10 Mistakes Made by Hikers

Assalamualaikum

Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan 1436H outdoorian sekalian! Ada yang masih on trip hiking di masa Ramadhan? Good luck! Semoga korang kekal tabah menghadapai cabaraan, dugaan dan nafsu dikala berpuasa masa hiking nanti. :D 

Entry ini di-copy-paste dari website ini dan ini, It will be in English version k.

1. PACKING TOO MUCH GEAR

When you’re nervous and excited before your first hike, it’s tempting to pack everything except the kitchen sink – just in case. But packing too much clothing, food and unnecessary extras means you’ll soon be lugging an excessively heavy backpack that will seriously impede your hiking happiness. The golden rule of hiking and backpacking is not to pack more than you can carry, but better yet is to take only what you need. 

2. WEARING COTTON

Never wear cotton – including denim – hiking. Cotton traps moisture in its fibres and once wet, it can take a long time to dry. Wet clothing on your skin can give you the shivers – making you more susceptible to hypothermia. Instead, choose base layers or active wear that wicks moisture away from the skin, dries fast and breathes.

3. BUYING CHEAP HIKING EQUIPMENT

Cheap hiking equipment may seem cost-effective at the time, but when you’re in the middle of nowhere and your poor-quality tent gets a hole in it or your rain jacket fails to keep you dry, you’ll pay the price. Purchase key pieces of outdoor clothing and equipment – such as hiking boots, rain jacket, tent and sleeping bag

4. NOT WEARING APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR

The key to happy hiking is happy feet. Seriously! Wear shoes or boots specifically designed to protect your feet from discomfort and injury (not flip flops or street shoes) when hiking. Also, importantly, ensure your footwear fits properly, taking into account your feet swell throughout the day. (Find out how to choose the right hiking boots.)

If you have new shoes, wear them in before you take them hiking with the socks you plan to hike in. If you feel hot spots developing on your feet, stop immediately and address the pain by applying Band-aids or experimenting with different socks. Once a blister develops, it’s too late, and each step will be painful.

5. NOT TAKING ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FOOD & DRINK

Hiking is strenuous work, and you need to adequately fuel your body. It’s essential you take more than enough water to keep you hydrated, and pack food that will nourish and sustain you. Dried fruit, nuts, oatmeal, dehydrated meals, pasta, cheese, tuna and salami are all good options. Electrolyte sachets may also come in handy if you feel like you're dehydrated or in need of a sugar burst.

6. NOT TAKING ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FOOD & DRINK

This is extremely important point. We seen so many cases, eg: boulder sprayed by the tagline ' XXX was here'. Everyone who plays in the outdoors should be familiar with the Leave No Trace principles, a set of ethics promoting outdoor conservation. These include respecting wildlife, leaving the environment how you found it, minimising campfire impacts and disposing of waste properly. 

7. TRAVELLING ALONE

If you’re heading out on your first hike, always go with an experienced friend and tell a friend or family member of your plans beforehand.

8. NOT CHECKING ON THE WEATHER

Always check the weather forecast before you go on any outdoor adventure.  While hiking in the rain is no problem so long as you take appropriate rainwear gear, you should avoid hiking when there’s fire, hail, snow, flood or lightning warnings.

9. STARTING LATE IN THE DAY

There are many smart reasons to start your hike early in the day. For example if you’re hiking in warm weather, this will be the coolest part of the day. Mostly, however, it’s best to start hiking early so you have plenty of daylight to reach your destination in case you take longer than anticipated. Walking in the dark can be dangerous (which is why you should always take a torch in case). If you’re camping, it also makes sense to aim to arrive with plenty of time to set up before the sun sets.

*** Padahal....... Sesiapa yang dah biasa dengan MARC, MARCcrewz ni selalunya memang jarang gerak awal. Kalau gerak awal tu mesti trip tu dapat kemkom yang tegas dan tiptop! :P

10. NOT TAKING THE TRAIL MAP

Always take a trail map with you that includes topographic features like rivers, ridges, elevations and mileages and, importantly, know how to read it. Even if you’re hiking a well-signed track or using Google Maps on your phone (always make sure your phone is fully charged before setting out), if you find yourself off track or without reception a reliable trail map could be a lifesaver. A compass, and knowing how to use it, will also come in handy.

*** Logik juga kan? Sebab, biasanya kami selalu serahkan kepada guider je. 

P/S: Mungkin ada lagi beberapa point penting lain yang mungkin kami tertinggal. Sudilah kiranya jika ada sesiapa yang nak share point tersebut di ruangan komen. Sangat dialu-alukan.