You love to hike and enjoy nature’s beauty but it’s starting to get a little boring. What can you do to jazz up your routine? Maybe you’re starting to hear that mountain peak calling your name.
Before you start dreaming about making it to the top, you’ll need to get some more equipment than just those good old walking shoes, cap and your water bottle. Mountain hiking can be extreme but what a rush of adrenaline it gives you when you’re standing at the top. The view’s pretty nice, too!
Here’s a list of some gear you’ll need. It’s not as extensive as actual mountain climbing, but it’s necessary to plan ahead because you’ll be in some remote areas where help can take a while to get to you.
Clothing
Use the layering system like you’d use in regular hiking but with a few differences. Your base layer is responsible for keeping you dry and comfortable. For mountain hiking, wear two pairs of long johns, top and bottoms. Get ones made from synthetics, not cotton.
Your second layer provides you with insulation and warmth. Remember it gets colder the higher up you go. Your last layer is the shell layer. It’s job is to repel water and wind to keep you dry and warm. Mountains can be quite windy and have snow even in the summer months.
Shirts for mountain hiking during good weather:
- Wool or fleece sweater or synthetic insulated jacket
- Wool shirt or sweater, second fleece/pile jacket, vest, etc.
Fleece pants with side zips are nice and they come in handy if you’re getting too hot.
For mountain hiking, an additional 4th layer of clothing is usually added called the ’super’ insulation layer. In extremely cold conditions, you need to add a large amount of insulation to keep your body’s thermal equilibrium. Some examples of super insulation clothes you can wear are “expedition” down parka with a good hood and wind tunnel and down pants or “expedition” pile pants.
Eye Protection
Eye protection is critical when you’re hiking in mountain glaciers whether in Alaska or the Himalayans. Extreme glare commonly causes snow blindness even on overcast days. Mountain hiking sunglasses need to provide protection from ultraviolet and infrared rays. Get wrap-around ones to protect your eyes from side glare.