I started hiking back when I was 14 and thanks to a Native American, I was shown some great tips on things like eating cactus fruits and looking for the licorice plants to brush off the needles. Also and probably one of the most helpful tips that I still use to this day, always, always stop and look around. Not just look around at the bushes or trees but the major peaks around so your mind makes a mental stamp. It was mentioned in this video. You never know if you're ever in trouble or disoriented, that stamp will help you get your bearings. Hiking for 40 years now and that alone has helped many times. I smile whenever I stop and look around and remember learning that. Be safe and happy trails ✌
Agree! Doing that helps you to more easily and accurately relate the reality of the visible landscape to the printed representation on your map. Take regular fixes and mark them lightly on the map, so when the batteries die, the weather drowns your GPS, or the clouds roll in and deprive you of visual cues , you will have a very good idea of where you are but importantly you will know which way is safe and which way is terminal. The Cairngorm plateau and the summit plateau of Ben Nevis are both known to have a high potential for lethality in conditions of poor visibility, conditions where basic nav skill will be the arbiter between a safe descent or adding another number mountain fatality statistics. Some areas have magnetic anomalies, the Cuillin Ridge in Skye for example is one of those. There, your compass cannot be trusted, so be extra bloody careful.
Always look behind you so you will recognize the path coming back. I just started getting into hiking (I moved to Alaska so why not?) and I have a lot to learn.
My five rules would be: 1) Start with shorter distances then increase your range over several years -- know your limits by testing them in safe environments (closer to "civilization"). Remember that walking with a backpack is way different than doing test hikes without one. 2) Never start a trip in the mountains with shoes that you have not walked at least three hikes in the woods with and not had any problems with. Use experiences with blisters to tape up your feet before they get blisters instead of after. 3) Dont carry more than you need -- plan it meticulously. 4) Weather in the mountain may switch rapidly, so be ready to switch clothes quick and easy by packing smart and having your alternative clothes on the top in your backpack. 5) You will always encounter things that you didnt know or anticipated. A good spirit goes a long way -- make the best of it with the tools your party has with them, and have fun!
I would also add that it's best to start out in group hikes - learn from more experienced hikers. Make sure that you have clothing which stand out and invest in protective and safety gear.
I would also add, that you should not underestimate the „height“ you have to overcome. You may be able to carry your gear on „normal“ conditions, but if you want to be prepared, walk a lot of stairs with your gear beforehand.
@@Tabaskuh yep, steep hills can cause some serious issues if you dont have the muscle endurance for it, especially if its at the first stage of the day. walking downhill is also its own type of strain for the body. you are kinda forced to be mindful of your body when you are alone in nature like this. thats why you really only can prepare yourself by doing it, incrementally. fail (aka learn) a little instead of a lot.
I don't think it takes several years to work up to long distances. I don't know how representative my case is, but it certainly didn't take me several years to work up to long daily walks and hikes. It took under a year for hikes, a week and a half for walks.
@@vitriolicAmaranth I agree about day hikes, but on backpacking prep, I would add: in my early 20s, my "training regimen" was like, throw away the cigs and run a few miles a day for a couple weeks and then go backpacking and climbing in very rugged high country. First day in the mountains would kick my ass, but I'd be mostly recovered after one night's rest and could do it again. I'd spend a week doing this and get stronger every day. Now I'm pushing 60, haven't backpacked in a minute, and I think it's gonna work a little different this time. I'll need better preparation, and lighter days or recovery time between hell days. Seems like people vary in recovery times, especially as they age. I see olds getting ambushed by this fact of life all the time. 😂
Went hiking with friends this Spring and the list I could come up with for COMPLETE rookies would be this: - Know the route. A friend had known one of the routes in the area, but there were two and we went up the one none of us were familiar with. Got lost on the way down (had a panic attack) - WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES. I'm aware most who set out to hike already own ones, but my friend's and I didn't (we didn't think we'd need them, rather, because none of us knew how high or ICY it would get) - Bring water. More than you think you need, because you're probably going to need more. - Start early enough so you don't end up in pitch black woods and have a panic attack (see point one)
I would add to the one about water that each individual needs to bring his or her OWN water and not expect the person who actually brings water to share. I've been on several hikes where someone decided they didn't need to bring any water, but they were coming down with the flu, and because we all shared water bottles with that person, we ALL got sick. It was miserable. And if you're actually a ways out, and backpacking, that's not a mistake you can afford to make. It also creates unnecessary resentment among friends and family. A lot of the women I hike with don't want to carry enough water because they're either vain about needing to take bathroom breaks or are afraid to slow down the group with frequent pee breaks. Those she-wee things have practically eliminated (😉😎) the need to make a bathroom break a big deal, so just drink the water already!
I would add this from personal experience for first-time hikers: - Make sure your shoes are well fit for your feet and also prepare for blisters - Prepare for mosquitos (but don't melt your valuable gear while spraying). - If it starts raining, accept you're gonna get wet, no matter what(but don't get your backpack wet). Either you poorly prepared and you get soaked, or you have good gear and the trapped perspiration & sweat soaks you from inside. Just accept it and relish it like a dog bathing in a mud ;-) - In winter, turn your bottles upside down during the day and keep them in your sleeping bag during night(As well as all battery-powered devices, as said in video) - Don't skimp on food, just cause of heavy backpack. It might seem like you counted exactly what you need and you probably did, but not enough to feel satisfied, not enough for in-between snacks and you gonna get grumpy then.
Dont use sprays. Use liquids or lotions that you apply manually as the environmental impact is less and you don't spray everywhere. The containers are smaller. I cover my body in light tightly-woven clothing (like Cool Dry) and apply a little to my hat, balaclava, and a little to my face, avoiding eyes.
@@carolineowen7846 For me personally I don't take any of these stuff. The college hiking club I'm in put a ban on lotions, toothpastes and creams due to environmental impact, and I think that had an impact on my hiking habits as well.
Lmao there's something different about hiking I'm fat and hate walking on side walks and shit but I could walk for miles on miles on a dirt path in the woods, nature just kinda keeps u going
@@seatato4468 Probably has to do with two things: Air and Surface The soil/ground is a lot softer and bouncier than sidewalks/streets. The wild has cleaner, easier to breathe air than cities/urban areas.
Hello from Hokkaido! Extra tips based from my own errors. Do bring extra batteries for your flashlight. Do bring a needle and tape for blisters. Do bring a bottle of whiskey to celebrate on top with friends :) (Optional)
Why not buying a torch which is rechargeable by dynamo or by the force of turning a handle (I dunno the name exactly). I've used that + a radio, the same type and they work laser!
@@Bikelife112 Those things can save you in an emergency, but they are finicky and fragile, it is much better to have a better and more reliable flashlight, with extra batteries. You should only use a crank-powered one as a backup.
Lol...my first I booked to try something different as my mum had just died...was 35,heavy smoker and BMI of 36.. I sort of zoned out chatting to the travel company and ended up on a 21day hike from Kathmandu through the Himalayas without the money to quit....absolutely hated slot of it...cried at the top of Kala patter and got hooked on this outdoorsy stuff...also gave me will power so no cig in 8yrs.
@@MrRaZzA1995 definitely 👍 wish I'd started younger but better late than never....also hope it rubs off on my kids. Got a few treks under my belt now and planning future trips gives me extra drive in day to day stuff
I agree with the list of tips mentioned in the video but would like to add some as well: 1) Don't bring too much stuff! I'm not advocating for anyone to go ultra light, but newbies tend to bring way too much weight. Like gadgets and extra clothes you will never use or don't really need. I myself ended up focusing more on "are we there yet?" instead of "wauw, it's amazing being out here in this beautiful nature" because my feet were hurting so much from all that unecessary weight. 1.1) In addition to the above and the bonus tip in the video (get hike strong 7:52) consider if you're the kind of person that could benefit from losing some bodyweight. I was and still is a pretty average guy within the recommended BMI, but over the past year I started taking the bicycle to work (20min each way) and eat a little more responsible (nothing fanatic at all) and so far I've lost about 10kg and gained a little extra strength in my legs as well. Now I feel a huge difference when I'm out hiking. All together I prob. spared my feet from having to carry 15-20kg of... excess fat and other things I don't really need. In retrospective I basically carried an extra backpack around that I never used when I was out hiking... that's insane to think about. I can totally recommend this for many reasons. 2) Don't underestimate the importance for propper footwear (including socks). Bonus: In regards to water filtering I highly recommend 'katadyn befree'. It's made my process of getting clean water while being outdoors so much more convenient.
