Never been hiking and freaking out!!?

[hannahbannah]

Ok, So I have to go on a hiking trip in about a month from now and I never have been hiking before. I bought some hiking boots and I was told that I should try and break them in so I've been wearing them around the house. I also bought a hiking backpack. I don't really have hiking trails around my house but I'm not in very good shape and I have a feeling I will "die" if I don't train/get in shape for this hike...I have a treadmill and stairs if that works...well...anyone have some tips on how to get "fit" in a month?

 

[Cora]

This depends on the type of trail you are being taken on. If you have any say in where you go, insist on an amateur trail with few major hills and with easy terrain. Make sure your guide/hiking buddy knows that you are an amateur so that they can give you additional instructions. If they don't know that you're new to this, they might assume that you know things that you don't.
Also, make sure whoever you are going with is an experienced outdoorsman/woman. If no one in the group is very experienced, stay on clearly marked amateur trails, bring a map, and don't go into densely wooded areas. If a group of rookie hikers wander into an extremely remote area, that's just asking to end up on the 9'o'clock news.

Don't freak out. Hiking is fun and healthy recreation, it just requires a steady head, and some common sense and experience.

As for getting in shape, walking the treadmill with incline (if your treadmill has that option) and stairs are a great way to practice for hiking. Just remember, that with a backpack and boots, actual hiking may be a lot different than your indoor treadmill experience.

 

[confused monkey]

I think you'll be fine. hiking is just walking. if you want to "train" i would suggest going for long walks, take your friends so you don't get bored. and hiking isn't a competitive sport. if you need to stop and rest i'm reasonably sure whomever you're with will stop and let you rest

 

[Lynn149]

Don't worry, hiking is so much fun! you get to see the great outdoors! You can go outside and walk around the block a few times. If there are some big rocks by your house, you can practice walking/climbing over them. I suggest you bring a camera on your hiking trip. Who knows, you might see a wonderful view of scenery and want to keep it with you! Have fun.