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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Dear Just Be: With the great weather we just had, I want to start hiking. Any tips for breaking into this Colorado favorite past time?

Good for you! Hiking is a great way to enjoy Colorado at its best, get some fresh air and burn some calories. But if you are fairly new to the sport, there are a few things to consider before heading out.

1. No one wants to be injured during a hike. That's why pre-hike training is vital. Train yourself before hitting the trails by hiking in a park or on trails near your home for about 1-3 miles.
2. Get fitted with the right size footwear and backpack. Break in your shoes so you don't develop blisters. Start carrying a backpack whenever you can, beginning 2-3 weeks before a hike. As you continue to train, add weight and increase the load in your backpack.
3. Stretch your legs, arms and neck before heading out and train on different types of terrain to really get a feel for your shoes and backpack.

As you head out for more adventurous hikes, remember the weather can change almost immediately in Colorado at any time of year and this is even truer in the high country.

1. So be prepared and pack accordingly.
* Dress in layers
* Bring plenty of water and food
* Pack a travel first aid kit and take it with you on the hike
2. Hike in numbers and tell someone who is staying behind your route.
3. Look into joining a local hiking club if you are single.

There is a lot of great information out there about getting started to hike and we suggest you read through it a bit, or go to your local sports store and speak to a sales associate.

Happy Trails!

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