Ah yes, the blue, cloudless sky waiting at the top of the summit. But wait, just moment. Before you start dreaming about the top, your first worry should be how to get there.
For years now, mountain hiking has been popular with hikers with a taste for the extreme. Bored with simply walking on marked trails and undiscovered wilderness areas, many people have turned to mountain hiking for added adrenaline rush of hiking on a trail that some several hundred miles above sea level. That’s mountain hiking for you.
But exactly how different is mountain hiking from simple hiking? Well, apart from the place you’re going to be hiking on, there really isn’t much difference. You basically need the same gear in mountain hiking as you do in simple hiking. And you need the same provisions, more or less.
But you have to remember that the gear and equipment you use for mountain hiking can be strikingly different, depending only on the mountain you are going to climb and in what conditions.
To help you with your mountain hiking trip, we came up with the mountain hiking gear list below, which will hopefully give you an idea of the things that are usually needed during such trips:
Clothing
The three layer system that is often used in hiking also applies in mountain hiking. Let’s do this real quick: the layering system offers three different layers of clothing that a hiker should follow.
First is the base layer, which is responsible for keeping a dry and comfortable microclimate next to your skin. For mountain hiking, you can wear two pairs of long johns, top and bottom. The clothes should be made from synthetic fiber but not from cotton.
The second layer you need in mountain hiking is the insulation layer. This layer provides more warmth if the base layer and the shell layer do not provide enough insulation on their own. And last is the shell layer, providing you protection from wind, rain, sleet, snow, etc.
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 – side zips are nice as they come in handy if you are getting too hot
While in a typical hiking trip, no more than three layers of clothing is needed, this is not so in mountain hiking, where the conditions can be harsher and more extreme. That is why a fourth layer of clothing is usually added, the ‘super’ insulation layer.
In extremely cold conditions when mountain climbing, you need to add a large amount of insulation in order 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
If you are mountain hiking in the mountain glaciers of Alaska, eye protection is important. Snow blindness is common due to the extreme glare, even on overcast days. Mountain hiking sun glasses should provide maximum protection from ultraviolet and infrared rays, along with protection from side glare.
Superior Hiking Trail
Located some 205 miles along the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior, the Superior Hiking Trail is one of the best long distance hiking trails in northeastern Minnesota. The Superior Hiking Trail is actually...
Hiking Vacations
Bush whacking. Bush bashing. Trampling. What in the world? Those are other names for hiking vacations, along with hiking tours, trekking, and backpacking. Hiking is the word used to describe an activity...
Canada Hiking
A lake. Rushing river waters. A raven atop a weathered spruce. The crackle of breaking wood. A loons cry. And at the end of it all, there it looms. They call it the “Sleeping Giant.” An apt name for a...
Kauai Hiking
Crowned as Hawaiis Garden Isle because of its lush and diverse terrain offering the ultimate in rainforest waterfalls, wilderness Kauai hiking trails, and even freshwater fun, Kauai Island is the only...
North Carolina Hiking
A mountainous, rugged canvas of land spreading from the west, sloping gently in the middle, before fissuring into a watery gap to the east. This is the scene that unfolds before you when you go on a North...
Vegetarian Hiking Boots
It was in the 1990s when vegetarianism achieved its height of popularity. It became the hip choice, cool, and trendy. In fact, the fad became so widespread to the point that it became fashionable to identify...
Hiking Tours
Hiking tours are the best way to enjoy the outdoors. Just ask anyone who has put on hiking boots and went backcountry backpacking in the wilderness. A big measure of risk is involved, but the fun and excitement...
Womens Hiking Boot Size
Choosing a good pair of womens hiking boots takes a lot more than prancing around in stores. There are certain aspects about womens hiking boots that you have to take into account, and were not just talking...
Hiking Trip Hike
When someone says the words “hiking trip,” we immediately conjure up images of bearded, crusty guys with a walking stick hiking on a trail 200 miles from the nearest phone. The description is pretty much...
Merrell Hiking Shoes
Merrell hiking shoes are essential when hiking. They help protect your feet from rough terrain and sharp, jagged rocks on the trail. In addition, Merrell hiking shoes are water-proof and weather-resistant....
Salomon Hiking Boot
Choosing the right Salomon hiking boots requires that you keep a few goals in mind. One, you want your Salomon hiking boot to be as light and comfortable as possible. Two, you want your Salomon hiking...
Hiking Trails
Hiking trails vary greatly depending on the place you are planning to trek. It could be a serene walk from winery to winery in the rolling hills of Italy or it could be a rugged backcountry hike through...
Womens Hiking Shoes
There is not much point in looking for and comparing womens hiking shoes when you do not know the features womens hiking shoes can have and understand how they work. In this article, we will show you...
Mountain Hiking
Ah yes, the blue, cloudless sky waiting at the top of the summit. But wait, just moment. Before you start dreaming about the top, your first worry should be how to get there. For years now, mountain...
Womens Hiking Boots
Whats the deal about hiking boots anyway? Theyre expensive. Plus, theyre not fashionable-looking. Do you really need them? As a matter of fact, yes. There are a number of reasons why you need hiking...
Nike Hiking Boot
These days, more and more people are giving up hiking with their heavy boots on. The reason is simple: they want to save some weight on their feet. Less weight they carry on their weight means that a long...
Hiking Trail
Taking on the adventure that hiking trails offer is an exciting prospect. Indeed, there is no better way to enjoy all that nature has to offer than to go on a day-long hike with a few buddies of yours....
Washington Hiking
Seattle Washingtons Pacific Northwest is well known for its abundant Washington hiking opportunities. And fortunately for Washington hiking enthusiasts visiting this part of the State, there are some...
Utah Hiking
Utahs diverse landscape makes it a popular spot for day hikers and hearty backpackers. With its cornucopia of very remote areas and stunningly beautiful scenes, a Utah hiking trip can be anywhere from...
Vasque Hiking Boots
Wearing the right pair of Vasque hiking boots can make or break your enjoyment on the trail. If you dont choose your Vasque hiking boots well, you could end up with painful blisters, pinched toes, or...
Merrell Hiking Boot
When it came down to finding the right pair of Merrell hiking boots you currently own, you did everything right. By the book, in fact. You checked the soles for solidity. Checked ankle support. You wore...
Hiking Vacation
Getting into dangerous situations is to be expected when you go on a hiking vacation. But did you know that majority of the outdoor survival situations that occur each year can be prevented with just a...
Pennsylvania Hiking
When it comes to outdoor recreation, Pennsylvania abounds with many opportunities. You have canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, skiing, fishing, elk watching, birding, etc. But more than that, what...
Hiking Trip
Hiking. Trekking. Backpacking. These are three of the essential activities you will most likely encounter while going out on a backcountry adventure. Is there a difference? Or are they all just the same?...
Timberland Hiking Boot
Timberland hiking boots are expensive, we give you that. A good pair of Timberland hiking boots can cost from anywhere around $80 to $130. Thats a lot of money for only a pair of shoes, right? For hiking...
