How to Prepare for a Mountain Hike in Colorado
During spring, Colorado is one of the best destinations. You will find mountainous regions worth hiking. The weather is perfect for this trip and you will feel accomplished once it’s over. Of course, you have to prepare for it. You don’t want to put yourself at risk. Here’s how you can prepare for the hike.
Drink lots of water
The heat causes fluid loss. You’re also constantly moving. Therefore, it helps to drink lots of water. You can easily lose your hydration level and it can be critical to your health. Imagine if you’re in the middle of nowhere and your fluid level gets too low. Bring bottled water with you and make sure there’s enough throughout the trip. You might also use tablets to purify your water. The best tip is to start your water intake early. It allows you to stay hydrated and acclimate even before you begin hiking. On the way, keep taking sips.
Go easy on alcoholic beverages
Since you’re out on a trip, you might have too much fun and decide to go crazy on your booze intake. If you have no other plans apart from partying, it’s understandable. However, if you intend to go on a hike, you should monitor your alcohol intake. You don’t want to be intoxicated during an outdoor adventure. You need all the strength that you have to carry on. You can drink some to celebrate if you’ve reached a milestone, but don’t overdo it. Also, if you’re heading to the Pikes Peak region, be careful since their beverages might pack high alcohol levels.
Don’t go all out right away
You have to learn how to pace yourself. It’s not a competition. You don’t need to reach the finish line as soon as possible. It will be a long hike and you want to have sufficient energy until the end. You also don’t want to end up in the hospital because you pushed yourself beyond the limits. You might be excited, but you should contain it.
Watch your food intake
You might be too excited when you head out to eat since there are plenty of choices. The area is a tourist destination for several reasons, and cuisines are among them. Make sure you limit your salt and carb intake. They make you feel heavy and pursuing the hike can be more challenging. It’s okay to treat yourself with something sweet, but go easy. You should also have more fruits and vegetables to balance your salt intake. You can hit the local farmer’s market for fresh snacks.
Enjoy the adventure
You might be worried especially if you haven’t been in an outdoor adventure for a while. It’s understandable if you have reservations, but you can’t let them stop you from having fun. Enjoy the adventure and make the most of it. You will see exciting views along the way and it will be magical.
Hopefully, your trip will be perfect and you decide to come back for another round.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://coloradotrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/image1.jpg
2nd image from https://www.coloradohikesandhops.com/blog/beginners-hiking-tips
