Hiking is one of those things you can do when you have determination in you. With several mountains in Uganda offering opportunities for hiking safaris, there is an increasing number of visitors who go mountain climbing in Uganda. Sarah of the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service, one of the tour companies specializing in organizing hiking tours to the Rwenzori shares with us some of the useful tips that you need before planning an expedition to the Mountains of the Moon. She says that Even though you have all the required determination to make it to the top of the hill or mountain, there are some of the things you should try to avoid while on the trail or before you hit the trail;
- Choose a hot day
The weather of the day matters when you are planning to take a hike. A hot day is definitely not the best time to go hiking. Heat stroke and dehydration can be very dangerous. It’s cooler in the morning and after sunset, so those are the ideal times to hike during the hot summer months. Don’t forget to bring a headlamp or flashlight if you’re likely to be out after dark.
2. Improper hydration
There is nothing more to a safe hike than drinking enough water. Drinking sugary sodas and alcoholic beverages is a bead idea. Alcohol can be both dehydrating and mind-altering, you’ll lose fluids and make terrible decisions. While it’s a myth that soda dehydrates you, caffeinated drinks are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to urinate more frequently. This is true for any caffeinated drink, including coffee and tea.
3. Feeding on only junk food
The type of food you pack for the hike is very important. Every hiker needs good snacks to stay energized, Nutritious snacks such as beef jerky, energy bars and trail mix are called classic hiking snacks because they work.
Salty snacks are as well good because they replace the salt lost via perspiration, and they lesson the potential of hyponatremia, which is a lack of sodium in the bloodstream caused by drinking too much water. Food with little nutritional value, such as most chewy candies, don’t help the body to continue hiking.
4. Wear denim, cotton and flip-flops
When hiking. You need to feel as comfortable as possible but leave these three items at home. Denim jeans and cotton T-shirts are heavy materials that will bog you down and Flip-flops will put your feet in danger and wear good and comfortable hiking boots and make sure you have good socks. Dry-fit or lightweight shirts and clothing are mostly recommended when hiking.
5. Going off the trail
It is a bad idea to go off the major trail when hiking because you may get lost, injured, fall off a cliff or meet dangerous animals that live in the forests. Going off trail can even damage the environment.
6. Hiking alone
It is good to Hike with others or, or else let others know when and where you’re hiking. It can be kind of dangerous since you might think you always do things by yourself, so it’s okay. If something goes wrong on the trail, your fellow hikers can summon help. If you don’t return on time, those in the know can point first responders in the right direction. Being Overconfident can be deadly.