I recently wrote about my favorite places to hike in Kansas City and I would be remiss to not provide insight to ensure you have a perfect day in nature.
If you’re new to hiking, or need a refresher, here are a few tips to get you started:
Make a Plan
- Pick your park
- Plan your route and be sure to choose an appropriate difficulty level
- Check the weather and prepare accordingly – heat, cold, rain, snow and ice all create unique situations that need to be addressed before you leave
- Wear weather-appropriate clothing and pack your belongings – see below
- Let someone know where you’ll be and when you’ll be back
Wear the Right Gear
- Hiking shoes and wicking socks
- Appropriate clothing for the weather (avoid cotton) – dress in layers
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Identification of who you are
Be Smart: Bring With You
- A Camelbak or another way to carry ample water (a good rule: bring more than you think you need)
- Bug spray in warm weather
- Sunscreen
- Bring food (same rule as water, bring more than you think you need)
- Watch (GPS is a bonus!)
- Map
- Electrolytes
- First Aid kit
- Headlamp if you’ll be out after dark
Hike Like a Pro
- Drink frequently
- Eat often
- Pop an S-Cap (per directions, of course) if you are going to be out longer than an hour
- Recover afterwards: Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy carbohydrates
Play by the Rules: Be a Cool Hiker
- Leave no trace: Stay on the trail
- Pack out what you pack in: Don’t litter
- Leave nature where you find it: Don’t pick the flowers
- Yield: While on foot step off-trail for mountain bikers and horses
- Be kind to wildlife: Don’t scare them
Most of all, enjoy the quiet, space, and freedom and learn as you go. Every trip should be a mini adventure.
What did I miss? Comment with your #protips below.