5 things I wish I knew before my first long distance hike
Long distance hiking, by which I mean, more than a day hike, allows you to totally immerse yourself in nature’s magic. You can walk further beyond the comfort of nearby towns and people that a day hike typically restricts you too. Yet, when I embarked on my first long distance hike, the Tour du Mont Blanc, in 2022, I quickly learnt some important lessons that I would like to share with you here!
Solo wildcamping in Scotland, West Highalnd Way
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Remember, long distance hiking is not easy.
Now this entirely depends on the type of holiday you like. Established popular trails like the Tour du Mont Blanc have vastly developed tourist industries, allowing you to take a spa, get your luggage delivered to your next hotel, or rest your feet with a daqiri in a hotel mid-hike.
However, whether the exuberant prices, or, like me, the desire to explore the outdoors in a ‘purer’ form is what drives you to get out, the first lesson I learned is ‘don’t expect a relaxing holiday!’
After getting to camp each day, my mind was only thinking about two things: what am I eaing for dinner and when am I going to sleep.
I quickly realised that in order to get the most out of the hike, I had to commit myself fully to the hike. I simply did not have the mental capacity to focus on a book after a long day of hiking. Don’t expect the walk to be a sideact to evening activities.
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I know the feeling; it’s frightening thought - what if something unexpected happens and I need to fend for myself? Surely a couple extra cans of fish won’t be that bad?
The fear of the unexpected can be counterproductive - by making your backpack significantly heavier, you will spend more energy carrying it and you will feel a greater mental strain to eat all the food you have taken.
Research the trail you are going on. See where you can buy food on the trail. This can include refuges, towns along the way, many trails contain honesty boxes as well. Remeber, cash is king in the backcountry. Always bring more cash than you think you’ll need.
Avoid bringing bulky foods with large packaging. High-protein foods like nuts, tuna as well as energy bars are great.
Water filtration systems are a great way of saving a kilo of your back. If your trail has plenty sources of water (check your map and note down the sources), you can be safe in knowing a healthy water supply is close by.
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Everyone on the trail has their own story. By deciding to do the trail, you probably already have more in common with most people on the trail than you think.
Hikers walking the opposite direction to you can offer a valube insight into the trail condtion and anything to look out for.
The seasoned veterans of the hike. The guy who has walked the trail five times already (and there are plenty of them!) love to talk to you about their experiences.
For solo hikers: one of the great things about solo hiking is that you’re much more approachable than a group. Use this to your advantage! Personally, I’m yet to meet unfriendly people not willing to chat and share their experiences. All it takes is to just start chatting!
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The fear of the unknown can be a daunting prospect. It is important to strike a balance between what is planned and what is not.
It is important to plan your general route, your food provisions and likely transport to and from the trail head.
However, nature will never stand still, and neither should you! It is important to NEVER underestimate the force of nature. Poor weather may require you to change plans, or even abandon the trip. Whilst this may hurt at first, as hikers we must always remember that nature is the king and we are its disciples.
People will offer their kindness on the trail. On popular trails, there are high chances you will cross paths with others. Talk to them. They will be able to offer advice, help you out, or offer reassurance.
Listen to your body. It is not a sign of failure to take a rest day or even cut the trail short. I’ve been there duing the GR20 in Corsica. Yes, I felt horrible telling myself I had to quit. But now, 6 months later, I know I made the right decision.
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10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes after the hike. That’s a whole 1.39% of your day.
Chances are when you start your long distance hike, your body will be put through more work and pain than you’re used to. After day 1, you don’t want to be waking up with legs as stiff as a wooden board.
I’ve been using the app Stretch Exercise - Flexibility. It allows you to set your own training programmes for all parts of your body. Your legs are a key part of hiking of course, but also your back and shoulders will likely feel stiff with a heavy backpack on.
