Hiking: how to prepare for the journey

Fresh air, amazing scenery, a new experience every day: hiking - it's wonderful!

If you always wanted to try myself in this case daring, but still not sure if the pleasure is worth the time spent, we highlight a few important points for you on how to prepare yourself and what to expect along the way.

Today is a very popular words are like "trekking, hiking and bekpeking". They all belong to the species of outdoor activities, and the latter - just our theme.

What is hiking

Hiking - it's a long walk, one way hiking. Hiking culture is well developed abroad, but in Russia hikes - a very popular phenomenon.

Do hiking

Useful

First of all, hiking is good for health. It may seem that during campaigns you strain your feet only, but actually work all the muscles of the body.

This type of holiday is developing cardiorespiratory endurance, which is very important if you do sports, even just to maintain myself in shape. Also hiking - it is an opportunity to keep the muscles toned, control weight, improve metabolism and, as claimed by American Hiking Society, hiking reduces stress and anxiety.

Among other things, hiking - it's a kind of meditation for the body and spirit. Eventually hiking - an interesting experience or just being able to have a good summer, inspired by new experiences and gain useful skills.

Getting Started

It is difficult to prepare for the campaign, if you do not know your route. Therefore, we recommend to start preparing for a hiking path selection. There are several options for hiking for beginners tourists. You can select an already created route, join a group of tourists or go somewhere on his own way with friends or alone. One of today's popular types of hiking - it's urban hiking. It is suitable for those who want to try yourself in this kind of vacation, but does not expect wild conditions. Urban hiking - opportunity to discover interesting places his or any other city. For this type of tourism, there are special routes, too. On Web sites devoted to hiking, you can find useful information about where to go, what season and the weather is better to do and which route is right for you. Some of the most popular destinations in our country - it's Karelia, Crimea, the European part of Russia, the North Caucasus.

To select a route suitable as guides for beginners and not only that, but a minus of such publications is that they do not always give the latest information on the current state of the route, and it can take you on the road.

Foreign sites about hiking advised to start the appropriate club, where you can find like-minded people or just professionals who periodically follow the popular routes and regularly provide information on trails in varying terrain.

If you decide to try your hand in campaigns abroad, here are some clubs that will help you decide: Adirondack Mountain Club, Appalachian Mountain Club, Sierra Club.

Physical training

Hiking - it is fun, requiring endurance and some physical fitness. While that sounds like a hiking trip, then add a backpack, a difficult mountain route, the weather changes and you realize that it is not so easy and carefree. But do not ever give up on this type of holiday. All you need - pre-treatment.

The best option is to prepare yourself for hiking, of course, yoga is advised all the same American Hiking Society. Exercises included in the basic yoga course will help you develop stamina, strength and flexibility, which will be useful in a way. It is also worth to remember the breathing exercises, yoga and if you do not like the usual bar or evening jogging - an ideal option.

However, you should not neglect health problems. It is best to seek medical attention for the general status and may provide useful tips on how to better prepare yourself for the physical activities.

Who go hiking

To date, very popular single trips, because it is a unique opportunity to test themselves in non-standard conditions, test the strength of their strength and endurance, as well as just to be alone with your thoughts and feelings.

But do not give up just fun, because the right of hiking can be a good pastime for you and your friends. This trip easier to organize if you want to just relax with friends in nature, while doing something really useful for your body.

But if the goal of your campaign is more serious, the appropriate environment can be a necessity. Experts from the American Hiking Society is advised to go camping with a group consisting of at least 4 people, in case someone is injured, the two will be able to go for help, and the victim will not remain alone. For the most dangerous route there is a limit of 10 people.

Equipment

Let distant 80 tourists wearing jeans and a felt jacket in any weather, on any terrain, this does not mean that you also should not neglect the right clothes. Fortunately, today there are a lot of decent brands, offering everything you need for hiking, because half the success in your campaign is in the correct gear. The most important rule: stay dry. Choose clothing that is modeled on the conservation of heat and does not soak through completely.

Thermo-underwear can not wear in the summer season, otherwise you will be too hot. Clothing should be made of natural cotton, as it dries too quickly and may cause irritation. Shoes should be light and waterproof. Carefully approach the selection of shoes, because the model that you buy slightly, fail you in the way. Also pay attention to the accessories: hats, backpacks, glasses.

Gathering in a hike, do not forget about the things that need to be in a way a novice tourist. Here is a list of 10 important things that you will need to purchase.

• Map
• Compass
• The protective sunscreen and insect
• Food and water
• Head lamp
• Replacement Clothing
• First Aid Kit
• Knife
• matches or lighters
• to set fire

Food in the campaign

The most important thing in hiking - do not forget about water. Your body will need a lot of liquid, so take care of that she was in the amount of not less than 2 liters per day. Clean water is at a premium, if the path chosen by you, is not rich in natural resources.

Exercise, as you know, burn calories, which can affect badly on your state of health in the campaign. Do not forget to make sure that you have something to eat. In order to gain the right amount of calories, it is best to fit bar with cereals and nuts. This option is good not just for vegans. There will also be apples and jerky is very useful. Everything else is up to you. Try to choose high-calorie snacks and avoid perishable foods should not be abused, and canned goods. Hiking - it's definitely one of the outdoor activities that is worth a try, because it is suitable for almost everyone. Obvious advantages of hiking lies in the fact that the route can be selected independently, adapt it to your needs and desires. Physical fitness is not beyond a healthy lifestyle, and equipment can be found in any travel or just a sporting goods store, but the experience that you will receive will be unforgettable for you and for your friends. Who knows, maybe you will discover something new along the way.