Preparing for a 14'er
For day hikes, an internal frame backpack that fits well and can carry enough equipment works well. If you are buying a pack, consider taking all the items you will want to pack into it to the store with you as a test of its capacity. Our backpacks have two side pouches that are perfect for liter bottles of water, which makes it easy to continue moving while hydrating. Consider the water you will be carrying, how to reach it, and whether it will fit in your pack.
Consider your clothing carefully. It is a great idea to practice your layering skills on smaller hikes until you understand what your body will need as the temperatures dip and climb. You will warm up as you climb, so wear only what you need, but don't let yourself get cold or wet on your climb either because the risk of hypothermia increases greatly. Consider the weather you may encounter on your climb and be prepared with some type of rain gear, a warm hat, some gloves, and insulating layers. Rain gear can be rolled up tightly and stuffed into the bottom of your pack. Sticking a large and strong plastic trash bag in your pocket can be your savior. If a sudden storm engulfs you, you can climb in the bag and remain dry and warm until it blows over.
What you pack in, you must pack out. You can eat the food and drink the water, which will reduce the weight you carry slightly, but you still have to carry the containers and wrappers back out with you. We take two empty trash bags - one for trash we generate, and one just in case we encounter trash. They crush and fold up with no trouble and they weigh next to nothing.
Take good care of your feet. This is probably the most crucial advice that I've had to consume, re-consume, and put into practice. Get good boots - a set for winter ascents and a set for summer ascents. Try on your boots after a long and hard day when the swelling in your feet will resemble the swelling that occurs on a hike. Invest in decent hiking socks and don't use them for anything else. When you find both winter and summer socks that work well for you, get several pairs because you will want to change your socks sometimes on a hike and
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