If you read last month’s how-to blog and monthly review blog. Then you probably read how revisiting Icelakes, caused us to draw up a WHOLE new blog. Guess what? If you’re going to book an adventure elopement or engagement session with us. Then these tips are going to be helpful to have! Also if you are wanting to get into hiking, these are going to be helpful as they are summer hiking tips in Colorado.
“You need special shoes to go hiking,
and a bit of a special soul as well.”
Pinterest
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 1. Prepping
AKA
Research –
Getting started, means before you start hiking knowing things that are helpful. So in others it is not as easy as lacing up hiking shoes and going.
There are several things you need to take into account wherever you decide to explore, what trail you are doing? How long is the hike going to be? What the weather is going to be like and check all the way up to the time you are leaving because you never know if mother nature is going to pull a fast one on you!
So make a list of everything you are going to take (See some of the items I suggested above).
Read reviews on apps/websites like All Trails https://www.alltrails.com/ to have a better understanding of what others have thought of the journey you are about to embark on. As well as how long it will take to get there. These are all questions and items to check off to be well informed on the adventure you will be adding to your magical memories.
The mountains whisper
for me to wander.
My soul hikes
to the call.
Angie Weiland-Crosby
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 2. Exercise self-awareness and google.
Following the previous commentary, research.
Never hiked before? Or hike all the time?
It still means exercising self-awareness of what you can handle—no need to push yourself right off the bat to prove to anyone. If your party is more experienced, make sure you state your boundaries ahead of time, so you don’t feel like you have to match. No need to do a rough 7 miles if you are starting out, plus it is not good for your body. So start where you are at, not where anyone else is.
But how can you know ahead of time what you are getting into?
Easy, google, facebook groups and talking to locals!
Well, first off most sites will rank the level of difficulty of the hike. Take this with a grain of salt as only you know what you are physically capable of. Because if you go into the reviews you never know if someone who is an adrenaline junky might decide that this hike wasn’t hard at all, my kids did it without breaking a sweat. You are simply not them. Start with something short in length and at a lower elevation, if you can handle that, incrementally start to up both till you are more aware of how you are going to handle the trip.
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 3. Gear.
Yes, some of the hiking gear out there is useful like oxygen, especially if you are coming up from sea level and have never experienced the high country before. However, just don’t go to the first sports store you can find and start picking up every piece of gear.
All you need is below: a sturdy pair of boots (Hiking or preferably not a cowboy), a good backpack filled with water snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, a tent, and a willingness to explore and ENJOY the nature around you.
The best view
comes after
the hardest
climb.
Pinterest
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 4. Don’t ask…
Never ask someone coming off of the mountain if you are almost there. The reason being is because they aren’t going to flat out tell you that there are 5 miles left and you haven’t reached the hardest part yet. It’s not rude, just a courtesy to ensure your willingness to carry on isn’t zapped by the sheer difficulty of the hike.
Instead, keep track of miles from research, and take breaks to enjoy the privilege of being able to explore nature. Hiking is supposed to be more than the destination, but the journey. When you book your adventure session with us, we will go more in-depth over how we make sure you enjoy the journey. In meantime, start by slowing down and not keeping pace with others.
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 5. Rules of Trail
Did you think that there was a flow of traffic on a trail? There is, if you are on the descent of the mountain, step aside for people coming up. Why might you ask? It is a whole hell of a lot to keep moving downward using gravity. It is the opposite going up. Allow the on comers to continue their momentum up the mountain.
As well as, acquaint yourself with the principles of leave no trace. Just a few easy ones, stay on the trail, walk through the mud even, and then don’t pick wildflowers.
Read more here about leave no trace.
“Take only memories,
leave only footprints.”
Pinterest
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 6. Understand 14ners are their own challenge.
