If you’re new to hiking, you may not be sure where to begin, and there may be a few barriers to taking action in your mind. The biggest question most people ask themselves is whether they are capable of it, will it be dangerous, and how do I get started?
Hiking is Not Safe
Sometimes without risk, there is no reward. Nothing we do in life is completely safe, and hiking is one of those things. If you enjoy walking, then there is a chance you may enjoy hiking too. Once you have decided you’re ready to try it, here are some ways to started.
Getting Started
Do you join a hiking meetup, a facebook hiking group, try to talk a friend into joining you, or simply go alone? Who you hike with, or where you hike at first is really up to you, and an individual decision.
Orange County Women to the Peak is a group for women of all levels, for getting together and hiking to local area peaks in Orange County, San Diego County, LA County, and surrounding areas.
Don’t Rush Into It
The reasons I started hiking were numerous, but how I did it was in a gradual way. I did not go all in on being a hiker right away, but over a course of many years. I certainly was not standing atop Mount Baldy right away that’s for sure, but with steady dedication to hiking, eventually I made it there.
Surrounded by Nature
These days, hiking has become something I do on an almost daily basis, where I get outside, take a walk, surround myself with the sounds of nature, and just breathe. It’s a much needed mental health break and feels very healing for my body, mind, and soul.
Small Attainable Goals
Hiking is about setting small attainable goals for myself, that I feel I can achieve at my current level of fitness. At first, when fitness was my goal, I challenged myself to walk for an hour a day, or about 3 miles. At that time, running up the hill was not yet an option, since I would be out of breath within the first minute or so.
Going Uphill
So I challenged myself to walk a little more each day, eventually 5 or 6 miles a day average, throughout the week. After about two and half years of steadily walking, further, and faster, I started to try to run more. At first I would just jog in short spurts for a minute or two until I was out of breath. Eventually I could jog a mile or more, and even run up hills, at least for a short distance. It’s a constant progression, when you work at it.
Trail Running
Though trail running was never my initial goal, it eventually became a new goal, I added to my list. I ran in track and field just in elementary school, and still remember the feeling of freedom I felt. With the wind in my hair, I would be running through a park filled with tall trees in a cross country race. My heart would be pumping, as I gave it all I had. That was such great feeling, which I feel like I had missed out on all these years. So I am glad I started running again. None of this would have been possible, without hiking.
A Half Marathon?
So I recently decided that I am will attempt to run a half marathon. None of this would have crossed my mind, had I not started hiking, for an hour a day. Small attainable goals, are the way I set out to accomplish things now in my life. That way it’s all possible, not seemingly impossible.
Get in Balance
When I am out hiking on trails, I am not only attaining a better balanced stance and walking gait, where everything sort of falls into alignment, I feel even stronger, every day. When you’re swinging your arms, and hips, as you walk, you just feel so much more in sync. You gain better posture too.
Mountains are Calling
When I take on a mountain, I actually feel a certain sense of accomplishment. I gain more confidence, and start to feel like I could actually take on the world next, overcoming any obstacles in my way. Feeling physically fit is such a huge confidence booster too, and brain booster, as your neurons start to fire on all cylinders.
Explore the Natural World
When I am on a trail, exploring out in nature, that same curiosity you have in childhood takes hold, and you can easily become enchanted with the natural world all over again.
Peaceful Nature Sounds
I feel the problems of the world sort of disappear, as the bees buzz around, and birds chirp. I hear the crunch of my footsteps, as I walk along a dirt trail, possibly strewn with pebbles
Becoming an Uphill Athlete
Hiking uphill to the top of a mountain is another one of my small attainable goals, that I try to work up to. First it was just to climb a local 3000 foot peak, with a thousand or so feet of gain. Then, it was to climb a 9000 foot peak at altitude. Eventually the goal became a 14,505 foot peak, and the tallest peak in the lower United States, Mount Whitney.
Challenge Yourself
So in order to begin this challenge you simply need to start walking in your neighborhood, on an easy nature trail, or whatever feels attainable to you. The second part of this, is consistency, to put one foot in front of the other, on a daily basis. That’s how I completed the Trans Catalina Trail in 3 days.
Track Your Progress
Third, tracking your progress by downloading the free alltrails app, is very motivating. I use this app to not only know how many miles I logged, but how many calories I burned, my pace, and how many feet of gain I climbed each day.
Know Your Comfort Zone
Knowing what you’re capable of is helpful in planning future hikes, so you can know around how long it will take, and you can plan. Having the right gear, is essential when you’re getting started. A comfortable pair of sneakers with good tread, a hip belt, and water bottle that’s easy to carry, would be the top three things I would obtain at first. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars to start hiking. It’s better to use what you have first, borrow, or rent gear.
Three Gear Essentials for Newbie Hikers
- Water Bottle (Ex. Nalgene)
- Hip Pack
- Trail Runners
Trail Runners vs Hiking Boots
Sneakers are important, to cushion your feet. Trail runners seem to work great for me. You may want actual hiking shoes, or boots. It’s really up to you. That along with a way to carry your essential items, such as a zippered hip belt, for your keys and your phone, is all the gear you need at first. A lightweight backpack works too.
