{"id":10638,"date":"2020-07-18T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2020-07-18T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinglifeblog.ca\/?p=10638"},"modified":"2020-08-27T16:47:30","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T20:47:30","slug":"5-hiking-tips-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportinglife.ca\/blog\/5-hiking-tips-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Hiking Tips for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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While we can\u2019t enjoy some summer sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is for sure \u2014 getting outside to explore our great country is beneficial for both your physical and mental health.<\/p>\n

Hiking is the perfect way to do just that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I love about hiking is whether it\u2019s a trail in your city or a national park, it\u2019s very accessible to everyone,\u201d says Mary Anne Ivison, the co-founder of Ottawa-based hiking blog HikeAddicts<\/a>. Ivison frequently hikes in the Gatineau Hills in Quebec and the Adirondacks in upstate New York. She and her co-founder, Vicky Castledine, have also both trekked to Mount Everest\u2019s base camp and up Mount Kilimanjaro.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019ve just got running shoes or hiking boots, whether you\u2019re driving to a trail or just walking in nature, you can hike,\u201d she adds. \u201cThe biggest boom in the last three months (during COVID-19) has been people getting outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking at hiking as something to try this summer, here are five things you need to know to get started \u2013 other than just needing to take one step forward!<\/p>\n

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1. Get the Right Gear<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hiking, by definition, is the \u201cactivity of going for long walks,\u201d and you\u2019re not going to go for a long walk without a good pair of shoes. Ivison says having good shoes is very important as you get started.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrail running shoes are great, but the key is to find shoes with proper ankle support especially if the terrain is rocky or loose,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

Check out Columbia\u2019s Vitesse OutDry Hiking Shoe. OutDry is a patented construction process that creates a waterproof breathable barrier. The Omni-Grip technology on the sole gives its user advanced traction for grip in any environment, and it\u2019s available for both men<\/a> and women<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got the right features on your feet, Ivison says layering, even in the summer, is critical.<\/p>\n

Some great layering options for 2020 are the North Face HyperLayer FD Tank Top<\/a> and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tight for women and the Black Yak Finn Top<\/a> and Arc’teryx Gamma LT Short for men<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be both stylish and comfortable on the trails with these performance pieces!<\/p>\n

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Image provided by Arc’teryx<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Stay Hydrated<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re hiking remember: you\u2019re going outside to exercise, and things can be unpredictable out there. Ivison says preparedness is the most important thing when it comes to hiking, which includes packing enough water to stay hydrated through your hike \u2013 and any extra time you may not have accounted for.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have learned the hard way, way too many times, about not being prepared,\u201d she says with a laugh.<\/p>\n

The insulated bottles from Hydro Flask<\/a> come in a handful of different colours and sizes. One of our favourites is the 24 oz., which uses a TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your water ice-cold for up to 24 hours!<\/p>\n

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3. Do Your Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re just starting to hike, it\u2019s important to find official maps<\/a>, Ivison says. In Gatineau Park, she admits she sees people who are lost on a semi-regular basis. It\u2019s OK \u2013 everyone is learning! \u2013 but you can eliminate the concern by doing pre-research on official websites.<\/p>\n

To get better prepared, use a backpack or a hip pack to carry your map, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and first aid kit. Patagonia\u2019s Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack<\/a> will keep your valuables safe with a key clip and a security pocket during shorter hikes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would rather have a little extra weight and be prepared than not have what I need and be stuck out on a trail,\u201d says Ivison.<\/p>\n

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Image provided by Keen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Tell a Friend<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Safety is paramount when it comes to hiking, and that includes anything you can do before and after you arrive at your destination.<\/p>\n

Ivison says she does approximately 90 percent of her outdoor activities alone, but every single time, she says, she\u2019ll tell someone when she starts and when she\u2019s safe. She also uses a GPS watch to send someone her location.<\/p>\n

The Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness Wristband<\/a> has a built-in GPS function plus a ton of other excellent fitness-tracking features that can help you not only track your health goals but where you are, too.<\/p>\n

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5. Think About the Environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If Ivison can leave beginner hikers with one thing, it\u2019s to make sure they don\u2019t leave anything on the trail.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing more infuriating than finding trash on trails because once you starting hiking and spending time in nature you fall in love with it and you want to protect it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

So while having the right gear is important, don\u2019t forget to treat the setting of your hike with just as much respect.<\/p>\n

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Story by Adam Stanley<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Hiking Essentials<\/h3>\n

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