Hiking Season—My Favorite Time of Year!

Actually, the hiking sport is done all year round. Most people find it more enjoyable in the warmer months—so they don't have to worry about changing weather conditions. I’m a noob when it comes to the outdoors. Even as a beginner hiker, I’m learning very quickly how to handle myself in sketchy situations. There are no laws when it comes to hiking. Most people do what comes naturally. Mistake. Unfortunately, doing what comes naturally hiking can cause serious injury, even death.Trekking around a mountain ridge or sheer cliff edges at 500 feet or higher is not the time to lose yourself in hiking sensation. Getting lost in time and space. Forgetting where you are, who’s around you, and ignoring your surroundings. In just a few hikes, my nature sense kicked in. I’ve come up with a few tips to help beginners. I’m sure these aren’t new only reminders of what new hikers should be aware of.

Hiking around a mountain with increased elevation is not the same as walking a flat trail. For example, when I walk around the Rose bowl, if someone is headed towards me, in my same foot path, I can decide whether I’m going to move over or continue to walk stubbornly in the path of the person in front of me—until we finally shimmy and shake around each other. It’s a stupid ego booster to see if you can make someone move out of your way. Taking hiking seriously means destroying the ego.

The trails around a mountain are narrow paths with two-way traffic. Hikers, bikers, and pet owners are going around in both directions. Staying safe means holding your position. If you reach a sketchy area, where you and the person headed towards you can’t pass safely—stand back. I always let the other person go ahead. I move close to the mountain in a cut-out space allowing others to pass. This also means letting faster more experienced hikers behind me pass as well. This leads me to my next piece of advice: developing your peripheral vision. Even with earbuds in, I can hear footsteps pitter-pattering close behind. I can also feel another hiker’s energy close to me. I get to a safe cut-out area and let them go around. Occasionally, I look back to see if a hiker is fast approaching, so I can prepare to move over. To sum up: let real hikers, runners, bikers, and dog walkers get around you.

So far, I’ve been in some potentially dangerous situations. Hiking in hot temperatures without water. Or, not researching the weather or trail ahead of time. Hiking in bear territory—without my bear mace. And the latest mistake, not having trekking poles.

In my last hike, at Echo Mountain, I discovered I need trekking poles. They may not seem essential or feel like an extra burden, but they come in handy. You can purchase a pair that fold up. Trekking poles keep your footing stable. I slipped and fell twice coming down the mountain. Sam Merrill trail is rocky and sandy as you hike up and down. Hiking down the trail became slippery, which is dangerous walking around a ridge or cliff. I learned the hard way how easy it is slipping close to the edge. I was blessed because no one was too close in front or behind, so I slipped in the middle of the trail. The second fall, I turned my ankle on a rock. Invest in trekking poles and great footwear.

Also be aware that weather conditions may change, as you hike. Be prepared. As I hiked my way up Sam Merrill to the Cape of Good Hope, I saw the dense fog rising up around me. It grew colder and colder. I didn’t think I’d need a jacket but packed one just in case. The American Hiking Society published an article The 10 Essentials of Hiking, a PDF-friendly list of ideal items you should take along on a hike.

On a hike less than 3 hours, you can survive with one bottle of water, unless you dehydrate quickly. In that case, bring the amount of water your body needs. I pack a water bottle, apple, and trail mix to snack on. Every hike, I find myself throwing something new into my bag like Bennies (Benadryl), sports tape, Band-Aids, hoodie jacket, Chapstick, pocket knife, hat, and Kleenex. You really don’t know what you need until you hike more frequently over long distances.

Hikes longer than a few hours, I consider a day hike—over 5 miles. A day hike can be completed in one day. However, any hike can turn into a day hike if you set aside time to explore off-trail, relax, and picnic. I would suggest hiking with someone on a full day hike. Or, be prepared to rely on the kindness of strangers in an emergency. Have a fully charged cell phone with you, especially on a day hike. On shorter walks or hikes, you may be able to get away with a partially charged phone. Nowadays, people use their phones as music players on the trail. This will definitely decrease your battery life faster. I suggest using a different device for music, like an iPod. I’m being optimistic about the cell phone. More than likely, you won’t have much of a signal or one at all. Bring your cell phone anyway. You can still make emergency calls.

Hiking is fun but it can also be dangerous. Be prepared for anything. Don’t forget to take care of your injuries after you leave the trail. The smallest cut, scrape, injury can worsen if left untreated. Finally, have fun and enjoy the experience. Happy Trails!

Live. Bless. Prosper.