The Art of Hiking
Hikes are euphorically healing. It's amazing how each time you reach the summit of a new mountain, it feels like the greatest accomplishment you've ever made. The panoramic views cleanse your soul and make the blood, sweat and tears of the hike worth every step. Because we love hiking so much, we wanted to share some of our tried and true hiking tips with you! This post features awesome shirts from Wish You Were Northwest, with photos by Kearsten Taylor Photography.
Tip #1 - Start with a hearty breakfast. I find that starting with some fruit and eggs on toast vastly improve my energy levels throughout the day. It gives me a good start and then I can sustain my energy with trail mix, PB&J's and a celebratory reese's cup once I reach the summit. - Becky Sizelove
Tip #2 - Bring a hand-held map of your trail and keep an eye on the trail markers. - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #3 - Travel with as few items as possible. While packing plenty of water, snacks and important hiking accessories for the journey is important, you don't want to weigh yourself down too much. Hiking is much more enjoyable with a lighter pack. My favorite little daypack to carry is my Fjallraven Kanken backpack. It holds all the essentials, but I cannot fit the kitchen sink :). - Becky Sizelove
Tip #4 - Bring deep woods deet - your average family bug spray is no match for forest insects. (learned the hard way) - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #5 - Don't forget the sunscreen! I made this mistake on a spring hike on Mt. Monadnock this year and I was burnt to a crisp. While hikes can offer nice shade beneath lovely forest trees, if the mountains you're climbing are high, you'll climb above the tree line and get exposed to some serious rays. A hat and sunglasses can be helpful, too! - Becky Sizelove
Tip #6 - Throw a headlamp in your pack in case you get stuck on the trail after dark. - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #7 - Share your route. When hiking a larger mountain, it's important to share your route and time of departure with a family member or friend in case you get lost on the mountain. My husband and I did this with Mt. Washington because of the rapidly changing weather. We got stuck in a hail storm the second time we hiked this mountain! - Becky Sizelove
Tip #8 - Comfortable hiking books (not sneakers). We both have boots from Timberland that we LOVE! They are waterproof with good grip and also comfortable. Try to break in your new boots by walking around the house or neighborhood before a big hike! - Ruthie and Becky
Tip # 9 - Make sure your backpacks are padded around the shoulder for extra support. - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #10 - Bring some extra snacks, socks and potentially a second pair of clothes to leave in the car for when you return. Sometimes it rains or you get super sweaty. It feels amazing to change your wet socks for the long drive home (been there). - Becky Sizelove
Tip #11 - Moisture wicking errything: try to avoid cotton and instead go for clothing and socks that are moisture wicking. - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #12 - If you plan to hike with your best furry friend, check if dogs are allowed on the mountain before you head out. It would be a shame to drive all the way to a mountain just to learn you have to turn back because your BFF isn't allowed. Here's a link to dog-friendly hiking spots in: MA, RI, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. - Becky Sizelove
Tip #13 - If your skin gets irritated, have adhesive mole skin ready (not literally mole skin haha) you can find some in your local CVS. This is a life saver after a long hike with new boots. Also bring along some bandaids for any scrapes along the way- Ruthie Pollard
Tip #14 - Leave no trace. Try to stay on the marked trails and use items that are biodegradable whenever possible. Carry out what you carry in. - Becky Sizelove
Tip #15 - Wear layers - pack a light zip-up to prepare for chilly weather and a poncho if there is a chance of rain. - Ruthie Pollard
Tip #16 - Go at your own pace. Don't feel the pressure to push on faster than your body is comfortable. Enjoy the nature surrounding you and breathe at a good pace. If you're gasping for air, you're probably going to fast. Also, If there's a big group, have a few experienced hikers stay back with the less experienced ones. Cheer on those who are having a harder time. - Becky Sizelove
Tip #17 - Check the mountain's weather forecast - when you get up past 2,000 ft, the temperature at the top can start to drop. Many mountains have a website where you can check the summit weather. They can also include posts from travelers who have been previously on the trail and know the trail conditions. - Ruthie Pollard
Lastly, have fun! Enjoy the views from the top and bask in the glory of your adventure. Happy trailing!
xxoo,
Ruthie and Becky
