing the wrong footwear and invested in some decent walking shoes. No wonder this is in the number one spot, they make so much difference.
These are all golden tips! Great for beginner hikers (like me!). Thank you for sharing these- I will definitely go through this list before I go on my next hike!
Hi Gabi.
Excellent advice – I think that I’ve made many of the mistakes that you identify!
One other thing I might advise – Have your navigation strategy sorted before you leave, whether that is a map and compass, or an app on your phone. Know where you are going, how long it will take and when you expect to back (let somebody know).
I’ve only been hiking a handful of times but I really enjoy it! Living next to the countryside gives me the opportunity to see gorgeous sites but unfortunately my health hasn’t been the greatest. I’ll keep these tips in mind if I ever manage to hike again!
Great list, I don’t hike that often lately so I’ve definitely done some of these, especially not training enough and starting too fast :- ) It’s lovely to see some other European bloggers, hi from the Czech Republic :- )
These are really great tips for hiking. I am not much of a hiker, but could have used some of these when I attempted one of the Yorkshire three peaks!
Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
I love hiking. Whenever I have the chance this is what i love most. I have done many of the mistakes you mention at by first attempts and I wish I new better and not need to find out the hard way.
Really excellent tips especially for folks like myself that haven’t hiked that much in our lifetimes! It reminds me of the time I signed up for a trip up a volcano in Guatemala… didn’t give much thought to shoes (threw on some old sneakers), left without snacks to power my energy intermittently, powered up the incline aggressively & was winded soon after – both because of I didn’t store any energy & because I hadn’t trained & physically prepared for it!
This is a detailed and really helpful post about keeping safe when hiking. I don’t hike really but when my health is better I would love to start hiking.
Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
This is such a helpful post. I completely agree that drinking plenty of water is so important.
I haven’t been hiking in forever, but these are helpful tips! I definitely agree it’s important to wear the right shoes & dress appropriately. Drinking enough water is important too!
Thank you for all the wonderful tips for hiking! I do like to hike and the right shoes are absolutely essential for me (also bug spray LOL). Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never been hiking but these are great tips to take on board for hiking and lots of other activities really! I’ve had times where I’ve worn the wrong shoes and been in so much pain all day!
These are such good tips to keep in mind. I have never been someone who enjoys hiking because being outside usually ends with me getting sick due to my allergies – but I love the concept of it and a lot of my friends love hiking! I’ll have to make sure they know about all of this!