Hiking is a popular pastime, in large part because of its versatility for people of all ages and abilities. Everyone, from small children to the elderly, can hit the trail and take as much time as they need to make their way to the end, enjoying nature with a group of friends and family or quietly alone. For all the fun and exercise it offers, whether it’s your first hike or your thousandth, one of the things that everyone should take care to avoid is becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can be much more serious than simply feeling thirsty, so here are three simple tips to help you avoid dehydration on a hike.
First and foremost, actively maintain your hydration through regular water consumption. It’s never wise for a person to wait to drink until they feel thirsty, because by that time the body is already starting to dehydrate. You would be far better off to consistently intake liquids to avoid that first stage altogether, so be sure to carry plenty of water and sip from it regularly throughout the day.
An important key to avoiding dehydration on a hike is protecting your body from losing too much water through sweat. To prevent excessive loss, proper clothing should be chosen for the terrain and climate. Layers allow a hiker to remove or add items to adjust for changing temperatures, thus avoiding excessive sweating. Clothing made from material that wicks moisture away from the skin can also aid in preventing dehydration when on a hike by keeping the skin dry and preventing you from overheating.
Replenishing electrolytes is incredibly important to stopping dehydration before it starts, because the body loses them naturally through exertion. Beverages that have added electrolytes, along with salty snacks such as trail mix or crackers, are excellent choices for keeping your body’s balance and avoiding dehydration on a hike. Hikers should always practice preventing dehydration because it’s much easier in the long run and less dangerous than having to mitigate it once it sets in.
Images via Grand Canyon NPS, betsyweber