@@verasonhos5881 I'm not too experienced in the shoe vs boot debate, but from what I've gathered shoes are obviously lighter, but gives less protection against the environment (and also wear out faster I believe) and give less support to your ankles. My go to outdoor guys says "don't wear shoes if youre gonna hike in the mountains with a +15kg backpack on. At first you won't see why you need the boots, but at the end of the day, when youre very tired, you would have wished you brought boots instead of shoes. Because that's when you truly need the support to protect your ankles from twisting". Obviously others disagree with that. I was at a.. lecture I guess we could call it with a woman who hiked on trails for 6 months in the states. She preferred shoes over boots and was not a fan of goretex because your feet don't breath very well in that type of shoe according to her. And yes, she got wet when it rained and when she had to cross a river but she had a shoe that would dry quickly and that worked best for her. I guess it boils down to how you personally function/your preferences, the terrain and the climate. I myself use boots when I hike in Scandinavia to play it safe. However I have no experience with either goretex in footwear or real hiking shoes... maybe it's better for me? I dont know yet. In regards to goretex my go to guy says "what do you prefer? to have your feet soaked in water or sweat? Because your feet will get wet whether or not you choose goretex... more or less". So right now I use 'ECCO Biom Hike Yak 1,6 HM Men' because it's very water resistant and quite light, but also breathable. However I haven't tested it on a "real hike" yet. I hope that answers your question.
Stefan H everybody hates boots until they wake up with swollen ankles and shot calves, or have to walk for hours in cold wet shoes. Anything more than one day with any pack bigger than 25 liters is a boots hike for me. My Oboz have never failed me!
I used to bring a ton of clothing when we first started out with our boys. Then we transitioned to merino wool clothing and only brought extra pants for the smallest kid in case of "accidents".
I learned how to use a compass when I was a kid, really helpfull now this days, for the 6 thing to keep in mind CHECK THE WEATHER THE DAY BEFORE GOING OUT ON A TRIP TO BE PREPARED AND READY OR CHANGE THE DAY
Chase, take it from a geologist: not all water that runs through earth is good water. Like you said in the video with the cows, you never know from where it comes. Also, water is naturally purified by sickering through the ground by bacteria only after 10 days!! Better have those tablets/UV/charcoal filter with you. Once purified, indeed, it is really great water.
It's not always that the water is mankey, it's just that you're not used to it. My whole family walked/hiked when my parents were younger. We went from UK tap water to Canadian Rockies water, the Rockies water would have been better than anything you got out of a UK tap. We all had 2/3 days of the runs then never again. I would recommend filtering your water if you take a long plane journey anywhere to begin with.
@@jelkel25 Well that sounds odd to me really. I have had only two real hiking trips with a tent in the wilderness if we call the Vosges and Scottish Highlands that. The biggest struggle was the water and I hated the tap water in the UK. Struggle because I could not be sure If I did find enough while walking and a good source so most of the time I was overpacked with a big bladder full of water. I did run out of water twice, for each trip once. Water is so heavy to carry around if you dont know when you can get some more. For be it is the most difficult part really. But I am not picky, I did watch the landscape and decided If I cant see animals or pasture next to that stream. Or if I was close to the top I assumed it was safe. I did not have head filtered water or purified water for the Highlands. Only used the tablets for the Vosges, that was also horrible. I hate chlorine taste and the bladder was contaminated with that taste after that. TL:DR, I never had problems with the water I could find so far.
@@Vanadium Only one way to find out. You never get problems with not filtering water till you do. I don't know why water in the Rockies gave us problems after coming from the UK but it did, on more than one occasion, you got used to it and no more problems. I've taken my chances with unfiltered water in a few places and had no problems too. You put citrus or Vit-C in water after purification to get rid of the chlorine taste.
Some great tips here! The navigation comment - I once stepped off the trail in Sweden, a suddenly everything looked the same - same trees, rocks, grey sunless sky - my visual references were gone - it was genuinely frightening. These days I'm always with a compass, I use the map often to identify names of landscape features, but perhaps best of all - taking an interest in (being present in) the landscape I'm travelling in including looking back to see another view - this adds up to much better 'situational awareness' not only 'where am I' but changing weather, how much daylight is left, are the animals worried about anything - all clues to developments that might turn against you if you're not taking some action now! Recommended reading 'Natural Navigation' by Tristan Gooley is all about reading the landscape.
when talking about water, you reminded me about a time my friends and i found some crystal clear beautiful little river on a hot day and i just began drinking it up and washing my face only to see a dead beaver two stories of rock above after exploring further. Luckily no one was affected but it was close.
Additional, pretty basic but fundamental tip imo: be prepared for any weather. Weather in the mountains can be extremely unpredictable. So always bring some rain proof clothing, even if the sun has been shining for weeks. And know what to do in a thunder storm, you don't want to panic when lighting is striking around you.
My tip for not forgetting gear is to have it grouped in bags. You make a list of what's in each bag and can check off which bags are in your backpack. Also: a to pack and to do list for your day of departure.
“Every trip I go on I always forget something even if I have a list” ..... makes me question the effectiveness of having that list. 😂 Great video good luck everyone
Solid tips here. Found their usefulness out in the field myself long ago. Especially the being 'underdressed' when starting your hike. The heating up of the body 'overdressed' is a certainty and sweating becomes inevitable. And with the sweat comes discomfort and loss of energy. The thing I would like to add; dead animals above your stream aren't always detectable but living animals, as in cattle, are. Make sure there aren't any because they can crap in the stream and polute it as well.
I love hiking, I've recently taken my 5 y old girl on short easy trails (a hike a day) going up and down Vancouver Island as we are on a week vacation 👍🏞️
Regarding tip number 3. The importance of starting cold (This is just my opinion) is all about staying dry & warm. As mentioned in the video, if you start off wearing a load of layers then you'll quickly start to heat up & start to sweat. Stopping to constantly remove layers when you start a hike isnt really a big problem, its just a bit of a pain in the arse, but not starting off cold, getting too hot too quickly & then sweating at the start of a hike can become a big problem A lot of hikes gain altitude at the start & the higher you hike the colder the temperature will become (Approx 3 degree drop every 1000ft of height gain in still conditions, take windspeed into consideration & then windchill factor then that temperature drop can become rapid pretty quickly) If you start off layered up then you'll quickly start sweating meaning your clothes will start getting damp. Once that happens & especially if the wind picks up you'll start to get cold quickly as the sweat you've built up on your back etc (plus 1 or 2 now potentially damp layers) will really start to lower your temperature. Depending on the temperature, wind speed & wind chill factor this can mean going from a bit chilly & uncomfortable to (in a very worse case scenario) a contributing factor towards hypothermia. That might sound like i'm been a bit over dramatic but unless you know what to look out for on someone else or (harder) realise it on yourself, hypothermia can set in very quickly & is life threatening.. Good video & dont want to come across as a patronising bore but I think it should be mentioned.
I am so very much enjoying your channel. I am training and preparing both physically and mentally for my ultimate goal of thru hiking Te Araroa, NZ, where I live. 😊 All your videos are great and I am learning more all the time, even though I have a lifetime of experience in shorter hikes. We have loads of multi day hikes in New Zealand to enjoy. 🙆♀️😁🌳
Great advice. FYI due to the massive numbers of hikers, camping has been banned in the Ordesa valley except for next to the Goriz hut (must be booked and you have to pay). The other valleys should be ok for overnight bivvy, ie pack up at daylight. Just take all your stuff back down with you.
theres already quite a lot of other good videos on map reading but I've just make a video about navigation you mind find interesting! ua-cam.com/video/0muzAJp6nqw/v-deo.html
Going to hike the PCT someday soon (5 year goal) i'm nearly 40 years old. I spend a fair amount of my time outdoors, though my job is 9 hours a day in an office on my backside! I love watching these kinds of things to help me prepare for a long through hike.
The last tip of this video, I must say I agree with. Your mountain flow routine not only helps me to get up with energy but I see more improvements in mobility. I wish I knew how to workout anywhere without arousing suspicion for kids.
Really glad you mentioned being prepared for difficultly level. I’m in the process of exercising and doing day hikes of increasingly longer distances to get ready for a trip in July.
About leaving a trail: Take two GPS devices and always mark the known track in the device if you do go off it. Don't go climbing up kilometers off the planned route to take in mountain top views if this is a climb into a climate zone you don't have the correct gear for. Great video! Taking strong tape is a great resource idea and especially a plastic bag lol or even better a rain jacket and pants.
Good tips, thanks. I would add: don't overpack! It's easy to take way too much stuff, especially for a beginner- clothes, food, heavy camera gear.... You'll get a better idea after a few times. There's nothing worse than dragging a super heavy pack over the mountains and at the end of it, realizing you could easily have reduced your gear by 1/2.
