Planning to Go on Camping and Hiking Trails

There are many different camping and hiking trails that wind through different type of environments, from the mountains to the seashore to the open plains and even in canyons. Camping and hiking trails can be traversed in every season of the year, changing their looks with the seasons, making each experience new. When planning to go on camping and hiking trails, individuals need to make plans ahead of time, especially the longer the trip is, so that all of the hiking clothes and supplies can be taken with them, ensuring an enjoyable experience.

Supplies

Since camping and hiking trails can be used during any season of the year, the hiker is wise to consider what the weather conditions are and are expected to be during the time the trip is going to be taken. If the trip is in the summer months, then there is much less clothing that is needed for the trip. Considerations in the summer months include whether the material wicks the water away from the skin so that the person stays cooler, and whether there will be water for swimming, requiring the proper footgear and bathing attire. In addition, bringing a clothesline along is a great idea so that towels and wet clothing can be hung to dry, which happens fairly quickly in hot climates.

If the camping and hiking trails will be traversed in the winter months, especially in climates that get heavy rain or snowfall, there are additional clothing considerations. Staying warm and dry during these months is important, so clothing should not only be comfortable and wick water away to increase warmth, the outer layers should also be waterproof so that wind and wetness do not sink through. The hiker should also bring layers of clothing, such as long underwear and extra socks so that as the weather gets colder or warmer the layers can be added or removed keeping the hiker warm and dry.

Another critical supply for camping and hiking trails is the hiking boot, since poor quality boots can cause much pain and discomfort to the hiker, which can drastically affect the enjoyment of the trip. Shorter trips often do not require a full hiking boot but only a hiking shoe which is lighter and more flexible while still providing the traction needed and more support than a tennis shoe. Rougher camping and hiking trails as well as more extreme weather conditions will require a sturdy, waterproof boot.