By Malia Brown//Staff Writer Do you have dreams of going the distance, and trekking to peaks with spectacular views? Are you fascinated by adventures and at peace when you are one with nature? Well, hiking may be the sport for you! Just imagine engaging in an experience of a lifetime. Impressive trails, wild animals, beautiful vistas and peaks so high that you can practically touch the sky. Hiking is an opportunity for you to test your personal strengths, and live out loud. One day you may hike all 2,185 miles of the Appalachian Trail. You can picture yourself backpacking through the wine country in France, or making it to the top of the Pacific Coast Trail. But, first things first. Before you set your heart on a hiking trip that may take days or even weeks, it is best for you to start out on a more modest trail and build your way up to a bigger challenge. Say you’re heading out with a group of your friends for the first time for a few hours of hiking trail in unfamiliar territory. Here’s what you will need on your trip: Backpack You need something to put all these essentials in, of course. A comfortable backpack of the right size will become your best friend during your trip. For a quick hike, a daypack or a fanny pack might do. If you’re expecting to be walking for at least a couple of hours, it’s a good idea to have a backpack with thick hip-support straps and secure shoulder straps to protect your neck and back from injury. Visit a good outdoors store and get an expert to help you try on packs. Hiking Boots Wearing the right shoes during your hike can either make or break your trip. Good shoes are the difference between your feet aching beyond relief and being comfortable throughout the trek. Hiking boots are the best choice because they have excellent support for your ankles, and they also embrace your feet in a way that provides comfort. It is also important to wear thick, good-fitting protective socks to keep your feet from chafing. Comfortable Clothing It’s essential to wear comfortable, protective clothing. As you are trekking up hills or picking your way over rocks and roots, the last thing you want to worry about is your clothes being too tight or your jeans being too rough. Be sure to wear light clothing that will allow for movement and insulation. No matter the temperature, always bring a lightweight jacket, because it may rain or the temperature may change as you reach higher altitudes. And whatever you do, do not wear cotton! “Cotton Kills” is the popular saying by many hikers. You want to make sure to wear materials such as polyester that dry quickly, so you won’t be in danger of hypothermia. Water Water is one of the most important items to have in your backpack whether hiking in the mountains, desert or just the woods. It is recommended that a person drink at least two liters of water a day, but the exertion of hiking can cause you to consume more, especially if you’re hiking in warm weather. You don’t want to risk dehydration, and drinkable water is not always available on the trail. It’s best to have two to four bottles of water, depending upon the length of the trail. Food Although you may have stuffed yourself with food the morning of your trip, it’s still a good idea to bring snacks to keep yourself pumped up on the trail. Hiking has the potential to burn up to 300 calories an hour, which can quickly make you feel famished and tire you out. If you don’t want to become food for one of our furry fourlegged friends, then I suggest you keep yourself fueled. Sandwiches, dried fruits and mixed nuts are perfect food choices to supply you with nourishment and energy. Bonus, and they are lightweight! Emergency Supplies While hiking, anything could happen. You could cut your hand on a thorn, twist your ankle on a rocky path or fall and scrape your knee. Make sure you bring a small first-aid kit with: bandages, sterile pads, tape, antiseptic and painkillers to treat any of these possible problems. The last thing you would want to do is get an infection or limp back to your car without the support of an ACE bandage. Here are some other items to include in your bag in case of an emergency: Pocket knife Matches in a waterproof container Flashlight Toilet paper Bug spray Sunscreen
