Hiking Tutorials

Hiking tutorials not only teach you hiking basics, they can also be a valuable tool in preparing you for "what if" situations that you do not typically encounter, but need to be prepared for just in case. The following are some examples of useful tutorials to be safe and prepared for your next hiking excursion whether you go hiking in a small local park, or on some of the longest hiking trails in the country.

Beginner's Hiking Tutorials

You might think the idea of reading hiking tutorials is unnecessary if you are new to hiking. After all, hiking is just walking and exploring, right? While this may be true as a general definition, there are many aspects of hiking that you, as a beginner, will need to know to get the most out of your first hiking experience.

For example, you will want to know what to bring with you on your hike, how to understand a map, and even basic first aid. Good hiking tutorials provide you with this information. Truly enjoying a good hike involves much more than just going for a walk. You do need to be prepared.

Here are a few hiking tutorials that will help you to prepare for your first hike.

• Beginning Hiking is a wonderful site that has video tutorials designed by a freelance travel photographer and expert hiker. These videos cover everything from planning your hike and using common sense to foot placement, using water filters, and basic first aid. If you are new to hiking, this site is an excellent resource.

• Toronto Hiking.com provides this basic list of what to pack in your backpack. For the beginner, this list has things you probably never thought of bring but will be so glad that you did.

• Away.com has more extensive packing lists like this Packing List for Day Hiking that you will find useful. When you are ready for more advanced hiking, you will also appreciate the other lists available when you register for free with Away.com.

• Ray's Knot Tutorial is very useful for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Learn how to tie a variety of knots like the double fishermen's bend and the slip bowline.

Find your Way

If you want to enjoy your hike, you need to be able to find your way around. Somehow, being lost just takes all the fun away of exploring a new place. Here are some website that will help you.

• How to Use a Compass by Kjetil Kjernsmo is a great start, even including a section on how to find directions without a compass. Always carry a compass and know how to use it.

• Navigation with Map and Compass includes how to use a compass, how to adjust a compass, reading topographic maps, and more. A very extensive tutorial on navigation during your hikes, this is a must read for everyone, new and old.

• Toronto Hiking.com offers several hiking tutorials that are helpful in learning how to find your way around. Check out How to Select a GPS, What are Latitude and Longitude and Using Google Earth.

Be Aware of Dangers

These may be the most important hiking tutorials you will read. It is essential to know what could happen so you know what to do if the worst does happen. Knowing what to do could save your life or the life of someone else in an emergency situation.

• Avalanche.org has a list of tutorials that you need to read if you plan to do any winter mountain hiking. Tutorials include:
  • Avalanche Basics
  • Why Worry about Avalanches?

• Toronto Hiking.com also has tutorials to prepare you for possible dangers including:
  • How to Survive a Lightening Storm
  • How to Survive Getting Lost

Remember to always be ready for everything. Following the tips in these hiking tutorials will assure that you are prepared. Being prepared will assure that you get the most enjoyment out of your next hiking trip.