“Sometimes it feels good to be lost in the right direction.”
​​-Unknown

How Not to Die

Obviously the most important

  • Always let someone know where you're heading, if you are unsure about this tip, watch the movie 127 hours. (Yes, the true story of the guy that had to cut his arm off!)
  • Skills are what truly keeps you alive, gear comes after.
  • Always know where is the closest way out (road, trail, city, etc.).
  • Be very careful crossing fast-moving creeks above waist level.
  • Pack accordingly to the environment (or go with a do-it-all gear list).
  • Do push yourself, but always keep a reserve of energy in case of emergency.
  • Learn the difference between being light, and being stupid light.
  • If camping, find a good sheltered spot.
  • Always carry a compass (and know how to use it), GPS devices can fail.
  • Wrap your lighter in plastic wrap a few times it makes it nearly waterproof.
  • Carry a small hand sanitizer (Purell) it is made of nearly only alcohol so it starts a fire like a champ.
  • When going down screes with a partner make sure you are out of each other's way (in case a big rock starts rolling down).
  • The best way to stay warm is to keep moving.
  • Always have extra food and water.
  • On sketchy trails, tighten your backpack to minimize its movement. (So you are not thrown off balance.)
  • Always carry something to light a fire. (The best way to stay warm is to keep moving, but we all get tired at some point.)
  • It is always good to carry a Personal Locator Beacon.
  • Always know where are your next water sources.
  • Keep track of your pace. 
  • Know when sunset is (especially if you don't have a proper headlamp).
  • Always stay in control of your momentum.
  • Don't rush through level 3-4 scrambles.
  • Only scramble up what you know you will be able to scramble down.
  • Above 3000 metres know the signs of altitude sickness.
  • Know the limit of your knowledge and experience, and plan accordingly.
  • Be humble, Nature will always be stronger than you.

Hiking Quicker

But don't forget to have fun

  • Straight lines are not always the quickest way.
  • Dry creek beds are often a faster way then the thick vegetation on its side. 
  • Keep the bushwhacking to a minimum when possible.
  • Take smaller breaks than fewer longer ones.
  • Use the hiking poles to propel you forward.
  • Wear light gaiters so you don't have to stop often to remove debris from your shoes and it prevents your shoelaces to untie easily. (Two rocks with one hit... hmmm... I mean two hits with one rock!)
  • It is better to slow down your pace than taking many breaks.
  • Lighten up your load.
  • Try to get chased by a bear, trust me your speed is going to increase. (That was only meant to make you laugh, if you see a bear, running is that last thing you want to do.)
  • When possible keep the elevation gain to a minimum.
  • Use trail runners and cross creeks with them (don't worry they will dry), you lose lots of time changing footwear.
  • On very steep ascents, do small zigzags to reduce the steepness of the slope. (That doesn't make you weak, mountain goats use the same technique.)
  • Going down screes is often faster than hard ground (and a lot more fun!).
  • Snack while being in motion (like bars, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate).
  • Start early, finish late.
  • Speed walk the flat sections.
  • Keep snacks and water in reach, so you don't have to stop and remove your pack every time.
  • Hiking poles can help you feel more confident (so faster) on sketchy terrain.
  • Learn to enjoy the scenery while being on the move. (Who said you had to stop, to enjoy the moment?)
  • Hike more and do physical training (I know you were expecting some kinda magic pill).

Comfort

It helps to enjoy yourself

  • Bring an adequate sleeping system.
  • Bring enough toilet paper (that sucks!).
  • Embrace Nature, don't fight against it. (Even when it's pouring rain while you are hiking in knee-deep snow.)
  • Have some of your favourite food (dark chocolate definitively).
  • If you tend to feel lonely hike with someone.
  • If you are far from the source of the water, treat it. (Having a bug or diarrhea is no fun!)
  • Elevate your feet at night, they tend to swell (especially if you have been hiking for long hours).
  • Never cross a creek barefoot. (Cold water often makes you numb to sharp rocks, and walking with wounds under your foot is very unpleasant.)
  • Keep your nails short.
  • Adjust your pack weight regularly from your shoulders and hips, to prevent soreness.
  • Stretch in the morning or evening. (Even better do both!)
  • Eat multiple snacks over fewer bigger meals. (It will keep your energy level up.)
  • Buy your rain jacket a size bigger for easy layering.
  • Always stay positive when facing challenges (weather, trail condition, exhaustion).
  • Short hair is easier to deal with in the woods. (If you are going Tarzan-style, I understand he looks cool.)
  • Know how to pack your gear so your backpack is well balanced. (Heavier Items closer to your body and what you need often, on top.)
  • Protect yourself from the sun even on cloudy days.
  • Avoid cotton clothes.
  • Hiking poles can greatly reduce the stress you put on your ankles, knees, and legs.
  • If you use a pie bottle at night, label it! (Even if it has the Gatorade colour, it doesn't taste the same!)
  • Wear a backpack that goes accordingly to your carrying weight. Too much frame, when you are travelling light is dead weight, not enough frame for your carrying weight is plain torture.

