Planning to Go on Camping and Hiking Trails

There are many different camping and hiking trails that wind through different type of environments, from the mountains to the seashore to the open plains and even in canyons. Camping and hiking trails can be traversed in every season of the year, changing their looks with the seasons, making each experience new. When planning to go on camping and hiking trails, individuals need to make plans ahead of time, especially the longer the trip is, so that all of the hiking clothes and supplies can be taken with them, ensuring an enjoyable experience.

Supplies

Since camping and hiking trails can be used during any season of the year, the hiker is wise to consider what the weather conditions are and are expected to be during the time the trip is going to be taken. If the trip is in the summer months, then there is much less clothing that is needed for the trip. Considerations in the summer months include whether the material wicks the water away from the skin so that the person stays cooler, and whether there will be water for swimming, requiring the proper footgear and bathing attire. In addition, bringing a clothesline along is a great idea so that towels and wet clothing can be hung to dry, which happens fairly quickly in hot climates.

If the camping and hiking trails will be traversed in the winter months, especially in climates that get heavy rain or snowfall, there are additional clothing considerations. Staying warm and dry during these months is important, so clothing should not only be comfortable and wick water away to increase warmth, the outer layers should also be waterproof so that wind and wetness do not sink through. The hiker should also bring layers of clothing, such as long underwear and extra socks so that as the weather gets colder or warmer the layers can be added or removed keeping the hiker warm and dry.

Another critical supply for camping and hiking trails is the hiking boot, since poor quality boots can cause much pain and discomfort to the hiker, which can drastically affect the enjoyment of the trip. Shorter trips often do not require a full hiking boot but only a hiking shoe which is lighter and more flexible while still providing the traction needed and more support than a tennis shoe. Rougher camping and hiking trails as well as more extreme weather conditions will require a sturdy, waterproof boot.

Planning Ahead to Have the Best Camping and Hiking Trip

Planning Ahead to Have the Best Camping and Hiking Trip

Walking along a camping and hiking trail is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, providing exercise which invigorates the body, and a peaceful state of mind, being in a beautiful natural environment. In order to have the best camping or hiking trip possible, individuals should plan ahead so that they have all of the clothing and supplies required according to the length of the trip, the number of people going, the terrain the will be experienced and the time of year for weather considerations.

Supplies

When planning for the best camping and hiking trip, there are certain supplies that are needed. If the trip is only a day trip or even just a short hike in the woods for a couple of hours, then there is much less to plan for than longer excursions. For day trips, the main concerns are the clothing and shoes to wear and possibly what meal supplies to take if there will be one during the course of the trip. In order to have the best camping and hiking trip possible, not matter what the length, the clothing must be comfortable to move in, which means the material should be soft so that there is not chaffing. In addition, the material should also wick the water away from the skin so that the person stays dry and either warm or cool, depending on the situation.

If the weather is warmer, then there are fewer clothes that are needed, but extra socks are always of value since the feet need to stay dry. In addition, a clothesline comes in handy, one that can be stretched between two trees, so that towels can be dried as well as any wet clothing on longer trips. A dirty clothes bag also comes in handy since clothing often gets muddy or wet, allowing the individual to keep those clothes away from the dry ones in the backpack, thus helping to have the best camping and hiking trip possible.

The best camping and hiking trip also requires that the feet be comfortable, since they are the things carrying the weight throughout the trip. For shorter trips, hiking shoes can suffice, since there is less weight to be carried for a lesser amount of time. This is also fine for hikes through mild weather and terrain, since less support and water proofing are required of the shoes. If the trip is going to take place in rough weather and terrain, then a sturdy, comfortable, water-proofed boot is the preferred option in order to have the best camping and hiking trip possible.