How To | Survive Your First Mountain
You may either have friends who hike or even old hgh school classmates suddenly asking you to try climbing a mountain for an adventure weekend with them and your like errr ok.
But you don't have any idea how and what to prepare.
I listed down 5 reminders and to'dos while preparing the night before your mountaineering trip.
1. Research
> Look up the mountain you'll be hiking on. Check blogs and local travel sites that lists down specifics for hikers and campers. Take note the transportaion, Will you be riding a cold airconditioned bus? a boat ride? Also Check out the mountain's trail structures. Will there be uphills? Open fields? Do you need to cross a stream or river in between trails? Answering these questions will help you prepare and pack what you need.
2. Pack light. Pack right.
> Prepare the things that you need not the things you want to bring and then justifying that you need them. My tip is to go back to basics. If this is your first hike, you must be climbing a beginner mountain and will only require a day-hike. You wont be needing a bunch of pro things yet.
Remember your 3 B's - Basic Beginner Backpack
> Change of clothes. You will be sweating like a mad man on this so you need an extra shirt. also if comes a chance that there will be a river or lake. One way or another a friend will ask you to dive in. Prepare a top to bottom spare clothing.
> Small towel.
> Medication/First Aid.
> Water/Energy drink (this should be the only "heavy" thingy in your bag.
> Trail food (chocolates, energy bars, biscuits), packed lunch if you plan to have lunch at the summit.
> Toiletries, tissue wipes and sunblock
> Slippers and raincoat if it rains.
> Plastic bag/Garbage bag for wet things and trash. DO NOT LEAVE TRASH IN THE MOUNTAINS. IMMA HUNT YOU.
Remember if it's heavy, think twice.
2. Wear the Right OOTD
>Of course you want to look cute while hiking but remember that necessity first. Dry fit shirts are perfect hiking wear because it is lightweight. Either wear a long sleeved one or buy arm wear to protect you from direct sun rays. DO NOT wear tank tops. I've seen people wear these on the mountain maybe because it light and breezy. But what did they get after? - fugly tanlines.
>Do not hike in denim oh god you wont survive even the first 30 minutes in it.
Water resistant light weight cargo pants/shorts are better.
>Hiking shoes are the best option footwear so leave your fancy basketball Nike's or special edition Perry the Platapus printed Vans back home. They will get dirty i mean really gritty dirty.
Get the right footwear for maximum capability. Specialty shoes like these are made with light weight durable materials. They have grips, and mostly are water resistant.
My Sandugo trail shoes is one of the best buys I got so far. It even have a drain system!
>Optional accessories are UV protect sunglasses, light weight scarves and a hat - all to protect you from direct sun light and bugs.
3. Gadgets
>You are hiking to explore the world, not the net. Leave your 10 inch tablet and other touchscreen gadgetry you have. Except for your phone of course. You will need a cellphone for contact purposes. especially if you get lost!
>Camera/Camcorder. I'm sure you want proof that you actually did it so I suggest you bring a smaller digicam. I tell you if you bring your DSLR no matter how great photos it takes you will hate it for being too heavy.
I'm so happy with my Lumix LX5 - light weight + amazing quality photos /o/
4. Endurance is key
>You are not a pro so keep a steady pace. Don't mind if your experienced friends are way ahead of you. If you need to take a break. just do. Get a decent sleep the night before and eat a carb breakfast for reserved energy.
> During the hike more or less you will be mumbling these following phrases to yourself:
"I should be lounging on my couch at this time."
"Why am i doing this again?"
"Where's the escalator?"
"OMG guys just leave me here."
"I'll die in this mountain sweaty and in pain."
It's perfectly normal to feel tired and subconsciously regretting on joining this activity.
But imagine all the positive things you will be getting from this.
> Achievement and bragging rights.
> You've been sweating for the last 2 hours, hello to healthy living, goodbye extra calories.
> You drank water more than usual.
> Hey you have a new sport!
> The bonding you just have with your friends.
> Amazing view and if you're into photography like me. that's a major plus!
> Super cool top of the mountain selfie.
So if you're planning on a mountain hike anytime soon with your friends don't forget about this post. Everything here is based on personal experience so I hope it will help one way or another.
Now grab that backpack and let's go!!!!
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