| Do you need these hiking tips? You do if you | | | | Hiking Tips - Taking Care Of Your Body |
| ever get blisters or twisted ankles or knee | | | | |
| pain. In fact, I stopped getting blisters at | | | | I stopped getting blisters the moment I gave |
| all over ten years ago. More on that in a | | | | up hiking boots and hiking socks. They create |
| moment. First, lets look at some basic | | | | a hot, humid environment that is perfect for |
| preparation and precautions to take when | | | | creating blisters. Even on longer backpacking |
| planning a hike. | | | | trips, I use thin nylon socks and lightweight |
| | | | running shoes. You may want to try it. |
| Hiking Tips - Preparation | | | | Chances are, you'll never go back to heavy |
| | | | socks and boots. If you are worried about |
| If you haven't done anything physical in a | | | | ankle support, strengthen those ankles! (See |
| while, you really should try to get in shape | | | | above.) |
| before taking a long hike or a backpacking | | | | |
| trip. Not only will it make much more | | | | You should also develop a routine for keeping |
| enjoyable, but the process of getting ready | | | | your feet dry and comfortable. Stop |
| will point out any problems you might have | | | | occasionally and take off your shoes and |
| (sore back, knee problems, blisters, etc.). | | | | socks. Air out your feet for a few minutes. |
| | | | If the socks are wet, replace them and hang |
| Take a hike near home with a fully loaded | | | | the wet ones from your pack to dry. Remove |
| pack to see how far you can comfortably go. | | | | any sand or small sticks and stones from your |
| If you are going to be backpacking in running | | | | shoes. If your feet get particularly hot, |
| shoes rather than hiking boots, you'll want | | | | soak them in a cold stream for a while. Do |
| to strengthen your ankles. A simple way to do | | | | this, and you'll get a lot more comfortable |
| that is to hike on uneven ground. This will | | | | miles out of them. |
| flex and exercises your ankles if you do it | | | | |
| at least several times in the week or two | | | | If you get knee pains when hiking, the long |
| before your trip. | | | | term solution may be special exercises to |
| | | | strengthen the surrounding muscles. Short |
| If you will be traveling in the mountains, | | | | term, you can buy a simple elastic knee brace |
| try bicycling to get ready. This uses a lot | | | | to see if that helps. You might also want to |
| of the same muscles you use when hiking | | | | try arch supports. They cost less than ten |
| uphill. Of course, regular bicycle rides are | | | | dollars and can help stop knee and back |
| also a fast way to boost your aerobic | | | | problems that are related to over-pronation |
| capacity. That can help you walk faster more | | | | (flattening of the foot when walking). The |
| comfortably. | | | | combination of these two seems to have cured |
| | | | my knee problems. |
| Buy the right equipment before your hiking or | | | | |
| backpacking trip. To be honest, on a short | | | | What if you are out hiking and get sudden |
| hike you can get by with almost anything. But | | | | knee pain? Here are a few tips: Icing the |
| if you plan to be deep in the wilderness, get | | | | knee for a while with cold water from a |
| some decent clothing for that purpose. Jeans | | | | stream or with snow can help. Resting with |
| get soaked easily in the rain and stay wet, | | | | the leg elevated usually helps a little as |
| which is uncomfortable, and can be dangerous | | | | well. Making a walking stick from a branch or |
| if it is cold outside. A nice hat can keep | | | | small tree and using it especially on |
| the sun out of your eyes, and a rain jacket | | | | downhill stretches can take some of the |
| can keep you safe and warm. | | | | pressure of the knee. |
| | | | |
| Carry enough water. If you have any problems | | | | Still too painful to walk? The inner bark of |
| with pain when hiking, you should probably | | | | willows and poplars contains a compound that |
| carry aspirin or other pain relief, even on | | | | is similar to aspirin. You can scrape the |
| short hikes. Map and compass are a good idea | | | | spongy bark off and make a tea of it, or try |
| of course, and tell someone where you'll be. | | | | just chewing some up. Better yet, just use |
| | | | the hiking tips in part one and be prepared. |