Hiking for Beginners

Usually, my hiking buddy and I end up on a four hour hike and cover anywhere from three to five miles. Along the way, we spend our time exploring, taking pictures, and just spending time outdoors. But hiking can also mean a fast pace and fewer hours. Hiking is much like chili; everyone has his or her favorite recipe.

Where To Go

Finding a place to hike is always fun. You have plenty of options. You can walk right out from your front door without using the car like I do when I walk down to Long Island's North Shore. Alternatively, you can find a local, state, or federal park nearby. This past weekend, we went to The Big Reed Pond Nature Trails at Theodore Roosevelt County Park, Montauk, NY. We found this park on our own, but you can also rely on local outdoor clubs for advice, scheduled hikes, and events. Be careful to match your kind of hiking with theirs.

Maps

It's always a good idea to know where you are. Sometimes maps are available online, at the park, or from a hiking club. Ask around. Don't rely on a brochure map because sometimes all the details are left out and you can get lost. See if the trails are adequately marked and you understand how to read them, like what a turn blaze means. As you take your walk, keep at eye out on where you went so that you can always turn around and go back to where you started. Maps are also useful to gauge distance and can help you get back before dark or in time for your next activity. Make a mental note of the time you started. So if it took you an hour to walk in then assume it will take you an hour to walk out. If you are taking a circular walk, consider the halfway point and decide it you have time to finish or you need to turn around and go back the way you came.

What to Take & How To Carry It

I've been on a number of hikes where some people take only themselves and the littlest bottle of water possible, whose short walk turned into a long hike and they had not carried any water at all, or who carried no toiletries and thereby refused to drink any water on the hottest summer day. So carry a pack and make sure it's been properly fitted for your back. I like a big pack so that I can layer my clothing to suit changing weather, such as a fleece or wool sweater, a lightweight raincoat, and hat and gloves. Running from your car to the supermarket isn't like spending several hours out hiking. Pocket warmers are good to carry. Though I haven't had much need for a first aid kit, you may choose to carry some or all of its items. And of course carry water, essential, and food or snacks. Sometimes, we carry a flashlight if we think we will be out late. Field guides, a compass, binoculars, it all depends upon what you are interested in.

Know The Risks and Your Tolerance To Risk

In my area, the main risk is exposure to ticks. From experience, I know what to do and how best to avoid being bitten, and how to best avoid contracting a tick-related illness. I suppose you can wear a spacesuit that will totally protect you from being bitten, but that's a bit extreme, wouldn't you say? Understand you tolerance level to risk. Keep informed and then decide how cautious you want to be. I prefer not using an insecticide, and to instead wear light clothing and to keep an eye out for ticks crawling up my pants. At home, we try to dump our clothes in the basement first and then take showers right away. But if ticks has attached, we remove them carefully and watch for signs of the tick infection. Other's apply insecticide, but be careful about application, as there are risks in using these chemicals as well. Sometimes, I avoid hiking in certain areas and times of the year when I know the ticks are out in abundance. From reading about the tradeoffs I have made, I hope that it will give some insight into how you too can know the risks and better understand your tolerance to risk.

Outdoor Ethics

When I first started hiking, the outdoor ethic was to treat Nature as a place to worship and as a place where you "take only pictures, and leave only footprints." Today, it's more like visiting a good friend. Stop by, catch up on what's new, and know the right way to fit in. Also keep an eye towards a better understanding of what is, and when help is needed. I hope these tips will make your experience in the great outdoors enjoyable, safe and fun.