I've always wanted to go hiking but never did it. I've spent quite a bit of time outdoors long time ago hunting and camping, but I've never been hiking. If I am able to do it I'll need to ease into it, to figure out how to manage my medical stuff etc., but otherwise I should be able to do some type or variation of hiking.

Any advice appreciated, technical and otherwise.

Good boots, good socks, good map, good common sense and you're good to go!

where do you want to go?

Add to the list Water, First Aid Kit and Charged Cell Phone. Also, notify someone where you're going and when you expect to return. Start with the easy hikes and work up from there.

All Trails - Good App and Website.

Good boots or shoes. Go lightweight unless you are in conditions where you need something else.

Wool socks, light weight or heavy depending on temperature and your preference. Sock liners if you think blisters are a poseable.

Since you mention medical stuff I would take a look at trekking poles. You want a set. The height should be set with your arms at your sides and elbows bent 90 degrees they should reach the ground when in your hands.

Backpack with supplies needed for condition and where you're going. Don't take everything and the kitchen sink. A one-mile hike on a popular trail and good weather doesn't need much. A 15-mile hike at 10,000' in a remote area well you get the idea.

Layers are your friend as well as wicking undergarments.

With a little more information and we can provide better advice.

Start walking around the neighborhood or a park to build up some muscle before starting.

What part of the world you in? Maybe someone close by can recommend some trails.

Footwear is king. Proper fit and the appropriate style for what you are hiking on.

Not sure where you are located but look for urban trails to start with. Short hikes in the urban area allows you to ease into it without worrying about gear. If an issue comes up you can just call an Uber ride back to your car. Or an ambulance to the ER.
Work your way up while you see if you want to keep with it.

See if there are any "rails to trails" in your area.

quote:

Originally posted by VANQUISH:
Start walking around the neighborhood or a park to build up some muscle before starting.

Damn straight!

I did a 300k step challenge for December and the first 140k ruined me. And I was already in better-than-average shape for a man my age.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
Add to the list Water, First Aid Kit and Charged Cell Phone. Also, notify someone where you're going and when you expect to return. Start with the easy hikes and work up from there.

Check, check, and check. Thanks for that. But I can't hike or camp alone anymore. But if I can manage my stuff, I should be gtg for easy stuff not too far from civilization.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
where do you want to go?

Anywhere where I can drive to come back in a single day or perhaps overnight. Couldn't be anything steep or rocky. And couldn't be anything where I couldn't get to a hospital if anything got messy. And it would need to be well marked trail, and hiking with others, can't go alone in the woods anymore like I used to hunt etc.

In my area, western Washington, west of Puget Sound, we have very pleasant hiking trails supported by counties or park districts. they tend to be flat, have cell service and a couple of hours would be about right.

Travel an hour and we state parks, none on my Island paradise but close by, tend to be more rugged, longer, and offer some hazards such as water, heights, possible mistakes in direction and no cell service.

go a little farther west and we have Olympic National Park; possible to follow a trail for several days. Heights with steep climbs, most trails are well makes or obvious. Lions (rare), bears (frequent), goats (routine and give them space.) and views usually only seen on post cards.

I don't know what your end game is but if you were here, I suggest you start slow, get good gear, REI, pain in the ass though it is has good gear and good advice and generally the people selling it use it and will give you the straight scoop on what would be useful for your purpose. (I've got a sweater that I bought to go on a 10 day kayak trip in 1986 and I've worn it every season since and I wore it yesterday because it snowed.)

So good gear, slow start, don't over do, so far. I also suggest you get a hiking partner or join a hiking group. That takes some of the surprise out of what you are doing as well. It's cheap fun, it can give you life time memories and you will get in better shape than you might expect from just going on a walk.

quote:

Originally posted by VANQUISH:
Start walking around the neighborhood or a park to build up some muscle before starting.

What part of the world you in? Maybe someone close by can recommend some trails.

