Questions & Answers on Hiking – Backpacking – Trekking & Walking

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Thanks to Purpleslog

I like too much reading blogs, follow forums, etc… During my daily search I’ve found that on popular websites like Yahoo answers, etc… there were some hiking related questions that i’ve found a bit unusual.

So i’ve aggregated some of them and try to answer. Here the list of answers to general questions that a beginner hiker should do.

They are organized by sections:

• Q&A on how to prepare for trekking
• Q&A about Hiking techniques
• Q&A about general “How to” tutorials
• Q&A about general survival and safety
• Q&A about gear
• Q&A about Fitness, health and training

Q&A about Fitness, health and training

Question: How to train for a difficult hike and get in shape for hiking?

Answer: Most people believe that being active (practicing other sports) is the only thing to be fit for hiking. It’s wrong. Even if you are used to walking, strapping a 30-pound backpack will suddenly change your entire experience.

To train for hiking all you need is a slowly step by step plan.

1. Start by doing 1-3 miles hikes 1-2 times per week without a backpack.
2. Day by day increase the length of your hikes
3. After 2 weeks start carrying a small backpack and work to increase the weight of your load day by day.
4. Your goal is to hike comfortably 9 miles with 22lb backpack.
5. Start off by hiking in different terrains: Uphill and downhill (try to increase the number of vertical meters).
6. Keep increasing the number of consecutive hiking days.

Question: How many calories do you burn while hiking?

Answer: Consider that it depend on your metabolism, you weight, the weight you carry, the length and the time you hike.
Calories burned per minute with a 22 lb. backpack:

• Your weight in pounds: 105 – 115 = 5.9
• Your weight in pounds: 127 – 137 = 6.7
• Your weight in pounds: 160 – 170 = 7.9
• Your weight in pounds: 180 – 200 = 8.8

For example: I weight 177 pounds and for 1 hour of hiking I’ll burn 485.76 calories

Question: How many miles a day can I hike?

Answer: The average person can walk about 3 miles/hour on flat. Walking for 12 hours, you could potentially walk 36 miles.

Question: How much water should I drink while hiking? How to purify it?

Answer: Hiking is like a prolonged and strenuous exercise. You should drink at least 20 ounces of water two hours before your hike. During the hike you should drink 5-12 ounces of water for every 15 minutes.

How purify water in case of emergency

Question: How can a woman urinate while hiking?

Answer: I’m not an expert in this field, but after a search in Google i’ve found this product. Shewee is a molded plastic funnel which can slip comfortably into the zipper of your pants to allow you to urinate privately and easily in a standing position.

Question: How to prevent knee injuries from hiking?

Answer: There are simple strategies you can apply to prevent these injuries.

You should:

• Do regular athletic exercise: Maintain strength and flexibility in the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, abductor, adductor, lower back and calf muscles.
• Avoiding prolonged knee flexion
• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Stretch properly before and after hiking
• Do not overexert yourself
• Increase your workout slowly

Question: How much food to take for a multi day hike?

Answer: Pack with you: Some cans of tuna; Hard cheeses like parmesan; A combination of different dried cereals and nuts; A bottle of Olive oil to use for salads; Honey pills as a quick source of energy; Some cans of peas, lentils, beans; Chicken, Ham and Turkey

Follow a balanced diet that includes more fat and sugar; Eat Cereals like muesli; Eat fresh fruit and/or vegies as snacks; Plan to eat once an hour (200 calories/hr); Focus on breakfast and dinner.

Question: How can I keep my feet and hands warm while hiking?

Answer: The best ways to stay warm in the cold is to protect your hands and feet by wearing the right gloves and socks. You should wear them in layers to insulate bubbles of warm. For feet is best to wear two layers of socks (synthetic and Wool). Boots with liners can help provide additional warm. For hands natural wool can provide you a good protection.

Question: How can I prevent blisters caused by trekking?

Answer: The common ways are 2 pair of socks or talc powder to keep your feet dry. You should also stop often to let your feet rest.

The procedure to prepare to avoid blisters is:

1. Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike.
2. Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape.
3. Soak the foot areas that are irritated in cold water or air-dry.
4. Wear liner socks with hiking socks.

Another cause of blister could be also the excessive weight of your backpack.

Question: How can I protect myself from mosquitos and tics when hiking?

Answer: Avoid white clothing and buy a mosquitos repellent.

Question: Why do my fingers swell up while hiking?

Answer: Keep your elbows bent when you walk.

Q&A about gear

Question: Which gps in good to buy for hiking?