I add a few points that are very important in my opinion: 1) plan well your route in advance. Check the length, height different, parts that are possibly exposed and be realistic. Wrong planning equals problems; 2) check the weather forecast in several sources. The mountain can be heaven or hell depending on the weather; 3) Bring always some cloth in case it gets suddenly cold. If you have a problem and you are forced to spend the night out, you dont want to die from hipotermia; 4) Carry always a thermal rescue sheet. It weights nothing and can save your life. Keep it always in your backpack and you will never forget it; 5) Protect yourself from the sun: sun cream, wear a cap with a neck cover protection and sunglasses to protect you eyes. 6)the color of your gear can help you in case of trouble. A red jacket or backpack may help finding you in case you are missing; 7) For longer camping trips over 2-3 days bring a lightweight solar panel charger.
So good to hear a commonsense video. I blows my mind how many people I meet on the trail who just simply don’t prepare in a simple and smart way before venturing out. Love that you recommend the map and compass more importantly know how to use it. I have met many hikers who get lost and have tech nav that hasn’t worked for whatever reason or have no form of nav at all (common) and expect the markers on the trail is enough. Well done and thank you for sharing 👣👣👣
Start cold is key. It’s easier to warm up than it is to cool down. Even better, get conditioned to the cold before you go. I take cold showers for a few weeks before a trip for this reason. Personally, for rain gear I’m a big fan of the umbrella. It keeps sun off you (I burn easily), and it won’t make you sweat like rain gear.
You are absolutely right! Getting ready physically and understanding the nature of the trail is huge. I thought I could do the hike up Diamond Head with plantar fasciitis and a tiny tendon tear because it was a pretty short hike. I made it, but it nearly ruined the rest of my Hawaii trip. Hiking is still my favorite thing; I just do it smarter now.
When I was a newbie getting the right layering strategy was my biggest mistake. I did not have a decent thin layer and was just overheated and miserable
I very much appreciated this video. I'm hoping to do a few (gentle) through hikes soon. I'm retiring in 2 months then I'm going hiking (25 y is enough classroom time...). I'm itching to get out there. I think I've learned a few things. So thank you. 🖖
Hey Mark. I liked the video. Very useful info. I don't like #4 about using chlorine or basically bleach purification tablets. Those tablets are very strong and have disastrous side effects. They ruin your kidneys because you are drinking what essentially is bleach in the water you just purified using one of the tablets. They should only be used in extreme emergencies and as a last resort even then. Boil the dirty water for 5 minutes to sterilize it. Use a lightweight water purifier like a Sawyer Mini or a Kayadyn filter. Use a Steri-Pen the UV purification method. Do anything except using the dangerous water purification tablets. That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for listening.
That’s exactly the kind of advices I need now. I am a beginner in longer hikes, which will be more than one day hikes. Thank you. Looking forward to more advices. Subbed. Liked.
This comment likely won't get read - but I HAVE to commend you for making Mistake #1 "Communication" This is why, personally: While living in SE Utah, USA, a couple of 'friends' who considered themselves 'experienced hikers' invited me out to what they called "a small cool hike." I asked what gear I should bring for me and my dog; "Not much, just some water." Showed up with a handheld 2-liter thermos and my hiking shoes. It ended up being a 23 mile hike through sand dunes interspersed with light scrambling/bouldering, a lot of incline/decline, and a 3 mile section of lateral sandstone walking at a 45 degree ankle-bending incline, looping back to the sand dunes. I kept a cheerful demeanor throughout but my body was not ready - I sprained my groin and knee. They apologized for not warning me, and shared some of their snacks and water since I brought none of the first and ran out of the latter 17 miles in sharing with my dog. I had to slow down to a shuffle on the dunes because my left leg was having trouble staying stable. While the hike was beautiful and I was proud of myself for overcoming the challenge despite my unpreparedness - I was fuming inside. I'm always over-prepared. I take pride in being ready for any hardship and I felt completely misled. It almost ended up with me in real danger of hurting myself, and we were deep in backcountry SE Utah, hiking a few miles away from the Cosmic Ashtray. It didn't kill my love of camping/hiking/outdoor living... but it erased any willingness I had to hike or camp with other people. I only ever group-hike with one other person now, and it's because they, like me, are over-prepared and always making sure each other is safe. Great video, I hope more people watch it. Especially 'experienced hikers.'
A lot of people also start out dehydrated. One of the best tips I ever got was to start hydrating "extra" about a day or two before a big hike. That includes drinking chicken broth for more electrolytes.
When you take the extra effort to pay attention to people’s nutrition, it’s surprising how many people drink very little water in their day. I’ve worked with people in corporate America who had access to water fountains and water coolers, but would go a whole week or two with just getting their water intake from their tea and coffee then complain about why they’re tired or why they’re getting headaches.
2 other great tips: - Eating properly, meaning just eating a small amount every hour or so (4 sandwich bites, piece of fruit, chocolate...) instead of having a big meal on top. - A piece of clothing that saved me in many hikes is a neck warmer. Super light and warm, as well as bringing many breathable layers, including convertible pants and a wind breaker, in most of my hikes I don't wear a thick fleece jacket.
Great info and scenery! The map you refer to, I hope, is a topographic map specific to your trek or at least a detailed map of the trail area with obvious landmarks noted. Some of us can navigate using "mils", but most only require basic degrees, minutes and seconds. NEVER be ashamed to ask for help if you are not sure BEFORE you go; it's better than getting lost. NEVER "go it alone" in unfamiliar country regardless of your experience; I used to work in the SAR world. Looking for lost "experienced" hikers is more common than you think. So, you are exactly correct in the whole stay-on-the-trail idea and giving a hardcopy of your intended trail and timing to reliable family member or friend. Personally, I never take electronics to the bush or mountains - send/recieve problems, how to charge it or even just worrying about its well-being like water, losing a piece or breakage. Just that much less stuff to carry. Don't think you can do without your phone? Think the world or your mind will explode if you don't have it with you? There are folks who can help with your addiction. A healthy hike in beautiful country with experienced friends to teach the "hows and whys" plus totally unplugging will rejuvenate heart, mind and soul. Experience the breath-taking natural world, one step at a time, no rushing, and peace of mind will catch up to you. Enjoy...
My parents would force me to have very long hikes every weekend as a kid and throughout my entire childhood it was literal torture They also made me do the tour de mont blanc as a young teen with little to no prep with a really heavy backpack
Your final tip was one of the most important - I tried warning someone I was hiking with that he was spending too much time planning and not enough time preparing. That trip did not go well. The "plan" (more of a detailed schedule) was thrown out after 1 mile; the lack of true preparation took over after that.
It really depends on what you are up to. I once went on a trip in the French Alps with a friend. On the second day we realised that we underestimated the trip and the hight differences. However, since we had our tents with us, it didn't matter. We just changed our plans and enjoyed nature.
@@Waldlaeufer70 I had hopes we could do that.. the other guy dropped out completely. He did act as a personal trail angel for me over the next 50 miles though. I even had to teach him to do that right! But he was a great support about it and really enjoyed being a trail angel, helping other hikers besides myself.
The funny thing about me is my brain is always paying attention to where north is doesnt matter if im on a trip or just visiting a friend’s house near my home. Makes me laugh sometimes when i nod off for a couple seconds acknowledging north 😷
Important thing when you combine UV and chlorine: mind the order, do not subject the chlorine water to UV light. Dependent on what minerals are in the water, that can lead to some bad chemicals.
Was just about to comment that :D There might also be various organic compounds that could turn into organochlorinated compounds which would foul up the water.
I'll tell you a must from experience. Never forget extra shoelaces and also from experience - a way to repair the bottom of your shoe or at least temporarily cover a giant gaping hole (as well as something to place in your shoe to step on where that giant slash now is).
I enjoy at home workouts, without equipment, as well. Body weight and intensity does the trick for me. Thanks for your insight. BTW, I sleep with my batteries on trail. LOL.
What is it with Salomons sole separation? I've stopped buying them because this seems to be a problem I'm seeing everywhere, plus experienced myself. Very disappointed in Salomon lately. QC is going downhill.
The Vietnam ones are a problem. The ones with Kevlar laces made in China are better; but these once wet and later left in the sun will cause the sole to separate. It's caused by a deterioration of the adhesive bond that is used in the factory, which is UV degradable, so exposing these to sunlight to dry put could cause the bond to breakdown.
Actually I had Solomons for 7 years now, there old, ragged, have made many kilometers in many countries and they do just fine, no sole problems at all...
The reason my friends don’t like hiking and wild camping is because they didn’t listen to the advice I gave them and went out and bought unsuitable essential equipment like tents/boots/sleeping bags and mats, and heavy non-essential equipment that I told them we didn’t need like folding metal shovels, full cooking cutlery sets with selections of pans and plates, hatchets and knives, chairs etc.