What is a 14ner? No it isn’t a football team nor is it a drinking game. A 14ner is a mountain whose elevation is 14,000 ft above sea level. If you are a beginner, do not attempt it. To put it into perspective for you the easiest 14ner to do it Mt. Bierstadt, it is 7.8 miles out and back and you climb 2,765 ft from the start of the trail.
I have summited 2 14ner’s and I’ve been hiking for a good portion of my life. Each time at the very top I will ask the person next to me to bury me where I lay because I have lived a wonderous life. They aren’t for the faint of heart. Train on several trails at the beginning of the season to prepare yourself and always bring more supplies than you think you will need (food and water, socks and shelter in case, that is).
No not every mountain hike is a 14ner, this is why it is important to research!
As well as to ask questions before saying yes to your hiking friends!
Ask for trail name and look it up.
If it seems too difficult for you, but you want to do a part of it. Then join but have predetermined check-ins with yourself. As well as setting your own mile goal. Instead of submitting or doing the full hike, make the space that 3 miles are enough the first go.
Again the point of hiking is not the destination, it’s exploring AND enjoying nature.
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 7. Start Early.
For me at least I always underestimate the time it will take from start to finish. It never hurts to get to the start of your travels as early as possible. Depending on where you are at and the time of year you may also have a surprise thunder storm roll in when you least expect it. If this happens to you make certain that you are turning around and getting to a safe area. Preferably with tree coverage but even then you aren’t 100% safe. Thunder can strike anywhere and if you are within trees there are more points for the thunder to strike.
“There’s no better place
to find yourself than
sitting by a waterfall
and listen to its music.”
Roland
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 8. Water
If you aren’t drinking at least a half to a full quart of water during your hike you’re doing it wrong. Drink before you get thirsty as you are using more water than you expect during your excursion. I try to utilize a camel pack, as well as store a couple of bottles of water with me! Ease of access to them gives you more incentive to reach into your bag to chug. Becca likes to water mocktails, body armor + infused water + bubbly water. So find a way that works for you, but waterfalls aren’t the only thing you should be chasing. Snacks and breaks should be chased with water. LOTS OF IT.
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 9. Buddy System
I always go with someone or even a group of people. You will have moral support that way. That’s not the grim reason to do so though. If you are to have an accident or are severely injured you will need as much help as you can get! Have a first aid kit on hand incase of an emergency. As we always say during our trips and elopement sessions.
NO ER VISITS!
However, if you are determined to hike alone: share your information with someone.
The infomation should include the following.
Where you are going, your estimated time of returning, a time limit of waiting before your buddy calls to report you missing. Information should include car make/model/color, a photo of you from that day, and what you are wearing. Bonus points, if you can share location via apps EVEN BETTER.
This is why hiking is not about pushing yourself.
But rather enjoy your time in nature as you explore.
“Going to the mountains
is going home.”
John Muir
Summer Hiking Tips in Colorado With Worldwide Elopement Visuals, Photo and Video Team Ben and Becca.
Number 10. Know what happens when you go up in elevation.
Depending on who you are and if you have adapted to the change in altitude you may begin to have Altitude sickness. As WebMD explains the symptoms here (https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/altitude-sickness) and to explain what happens here is a quote from their website. “The pressure of the air that surrounds you is called barometric or atmospheric pressure. When you go to higher altitudes, this pressure drops and there is less oxygen available.
If you live in a place that’s located at a moderately high altitude, you get used to the air pressure. But if you travel to a place at a higher altitude than you’re used to, your body will need time to adjust to the change in pressure.
Any time you go above 8,000 feet, you can be at risk for altitude sickness.” This is serious and could land you in the hospital if you are having shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, decrease in energy. There needs to be a deliberate thought of descending down the mountain as soon as possible.
So as you research your hikes and plan, make sure you are taking in elevation as part of planning.
Aloha Lovers,
Where is your lover’s tale taking us?
Till Next Buzz, honeybees!
CIAO!
Now gotta go make art from love
as your adventuring duo of
an artist with a camera and an author with film.
LEAVE A COMMENT
Comments