Staying Warm

It doesn't mean to carry your winter jacket on a summer hike

  • If you need a break, take it before you cross a creek. After you want to keep moving so you warm up.
  • Keep a dry set of clothes and socks for the night.
  • Keep your breaks short.
  • When you take a break, the first thing you should do is to layer up, not to lose your heat.
  • Have a proper sleeping bag for the expected temperatures.
  • When you need a wash or your clothes needs one (most likely both), do it in the middle of the day, when the temperature is at its highest and you still have some time to warm up. Doing it just before bed is the best way to lose most of your heat before the night. 
  • Better going at a constant slower speed than needing beaks often. (Yep, the turtle wins over the rabbit.)
  • Eat enough calories, especially before bed.
  • Have enough warm layers with you.
  • If expecting lots of rain, pack a fleece (or a wool shirt). It is one of the best materials to wear when wet.
  • Stay well hydrated.
  • In the morning, get moving before eating breakfast. Take a bite once you are warm.
  • Same goes with dinner, eat your final meal about an hour before stopping to camp, this way you can go straight for the sleeping bag once your camp is set up.
  • Do push yourself, but not to the very limit. Extreme tiredness brings a coldness that is hard to get rid of.
  • Sleep away from creeks, rivers, and lakes (it tends to be more humid around water sources).
  • Anchor well your tent or shelter (even if it doesn't seem windy or stormy), having to get up in the middle of the night is not fun.
  • Use your rain jacket even if it doesn't rain. It is highly wind resistant, and the wind is often an enemy when trying to stay warm.
  • Don't wait before removing layers (getting your layers wet (even from sweat) lower its ability to keep you warm).
  • Hike in the sun, if you can. (I got it.... sometimes it is not an option.)
  • Always carry a warm toque (even in the summer). As they say; "The head is a chimney, to keep the heat inside you have to cover it."
  • Stay hydrated at night, but don't overdo it. More water inside you, means more water to warm up by your body, and you lose lots of heat if you head out to pee.
  • I personally hike without a cooking stove, but having a stove allows you to drink hot water and even have a hot water bottle with you in your sleeping bag.

Lighten Up Your Load

It doesn't mean less safe or less comfortable

  • Get a smaller backpack (we tend to fill whatever size we got).
  • Switch to trail runners (as they say; "1 pound off your feet = 10 pounds off your back).
  • Don't be afraid to try a quilt.
  • Use a small size sleeping pad and use your backpack for under your legs.
  • Don't overdo the Aid kit, blister and scratches are what you will most likely only be dealing with. In the worst-case scenario; if you break a leg, nothing in your aid kit can fix that (even if you got the deluxe version).
  • By knowing your water consumption and your next resupplying water sources, you can reduce the water you carry in a safe way.
  • Dry gear weighs less than wet gear. (After the storm, dry your gear. It doesn't take long and gives you some time to enjoy the well-deserved sunshine.)
  • Share the load if you are hiking with someone. (Everyone has to pull their weight.)
  • Have multi-purpose items; dental floss doubles as tread for sewing, backpack as an extension to your sleeping pad, a collapsible water bottle as a pillow, hiking poles as tent poles, a sleeping pad as a backpack frame, etc. (Be creative!)
  • Do spend time researching and choosing wisely your gear, but don't forget to spend as much time learning outdoor skills. Skills weigh nothing and help a lot.
  • Leave the big rope at home if not planning to do above levels 4-5 scrambling/climbing.
  • Most of the time, layers are there to keep you warm when you are not in motion. So don't bring too many of them.
  • Drink up at water sources so you carry less water.
  • Skip deodorant and perfume. (Embrace the smell.)
  • Try to carry calories condense food 100+ calories/oz (360+calories/100g), which means less weight for the food you need to bring.
  • Turn into a stoveless hiker. (Save the weight of your cooking gear, fuel, and extra water for cooking.)
  • Repackage your food, they often come in heavier wrapping than the reusable ziplock bags.
  • A Nalgene bottle is about 3-4 times heavier than a plastic bottle. Make sure you reuse (over reuse) your plastic bottle to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum.

Respect Nature and Others

Take only pictures, kill only time, and leave only footprints

  • Yield to quicker and uphill hikers (be a gentleman).
  • Leave no trace. (Pack out, all that you packed in, even used toilet paper.)
  • Don't litter. (I am surprised we still have to mention that, but rubbish on the trail shows that some people still don't get it.)
  • Stay on the trail to reduce your impact.
  • Any bathroom call should be at least 75m (250ft) away from water sources (same goes with greywater).
  • Dig a hole for your number two.
  • Leave Nature untouched (don't take any souvenir, as tempting as it can be).
  • Never ever feed wildlife. (A fed animal is a dead animal!)
  • Keep fires small (if they are allowed), and make sure it is well extinguished before leaving.
  • Don't play your music out loud. (I get it, you like your music, but some people are in nature to enjoy the silence.)