Chase Mountains absolutely! I don’t have any trips on the radar yet, planning is the hardest part for me. The Colorado trail and JMT are definitely on my mind tho! Hopefully I can pull one of those off this coming year :)
I would add some other tips as: 1- Do not ever fully trust people that did the trail you´re gonna do because: probably they went on a different season-year-time (weather and climate changes, water resources often dry up, you can find rock slide on your way up etc.), they have different physical constitution and habits=resistence (this is super important, I learned this in the bad way. People often say that you aren´t gonna need that much water or sugar since they did not need it or that packing that hat you were going to is useless because they could make it to the camp before sunrise). This is super important guys, you cannot imagine how much important this is: In my first hiking I trusted my ex-boyfriend because he had previous experience hiking the mountain that we were going to, he had visited the place like three years ago and we end up hiking with one liter of water for 14 hours. He told me that there were "water springs" all the way up: they weren´t. 2- Research. Research. Research. 3-If you can, exercise months before to be in good condition.
My favorite is creating the list and checking it off as you pack your stuff up. Nothing is more exhilarating than the preparation of a beautiful journey other than the journey itself! Do the Santa Claus and make a list and check it twice!!! :D
or maybe go with an organized hiking group with a trail that lasts for a few hours. Check the weather and you don't need to bring unnecessary stuff (in most cases you'll just need extra water). I doubt anyone who's never been hiking will enjoy hiking for a few days for their first time.
If I gave a tip, it would be "Start with a one way trip, hopefully somewhere you're excited to go, where there's a bed and a hot meal at the end of the trail". Step one is simply conditioning your mind to know what to expect on long journeys and how your body reacts. Step two, "actually going somewhere", can come later. :J
Just came back from my second hiking trip with my friend (6 miles in total). There was snow everywhere, we were hungover and completely out of shape. Mother Nature humbled the shit out of us.
We are just about to head on our first overnight hike - but we are trusting out friends that is experienced to guide the way and avoid most of the mistakes! The checklist for packing she gave us was really handy!
If you have a tree tap, you can fill your water bottle through the night by using some of the water the tree provides. It filters naturally through the roots and rest of the tree. However, be sure to whittle down a near by but freshly fallen stick and use it to plug the hole so the tree is less likely to catch any diseases or insect infestations.
I always prefer boots over shoes simply for the tougher sole and ankle support. Columbia makes some really good, light weight hikers that have low tops that aren't too restricting and super durable.
Dude I loved the vid! First that I’ve seen your channel. Great info! I think go find me contacted me about their product too. I say, “Be bold start cold” lol. Where were you guys backpacking at? Absolutely gorgeous there. All the best! JSH
One tip if you're old. Salt. When you sweat, cramp sets in. I know sodium salt isn't the right stuff but it's lucky I had some in the dolomites a few years ago. I was lying on the floor in agony and half a teaspoon of salt, in water, got me standing up again in minutes. Once I got such acidity, it was in a terrible state. It was Sunday and everywhere was closed. Just a couple of anti-acid tablets would have fixed me. When you're old, don't forget the medicine. I know I won't ever again.
I am a big fan of taking that first break 15 to 20 minutes in. I like to be warm, hike untill I feel the heat build, then stop and de layer, sit for a moment, and absorb the environment.
Some other things to consider: 1) What to pack. One of my combat instructors put it best: ounces become pounds, and pounds become pain, so unless you’re packing stuff for weight, if you don’t need it, don’t use it. 2) How you pack is also important. You want your heaviest stuff at the top, with smaller stuff at the bottom and a base layer (ideally a light blanket, a towel, or clothes). This means the brunt of the weight is on your shoulders and your back. If it sits on your hips and quads, good luck hiking up a slope. 3) Make your pack as small and as tight as possible.
@@ryanbowers5484 Heaviest stuff at the top is how I was taught at boot camp and MCT, since bearing quite a load on your legs and hips basically means you're screwed, which I encountered while I was hiking the Katskill Mountains on leave. Then again, there is also the fact that most people won't do forced marches--which often amounts to a full-on sprint--carry heavy loads on their back, they won't have superiors that tell them when to take breaks and for how long. Yeah, I'm not about to shift all the weight to my lower body.
make sure you bring lots of water and enough water carrying capacity. I fell for this back in high school and seen others do same since. You may drink 1.5-2L water per day normally and has been to gyms and done some workouts or play sports or even walked or run long distances and think you only need to bring a few 1L bottles for the day, you will get a very good appreciation of how much you took for granted air conditioning and flat or level ground. scampering up or down 20-30% incline hills trough rocky or muddy tracks for few hours straight and realising you've gone through all of your water already is a bad start. Lucky for me I back then I started only on a half day trip, I just push through it for an hour and half to the end and the whole path was near civilisation so was in no danger.
![My Thru Hiking Gear for the GR11 [Pre Trip Gear List]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3tVMHVuWGQQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![My Thru Hiking Gear for the GR11 [Pre Trip Gear List]](/img/tr.png)
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Hi Mark. Sorry for the delayed comment :(
Oh hi Tommy! How's your sex life?
Lol classic
You're a legend Tommy, love your work 👍
Wait is this THE tommy wiseau?
@@drinkyourtea Of course not. Sorry to spoil it and burst the bubble.
I started hiking back when I was 14 and thanks to a Native American, I was shown some great tips on things like eating cactus fruits and looking for the licorice plants to brush off the needles. Also and probably one of the most helpful tips that I still use to this day, always, always stop and look around. Not just look around at the bushes or trees but the major peaks around so your mind makes a mental stamp. It was mentioned in this video. You never know if you're ever in trouble or disoriented, that stamp will help you get your bearings. Hiking for 40 years now and that alone has helped many times. I smile whenever I stop and look around and remember learning that. Be safe and happy trails ✌
Wisdom ❤️
@@ChaseMountains
Thank you! All a person needs is a great mentor. Great video by the way. Great humor too. Good job!👍✌
Agree! Doing that helps you to more easily and accurately relate the reality of the visible landscape to the printed representation on your map. Take regular fixes and mark them lightly on the map, so when the batteries die, the weather drowns your GPS, or the clouds roll in and deprive you of visual cues , you will have a very good idea of where you are but importantly you will know which way is safe and which way is terminal. The Cairngorm plateau and the summit plateau of Ben Nevis are both known to have a high potential for lethality in conditions of poor visibility, conditions where basic nav skill will be the arbiter between a safe descent or adding another number mountain fatality statistics.
Some areas have magnetic anomalies, the Cuillin Ridge in Skye for example is one of those. There, your compass cannot be trusted, so be extra bloody careful.
Always look behind you so you will recognize the path coming back. I just started getting into hiking (I moved to Alaska so why not?) and I have a lot to learn.
My five rules would be: 1) Start with shorter distances then increase your range over several years -- know your limits by testing them in safe environments (closer to "civilization"). Remember that walking with a backpack is way different than doing test hikes without one. 2) Never start a trip in the mountains with shoes that you have not walked at least three hikes in the woods with and not had any problems with. Use experiences with blisters to tape up your feet before they get blisters instead of after. 3) Dont carry more than you need -- plan it meticulously. 4) Weather in the mountain may switch rapidly, so be ready to switch clothes quick and easy by packing smart and having your alternative clothes on the top in your backpack. 5) You will always encounter things that you didnt know or anticipated. A good spirit goes a long way -- make the best of it with the tools your party has with them, and have fun!
I would also add that it's best to start out in group hikes - learn from more experienced hikers.
Make sure that you have clothing which stand out and invest in protective and safety gear.
I would also add, that you should not underestimate the „height“ you have to overcome. You may be able to carry your gear on „normal“ conditions, but if you want to be prepared, walk a lot of stairs with your gear beforehand.
@@Tabaskuh yep, steep hills can cause some serious issues if you dont have the muscle endurance for it, especially if its at the first stage of the day. walking downhill is also its own type of strain for the body. you are kinda forced to be mindful of your body when you are alone in nature like this. thats why you really only can prepare yourself by doing it, incrementally. fail (aka learn) a little instead of a lot.
I don't think it takes several years to work up to long distances. I don't know how representative my case is, but it certainly didn't take me several years to work up to long daily walks and hikes. It took under a year for hikes, a week and a half for walks.
@@vitriolicAmaranth I agree about day hikes, but on backpacking prep, I would add: in my early 20s, my "training regimen" was like, throw away the cigs and run a few miles a day for a couple weeks and then go backpacking and climbing in very rugged high country. First day in the mountains would kick my ass, but I'd be mostly recovered after one night's rest and could do it again. I'd spend a week doing this and get stronger every day. Now I'm pushing 60, haven't backpacked in a minute, and I think it's gonna work a little different this time. I'll need better preparation, and lighter days or recovery time between hell days. Seems like people vary in recovery times, especially as they age. I see olds getting ambushed by this fact of life all the time. 😂
thumbs up for the "oh hi mark"
I couldn't resist. Glad it was well received hahaha
For me it was the "adios"
@@Practicallypreposterous but you stayed for the chat.... so you're helping his channel out either way.
