Hiking

amylouisechambers
amylouisechambers Posts: 70 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u1VNRrY2TqE

I'm thinking of hiking in Norway next month. This is what I want to do (check the link). I've never hiked before but its something I've always wanted to push myself to try- especially when a view like that makes it all worth it! I'm not especially fit. I'm a healthy weight and size etc and i swim and gym a couple of times a week, but it's just usually light/moderate effort. Do you think i'd need to up my fitness routine before i tried something like this?

Any help would be cool :)

Replies

  • trjjoy
    trjjoy Posts: 666 Member
    Squats will give you strong legs. Do them.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,737 Member
    If you've never hiked before, it probably wouldn't hurt to start walking ... and if you plan to hike it with a backpack, start carrying a backpack while you walk.

    Include varied terrain and don't be afraid to go out in bad weather.

    At the very least that might help sort your footwear and other gear.
  • KiyaK
    KiyaK Posts: 519 Member
    OMG I WANT TO GO!!!!! I LOVE hiking and everything about this looks AMAZING.

    However, this looks like a VERY taxing hike. 3-4 hrs to the top (then you have to go back down. That's probably 8+ hrs for someone not accustomed to hiking). Climbing 2k feet. Yeah, it's going to be hard as hell for you as an unseasoned hiker. I honestly can't imagine this as a first hike.

    I would suggest starting to go on hikes to train. Look up the exact stats to this particular hike (how many miles, how steep the climb is in various parts, etc) and try to find places close to your home to hike. Start small & add more miles/elevation over time. Definitely train with a pack. You WILL be taking one. For 8+ hrs you're going to want quite a bit of water and fuel. The more you hike, the more you'll realize how much it can take out of you, especially if you're climbing elevation. Water is heavy, but you need it.

    I would also suggest lifting weights to train. The stronger your leg muscles are, the better they will be at carrying you up a mountain.

    Do research on hiking in general & this hike in particular. I'm sure there are reviews of this hike or websites that talk about it. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be.

    If I were you, I'd take longer than a month to prepare. If you decide to just go for it, take your time going up and down. It's not a race. Make sure you are properly fueled. That means eating a lot for 1-2 days before the hike, eating a good breakfast before heading out & bringing along food for the trek. Protien is your friend.

    Good luck & have fun!
  • DaniettaF
    DaniettaF Posts: 212 Member
    That looks amazing!! When I trained for a 12 hour hike, the best thing I found was practising walking in hilly and rough terrain areas before hand for a few hours. Take a picnic and make a day of it :) It's a nice way to spend a Sunday.

    Also, squats are pretty good ;) as horrible as they are. You could try a 30 day squat challenge, but give yourself a rest a few days before hand though.

    On another note, if you're buying shoes, buy them now so you can break them in :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    That looks awesome (he says, checking his passport.......)

    To prepare for any activity you want to simulate, as closely as possible, what you'll actually be doing. So, if you're a newbie to hiking, here's what I'd do.

    Walk, walk lots......walk with a backpack on with some weight in it; find hills to walk up, if you can't find hills climb stairs (if you work on the upper floor of an office building skip the elevator); get a pair of great fitting hiking boots, don't skimp on quality and, if you have to, try on every pair of boots in the store until you find the right ones, your feet will thank you.

    If you've got some hiking trails locally get out there and enjoy them, the better you prepare the more fun you're going to have.

    I wonder how much a plane ticket to Norway costs...... :)
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    That looks awesome (he says, checking his passport.......)

    To prepare for any activity you want to simulate, as closely as possible, what you'll actually be doing. So, if you're a newbie to hiking, here's what I'd do.

    Walk, walk lots......walk with a backpack on with some weight in it; find hills to walk up, if you can't find hills climb stairs (if you work on the upper floor of an office building skip the elevator); get a pair of great fitting hiking boots, don't skimp on quality and, if you have to, try on every pair of boots in the store until you find the right ones, your feet will thank you.

    If you've got some hiking trails locally get out there and enjoy them, the better you prepare the more fun you're going to have.

    I wonder how much a plane ticket to Norway costs...... :)

    This, plus I would work on upper body strength for the vertical part, there's nothing worse than finding yourself on something like that and realizing you just don't have any more strength to go another step. I used to run stairs in the winter to get into shape for summer hikes and climbs, the burn is agonizing, but well worth it. Now, I'm lucky enough to walk out my door and hike up the mountains behind my house year round.
  • one1fast68
    one1fast68 Posts: 51 Member
    I didn't look at the link but I recommend good trail shoes instead of hiking boots. Don't get water proof shoes, get something that breaths and wear good 100% wool socks (there are different weights of socks). If your wearing something that traps moisture you will get blisters. Make sure you take a blister kit- or at the least some duct tape to tape them up. Take hiking poles and use them, they help relieve some of the stress from your legs. Your foot comfort will make or break a hike. If your going to carry more than a day pack, buy the lightest one you can afford, load it with all the stuff you intend to take and walk with it every chance you get (in the shoes and socks you plan to wear) from now until you go.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    one1fast68 wrote: »
    I didn't look at the link but I recommend good trail shoes instead of hiking boots. Don't get water proof shoes, get something that breaths and wear good 100% wool socks (there are different weights of socks). If your wearing something that traps moisture you will get blisters. Make sure you take a blister kit- or at the least some duct tape to tape them up. Take hiking poles and use them, they help relieve some of the stress from your legs. Your foot comfort will make or break a hike. If your going to carry more than a day pack, buy the lightest one you can afford, load it with all the stuff you intend to take and walk with it every chance you get (in the shoes and socks you plan to wear) from now until you go.

    Hiking boots vs trail shoes is largely a personal choice depending on whether you need good ankle support and the type of terrain which in this case varies from easy trails to scrambling over boulders to the vertical climb itself. In the video there is a large variation in footwear in the group, so again, personal choice plays a large part. And like one1fast68 said, be sure to hike as much as possible in what you plan to wear and carry for your trip.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    You don't need ankle support to "climb" as in hiking up hill. Actual climbing shoes don't even come up to your ankles.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    You don't need ankle support to "climb" as in hiking up hill. Actual climbing shoes don't even come up to your ankles.

    I wasn't referring to climbing, I was referring to hiking in general, specifically the range of terrain shown in the video. I am older and prefer to have a little extra ankle support as some of our local experts have stated will help with knee stabilization (along with good quad strength). I know what climbing shoes are, having owned several pairs. The climbing in the video is basically on a ladder so whatever she prefers will work. She wouldn't need climbing shoes for that.
  • queenofpuppies
    queenofpuppies Posts: 189 Member
    bring a backpack with water and some snacks. I like to bring nuts and apples. Give yourself lots of time to make it and take breaks often to check in with your body, enjoy the view, and stretch a little. Pay attention to your body and you will be fine.
  • Mavrick_RN
    Mavrick_RN Posts: 439 Member
    Proper fitting shoes are a hiker's best friend. Get your shoes and get them warmed up and broken in where it is easy to get a new pair. Don't test anything new on the trail (or be prepared to learn from unpleasant lessons).

    Have a great time. Meet people, share your story and listen to theirs. Have a GREAT time!
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