Don't ever feel self-conscious about safety. I live and hike solo in the Phoenix area and am super mindful about my gear: good boots, boonie hat, more liquids than I think I'll need (always lmnt), poles, pepper gel, and a birdie alarm. I always have a kula cloth too. Going out unprepared can be deadly, so I don't care if I get smirks for looking loaded up.
There are a number of hiking groups on facebook that are helfpul for learning about trails, meet-ups, and sharing news (especially if someone comes across a nest of rattlesnakes or if there's creepo activity and crime on the trails).
Do you have a favorite when it comes to travel sized bug spray? I don’t know why it never occurred to me to take it along in a manageable size! We also need to pack some for our South Africa trip in October and travel size would be a huge help with that.
Hiking with kids: bring 3x the snacks (power ups) you think you’ll need and turn the hike into a scavenger hunt.
Also: a tiny first aid kit with bandaids, mole skin, etc is handy. Target sells small kits in a tin. I keep one in my car and one with the hiking gear
Bring more snacks is especially important with kids! 😂
Thank you! Can you recommend a pole for a beginner hiker - not too adventurous yet?
These are the ones I have recommended in the past, at $35: https://amzn.to/46WNuI6
Costco has great collapsible ones that we use all the time
Mixing LMNT flavors?!?! 🤯
I can’t wait!! I drink them most every day and while I LOVE them, I can wait to try some “blends”!!
I know! It’s like “why didn’t I think of this sooner?” I don’t love orange or watermelon by itself, but I love the combination together!
I love orange and raspberry for a fruit punch vibe!
So great! Thank you! Second solo hike today. I still have fear of hiking by myself but last week I noticed the people hiking were kind!
Don't ever feel self-conscious about safety. I live and hike solo in the Phoenix area and am super mindful about my gear: good boots, boonie hat, more liquids than I think I'll need (always lmnt), poles, pepper gel, and a birdie alarm. I always have a kula cloth too. Going out unprepared can be deadly, so I don't care if I get smirks for looking loaded up.
There are a number of hiking groups on facebook that are helfpul for learning about trails, meet-ups, and sharing news (especially if someone comes across a nest of rattlesnakes or if there's creepo activity and crime on the trails).
Thanks for putting this list together, very helpful
Do you have a favorite when it comes to travel sized bug spray? I don’t know why it never occurred to me to take it along in a manageable size! We also need to pack some for our South Africa trip in October and travel size would be a huge help with that.
I use Ben's DEET, it comes in very small bottles on Amazon. If I'm traveling I'll wrap it in a paper towel and store it in a Ziploc bag just in case.