Fr fr haha
Im a simple man i see a the room reference i upvote.
Went hiking with friends this Spring and the list I could come up with for COMPLETE rookies would be this:
- Know the route. A friend had known one of the routes in the area, but there were two and we went up the one none of us were familiar with. Got lost on the way down (had a panic attack)
- WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES. I'm aware most who set out to hike already own ones, but my friend's and I didn't (we didn't think we'd need them, rather, because none of us knew how high or ICY it would get)
- Bring water. More than you think you need, because you're probably going to need more.
- Start early enough so you don't end up in pitch black woods and have a panic attack (see point one)
We learn through experience. I hope you had some good times on this trip still, enough to convince you to keep getting out with your friends. 👊🏻
No need to worry about darkness too much in Alaska in the summer. 😄
I would add to the one about water that each individual needs to bring his or her OWN water and not expect the person who actually brings water to share. I've been on several hikes where someone decided they didn't need to bring any water, but they were coming down with the flu, and because we all shared water bottles with that person, we ALL got sick. It was miserable. And if you're actually a ways out, and backpacking, that's not a mistake you can afford to make. It also creates unnecessary resentment among friends and family. A lot of the women I hike with don't want to carry enough water because they're either vain about needing to take bathroom breaks or are afraid to slow down the group with frequent pee breaks. Those she-wee things have practically eliminated (😉😎) the need to make a bathroom break a big deal, so just drink the water already!
I would add this from personal experience for first-time hikers:
- Make sure your shoes are well fit for your feet and also prepare for blisters
- Prepare for mosquitos (but don't melt your valuable gear while spraying).
- If it starts raining, accept you're gonna get wet, no matter what(but don't get your backpack wet). Either you poorly prepared and you get soaked, or you have good gear and the trapped perspiration & sweat soaks you from inside. Just accept it and relish it like a dog bathing in a mud ;-)
- In winter, turn your bottles upside down during the day and keep them in your sleeping bag during night(As well as all battery-powered devices, as said in video)
- Don't skimp on food, just cause of heavy backpack. It might seem like you counted exactly what you need and you probably did, but not enough to feel satisfied, not enough for in-between snacks and you gonna get grumpy then.
Good advice. Thanks for sharing :)
Dont use sprays. Use liquids or lotions that you apply manually as the environmental impact is less and you don't spray everywhere. The containers are smaller. I cover my body in light tightly-woven clothing (like Cool Dry) and apply a little to my hat, balaclava, and a little to my face, avoiding eyes.
? eat garlic, onion, marmite? and use citrus based soaps? maybe natural repellants to?
@@carolineowen7846 For me personally I don't take any of these stuff. The college hiking club I'm in put a ban on lotions, toothpastes and creams due to environmental impact, and I think that had an impact on my hiking habits as well.
@@wendahu5943 how do you brush your teeth on a hike, then? Or how is it recommend to do it?
4 day hiking trip?
most people I know have a hard time walking down the street for ten minutes.
LOL
Lmao there's something different about hiking I'm fat and hate walking on side walks and shit but I could walk for miles on miles on a dirt path in the woods, nature just kinda keeps u going
@@seatato4468
Probably has to do with two things:
Air and Surface
The soil/ground is a lot softer and bouncier than sidewalks/streets.
The wild has cleaner, easier to breathe air than cities/urban areas.
You should make new friends. :)
Lol and I’m sitting here wondering why is he calling an only four day hiking trip a thru hike
Hello from Hokkaido!
Extra tips based from my own errors.
Do bring extra batteries for your flashlight.
Do bring a needle and tape for blisters.
Do bring a bottle of whiskey to celebrate on top with friends :) (Optional)
Hahaha Japanese whisky is the BEST!!
I agree, except I prefer blunts on top.
Why not buying a torch which is rechargeable by dynamo or by the force of turning a handle (I dunno the name exactly). I've used that + a radio, the same type and they work laser!
5 comfy booths
6. extra socks
7.proper clothes
extra mathes
Small homemade stove
@@Bikelife112 Those things can save you in an emergency, but they are finicky and fragile, it is much better to have a better and more reliable flashlight, with extra batteries. You should only use a crank-powered one as a backup.
Dont start your first hike on a difficult, long, high intensity trip..
Start slowly..
That's the number one thing..
Lol...my first I booked to try something different as my mum had just died...was 35,heavy smoker and BMI of 36.. I sort of zoned out chatting to the travel company and ended up on a 21day hike from Kathmandu through the Himalayas without the money to quit....absolutely hated slot of it...cried at the top of Kala patter and got hooked on this outdoorsy stuff...also gave me will power so no cig in 8yrs.
@@brucemcdonald4372 that’s called the deep end my friend, sink or swim. That’s where you really find out what you’re made of
@@MrRaZzA1995 yep lol....can't wait to get bk when I can afford it
@@MrRaZzA1995 definitely 👍 wish I'd started younger but better late than never....also hope it rubs off on my kids.
Got a few treks under my belt now and planning future trips gives me extra drive in day to day stuff
This is good advice for a lot of things in life. People start a fitness routine or diet and go super hard then never stick with it due to difficulty
I agree with the list of tips mentioned in the video but would like to add some as well:
1) Don't bring too much stuff! I'm not advocating for anyone to go ultra light, but newbies tend to bring way too much weight. Like gadgets and extra clothes you will never use or don't really need. I myself ended up focusing more on "are we there yet?" instead of "wauw, it's amazing being out here in this beautiful nature" because my feet were hurting so much from all that unecessary weight.
1.1) In addition to the above and the bonus tip in the video (get hike strong 7:52) consider if you're the kind of person that could benefit from losing some bodyweight. I was and still is a pretty average guy within the recommended BMI, but over the past year I started taking the bicycle to work (20min each way) and eat a little more responsible (nothing fanatic at all) and so far I've lost about 10kg and gained a little extra strength in my legs as well.
Now I feel a huge difference when I'm out hiking. All together I prob. spared my feet from having to carry 15-20kg of... excess fat and other things I don't really need. In retrospective I basically carried an extra backpack around that I never used when I was out hiking... that's insane to think about. I can totally recommend this for many reasons.
2) Don't underestimate the importance for propper footwear (including socks).
Bonus: In regards to water filtering I highly recommend 'katadyn befree'. It's made my process of getting clean water while being outdoors so much more convenient.
And what about shoes? They are wearing trail shoes, and if it rains?
@@verasonhos5881 I'm not too experienced in the shoe vs boot debate, but from what I've gathered shoes are obviously lighter, but gives less protection against the environment (and also wear out faster I believe) and give less support to your ankles. My go to outdoor guys says "don't wear shoes if youre gonna hike in the mountains with a +15kg backpack on. At first you won't see why you need the boots, but at the end of the day, when youre very tired, you would have wished you brought boots instead of shoes. Because that's when you truly need the support to protect your ankles from twisting". Obviously others disagree with that. I was at a.. lecture I guess we could call it with a woman who hiked on trails for 6 months in the states. She preferred shoes over boots and was not a fan of goretex because your feet don't breath very well in that type of shoe according to her. And yes, she got wet when it rained and when she had to cross a river but she had a shoe that would dry quickly and that worked best for her.
I guess it boils down to how you personally function/your preferences, the terrain and the climate. I myself use boots when I hike in Scandinavia to play it safe. However I have no experience with either goretex in footwear or real hiking shoes... maybe it's better for me? I dont know yet. In regards to goretex my go to guy says "what do you prefer? to have your feet soaked in water or sweat? Because your feet will get wet whether or not you choose goretex... more or less". So right now I use 'ECCO Biom Hike Yak 1,6 HM Men' because it's very water resistant and quite light, but also breathable. However I haven't tested it on a "real hike" yet.
I hope that answers your question.
Haha tip no 1 let people know where you are, if it comes to that it is way too late for having a good experience.
Stefan H everybody hates boots until they wake up with swollen ankles and shot calves, or have to walk for hours in cold wet shoes. Anything more than one day with any pack bigger than 25 liters is a boots hike for me. My Oboz have never failed me!
I used to bring a ton of clothing when we first started out with our boys. Then we transitioned to merino wool clothing and only brought extra pants for the smallest kid in case of "accidents".