Hydration
You will want to take at least a 1/2 liter of water per hour, or for every 3 miles. I usually go for the full liter, so I can walk longer if I want to. I always bring a couple other essential items with me, if my hike is going to longer, aka the 10 Essentials of Hiking.
The 10 Essentials
- Navigation – Downloaded Maps (Alltrails Pro) and a compass
- Sun Protection – Ball Cap, Sunhat, Sunglasses, or umbrella
- Insulation – Jacket, Rain Shell, Beanie, Neck Gaiter, and warm clothes
- Illumination – Headlamp, or Flashlight
- First Aid Kit – Bandaids, Neosporin, Butterflies, Tweezers, Motrin, Aspirin, Stitch Kit, Moleskin, Ankle Wrap, and Gauze
- Fire – Lighter, Fuel Cube, or Ferro Rod/Striker
- Repair Kits and Phone Chargers
- Nutrition – Energy Bar, Electrolytes, and Snacks
- Hydration & Water Filtration – Bottle and filter (Sawyer Squeeze)
- Emergency Shelter and Sleep System – Tent, Tarp, or Bivy
The Climate
This is list for mild climates, but were you to hike in winter, you might need even more gear, especially when cold temps, snow, and ice are involved. Even places like the desert, can have drastic temperature changes, that require two sets of clothing for one hike, and additional gear.
Extras
I also like to wear running or hiking gaiters, since they prevent rocks in my shoes. I alway throw a mini first aid kit as simple as a few motrin tablets, a bandaid, and a butterfly closure, in my pocket in a small ziploc. I also like to carry a pocket knife or multi tool, and a whistle. For women on the trail, I would recommend carrying pepper spray, and whatever other chosen method of self defense you prefer. Self defense classes are the ultralight option that goes everywhere.
Stay Local
This is one of the local trails by my home, in late summer. Maybe it’s not pretty, and filled with wildflowers, but it’s functional. I would be good to find a fairly level, even trail, free of ruts, and rocks, when you’re getting started. Make the most of what you have got, of the hiking trails near home. I recommend to occasionally drive out to somewhere more scenic, like the mountains if you can, for added motivation, to take in the scenic beauty. So stick within your budget, and stay local if need be.
Ready for the 30 Day Hiking Challenge?
Here are the challenge criteria…
- Walk an average of 3 miles, or one hour per day average throughout the week (That’s about 20 miles per week).
- Hike on any terrain you prefer, either a trail, or a paved surface.
- This is your hike, so hike your own hike!
- No judging yourself, or comparisons allowed.
- Always tell a friend where your going, and your eta
- Stay on trail and bring the right gear
- Stay safe by making good choices
- Have fun seeing the all positive changes, you will likely experience!
Taking it Up a Notch
I increased my incline gradually as I continued hiking over the last few years. I didn’t do everything right, and made mistakes sometimes. What I did do right, is I stayed consistent, increasing the length of my hikes, and eventually started trail running. Once I felt accomplished as a hiker, I started researching about backpacking, and went on a hiking adventure, for 3 days on the Trans Catalina Trail.
Set New Goals
My current goal is to hike or run 5+ miles a day (1.5 hrs of walking a day average), and to get in as much gain as possible. Having hiked to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in California, and several long trails, I always have new goals slightly more ambitious in mind. It does not just have to be 14r’s to fit this criteria, but I strive to complete ever more challenging hikes. One of those for me right now is Iron Mountain.
I am currently working on completing as many hikes as possible to the local peaks in the Santa Ana Mountains. There are a few long truck trails leading to Santiago and Modjeska Peak that are 20-25 mile hikes. The gain for these, and the mileage, are similar to hiking up Mount Whitney in one day.
I love to check out new trails as much as possible. I will go solo, with groups, with friends, and with my partner, who loves hiking too. It all started just going it alone, on well trafficked trails, so I was never actually that alone.
Yoga for Hikers
As someone who practices yoga, I understand the connections between breathing, balance, and flexibility. As we age, gravity takes over, and I feel hiking is the ultimate remedy against this, since we use all different muscles simultaneously. It’s a great whole body workout. Yoga is great for recovery from hikes too, to avoid injuries, and stretch out all your muscles.
Did you complete the 30 Days of Hiking Challenge?
Let me know you did on instagram at @serafinabenjamin
Be the Badge
You don’t necessarily need an actual badge to feel accomplished on this challenge. This is for fun, fitness, and freedom. The reward is the way you will change, both bodily, and mentally from this.
Feel Free to download the 30 Days of Hiking Challenge image, make a sticker out of it, repost it, or share it. Just be sure to tag me @serafinabenjamin if you do.
Share the Love
There is no greater reward in my mind, than sharing your love of an activity with others. I hope you will pass it on, and have fun out there.
Happy Hiking!
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
Follow my Journey…
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2023 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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