few hiking skills!

It is a fact that going hiking is one of the best ways to rediscover nature. But trekking the forest or going off the beaten track is not for the faint hearted. If you are new to this, it’s best to be guided. Just in case, here are a few hiking skills you may want to know.

• Get in shape. City slicker or not, trekking woodlands is no joke. Most of the time it does take its toll and your body has to be prepared for it. Get regular exercise beforehand. Work the treadmill and even practice walking with a backpack on. Getting your body in the right condition is the first most important skill there is. There is no point knowing what to do in your destination if you don’t get there due to exhaustion.
• River Crossing. When it comes to crossing bodies of water, whether it’s a small stream, a river, or a recent rainstorm flooding, always take extra precaution. The first thing to do is to find another way around them, especially if they look too dangerous. Wear sandals as much as possible. If you don’t have them, remove your socks and the boots will do. Never cross barefoot. There’s more chance of slipping on the rocks this way. You should be okay with a hiking stick when crossing ankle deep waters. When it comes to melted snow, cross in the morning when the waters had the chance to freeze again the night before.
• Use your hiking stick wisely. Other than to help you on the road, there is more to having a hiking stick handy. You can use hiking sticks to help you cross rivers and bodies of water. Also, hiking sticks help increase momentum on uphill climbs and can be pretty useful for when you are treading along large boulders. As a defense when you are walking, use your hiking stick to beat a few nearby bushes and check for snakes. This can also be helpful when scaring off aggressive dogs that come along your way.
• Calling for help. During emergencies, you can always try a cell phone first. You can get lucky and pick up a signal. When building your fire for smoke signals, use dry material and sprinkle a bit of water from time to time to generate more smoke. You can also use mirrors to reflect the sun’s light to signal passing helicopters or small planes.

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