I learned how to use a compass when I was a kid, really helpfull now this days, for the 6 thing to keep in mind CHECK THE WEATHER THE DAY BEFORE GOING OUT ON A TRIP TO BE PREPARED AND READY OR CHANGE THE DAY
Chase, take it from a geologist: not all water that runs through earth is good water. Like you said in the video with the cows, you never know from where it comes. Also, water is naturally purified by sickering through the ground by bacteria only after 10 days!!
Better have those tablets/UV/charcoal filter with you. Once purified, indeed, it is really great water.
It's not always that the water is mankey, it's just that you're not used to it. My whole family walked/hiked when my parents were younger. We went from UK tap water to Canadian Rockies water, the Rockies water would have been better than anything you got out of a UK tap. We all had 2/3 days of the runs then never again. I would recommend filtering your water if you take a long plane journey anywhere to begin with.
I live in Maine. I can drink most of the water anywhere around. I like that.
@@jelkel25 Well that sounds odd to me really. I have had only two real hiking trips with a tent in the wilderness if we call the Vosges and Scottish Highlands that. The biggest struggle was the water and I hated the tap water in the UK. Struggle because I could not be sure If I did find enough while walking and a good source so most of the time I was overpacked with a big bladder full of water. I did run out of water twice, for each trip once. Water is so heavy to carry around if you dont know when you can get some more. For be it is the most difficult part really.
But I am not picky, I did watch the landscape and decided If I cant see animals or pasture next to that stream. Or if I was close to the top I assumed it was safe.
I did not have head filtered water or purified water for the Highlands. Only used the tablets for the Vosges, that was also horrible. I hate chlorine taste and the bladder was contaminated with that taste after that.
TL:DR, I never had problems with the water I could find so far.
@@Vanadium Only one way to find out. You never get problems with not filtering water till you do. I don't know why water in the Rockies gave us problems after coming from the UK but it did, on more than one occasion, you got used to it and no more problems. I've taken my chances with unfiltered water in a few places and had no problems too. You put citrus or Vit-C in water after purification to get rid of the chlorine taste.
@@jelkel25 Wait, what happened? did you get sick?
"Say Hi Mark..." "Adios" - Man that made me laugh so hard.
Some great tips here! The navigation comment - I once stepped off the trail in Sweden, a suddenly everything looked the same - same trees, rocks, grey sunless sky - my visual references were gone - it was genuinely frightening. These days I'm always with a compass, I use the map often to identify names of landscape features, but perhaps best of all - taking an interest in (being present in) the landscape I'm travelling in including looking back to see another view - this adds up to much better 'situational awareness' not only 'where am I' but changing weather, how much daylight is left, are the animals worried about anything - all clues to developments that might turn against you if you're not taking some action now! Recommended reading 'Natural Navigation' by Tristan Gooley is all about reading the landscape.
when talking about water, you reminded me about a time my friends and i found some crystal clear beautiful little river on a hot day and i just began drinking it up and washing my face only to see a dead beaver two stories of rock above after exploring further. Luckily no one was affected but it was close.
🤣💀
But filters wouldn’t help anyway. What’s your suggestion?
@@bartholomewlyons boil it
I don't think the dead animals are as much of a problem as the poop runoff.
Additional, pretty basic but fundamental tip imo: be prepared for any weather. Weather in the mountains can be extremely unpredictable. So always bring some rain proof clothing, even if the sun has been shining for weeks. And know what to do in a thunder storm, you don't want to panic when lighting is striking around you.
1- Communication
2- Check your gear off list
3- Start cold
4- Drinking water safety
5- Navigation skills
just started watching your channel thanks to your plantar fascitis video. so much great info even enjoying all the hiking vids too
My tip for not forgetting gear is to have it grouped in bags. You make a list of what's in each bag and can check off which bags are in your backpack.
Also: a to pack and to do list for your day of departure.
“Every trip I go on I always forget something even if I have a list” ..... makes me question the effectiveness of having that list. 😂
Great video good luck everyone
Great to see an Aussie talking outdoors and hiking. Subscribed and loving your content so far. Thanks, mate!
double socks changed my life! thick socks over regular socks = no blisters. Make sure the thick socks are larger than your normal shoe size.
Solid tips here. Found their usefulness out in the field myself long ago. Especially the being 'underdressed' when starting your hike. The heating up of the body 'overdressed' is a certainty and sweating becomes inevitable. And with the sweat comes discomfort and loss of energy. The thing I would like to add; dead animals above your stream aren't always detectable but living animals, as in cattle, are. Make sure there aren't any because they can crap in the stream and polute it as well.
I love hiking, I've recently taken my 5 y old girl on short easy trails (a hike a day) going up and down Vancouver Island as we are on a week vacation 👍🏞️
Regarding tip number 3. The importance of starting cold (This is just my opinion) is all about staying dry & warm. As mentioned in the video, if you start off wearing a load of layers then you'll quickly start to heat up & start to sweat. Stopping to constantly remove layers when you start a hike isnt really a big problem, its just a bit of a pain in the arse, but not starting off cold, getting too hot too quickly & then sweating at the start of a hike can become a big problem
A lot of hikes gain altitude at the start & the higher you hike the colder the temperature will become (Approx 3 degree drop every 1000ft of height gain in still conditions, take windspeed into consideration & then windchill factor then that temperature drop can become rapid pretty quickly) If you start off layered up then you'll quickly start sweating meaning your clothes will start getting damp. Once that happens & especially if the wind picks up you'll start to get cold quickly as the sweat you've built up on your back etc (plus 1 or 2 now potentially damp layers) will really start to lower your temperature.
Depending on the temperature, wind speed & wind chill factor this can mean going from a bit chilly & uncomfortable to (in a very worse case scenario) a contributing factor towards hypothermia. That might sound like i'm been a bit over dramatic but unless you know what to look out for on someone else or (harder) realise it on yourself, hypothermia can set in very quickly & is life threatening..
Good video & dont want to come across as a patronising bore but I think it should be mentioned.
LOOK WHO'S HERE... THE SINGLE MOST SYMPATHETIC HIKEFLUENCER. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CHASE
I am so very much enjoying your channel. I am training and preparing both physically and mentally for my ultimate goal of thru hiking Te Araroa, NZ, where I live. 😊
All your videos are great and I am learning more all the time, even though I have a lifetime of experience in shorter hikes.
We have loads of multi day hikes in New Zealand to enjoy. 🙆♀️😁🌳
Great advice.
FYI due to the massive numbers of hikers, camping has been banned in the Ordesa valley except for next to the Goriz hut (must be booked and you have to pay). The other valleys should be ok for overnight bivvy, ie pack up at daylight. Just take all your stuff back down with you.
Could you make the video of:
How to use a compass and, "reading" a map.
I do not know if you already did.
Thanks in advance.
Great video 👍
theres already quite a lot of other good videos on map reading but I've just make a video about navigation you mind find interesting! ua-cam.com/video/0muzAJp6nqw/v-deo.html
Number three is very true. My lieutenant used to say "you should shiver before we march".
Also good socks make a world of difference.
Going to hike the PCT someday soon (5 year goal) i'm nearly 40 years old. I spend a fair amount of my time outdoors, though my job is 9 hours a day in an office on my backside! I love watching these kinds of things to help me prepare for a long through hike.
Nearly 40! Live it up.... you're not that old! ;)
Half Insane Outdoor guy the entire trail?
@@dillweed501 thats the plan. start to finish end to end.
Half Insane Outdoor guy haha that’s a goal of mine too. Good luck!
How's you journey going so far?
The last tip of this video, I must say I agree with. Your mountain flow routine not only helps me to get up with energy but I see more improvements in mobility. I wish I knew how to workout anywhere without arousing suspicion for kids.
Really glad you mentioned being prepared for difficultly level. I’m in the process of exercising and doing day hikes of increasingly longer distances to get ready for a trip in July.
Check out some of my training videos :) 💪 also I have a new program coming out in a week or two, my best one yet I think! And it will only be $10ish
have fun!
Train with the gear you need on longer trips. Otherwise you'll be surprised how big the difference between a 2kg backpack and a 20kg backpack is.
About leaving a trail: Take two GPS devices and always mark the known track in the device if you do go off it. Don't go climbing up kilometers off the planned route to take in mountain top views if this is a climb into a climate zone you don't have the correct gear for. Great video! Taking strong tape is a great resource idea and especially a plastic bag lol or even better a rain jacket and pants.
Good tips, thanks. I would add: don't overpack! It's easy to take way too much stuff, especially for a beginner- clothes, food, heavy camera gear.... You'll get a better idea after a few times. There's nothing worse than dragging a super heavy pack over the mountains and at the end of it, realizing you could easily have reduced your gear by 1/2.
