If you’re in the beginning stages of planning an intense hike or an extended backpacking trip, it’s important to prepare yourself physically for the challenges that might entail. You might be flying out to your starting point, but from there it’s up to you to make the trek. If you’re not sure how to start preparing, here are a few tips to help you out.
Set Specific Goals
When you have a big project underway, it’s important to set smaller goals that can help you reach success in the big picture. If you wanted to learn how to fly planes, your first goal wouldn’t be to contribute to the almost 24,833,000 hours of general aviation flight that occur annually. Instead, it would be to enroll in flight lessons. The same concept applies when you’re planning a backpacking trip. Your physical preparation goals will ultimately be defined by the trek you plan on taking. If the topography is full of hills, then one of your preparation goals could be to walk up a hill without stopping and without feeling winded. When you create achievable goals for yourself, succeeding in your big picture goal won’t feel so far away.
Consult With Your Doctor
Under normal circumstances, you should visit your doctor at least once every year. If you’ve already had your annual check-up, it’s still a good idea to make an appointment before you start training for your backpacking trek. During your appointment, you can talk about the key points of your backpacking trip, such as how long you’ll be trekking and how far you’ll be going. Based on this information, your doctor may be able to help you determine what a good training program could look like for your goals. They can also advise you on how to properly sustain yourself during your training period. You might be able to do some research on your own, but at the end of the day, your doctor is the expert on medical health.
Get Moving
If you want to train for a backpacking trek, the best way to do so is by getting your body moving! That being said, it’s not a good idea to start your training with hills and mountain trails. Instead, you’re going to want to get moving incrementally. First, start by walking. Take short walks every day and gradually increase the distance you’re going. In addition, try to vary up the terrain you’re walking on — your trek won’t be all sidewalks, after all. When you’re ready, it’s time to move on to hills. Hill terrain is great for building up endurance — sections of steep terrain followed by flat terrain make for excellent interval training. Once you’re feeling strong enough, you can start adding weight. It’s a good idea to use the backpack you’ll be taking on your trek with you. you can fill it with weights or pack it in a way that’s similar to how you plan on packing for the big trip. Just make sure you’re adding weight slowly so your body can adjust at a safe pace.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Of course, physical activity is only part of the equation to help you prepare for a backpacking trek. As you’re building muscle, it’s important to make sure you’re eating properly to sustain that growth. That means eating three square meals a day, making sure you’re getting enough protein and essential vitamins and staying hydrated. Drinks like Red Bull might help you stay awake, but they can result in enamel loss and actually dehydrate you. Staying hydrated means drinking at least 64 oz. of water daily. In addition, it’s always a good idea to eat your hydration. Fruits and vegetables like green beans, apples, watermelon, and cucumbers are full of water and can help you stay hydrated while you snack.
Preparing for your first big backpacking trip can be exhilarating, but remember that physical preparation is just as important as planning your itinerary.
