Beginners Guide to Hiking

Sometimes we all forget what it was like being a beginner in the outdoors.  The main purpose of this website is to be a resource and encourage others to experience the outdoors.  The best and easiest way to get involved outdoors is on a day hike.  Day hikes are great for everyone.  Each person can decide whether to make it a long, short, easy, or difficult hike to suit their needs.  We recommend these basics for a day hike.

• A comfortable pair of shoes.  Whether tennis shoes or hiking boots, make sure they are comfortable, supportive shoes.
• A small pack.  Many of our hikers utilize a small backpack or the unpopular but convenient fanny pack that work well for these hikes.
• Compass and an area map.  Just carrying them doesn’t help.  Know how to read a map and use the compass!
• Water and snacks.  The best snacks are nutri-grain bars, trail mix, or fruit.  Water is a necessity.  Leave the caffeine in the truck.
• Bug spray and sun screen depending on the season.
• A signal of some sort.  As much as we use the outdoors to get a way from work and stress, a turned off cell phone can help  but often doesn’t have a signal.  When we talk of a signal, we recommend a whistle much like the ones you hear at a basketball game.  If something happens to you, a whistle could be heard from a distance and help searchers find you more quickly.
• A small First-Aide kit is helpful for when blisters or stings happen.  Not a necessity, but if you have room in your pack, it’s not a bad idea.

Remember to keep you pack as light as possible and proper for your health.  Now that you have your pack ready, make a quick plan of your trip.  Most trails in Georgia are fairly well-marked and traveled and most of the offices near the trail have current maps available.  You can also find many of these maps on-line at some of our favorite websites.  In the near-future, we hope to offer these maps as well.  Georgia is very special in the fact that almost the entire state has quality hiking trails within 30-45 minutes of wherever you are located.  Between city parks, state parks, WMAs, college campuses, and National Forest areas there are trails everywhere.  We note trails on this website and you can find them on other websites along with many books offering information on the trails across the state.

Choose a trail that is appropriate for your current condition.  Most people get in trouble when they choose a trail that they aren’t ready for physically.  You wouldn’t choose a Class V to go white water rafting on the first time; choose a correct trail.  If you are the person that would choose a Class V, well, good luck!

The most important rule of doing ANYTHING outdoors is to tell someone where you are going and when you can expect to return.  There is no exception to this rule!  Tell someone and check in with them when you return.  This person should be prepared to alert authorities where you are and how long you have been gone if you haven’t checked in at the appointed time.  It gives you the best chance of survival if something goes wrong.  Most of us will have a safe hike, but be prepared for the worst.

With these basics you will be able to get outdoors safely and prepared.  The more you get outdoors, the easier and better it gets.  Get up and GO HIKE GEORGIA!