In-law’s tips to be the best hiker
As part of a new tradition, I and a few others have been trekking a day hike from our small town to a local festival. When it came time to preform our yearly hike to the middle of nowhere, I was pleased to see that my SO and my mother-in-law were eager to walk the multi-hour day hike. This is the first time I realized how experienced of a hiker my mother-in-law is. This article will detail all the hyper advanced hiking techniques she showed us on our wonderful hike. Here is my mother-in-law talking about all her advanced hiking techniques.
Mother-in-law
Backpacks are an important part of through hiking and you dont want one that will break apart half way through the trek. I chose a bag I had for 20 years. One made of durable materials. My old high school backpack made of high quality thick leather is what you need. It has some heft, but it is a bag you can rely on.
Water is heavy so dont pack any. Instead pack fruit. At least 5kg of peaches should do. Fruit is packed with a ton of water and has some calories. The rest of your calories you should get from high sugar snacks like chocolate. Pack 2 bars of large thick milk chocolate. This will give you short bursts of energy to make it through those tough spots.
When you get hungry make sure you tell everyone so they can stop at a bar or supermarket to get food. Its important you stop as much as you can to extend the quality time you are spending with everyone and allow you to rest your feet.
I used these breaks as an opportunity to take 5 min power naps to make up for the lack of sleep the day before the hike. I psych myself up all night to give me the mental energy to succeed the 5-6 hour day hike.
Your backpack might be heavy with all those peaches, so the trick here is to just complain and then ask someone else to carry your backpack for you. This will reduce the stress on your shoulders, back, and legs. This will completely change the walk.
Once you pass your backpack along make sure to walk as fast as you can. You dont have much weight to carry so this is your opportunity to use that stored up energy. Walking fast and increasing the distance between you and your struggling walking mates will prevent the person carrying your backpack to pass it back to you.
Make sure to remind everyone how easy the walk is so they can get motivated. This will help the slow people pick up the pace. Hiking is just as much a mental struggle as it is a physical one.
The way I motivate myself is by dressing for the occasion. It is vital that you look good while blasting by other people walking. It may get cold and it may get hot, but you will be motivated knowing everyone on that trail will see how well dressed you are.
Conclusion
Now you know all the advanced through hiking techniques of my mother-in-law you can get through any day hike. Remember hiking is not about the walk, the destination, or the people you are with, its about how many peaches you can make someone else carry.
