Tripping in the wilderness – trekking, hiking, backpacking, and the like – is a fun, enriching, and refreshing activity that will help broaden your horizons, take you out of your comfort zone, approach the unfamiliar, and learn as much as you can.
However, before you get too excited to start your nature trip, there are some considerations and priorities to keep in mind, especially if it’s going to be your first time. To guide you, below are some nature tripping tips for beginners.
1. Learn And List Down The Species and Views
If you’re going for a hike, research the area and learn about the natural spots, animals and plant species you’ll be discovering in the area. List them down and get familiar with them ahead. This is practical, especially as there are many types of trees, flowers, birds, and other species. This way, you can make your trip a fun, enriching experience to re-learn and appreciate the wonders of nature.
Moreover, these species and natural views may serve as a guide that you’re on the right path with your trip. Also, this may help you learn if you’re already near to your camping destination.
2. Choose An Easy Destination
To ensure that you’re going to have a fun and memorable trip, make sure to smart small.
For your wilderness destination, choose something that’s great for beginners. It can be a trail that has a short distance or a hike that’ll approximately take you less than an hour. Once you have selected a trail, it’s wise review reports, check other people’s hiking experience, and other relevant data. This will help you set your expectations regarding the hike’s difficulty, the usual challenges you’d encounter during the trip, the amazing views, and the like.
Make sure to review and check intersecting paths that may get you and your companions lost during the trip. It may also be better to have an expert with you who have hiked the trail a few times before. For emergencies, make sure to collect contact information of people you can ask for help.
You don’t need to go big for your first nature trip. If you’ll be trekking, shoot for a 2-day or overnight trip and evaluate how the experience went. Take this initial nature trip as a learning experience wherein you assess your gear, identify the essentials, and make your next experiences better.
3. Check The Weather
On the day of your nature trip, it’s wise to check the weather reports. Have a backup plan in mind in case the weather is unexpectedly stormy. It’s crucial to always prioritize you and your companions’ safety, which may mean rescheduling.
4. Wear The Right Clothing Gear
When it comes to your clothing gear, yoga pants, breathable tops, water-proof jackets, and other fitness wear that’s quick-drying and moisture-wicking are recommended. To guide you, choose nylon and polyester fabrics. Also, prepare and bring clothes that you can instantly layer, especially if it becomes unexpectedly cold during the trip.
Moreover, wear the right footwear. Select the shoes with the right features and fit that’ll support and protect you from potential injuries during the trip.
5. Know What To Pack
If you’re going backpacking, make sure that your bag is suitable for the event. Checking whether or not you can carry the additional weight of your items is important as well, to avoid potential back aches.
Prioritize and identify the necessities such as spare clothing gear, towels, water, sleeping bag, and the like. Have a checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important.
In addition, determine the items you can all share during the trip. For instance, you may assign someone to bring the tent and tell another to bring the pot. In this way, all of you can make your individual backpacks and/or carry-on bags lighter.
Summing It Up
As a beginner, it’s essential to prioritize your safety during the entire nature trip. With this in mind, choose an easy trail, check the weather, and wear the right gear. Apart from this, make sure to pack only the necessities and leave all else behind. Most importantly, have fun, explore, and relish the beauty of nature.