I walk with a walking club at work, we walk about 2 miles semi-fast during lunch I have no problem. So I THINK I should be gtg for short hikes in easy terrain. I have good outdoor boots and correct socks for walking distance. I don't have any mechanical defects for carrying a small pack, except my core and hips are out of shape. My BMI should be ok, knees and back are decent for someone my age, but never worked in the trades, so I have that going for me in terms of normal wear and tear. My flexibility is bad because of my med stuff, and my ankles are strong enough but not real stable, I broke one of them a few times playing street and league basketball in college. I think I can compensate by lacing my my ankles tighter on the boots. I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
where do you want to go?

Anywhere where I can drive to come back in a single day or perhaps overnight. Couldn't be anything steep or rocky. And couldn't be anything where I couldn't get to a hospital if anything got messy. And it would need to be well marked trail, and hiking with others, can't go alone in the woods anymore like I used to hunt etc.

You posted while I was typing so some of my comment isn't useful, but I would encourage you to get a hiking partner. Stuff that happens downtown the is annoying is down right dangerous if it happens in the woods, think sprained ankle.
Another thought, get a stick. Longer than a cane, stout enough to lean on and keep your balance crossing somethink high or narrow.

Good luck you're going to love this.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
Good boots or shoes. Go lightweight unless you are in conditions where you need something else.

Wool socks, light weight or heavy depending on temperature and your preference. Sock liners if you think blisters are a poseable.

Since you mention medical stuff I would take a look at trekking poles. You want a set. The height should be set with your arms at your sides and elbows bent 90 degrees they should reach the ground when in your hands.

Backpack with supplies needed for condition and where you're going. Don't take everything and the kitchen sink. A one-mile hike on a popular trail and good weather doesn't need much. A 15-mile hike at 10,000' in a remote area well you get the idea.

Layers are your friend as well as wicking undergarments.

With a little more information and we can provide better advice.

Are trekking poles just nice to have, or could they save my ass ? I know some experienced backpackers use them on dicey trails but beyond that I don't know.

I use a stick. People smarter than me but not as hard headed use trekking poles. But anything other than walking to the pond just off the trail I carry my essentials and a stick.

Get a good quality "compass" and learn how to use it. Do not depend on using a cell phone compass app because the battery life might go dead when you most need it.. The more remote the area the more you just might need one. .......... drill sgt.

Break in the shoes or boots if new, well before that first hike.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
where do you want to go?

Anywhere where I can drive to come back in a single day or perhaps overnight. Couldn't be anything steep or rocky. And couldn't be anything where I couldn't get to a hospital if anything got messy. And it would need to be well marked trail, and hiking with others, can't go alone in the woods anymore like I used to hunt etc.

You don’t say where you live, and you seem to have quite a few things you’re concerned about. Excuse me for saying, sounds like what you really want to do is start walking, and that’s a good thing. Start there and then see what comes next.

Good boots with merino wool socks, moisture wicking synthetics clothing, good trekking poles, good map, good compass, good kit (see last part of this comment).

A couple good apps for your cellphone are:

1. Commander Compass: great compass and GPS with map underlay.
2. Red Cross First Aid
3. Weather app, I like WeatherBug.
4. Survival App, I have one called Survival Manual and there is also the Ranger Handbook lite (free app), and Knot tying apps.
5. Flashlight app

Start out slow and use local trails. Use a treadmill with incline/decline to train your walking and get healthy too. Put your little "possibles" backpack and other gear on and walk on the treamill with it. Better to find out then that something isn't right or working for you than a few miles from your car and any possible assistance.

"Possibles" Kit: You MAY be planning for a couple hours, but nature/weather could have you stranded and lost for a couple days, be prepared. A small knife, 550 cord, phone charger/power pack, light, lighter/fire starting material/kit, water (even something like a LifeStraw will work, just have extra means to collect and purify water), emergency blanket or bivy sack, small very lightweight tarp, a metal camp cup, spork (spoon/fork combination). I have some emergency rations like hot chocolate, instant oatmeal (with a couple small packets of honey), and jerky or tuna packet (maybe small packet or two of rice). Add in first aid kit for small things and big things.

Training: If you have an REI near you, they have great free classes from hiking to compass use. If no REI, check the local Outdoor shops or Community College (most have continuing education classes and some do outdoor activities).