Planning

Good planning = a successful hike (in most cases)

  • Caltopo is awesome for creating your own trails.
  • ​Research the type of environment you are heading into (dry, rainy, cold, humid).
  • Know what are the extreme weather cases possibles (flash floods, tornadoes, sand storms, blizzards).
  • Research the average monthly weather (rain, snow, temperatures, sunlight hours).
  • Know what kind of wildlife you have to keep an eye open for (snakes, scorpions, mosquitoes, bears, and so on).
  • When possible, do a "try out hike" in the same environment that you will be facing. It is a good practice for yourself and your gear.
  • Know your water intake per hour and distance (that will tell you the amount of water you have to carry between water sources).
  • Know your average pace on different terrain and the hours you can hike a day (that will tell you the amount of food you have to carry between resupplies).
  • Know the amount of climb you are able to take in a day (it, of course, depends on the steepness).
  • Look online for some extra information, maybe someone has already done that hike and wrote some extra information on his blog. (I guess you are already doing it if you are reading this.)

Questions & Answers
Q: How do I know if a specific slope is climbable on a map?
A: When unsure if a slope is climbable, use the satellite imagery and if there is vegetation there are very high chances the slope is climbable. If there is no vegetation, look at the inclination. Anything above 60 degrees can often be impossible or very dangerous depending on the terrain. Usually, anything below 45 degrees is easily doable. Between 45 to 60 degrees is sometimes hard to tell, some places can be a fun level 3 scramble, others an impassable cliff. Google Earth sometimes helps. You can use a slope degree layer on Caltopo to have quick look. Topo maps are detailed at every 10 metres which means a 10 metres drop won't show on the map, a 20 metres would since 2 lines would be very close to each other. That is the reason you have to be flexible in the field, sometimes you have to change slightly your route.
Q: How do I know my average water intakes?
A: Only more hiking will tell you that. From now, simply keep track of the amount of water you are drinking on every hike. Let's say you hiked 8h on an incline of 1000 metres and drank 4L. You divide that 4L by 8h. Then you know, you roughly drink 500ml/hour on a 1000 metres elevation gain day, more gain results in more water intake. Keep in mind that higher elevation (3000 metres and above) will make you drink more, hotter weather and more sun exposure as well. Now get out there and try out (in a safe environment first) your limits and build your hiking habits from there.
Q: How do I know if i drink enough while hiking?
A: Keep track of all liquids coming out of your body (pee, sweat, diarrhea if you are unlucky), dehydration happens when the amount of liquids that leaves the body is greater than the amount coming in. An old trick is to keep your pee as clear as possible, yellow means you need to drink more. This is true to some extent, the problem is less you drink, less you need to pee. Personally, I pay more attention to my saliva (as weird as it might sound) its thickness and feel tells me when I need to drink, but that habit came with time. If you want a quick number, I would recommend that you drink at least a litre every 2-3 hours, and from there, drink more depending on the intensity of the hike, elevation, altitude, temperature, sun exposure, etc.  
Q: What is a good hiking speed?
A: This is a question of preference and physical condition. For some, 20 km (12 miles) is a lot, for others, 40 km (25 miles) is a small day. I can only recommend hiking the distance you enjoy. Don't get caught into the contest of who is hiking quicker and further, that will prevent you from enjoying what hiking and nature are all about.
Q: How much calories do you eat while hiking?
A: Usually, on trips shorter than a 1 week long, I don't really pay attention to my calorie intake. For longer hikes or thru-hikes, I make sure I have enough calories. Having 1000 calories less than what you burn will make you lose about a pound a week. So it can really be an issue if you hike from weeks and months at the time. How you burn calories depends greatly on how you push yourself, your age, your weight, etc. If I take myself for example, on hard days, I easily burn 5000+ calories. So I pack at least 4000 calories but I often try to be more around 4500-5000. When I reach a resupply town, I try to eat plenty of fresh food and extra calories to counter the calorie deficit I might have had.
Q: What food are you eating as a vegan on the trail?
A: When it comes to lightweight high in calories food, being vegan adds a challenge. Fresh, raw food is filled with water (which adds lots of weight). If you have the chance to put your hand on a dehydrator you can remove the exceeding water of any food, and saving ~90% of its weight. But when thru-hiking, I don't have a dehydrator with me so here is a short list of some food I can come across that has a decent amount of calorie and are vegan:
  • Dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, figs, apricots, apple, etc.)
  • Bars
  • Date paste
  • Trail mix
  • Nuts
  • Sesame sticks
  • Seeds (hemp seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)
  • Dark chocolate
  • Sun-dried tomatoes (yes, I eat them like chips, call me weird if you want)
  • Nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.)
  • Coconut flakes
  • Cookies, chips, candy (more on the junk side)

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