Things To Consider When Planning A Hike

Hike planning involves more than simply finding a route. You must consider things like clothing, weather, and location. It’s always good to have a plan for emergencies, just in case, because accidents can happen no matter how well-planned your hike is.

Hiking Essentials For Beginners

If you are a beginner hiking for the first time, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the essentials to ensure you get them right. Learning the basic skills, and educating yourself on how to plan for a backpacking trip, will always be useful. Getting the right equipment is important too. Some expensive items, although very good, may not be worth the extra cost if you are a beginner.

As well as a checklist of hiking essentials, we have created a list of things to consider when planning a hike, so you can start your journey knowing you are as prepared as you can be.

Where Are You Going To Hike?

Planning the route of your hike should be the first thing you do. When you know the route, you can work out how long it is likely to take, and what you will need to plan for in terms of food, shelter, and other equipment. Knowing the route and length of your journey will also help you anticipate things that could go wrong, and how you can prepare for them.

Work out the start and end point of your hike, and think about how you are going to get there and back again. Public transport won’t always be an option in some remote areas.

Consider the terrain. Is it going to be rocky or smooth? Will the elevation change during your hike, and will you be going uphill, downhill or both?

You should have a printed map (waterproof or laminated) of your journey and a reliable compass; you can’t always rely on technology or having service to use your phone maps. Navegação
e primeiros socorros are core skills in the Army Cadet Syllabus and are extremely valuable if you are planning a long hike.

Have You Considered the Weather and Season?

Once you know where you will be hiking you can consider when. If you are hiking in the summer you need to consider the heat, sun protection, and staying hydrated. If you are hiking in the winter you will need to make sure you can stay warm and dry, with gloves and waterproof walking shoes. The British weather is very unpredictable so taking a waterproof jacket, even if the weather looks perfect, may save you from being caught in a downpour. You should also consider a hat and an umbrella – they can provide useful protection in hot and rainy weather.

Make sure you pack spare clothing and extra layers so you can stay warm or cool as needed. Being prepared means being flexible and planning for the unexpected.

How Long Is Your Hike?

Now you know where and when you can work out how long your hike will take. If you only plan to be hiking for a few hours, then you can plan accordingly around meals and carry with you only enough food and water to see you through the morning or afternoon.

If you are planning a longer trip, perhaps one lasting all day or even overnight, then you need to bring with you more food and water. You will need camping equipment like a portable gas stove if you want to eat a hot meal, or plan in a meal stop at a cafe or restaurant along route, and you will need to make sure you have adequate shelter available for the conditions, weather, and terrain.

To work out how long your hike will take, think about your walking pace (and don’t forget you will be carrying everything you need!), the terrain and the weather. How many rest stops will you need? If you are camping overnight, think about how long it will take you to set up camp and repack in the morning. You will also need breaks to rest, eat, and sometimes just to sit and enjoy the view.

Be realistic about your abilities and plan accordingly. It’s not a race, and you are there to enjoy yourself and nature. As you complete more hikes, you will get better at planning.

The Basics

Now it is time to pack. Taking everything else into account, you can now start packing the things you need for your hiking trip.

Vestuário

Proper clothing is essential. You should dress in layers, with a dry base layer, a thermal mid-layer, and a water and wind proof outer later.

• Make sure you are using the right fabrics (cotton is not recommended because it absorbs moisture), and think about colours, too.
• Bright colours will help you be spotted in an emergency and can help make ticks and other insects easier to spot.
• Don’t forget gloves and a hat if the weather calls for it, and invest in some really good walking shoes.

A Backpack

A good backpack can really help on a long hike. Being able to distribute your load, keep your belongings dry, and make sure they are easily accessible is important when you have to carry everything you need for your expedition.

Make sure it is waterproof, or you have a waterproof cover, and has all the compartments you will need for your journey. If you are already in the Army Cadets, ask around at your local detachment for recommendations. For expeditions, this kit is issued to you from your unit.

Food And Water

Pack enough food and water for your journey. Include snacks you can eat on the go to keep your energy up. If you will be cooking, make sure you have good lightweight and reliable equipment. Take care when lighting fires or cooking with gas in the countryside.

Shelter

If you are hiking overnight, you will need to take your shelter with you. This is another area where you should spend your money carefully and avoid trying to save money on poor-quality equipment.

• Practice setting up and taking down your tent before you leave, and include spares of anything important.
• A repair kit is a good idea in case you need to patch up your tent.

First Aid and Emergencies

Things can go wrong, but being well-prepared can turn what might be an emergency into an inconvenience.

• A good first aid kit is essential to manage cuts, sprains, insects, and other injuries. Make sure you check and restock it regularly.
• Spare batteries are important for everything that needs power. This includes power packs for your phone, and batteries for a GPS, torches, and, of course, any entertainment devices you bring with you.
• If you change batteries whilst out, make sure you bring the spares home to dispose of properly.
• It’s a good idea to bring a phone, but remember, you might be a long way from the nearest mobile phone signal.
• As well as your torch for the dark, pack a whistle in case you need to call for attention.
• If you have planned your hike well, you should have a good idea of when you will be able to communicate with people. Share your planned route and estimated arrival time with someone responsible and have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong.

Useful Extras

Don’t forget the little things – they could be invaluable. A good multi-tool, hand sanitiser, rubbish bags, insect repellent and even toilet paper can make the difference between a big challenge and a minor obstacle.

Remember To Have Fun

Hiking is about exploring nature, seeing the countryside, spending time with friends, and unplugging from the world for a short time. Careful planning means you can enjoy your hike, even if you are a beginner.

For some real life lessons from extreme hiking, you might be interested in our article O que aprendi ao escalar o Evereste by Colonel (Retd) David Radford-Wilson MBE.

Join The Army Cadets

If hiking and backpacking is something you enjoy, find your nearest Destacamento de Cadetes do Exército. We offer Formação aventureira, and expeditions are a core part of the Army Cadet Syllabus.

Image credits: Two women hiking. Boots resting.