I add a few points that are very important in my opinion: 1) plan well your route in advance. Check the length, height different, parts that are possibly exposed and be realistic. Wrong planning equals problems; 2) check the weather forecast in several sources. The mountain can be heaven or hell depending on the weather; 3) Bring always some cloth in case it gets suddenly cold. If you have a problem and you are forced to spend the night out, you dont want to die from hipotermia; 4) Carry always a thermal rescue sheet. It weights nothing and can save your life. Keep it always in your backpack and you will never forget it; 5) Protect yourself from the sun: sun cream, wear a cap with a neck cover protection and sunglasses to protect you eyes. 6)the color of your gear can help you in case of trouble. A red jacket or backpack may help finding you in case you are missing; 7) For longer camping trips over 2-3 days bring a lightweight solar panel charger.
Be bold start cold!
So good to hear a commonsense video. I blows my mind how many people I meet on the trail who just simply don’t prepare in a simple and smart way before venturing out. Love that you recommend the map and compass more importantly know how to use it. I have met many hikers who get lost and have tech nav that hasn’t worked for whatever reason or have no form of nav at all (common) and expect the markers on the trail is enough. Well done and thank you for sharing 👣👣👣
Start cold is key. It’s easier to warm up than it is to cool down. Even better, get conditioned to the cold before you go. I take cold showers for a few weeks before a trip for this reason.
Personally, for rain gear I’m a big fan of the umbrella. It keeps sun off you (I burn easily), and it won’t make you sweat like rain gear.
You are absolutely right! Getting ready physically and understanding the nature of the trail is huge. I thought I could do the hike up Diamond Head with plantar fasciitis and a tiny tendon tear because it was a pretty short hike. I made it, but it nearly ruined the rest of my Hawaii trip. Hiking is still my favorite thing; I just do it smarter now.
Good your comments
Hy laurie i am a local guide from India n i am stay in the state Meghalaya.
When I was a newbie getting the right layering strategy was my biggest mistake. I did not have a decent thin layer and was just overheated and miserable
I very much appreciated this video. I'm hoping to do a few (gentle) through hikes soon. I'm retiring in 2 months then I'm going hiking (25 y is enough classroom time...). I'm itching to get out there. I think I've learned a few things. So thank you. 🖖
The most important element in hiking are the shoes. It can't be spoken out too often.
Hey Mark. I liked the video. Very useful info. I don't like #4 about using chlorine or basically bleach purification tablets. Those tablets are very strong and have disastrous side effects. They ruin your kidneys because you are drinking what essentially is bleach in the water you just purified using one of the tablets. They should only be used in extreme emergencies and as a last resort even then. Boil the dirty water for 5 minutes to sterilize it. Use a lightweight water purifier like a Sawyer Mini or a Kayadyn filter. Use a Steri-Pen the UV purification method. Do anything except using the dangerous water purification tablets. That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for listening.
That’s exactly the kind of advices I need now. I am a beginner in longer hikes, which will be more than one day hikes. Thank you. Looking forward to more advices. Subbed. Liked.
This comment likely won't get read - but I HAVE to commend you for making Mistake #1 "Communication"
This is why, personally:
While living in SE Utah, USA, a couple of 'friends' who considered themselves 'experienced hikers' invited me out to what they called "a small cool hike."
I asked what gear I should bring for me and my dog; "Not much, just some water." Showed up with a handheld 2-liter thermos and my hiking shoes.
It ended up being a 23 mile hike through sand dunes interspersed with light scrambling/bouldering, a lot of incline/decline, and a 3 mile section of lateral sandstone walking at a 45 degree ankle-bending incline, looping back to the sand dunes.
I kept a cheerful demeanor throughout but my body was not ready - I sprained my groin and knee. They apologized for not warning me, and shared some of their snacks and water since I brought none of the first and ran out of the latter 17 miles in sharing with my dog. I had to slow down to a shuffle on the dunes because my left leg was having trouble staying stable.
While the hike was beautiful and I was proud of myself for overcoming the challenge despite my unpreparedness - I was fuming inside. I'm always over-prepared. I take pride in being ready for any hardship and I felt completely misled. It almost ended up with me in real danger of hurting myself, and we were deep in backcountry SE Utah, hiking a few miles away from the Cosmic Ashtray.
It didn't kill my love of camping/hiking/outdoor living... but it erased any willingness I had to hike or camp with other people. I only ever group-hike with one other person now, and it's because they, like me, are over-prepared and always making sure each other is safe.
Great video, I hope more people watch it. Especially 'experienced hikers.'
I read your comment! Glad you’re still hiking!
A lot of people also start out dehydrated. One of the best tips I ever got was to start hydrating "extra" about a day or two before a big hike. That includes drinking chicken broth for more electrolytes.
Haha, no, you don't need chicken broth. H²0 works well, and for electrolytes, you can get sachets of those to add to water.
When you take the extra effort to pay attention to people’s nutrition, it’s surprising how many people drink very little water in their day.
I’ve worked with people in corporate America who had access to water fountains and water coolers, but would go a whole week or two with just getting their water intake from their tea and coffee then complain about why they’re tired or why they’re getting headaches.
Gorgeous area. Greetings from the far north! Fellow hiker in Alaska.
2 other great tips:
- Eating properly, meaning just eating a small amount every hour or so (4 sandwich bites, piece of fruit, chocolate...) instead of having a big meal on top.
- A piece of clothing that saved me in many hikes is a neck warmer. Super light and warm, as well as bringing many breathable layers, including convertible pants and a wind breaker, in most of my hikes I don't wear a thick fleece jacket.
Did the native Americans eat “properly” also? 🤡 🍫
Great info and scenery! The map you refer to, I hope, is a topographic map specific to your trek or at least a detailed map of the trail area with obvious landmarks noted. Some of us can navigate using "mils", but most only require basic degrees, minutes and seconds. NEVER be ashamed to ask for help if you are not sure BEFORE you go; it's better than getting lost. NEVER "go it alone" in unfamiliar country regardless of your experience; I used to work in the SAR world. Looking for lost "experienced" hikers is more common than you think.
So, you are exactly correct in the whole stay-on-the-trail idea and giving a hardcopy of your intended trail and timing to reliable family member or friend. Personally, I never take electronics to the bush or mountains - send/recieve problems, how to charge it or even just worrying about its well-being like water, losing a piece or breakage. Just that much less stuff to carry. Don't think you can do without your phone? Think the world or your mind will explode if you don't have it with you? There are folks who can help with your addiction. A healthy hike in beautiful country with experienced friends to teach the "hows and whys" plus totally unplugging will rejuvenate heart, mind and soul. Experience the breath-taking natural world, one step at a time, no rushing, and peace of mind will catch up to you. Enjoy...
Love to see a basic navigation vid
The navigation video is done! ua-cam.com/video/0muzAJp6nqw/v-deo.html
It's true many channels about getting out there and hike . but your info is completely new and very interesting . keep it up.. You've got my follow
My parents would force me to have very long hikes every weekend as a kid and throughout my entire childhood it was literal torture
They also made me do the tour de mont blanc as a young teen with little to no prep with a really heavy backpack
So now you despise hiking? 🥾 way to go parents 👌
Your final tip was one of the most important - I tried warning someone I was hiking with that he was spending too much time planning and not enough time preparing. That trip did not go well. The "plan" (more of a detailed schedule) was thrown out after 1 mile; the lack of true preparation took over after that.
So true 😅 all the plans go out the window if you're unfit for the job!
It really depends on what you are up to. I once went on a trip in the French Alps with a friend. On the second day we realised that we underestimated the trip and the hight differences. However, since we had our tents with us, it didn't matter. We just changed our plans and enjoyed nature.
@@Waldlaeufer70 I had hopes we could do that.. the other guy dropped out completely. He did act as a personal trail angel for me over the next 50 miles though. I even had to teach him to do that right! But he was a great support about it and really enjoyed being a trail angel, helping other hikers besides myself.
I love the pyrenees! Some of the nicest mountains
The funny thing about me is my brain is always paying attention to where north is doesnt matter if im on a trip or just visiting a friend’s house near my home. Makes me laugh sometimes when i nod off for a couple seconds acknowledging north 😷
Important thing when you combine UV and chlorine: mind the order, do not subject the chlorine water to UV light. Dependent on what minerals are in the water, that can lead to some bad chemicals.
Was just about to comment that :D There might also be various organic compounds that could turn into organochlorinated compounds which would foul up the water.
I'll tell you a must from experience. Never forget extra shoelaces and also from experience - a way to repair the bottom of your shoe or at least temporarily cover a giant gaping hole (as well as something to place in your shoe to step on where that giant slash now is).
Ironically, I pack a few hot glue sticks that I could heat up with the lighter to melt them on a gap. So yes, I *DO* carry my fears LOL.
