Great inclinations > The essentials (and non-essentials) to casual weekend hiking Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager Gi inclinations is your go-to source for diving into the world of casual hiking in and around the Lower Mainland, because hiking is not just for assholes anymore. Some people think that in order to enjoy hiking, you need to spend hundreds of dollars on specific doodads and gadgets, but hiking is actually impossibly minimalist. Aside from the initial investment of our first item, everything else is likely something you already have laying around the apartment. My advice? Get out there and give hiking a few tries before going hog-wild at Mountain Equipment Co- op. Try a few trails, venture out with different hiking partners, and see what you think. If you decide hiking’s not for you, then no real loss; if you eventually find yourself heading out for hikes every other weekend, then it might be time to upgrade a few things. Here are a few items you'll need even for the most basic of trails. Hiking boots This is undoubtedly the most important investment. For years | hiked in everything from Converse to (shudder) flip-flops, and I struggled to understand why my feet felt like they’d been shattered into a million pieces. Hiking boots are light-weight, flexible, and give you tons of ankle support so you can avoid rolling your ankle. Hit up MEC, shell out a couple hundred on quality hiking boots, and your'e basically good to go. Just make sure you get something that’s water- proof or water-resistant, since most local hikes can get pretty soupy. Water bottle Don’t act like you're too cool to stay hydrated. Besides being a delicious, thirst-quenching beverage, water is also quintessential for any sort of physical activity. Most sources online recommend having at least one litre of water for every two hours of hiking. Any tightly-sealed water bottle will do here, but if youre feelin’ real fancy, you can splurge for a hydration pack or camel back (essentially a backpack with a pouch for water and a tube running out of the back, for easy on- the-go drinking). Just know that most hydration packs cost upwards of $50, and those are for the tiny starter ones. Backpack In most hiking scenarios, your Hershel backpack will suffice, so don’t worry. But if you have back problems or find yourself planning for an overnight trip, a proper hiking backpack will make a world of difference. Clip-ons across the abdomen help distribute weight from the pack, mesh-netting along the back reduces pooling of delicious back-sweat, and wider shoulder straps means that they won't dig into your delicate human meat. Again, this is one of those items that can quickly add up on the budget, with most smaller name-brand backpacks starting around $80, but also worth investing in. Bear bell They cost less than $5, which is a small price to pay to avoid run-ins with those lumbering forest giants. Some people argue that loud talking can be as effective, but on the off chance that you and your co-hikers run out of “Marry, Fuck, Kill” ideas, a bear bell can happily fill the silence. Treat for afterwards Okay, this is hardly an essential, but it’s a welcome addition—especially if you challenge yourself with more difficult hikes down the line. After a grueling ascent and equally grueling descent, imagine how blessed it would be to arrive back at the vehicle, crumple into the car seat, and have your favourite chocolate bar waiting for you. You haven't tried an Oh Henry! until you've tried an Oh Henry! after hiking for three hours. "\ iF ih de ee i al A reliable go-to contact Here’s one thing that doesn’t require a trip to MEC, and it’s one of the most important items on our list. Unfortunately, things can go wrong when youre out exploring the mostly- okay outdoors, so make sure your bases are covered. Before departing, make sure you text someone where Illustration by Cara Seccafien you're going, who you're with, and what time you expect to be finished. Even if you're bringing your phone on the hike, reception is notoriously scattered at higher elevations, or the further you go from civilization. If something does go wrong, make sure there’s someone who knows all the details and can contact search and rescue right away. When sh*t hits the fan > How to keep in control of your life Megan Jewell Contributor A‘ndine school can be extremely overwhelming—with assignments, tests, and maintaining your overall grade average, there’s days when you experience such mental and emotional burnout that there’s just no hiding it. Here’s some helpful suggestions for when life is running you to the ground. Prepare the night before We all know what it’s like when you wake up and your stuff is everywhere, with clothes, food, assignments, and everything else you need to accomplish your goals for the day just scattered to the wind. It’s even better when you wake up late on a very important day, and unfortunately can’t make it on time because everything is in the wrong place. Save yourself the hassle and pure anxiety—pack your bag and set your clothes out the night before. Putting everything aside for the next day gives you a sense of satisfaction and also lets you sleep in a little in the morning. Resist making demanding social plans Have you ever been at home or studying and someone texts you saying, “Are we still on for tonight?” You can't bail because you already have three times, but you also want to sit in the shower for 45 uninterrupted minutes? When your life is school and work, or sometimes just school, it’s very hard to be as attentive as you were when you had more free time. Yes, you might text people, and yes, you might be able to see a friend, but when school gets overwhelming and you've been wearing the same outfit for three days, making plans with someone and letting them down again is seriously stressful. You bail, you feel bad, and your friend might be hurt or feel unimportant. The fact is that sometimes in life you simply have to put yourself first. When you can’t remember what day it is, 1 doubt you'll want to remember that you promised a friend a night of partying before your 9g a.m. class. Acceptance Imagine someone carrying two litres of water in both hands. Add some books on their head. Add some extra weight on their shoes. Add a heavy belt. Eventually you'd look at this person and be like hey, you should let go of that weight. How is being busy any different? You can't do everything at once. You can’t always be there for your friends, go to every party, attend every family get together, and consistently pick up extra work shifts. It’s overwhelming and exhausting. Just accept that some things are going to have to go ignored. Write everything down Whether you highlight everything in your planner or write everything down as a note in your phone, just make sure you stay organized in some sense. I applaud those people who don’t ever write anything down and still seem to always be on top of their responsibilities. Write out your week, your work schedule, and a lists of errands you can do on your day off—but just make sure you make time for yourself as well.