Hey there, everyone. Brendan here once again, and regardless of our differences, I earnestly believe that all of us can agree on something: we should spend more time outdoors. The weather doesn't always comply with our wishes on this, nor do our schedules, but as someone looking to be less of a hermit, I've been doing some research.
I wanted to share with you guys a bit of what I've learned about hiking and spending time outdoors. To rugged and experienced outdoorspeople, some of this may seem too basic, but to folks like me who sweat like that evil lawyer from Jurassic Park whenever the temperature goes up enough, we could use the advice! After all, every one of us lives in this world, and we should all savor the opportunity to enjoy its wonders.
Elevation Escalation
This is true of any hobby, but take it slow when starting out with hiking. Don't try to tackle one of the bigger trails if you're not experienced and/or equipped enough to do so. There are guides online that suggest the best trails for different areas; do your own research, and if you can, speak to someone who's taken the trail before you, or locals who may have information that you can use.
Keep an eye out for common pitfalls when choosing where you're going to hike. For example, places with large inclines will not only take longer to traverse, but can be far more taxing physically than one might expect. On a related note, and definitely speaking from personal experience on this one, get the right shoes! Find out whether your chosen trail is more rugged or well-maintained and prepare accordingly.
Asking for Directions
As simple as it may sound, knowing how to read a map and use a compass are indispensable skills in hiking, even if the trail is well-mapped or popularly traveled. There are no guarantees out there, and cell signals are often weak if not entirely non-existent. Here's a quick guide on reading topographical ("topo") maps and another on the best compass for different kinds of hikers. They may seem expensive at first, but it's impossible to put a price on the simple but critical ability to know where to go should you lose the trail-- make sure that you know how to use your compass before you depart, too!
Read the Room
One of the tips I saw repeated the most was the idea of carrying a guidebook. We simply cannot remember everything, and these books can help fill in those gaps and provide information in case there's an emergency. Make sure to avoid anything that looks like it was generated by AI, which has been shown to sometimes contain dangerous factual errors. Some of the best guidebooks are as follows:
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The Backpacker's Field Manual by Rick Curtis, a "thoroughly researched yet accessible" volume that covers every aspect of hiking and how to plan for your trip.
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Michigan Trail Maps has extensive literature on specific hiking destinations in the state as well as maps of different trails. There are similar presses/books for every state!
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Falcon Guides are a popular brand that has everything from guides on backyard flora and fauna to maps and books on specific trails and national parks.
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Hike It: An Introduction to Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking through the U.S.A. by Iron Tazz and Mark Stanev is a beautifully illustrated book that helps introduce hiking to younger children (7+). It teaches the basics, and a greater appreciation for the beauty of nature and how to interact with it respectfully.
This one isn't a book, but instead a wonderful resource from the wonderful folks at the National Park Service: Hiking Etiquette, a bullet point list of the very basics that they recommend any hiker follow. The site also has more information on things like hiking during different seasons, bringing your pets along with you and so much more. Avail yourself of this information before you embark on your journey!
The Ten Essentials
I won't pretend to rehash this list here because the folks over at the REI Co-op did it so well that there's no beating it. They created a list of ten absolute essentials that you should bring with you on any hiking trip, full stop, and I agree with every word of it.
- Navigation Tools
- Headlamp and Batteries
- Sun Protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.)
- First Aid Kit
- Knife
- Firestarter (matches, flint and steel, etc.)
- Shelter (bivvy)
- Food
- Water
- Clothes
The last three they label specifically as "beyond the normal expectation," meaning that you should pack/wear more of them than you're expecting to use in case of emergency. Though this list may make hiking seem more intimidating, and though some may accuse you of being overprepared, it's better to have what you need when you need it. As REI puts it:
The exact items from each system that you take can be tailored to the trip you're taking. For example, on a short day hike that's easy to navigate you might choose to take a map, compass and PLB, but leave your GPS and altimeter behind. On a longer, more complex outing, you might decide you want all those tools to help you find your way. When deciding what to bring, consider factors like weather, difficulty, duration, and distance from help.
REI also has a great guide for those who are beginning their hiking adventures, which you can read here. I came across a helpful guide on how to prepare the right amount of water for a hike, and I thought it was worth sharing. A good rule of thumb is to bring one liter of water for every five miles or every hour you plan to be on the trail. If you're new to hiking or haven't been out in a while, it's especially important to keep this in mind. At the same time, water is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down—so it’s all about finding the right balance to stay safe and comfortable on your hike.
Of course, how could I go on about this and not mention Nakee Butter? Great flavor, excellent ingredients and the convenience of our pouches make our spread the perfect addition to any hike, as well as whatever else you may have on your calendar. Speaking of that, however...
"Follow to the letter your itinerary!"
Something else that's very, very important is letting someone else know where you're going and how long you're planning to be there. (This is true even if you're bringing folks with you, by the way!) If you're overdue on your hike and end up requiring assistance, they can help get the information on where you are to the authorities more quickly. There's plenty of documentation of this simple action having saved peoples' lives. Here's a quick guide for creating and sharing a detailed itinerary.
There's a lot to unpack here, I know. There's more than I thought there would be even as I was planning this blog, and I didn't include everything I wanted to. To learn more, I definitely recommend looking at some of the guides I linked above, particularly the one from REI, and being overprepared. I hope that this guide helps, and maybe inspires folks to find a greater experience out there on some of the gorgeous trails and national parks that we can all enjoy together. Thanks for reading; this is Brendan signing off!