Good content for first timers. 👍🏻
Was thinking of going to the rocky mountains in Colorado. In the upcoming months for the first time. So it was nice to see this comment
I enjoy at home workouts, without equipment, as well. Body weight and intensity does the trick for me. Thanks for your insight. BTW, I sleep with my batteries on trail. LOL.
0:37
Me: *Looks over at my Salomons*
My Pair of Salomons: (chuckles) *"I'm in danger"*
What is it with Salomons sole separation? I've stopped buying them because this seems to be a problem I'm seeing everywhere, plus experienced myself. Very disappointed in Salomon lately. QC is going downhill.
The Vietnam ones are a problem. The ones with Kevlar laces made in China are better; but these once wet and later left in the sun will cause the sole to separate. It's caused by a deterioration of the adhesive bond that is used in the factory, which is UV degradable, so exposing these to sunlight to dry put could cause the bond to breakdown.
@@gps9715 Get some Aku pilgrim GTX boots or Altberg boots
Actually I had Solomons for 7 years now, there old, ragged, have made many kilometers in many countries and they do just fine, no sole problems at all...
The reason my friends don’t like hiking and wild camping is because they didn’t listen to the advice I gave them and went out and bought unsuitable essential equipment like tents/boots/sleeping bags and mats, and heavy non-essential equipment that I told them we didn’t need like folding metal shovels, full cooking cutlery sets with selections of pans and plates, hatchets and knives, chairs etc.
UA-cam reeeeeaaaaallllyy wanted me to watch this video, now I want to take a trip
Aren't you glad you did! Where are you going?
Chase Mountains absolutely! I don’t have any trips on the radar yet, planning is the hardest part for me. The Colorado trail and JMT are definitely on my mind tho! Hopefully I can pull one of those off this coming year :)
I never go hiking without my GPS and solar panel to charge it with. Also I always bring wool/merinowool, even if I get wet it stays warm
Such beautiful footage, and great advice! :)
Ohh thanks Hannah! Trying to up my filming with each video. So much to learn but I absolutely love making videos. Thanks for watching ♥️
I would add some other tips as:
1- Do not ever fully trust people that did the trail you´re gonna do because: probably they went on a different season-year-time (weather and climate changes, water resources often dry up, you can find rock slide on your way up etc.), they have different physical constitution and habits=resistence (this is super important, I learned this in the bad way. People often say that you aren´t gonna need that much water or sugar since they did not need it or that packing that hat you were going to is useless because they could make it to the camp before sunrise). This is super important guys, you cannot imagine how much important this is: In my first hiking I trusted my ex-boyfriend because he had previous experience hiking the mountain that we were going to, he had visited the place like three years ago and we end up hiking with one liter of water for 14 hours. He told me that there were "water springs" all the way up: they weren´t.
2- Research. Research. Research.
3-If you can, exercise months before to be in good condition.
My God that "oh hi mark" cut killed me
Yes please on the Navigation Course! Thanks
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this helpful information. I really enjoyed it. All the best to you. 🤗
Your words about map and compass are golden.
My favorite is creating the list and checking it off as you pack your stuff up. Nothing is more exhilarating than the preparation of a beautiful journey other than the journey itself! Do the Santa Claus and make a list and check it twice!!! :D
And collecting it all in one visible pile to double check. I like going through each thing im going to experience throughout the day.
Impressed at your cool, just roll with it, attitude.
Great job. That’s living right.
Great video - I think a tip for me that really helped me was getting advice from experienced hikers and trippers - UA-cam is great for that!
very useful video. i learned all these lessons the hard way but i am glad i did because of the memories they made
or maybe go with an organized hiking group with a trail that lasts for a few hours. Check the weather and you don't need to bring unnecessary stuff (in most cases you'll just need extra water).
I doubt anyone who's never been hiking will enjoy hiking for a few days for their first time.
If I gave a tip, it would be "Start with a one way trip, hopefully somewhere you're excited to go, where there's a bed and a hot meal at the end of the trail". Step one is simply conditioning your mind to know what to expect on long journeys and how your body reacts. Step two, "actually going somewhere", can come later. :J
Just came back from my second hiking trip with my friend (6 miles in total). There was snow everywhere, we were hungover and completely out of shape. Mother Nature humbled the shit out of us.
Hahhaahahaha lessons learned?
Been backpacking for year.. all great pointer's for those who will listen 👍
Yes please show us that video on navigational skills (:! Will come in handy for my upcoming Colorado trip !!
The navigation video is done! ua-cam.com/video/0muzAJp6nqw/v-deo.html
Great videos Sir ! Thank you and keep the good work !
I just subscribed! You're so chill and honest. Inspires me to go out, thanks!
So glad I'm inspired you to get outside more :) happy new year!
I’m moving to Barcelona in 18 months and I’m really looking forward to doing some hiking in the Pyrenees
I’d like to see the video on knowing where North is in the mountains! 🙂
Compass
Other than a map and compass, the most useful thing for me when navigating is a watch - any old cheap casio will do.
1:40 Actual start of 5 mistakes.
If your skipping the beautiful videography why are you even here? Lol.
We are just about to head on our first overnight hike - but we are trusting out friends that is experienced to guide the way and avoid most of the mistakes! The checklist for packing she gave us was really handy!
Have fun!!
tip: be aware of your altitude and precondition your body if changing from a low altitude to a high altitude hike. 😉👍
If you have a tree tap, you can fill your water bottle through the night by using some of the water the tree provides. It filters naturally through the roots and rest of the tree.
However, be sure to whittle down a near by but freshly fallen stick and use it to plug the hole so the tree is less likely to catch any diseases or insect infestations.
‘Start cold’ good advice 👍🏻
I never do it. I really don’t like being cold. I‘d rather stop and strip some stuff off after a while 😂
I always prefer boots over shoes simply for the tougher sole and ankle support. Columbia makes some really good, light weight hikers that have low tops that aren't too restricting and super durable.
Dude I loved the vid! First that I’ve seen your channel. Great info! I think go find me contacted me about their product too. I say, “Be bold start cold” lol. Where were you guys backpacking at? Absolutely gorgeous there. All the best! JSH
It's the the midi Pyrenees, the border of Spain and France :)
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely remember these for my hikes.
I love the Pyrenees. Great tips for beginners. And even with some experience it is helpful to come back to these tips from time to time.
This was really informative. Thank you for putting such a great list together.
One tip if you're old.
Salt. When you sweat, cramp sets in. I know sodium salt isn't the right stuff but it's lucky I had some in the dolomites a few years ago. I was lying on the floor in agony and half a teaspoon of salt, in water, got me standing up again in minutes.
Once I got such acidity, it was in a terrible state. It was Sunday and everywhere was closed. Just a couple of anti-acid tablets would have fixed me.
When you're old, don't forget the medicine. I know I won't ever again.
I am a big fan of taking that first break 15 to 20 minutes in.
I like to be warm, hike untill I feel the heat build, then stop and de layer, sit for a moment, and absorb the environment.
Some other things to consider:
1) What to pack. One of my combat instructors put it best: ounces become pounds, and pounds become pain, so unless you’re packing stuff for weight, if you don’t need it, don’t use it.
2) How you pack is also important. You want your heaviest stuff at the top, with smaller stuff at the bottom and a base layer (ideally a light blanket, a towel, or clothes). This means the brunt of the weight is on your shoulders and your back. If it sits on your hips and quads, good luck hiking up a slope.
3) Make your pack as small and as tight as possible.
Wtf? You want heaviest stuff at the bottom and you want most of your weight on your HIPS.
@@ryanbowers5484 Heaviest stuff at the top is how I was taught at boot camp and MCT, since bearing quite a load on your legs and hips basically means you're screwed, which I encountered while I was hiking the Katskill Mountains on leave. Then again, there is also the fact that most people won't do forced marches--which often amounts to a full-on sprint--carry heavy loads on their back, they won't have superiors that tell them when to take breaks and for how long. Yeah, I'm not about to shift all the weight to my lower body.
I myself have a break in the adventure when I am in Covid. But just watched your video. You really get the urge to go out again💥😉🙂
Land Navigation video would be awesome. Let me know if you already have one!
Thanks for your videos!
The navigation video is done! ua-cam.com/video/0muzAJp6nqw/v-deo.html
make sure you bring lots of water and enough water carrying capacity. I fell for this back in high school and seen others do same since. You may drink 1.5-2L water per day normally and has been to gyms and done some workouts or play sports or even walked or run long distances and think you only need to bring a few 1L bottles for the day, you will get a very good appreciation of how much you took for granted air conditioning and flat or level ground. scampering up or down 20-30% incline hills trough rocky or muddy tracks for few hours straight and realising you've gone through all of your water already is a bad start.
Lucky for me I back then I started only on a half day trip, I just push through it for an hour and half to the end and the whole path was near civilisation so was in no danger.