 
Hiking trip planning consists of choosing
a destination, learning about the destination, making a packing
list, setting the dates, getting the gear and supplies together,
and watching the weather reports. Of course, you should already
be in decent physical shape before you go. If not, make that art
of your plan. Here are some other things to consider in your
planning:
How many miles a day can you comfortably hike?
If you aren't sure, get out there and take a preparatory hike.
Consider the terrain you'll be hiking in too. If you are
planning on covering twenty miles in two days, and it turns out
that you can only do five miles per day, you might run out of
food Does your planning allow for delays due to bad weather or
blisters?
Did you research the area you will be hiking in?
This is getting so easy to do now with the internet. The
national park service has all sorts of information on line.
Somebody has a trip report or two for almost anyplace you could
go. Type your destination into a search engine, and see how many
streams you'll be crossing, whether there will be ice or snow on
the trail at that time of year, and more. This way, you can
bring what you'll need.
Are you compatible with your partners?
If you like to hike the first ten miles of the day straight
through, and your buddy wants to stop to explore cliffs and swim
in lakes, you will not get along. Maybe you think hiking six
miles is a long day, but others in your group like to cover
twenty miles daily. Be sure you are going with the right people
for this destination and the type of camping or hiking trip you
are planning.
Do you know what you need for food?
You will probably eat more than normal because of the exertion
of hiking every day. Do you know how many calories you normally
eat? Also consider whether you'll have enough food that doesn't
need cooking, or you'll spend more time than you planned
fiddling with your stove.
Do you have enough fuel for your stove?
If you aren't sure, try cooking a typical meal that you will
have on the trail. Do it outside in the wind. See how much fuel
you use. Multiply this by the number of meals you are planning
for the trip. Bring extra - just to be safe
Do you have the means to purify enough water?
Your water filter will just be extra weight if it is clogged or
reaches its safe limit the first day out. See if the filter
element needs replacing. You may want to bring iodine tablets as
a back-up as well.
Do you know what the weather will be like?
You can use the internet for this as well. There are free
weather reports all over. If you know it will be windy and
rainy, you might reconsider your plan to bring a small tarp for
a shelter. If the weather is unpredictable where you'll be
hiking, just try planning for the worst.
Key Points
1. Choose a destination - and the research it.
2. Be physically ready.
3. Planning a hiking trip has to include choosing the right
partners for the type of trip and destination.
4. Plan for enough food water, clothing and other essentials.
5. Watch the weather forecast before you leave.
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You have heard about the "wind chill effect," right. Well, wind chill is
an effect that only takes place when you are in the wind, so get
out of it if you are cold. Also, the standard charts measure the
effect of wind on exposed skin. If you are properly dressed, the
evaporative effect isn't there, so the apparent temperature
isn't reduced as much as the charts indicate. Tighten up the
openings in your clothing!
Tea of witch hazel leaves can be used for relief from insect
bites and sunburn. Witch Hazel once was a common astringent that
women used as a "tightening" and refreshing face wash.
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