May I add: 1. Hiking boots to protect your ankles against rocks and spraining. 2. Blisters!! As soon as you feel that blister STOP immediately and attend to it. Do not even walk another pace. 3. Those toenails!! Cut them about 10 days before hiking so that the soft portion under the nail can harden. 4. I use a walking stick/rod the length reaching at least my chin. Why? Hopping and waltzing along the top of rocks and boulders it is much easier to keep your balance to reach way down below. Also descending you can 'brake' by reaching comfortably ahead. Walking along the contour of a steep mountain slope that stick will help you keeping your balance. Always bear in mind that losing your balance will result that your backpack is going to steer you!! 5. WAIT for each other. We used to have one experienced hiker at the back to see that no one is left behind. 6. Carry a WHISTLE with you to use if you get lost. That can easily happen on the Naukluft and Brandberg trails in Namibia. Even in the Fish River canyon we lost the trail . . .🤣🤣🤣. If it happens that you get lost just STAY WHERE YOU ARE. Do NOT panic and use your whistle, shouting is useless. 7. Clothing: As little as possible. I hiked with only one pair plus an extra trouser for eight days (Naukluft and Brandberg). 8. Always a PONCHO in your backpack. That I experienced when I was part of a team cleaning the Fish river canyon at the end of the hiking season. Believe it, it started to rain heavily. 8. If you are not fit and healthy enough, STAY AT HOME. 9. A TENT??? For what??? Just extra weight to carry😥😥There is nothing on earth comparable to have the firmament as your roof and nature around you as walls. In total silence you lay down in your sleeping bag with a rock as a cushion (for your head, what else?). Can you be nearer to God, I doubt it . . . 10. FOOD: Calculate for how many days PLUS one day in case something goes wrong. Fond memories now at 82years of age . . .🙏🙏🙏
Very helpful Ruth - thank you. Specially the bit about the slack packing which is reasonably new, I gather
Glad it was helpful!
Nice video. Take care Ruth 😊
Thank you!
May I add: 1. Hiking boots to protect your ankles against rocks and spraining. 2. Blisters!! As soon as you feel that blister STOP immediately and attend to it. Do not even walk another pace. 3. Those toenails!! Cut them about 10 days before hiking so that the soft portion under the nail can harden. 4. I use a walking stick/rod the length reaching at least my chin. Why? Hopping and waltzing along the top of rocks and boulders it is much easier to keep your balance to reach way down below. Also descending you can 'brake' by reaching comfortably ahead. Walking along the contour of a steep mountain slope that stick will help you keeping your balance. Always bear in mind that losing your balance will result that your backpack is going to steer you!! 5. WAIT for each other. We used to have one experienced hiker at the back to see that no one is left behind. 6. Carry a WHISTLE with you to use if you get lost. That can easily happen on the Naukluft and Brandberg trails in Namibia. Even in the Fish River canyon we lost the trail . . .🤣🤣🤣. If it happens that you get lost just STAY WHERE YOU ARE. Do NOT panic and use your whistle, shouting is useless. 7. Clothing: As little as possible. I hiked with only one pair plus an extra trouser for eight days (Naukluft and Brandberg). 8. Always a PONCHO in your backpack. That I experienced when I was part of a team cleaning the Fish river canyon at the end of the hiking season. Believe it, it started to rain heavily. 8. If you are not fit and healthy enough, STAY AT HOME. 9. A TENT??? For what??? Just extra weight to carry😥😥There is nothing on earth comparable to have the firmament as your roof and nature around you as walls. In total silence you lay down in your sleeping bag with a rock as a cushion (for your head, what else?). Can you be nearer to God, I doubt it . . . 10. FOOD: Calculate for how many days PLUS one day in case something goes wrong.
Fond memories now at 82years of age . . .🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for all your tips!