Practical Tips for the Successful Hiker/ Backpacker
What to Wear
The basic outfit for most hikers is a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, a bandanna, socks, and sock
liners. In Arizona, you may want to wear light-weight long pants to save your legs from
scratches from the thorny brush and cactus.
If you are hiking in cooler weather, the general rule is to always layer. Layering will help
regulate your body temperature during changing conditions. You can add or subtract layers
as needed. Layering keeps you warmer than one thick layer. Air is trapped and warmed
between layers. The bottom layer is the wicking layer. It is made out of a fabric that will pull
moisture away from your skin. Popular fabrics used today are Capilene, Thermax, and
Coolmax. The next layer could be a wool shirt or sweater, another Capilene layer, or a pile
or fleece jacket.
NEVER wear cotton in cool weather conditions. Cotton soaks up your sweat and remains
wet. It will lose 100% of its insulation when wet. Instead always look for fabrics that wick
away moisture from the body. In mild or cool winter weather in the Phoenix are, it is wise to
layer. If the weather is unpredictable, make sure you bring a light-weight jacket, vest, of
wool shirt for an outer layer. The difference in mid-day temperature and morning or late
afternoon temperatures can be significant.
A hat is very important in cold weather. The body loses most of its heat through the head.
Put the hat on when you are getting cold and shed it if you are overheating. During
warm/hot weather, a brimmed hat will shade your your head from too much sun. A
bandana can work well also.
Be prepared for rain if there is any in the forecast. Gore-Tex is great for repelling water but
it is expensive. A cheaper choice would be a rain poncho with a windbreaker under it for
added wind protection.
Footwear / Avoiding Blisters
The terrain in Arizona is rough almost everywhere. Buy a rugged boot that will protect your
feet from the rocks and provide good traction. There are many light-weight and mediumweight boots to choose from that will do fine for most day hikers. Make sure you go to a
store where you can be assured that you have a proper fit.
When you feel a sock or boot rubbing, stop and fix the problem immediately
Keep your feet dry. Do NOT wear cotton socks. Invest in proper hiking socks that are
designed to “wick” away moisture and prevent blisters. If a spot gets tender and sore, cover
it with Moleskin, Molefoam, Second Skin, or a Bandaid. Warning: do not take off on a long
hike without your blister kit!
Finding your Way
It is important to learn to properly read maps and to use a compass if you want to be an
outdoor recreation enthusiast. Check out maps of your hike area well in advance of your
hiking date. Determine a plan ahead of time. Estimate the type and amount of climbing
and descending that you will have based on the terrain. From this it will be easier to
estimate the length of your hike. It is wise to use established trails. There are many books
available that print hundreds of hikes. They will give you a lot of detail on what to expect
(including the length of the hike). Even with specific written instructions, it is still important to
carry a good map of the hiking area.
Learn to look for prominent features in the terrain. Choose landmarks to shoot for while
traveling. Look back frequently to see what an area will look like on your way out.
A GPS (Global Positioning System) may now be an affordable purchase for many outdoor
enthusiasts. The prices keep coming down. These units allow you to track exactly where
you are by using satellites. They may take a little while to learn to use properly, but it is the
navigation device of the future! As long as your batteries do not die, you are in good shape
with a GPS.
Groups average 2 mph hiking if you add in short breaks. Add one more hour for each 1000
feet in elevation you cover. You do not have to train for four hours at a time to be able to
complete a four hour hike. Work instead toward consistently completing hikes of 2-3 hours
in length without undue fatigue.
Water
-Hiking is strenuous and adequate hydration is crucial
-Carry 1/2 gallon per person for a full day hike
-Carry 1 gallon for a full day hike in hot weather
-If drinking water along route, ALWAYS treat (boil, chemical treatment, or filter). A filter
must filter Giardia.
-Drink before you are thirsty. Thirst is NOT a good monitor of need for water.
-Dehydration can lead to serious illness with even a 5% loss of body fluid.
Food
Hikers are constantly burning fuel so they must constantly be replacing it. Bring a food
source for any hike lasting over an hour. In fact, always bring food, because sometimes a
planned one hour hike can turn into something longer due to a change in plans while hiking
or possibly due to an injury on the trail. Eating small amounts along the hike will help
maintain a proper glucose level and therefore provide needed energy. Depending on how
many miles you will be traveling, most hikers will need two to six snacks per day of hiking.
Some choices include:
Mixed dried fruit, trail mix, granola bars, Power Bars, Cliff Bars, dried fruit bars, fig newtons,
fresh fruit (weighs a little more to carry).