Earlier this year, I introduced the idea of how to grow a hiking practice. While my hiking partner undergoes physical adaptations after only three hikes, I’m noticing subtle mental transformations which I’ll describe in my next post. Join me in learning how to warm up, pace yourself, and hydrate while hiking. We have also included a bonus one-minute video on how to perform the rest step for anyone traveling above 8,500′ elevation.
Tip 1: Let Your Body Warm Up
For our first hike to Tiger, I shared the Tradition Lake Loop with my partner. At 3 miles and 150′ of elevation gain, it’s a perfect test for someone who is returning to the mountains after an absence or for someone who wants to gain experience and confidence in wilderness exploration.
Question: My hiking partner asked me: Why are the first five minutes of every hike SO HARD?
Answer: it takes a few minutes for your body to warm up, especially if you’ve been sitting in a car for a while. As you would with any gym workout, prepare your body for exertion by easing into your pace. Many people plan a clothing break at about minute 15. Others strip a layer at the trailhead, knowing they’re going to warm up quickly.
During the first five minutes of any workout, your heart works harder to deliver blood and oxygen to the firing muscles. Once that flow is established, you should feel more comfortable. Runners call it “hitting their stride”. It’s similar for hiking.
TAKEAWAY: Be gentle with your body. Start a little slower than you normally would. Allow at least five minutes to get your body used to moving. You might even try walking around the parking lot for a few minutes before you put on your pack.
Tip 2: Pace Yourself
On our second hike, I decided to see how she handled some elevation. We headed up the West Tiger 3 trail toward the Talus Rock Trail, aiming for a 3.5-mile loop with 800 feet of elevation gain.
Question: What do you do if your body wants to start and stop all the time?
Answer: Learn how to pace yourself. As soon as we shifted into traveling uphill she asked for a rest. Several minutes later she requested another. She asked why her thighs were burning. I explained that she was in her anaerobic zone, which couldn’t be sustained for longer than 1-2 minutes at a time.
Instead, we continued uphill at a slower pace that allowed her to travel without huffing and puffing. She sustained a more constant and comfortable rate without stopping every few minutes. A classic case of the tortoise beating the hare.
BONUS VIDEO: The Rest Step
Similarly, when climbers get above 8,500′ they often feel light-headed, dizzy, or nauseous. Using the rest step allows their legs to rest with each step so they, too, can keep going at a constant steady pace. Here is a brief video demonstrating this technique.
TAKEAWAY: Start-and-stop pacing is the quickest way to tire yourself out. I learned that the hard way on my first Rainier climb 30 years ago. Instead, find a pace that you can keep going for at least 30 minutes without stopping. That is your “endurance zone” pace for the day.
Tip 3: Hydrate
For week 3, we reversed the direction of our second hike. This time we warmed up on the Bus Trail, climbed the Section trail, and descended via the Nook Trail.
Question: How do you keep yourself from bonking on the trail?
Answer: If you start slow and pace yourself, another great strategy is to stay hydrated. On our first two hikes, my partner chose to drink in the car before and after the hike. On the third, I suggested she bring a water bottle so she could drink on the trail.
The result? Increased stamina and increased performance. Certainly, her body is adapting to the hiking after three weeks. But it also could more efficiently deliver blood and nutrients to the working muscles. In week four she’s going to bring a few snacks. As her body adapts to the distance, elevation, and in time, lightweight, she’ll see carryover into other realms of her life.
TAKEAWAY: Hydration and fuel are key to performance for any outing longer than about 90 minutes. If you feel like you “bonk” on the trail and you’re not carrying water or food, try it. You might see amazing results.