5 Hiking Mistakes I made

Hiking is great, but nobody starts off perfect. We grow into the hikers we are by the mistakes we make. And mistakes I have made, several. Maybe you can read about mine and be more prepared than I was back then. Here's to not making the same mistakes twice.

I am a strong believer that we should all carry the back we believe has the correct gear. No matter how heavy or how light it is, as long as you can and are happy to carry it, you are good. But we have to make sure that we have the essentials packed we need to be safe out in nature. It is important to not simply throw things into your pack and head out. Sometimes it is important to do a quick check of the essentials and not just hope you packed it. You don't need to check off every box of a long packing list, but taking a rain jacket when it's spring or have a waterproof cover for your sleeping bag to stay warm and safe at night are things that need checking. So do a general check of your gear depending on the location, time of year and weather report.

No matter if you are hiking solo, in a group or during an event, it is important to know what you have trained for and what your limits are. Sometimes we are over motivated and want to push miles because others do it too. We tend to want to walk with a group and don't want to get separated. We seek safety. But what we don't take into consideration is that we all have different fitness levels and that we can really get hurt trying to catch up with someone. Not only is it less fun, it is also dangerous. So have a talk with your group, plan your breaks, or simply do a shorter day. There is nothing bad about cutting down the mileage, taking more time, or simply creating a different schedule. There are so many options of making sure everybody in the group is comfortable and having fun. Don't get pressured into doing more than you are able to.

There is a reason why rain jackets were invented. To keep us dry. We all know that, and yet sometimes we start wearing it when we are already wet, especially in summer. Let me tell you from personal experience, BAD IDEA. I hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc in summer and did not wear the rain jacket because it was warm. An absolute beginner mistake. The wind blew, the mountaintop got suddenly colder and as soon as I stopped for a break I was not warming up anymore. 2 days later, I was sick. Walking a trail with a fever is something I do not recommend. So even when the temperatures are in the two digits, once it starts raining, you take out your rain jacket, put it on and stay dry. But also do the reverse. If it stops to rain, don't wait until the sweat runs down your back before you take off the jacket. To avoid getting sick and to be ready for whatever weather comes, dress like an onion. Start with functional underwear, a good base layer, a fleece or other mid-layer before you use the outer layer. That way, you are dressed for every occasion and can easily adjust to the changing conditions. I for one, always have a warm layer tucked away someplace safe. Something warm to change into when taking breaks or in camp. It's the emergency layer and is not work for hiking to keep it dry and warm.

The most important piece of gear besides a good shelter and sleep system are the shoes. We need good shoes that fit our feet to best to avoid blisters and prevent injuries. We put so much thought in our shoes, but sometimes forget that socks are just as equally important. I won't go into detail now about what kind of socks to wear because we all have different preferences. But what I will talk about is the state of our socks. They need to stay as dry as possible to avoid blisters and rotting feet. The best thing to do is have 2 pairs of hiking socks on hand. The one pair we wear and the other pair to switch into. I call it the sock rotation system. When my socks get wet, I use the next best opportunity and change into a dry pair. While I wear the dry ones, the wet pair hangs on the outside of my backpack to dry in the sun or wind. Natures laundromat. And so the rotation continues. Another golden rule of mine is to make every break count. So every time I sit down, I also take off my shoes and socks, to give them a chance to breathe and dry.

When setting up your tent, take a look around and don't get lazy. Don't just pick a spot because you are tired. Take a look around for widow makers, wind and especially uneven ground. If you can notice potholes or any other uneven ground where you want to set up your tent, chose a different spot. I know it is annoying when all you want to get inside and sleep. When mosquitos are chasing you or your stomach demands food. But invest the time now so you can have a worryless sleep. Pay attention to the ground. Is it soft, is it gravel, is it grass or moss. Just imagine the scenario of a heavy rainfall at night and try to imagine where the water runs or collects. There is nothing worse than waking up in a water bed or having to take down your tent in the middle of the night and find a new site to set it up again. Also digging yourself a little moat in the middle of a storm is not ideal.