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Hiking is just walking on a
trail, right? Anyone can do it.
We thought so too, until we started guiding and realized that
there are things that we can teach people about hiking, especially
in the mountains.
Many of our tips are about walking downhill. But that's the easy
part, isn't it? Depends on how you look at it. Going uphill is
harder on the lungs, but coming downhill is much harder on the
body. And if you do a lot of it, the wear and tear will get you
eventually.
Here are the rules, tips and tricks that we live by:
1. What to pack in the pack
Every time you go for a walk or hike, no matter how short, bring
the following items:
w food
w water
w sunscreen and
sunhat
w winter hat and
mitts or gloves
w raingear
Weather can change quickly in the Rockies. It can go from summer
to winter in only a few hours, so it is best to be prepared. Extra
food and water help keep you fueled, extra clothing helps keep
you warm and dry, and in case it's sunny and clear, sun protection
helps keep you from turning into a lobster.
2. Wellies?
In the Rockies, downpours are rare but showers are common. There
are two easy ways to stay dry under these conditions. For starters,
make sure your boots are fully waterproofed. Wellingtons are overkill,
but we do recommend full leather or goretex boots.
Second, bring along waterproof, breathable raingear. We recommend
both a jacket and pants to keep you dry and warm.
3. R2000 insulation
Temperature control is crucial on the trail, so it is best to
organize your clothing in layers that can be easily added or removed.
The idea is to avoid sweating. To do this, take off layers before
starting out and put them back on as soon as you stop and begin
to cool down.
If it is hot and sunny, it is still important to bring a fleece
or sweater, and if the weather is cool, we also recommend you
carry a wind breaker, winter hat and mitts.
4. Get a grip!
If you are new to hiking boots, get on an angled rock and jump
up and down. Jump harder and harder until you have a clear idea
of what the shoes can do for you. You'll probably be amazed. On
bare rock they have great grip; you're not going anywhere!
The rules change when you encounter wet conditions. Beware of
wet wood (always lethally slippery), wet mud or soil on the bottom
of your boots (also lethal) and wet lichens on rock (a little
slippery).
5. Bootlaces and blackened
toes
After lunch, or anytime before returning downhill, re-tie your
boots. Make sure that the heel is pushed back and held in place
with firm lacing around the ankles. This prevents "toe-jamming"
— the painful banging of your toes against the front of the boot.
If your boots are too small, your toes will bang against the
front no matter what you do, so make sure when you buy boots that
they are snug around the heel, the instep and the ankle, but with
room around the toes.
6. Feel the knees, Luke, feel
the knees...
When walking downhill, bend the knees and lean forward. This sounds
simple, but it is counter-intuitive. Leaning forwards feels very
strange at first because our inclination is to lean backwards
when the terrain feels steep.
However, if you lean backwards, your feet have a tendency to
fly out from underneath you, especially when there are loose ball-bearing-like
rocks underfoot.
Instead, assume the athletic "ready position" with knees bent
and a slight lean forward. With feet directly underneath you and
a low center of gravity, it is much less likely that you'll lose
your footing. Even if you do, the feet are perfectly placed to
effect a quick recovery.
7. What goes up must come down
Walking downhill is in many ways harder than climbing up. Because
it is so hard on the joints, it is important to always bend the
knees and use the upper leg muscles to ease your footfall.
If you just "slam" your feet down (which I grant you can be very
satisfying), most of your body weight comes crushing down on your
knees. Repeated abuse of the knees can cause serious problems.
When lowering your body down a big "step" on the trail it is also
a good idea to consciously use thigh and buttock muscles to gently
bring the body down.
8. Rock and roll
On steep trails with loose rocks, take extra care. When choosing
where to place your feet, the best surface is bare ground. But
if it's rocky, bigger rocks are better, and rocks embedded in
the ground are better yet. Bigger rocks tend not to move as much
nor to create the "ball-bearing" effect. Always step on the uphill
side of a rock so it doesn't squirt out from under your boot.
9. Wet, wicked waterbars
When trails are wet, stay off of roots and log waterbars (used
to divert water off a trail). And use caution when crossing wooden
bridges. Wet wood is the single biggest trail hazard for hikers,
even more so when you are carrying a heavy pack.
10. Extra legs
In recent years, adjustable hiking poles have become popular.
They resemble ski poles, but have some springs inside, and they
can be adjusted to match anybody's height. They can take a load
off your feet and knees while hiking, especially on downhill sections.
Most poles are collapsible, and can be attached to the outside
of a pack when not in use. We provide adjustable hiking poles
to clients who want to use them.
11. Take a break!
Hiking takes energy and concentration, and it's easy to get pooped
out while you're having "fun." Stop and smell the fir trees, or
listen for the songs of birds. Remember, when it comes to hiking,
the journey is the destination, so take a load off your feet and
enjoy yourself!
To book or for more information e-mail
us now.
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