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