Answer: Have a look on these comparison websites:

• Buyer’s Guide of GPS Devices
• Good For Everyone, Hiking, Driving, and Fishing
• Which is the best GPS unit?
• Do you have much experience with them and what you think of them?

Question: How do I choose the right hiking backpack?

Answer: A backpack is a fundamental tool to consider. It has to be well suited to your body size. You can choose between 2 types of structure: Internal and External Frame.

Consider:

1. The length: Calculate the distance between your 7th vertebra (At the base of your neck located between your shoulders) and the top of your hips. Measure the distance. Your torso may be: Small (under 18in/45cm), Medium (18-20in/45-50cm) and Large (21in/52cm upwards).
2. The carrying capacity: It depends on how long is your hiking type. For daily hiking a 15 to 35 litres pack should be fine. For multi day expeditions, a backpack of 60 litres and more is good.
3. Test: Loading up the pack with the test weight items and walk around the store.

Question: What’s best: Shorts or jeans?

Answer: If your trail is on a beaten path, you can wear shorts. If you plan to walk in off the beaten paths (brush), use jeans or hiking pants.

Have a look here to find some:

• Convertible hiking pants from nextag
• The most popular items in Hiking Pants from Amazon

Question: What hiking and camping gear should I buy? What to wear when hiking?

Answer: Here a list of gear and clothing to pack for an hike

• First Aid Kit and maps
• Flashlight
• Survival knife
• Water purification pump and pills
• Waterproof lighter
• Lightweight stove
• Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots.
• Toilet paper
• Gloves
• Beanies
• Boots

Q&A about boots

Question: Which brand of hiking boots would you recommend? How can I choose them?

Answer: The well known brands are:

• Timberland
• Lowa
• Merrell
• Vasque
• Columbia
• LL Bean
• Coleman Ventura
• Hi-Tec

Every brand have Gore-Tex.

Question: How do I know when my boots are broken?

Answer: Simple! After you stop getting blisters…

Question: How to choose the right boot?

Answer: Before buying be sure to go shopping in the afternoon when your feet are larger. The be a great boot, it has to have:

• A strong sole with good grip and also ankle support
• A waterproof canvas
• A good brand
• A good fit with your feet: Spend at least 15 minutes walking around in each pair

Question: What kind of hiking stick do you use when hiking? How to choose them?

Answer: It’s better to use hiking poles because their are shock absorbing, allow you to take some strain off your back, move a lot faster. They are also retractable so you can adjust for height.

Q&A about general survival and safety

Question: How to be safe when walking alone?

Answer: The first thing to consider is to plan well your Hike. Get a good map of the area you are going to and decide on the route you will take. Make sure to tell someone your route and when you will be back from your hike. Have a look on Weather forecast. Pack the right gear List: Wear sensible clothing for the conditions and carry extra in case the weather changes for the worse.

Question: How to stay warm at night?

Answer: There are several things you can apply to stay warm. All is relative to your sleeping bag.

• Insulate your sleeping bag from the ground
• Be sure to have dry bedding and sleeping clothes
• Never sleep with your mouth and nose inside the sleeping bag. Breathe outside of it
• Put on clean socks and polar fleece booties for sleeping
• Wear a hat
• Eat high calorie food before going to sleep
• Zip your feet inside a fleece jacket and shove them to the bottom of your sleeping bag

Question: How do I keep drinks hot?

Answer: You can carry a small insulated thermos-type bottle or an insulated coffee mug.

Question: How can i protect myself from a rattle snakes?

Answer: Rattlesnakes will strike at you only if they’re molested or startled. So stay on the trail. If you must go off-trail, avoid tall grass or brush. Dont move planks, rocks or logs by hand.

Q&A about “How to”

Question: How to use hiking poles?

Answer: To make a walking stick read this guide and watch this video on how to use them:

Question: How to Lower Backpack Weight?

Q&A about Hiking techniques

• How to hike in sand
• How to start hiking
• How to hike trails
• How to hike with a back pack

For all of these question have a look on these list of hiking resources:

Q&A on how to prepare for trekking

Question: How to pack my bag when hiking?

Answer: Here are some general rules. Put the sleeping bag in a stuffed sack and put it at the bottom of your backpack. Put food on top. Put things like toilet paper, toiletry kit, bug spray and maps on the outside.

Question: How do i find the best hiking trails?

Answer: Read this article

Question: How to organize a hike?

Answer: First thing is to search for info on the trail you want to do. You can use google or by a book on Amazon. Be sure to take info about sources of water, type of terrain and the distance of the trail. It’s also good to have a map. Know the weather and have a look on the forecast.

The list could be longer. If you have other questions, please put them in the comments and I’ll try to answer.