The physical challenge
 Dayhiking will get you used to the physical and mental requirements needed for tromping over miles of natural terrain.You’ll use certain muscles to go up and different muscles to go down.You’ll feel the pounding in hips, knees, ankles and feet.Although we all walk every day, most don’t do it in five-mile chunks over hill and dale. Like any new physical activity your body will complain the next day or two after a hike, but you will grow accustomed to the new exercise over time.

The right mind set 
Hiking, of course, isn’t like driving a car. It may take an hour to travel only two or three miles. For most modern people it’s Really Slowing Down, this hiking business. Some become annoyed and bored with mere plodding and what seems to be an unchanging setting (if you’ve seen one tree, you’ve seen them all!). The joy of hiking may take time to discover. It’s not often a rush or a thrill.A hiker needs to develop patience as well as leg strength and stamina. Patience for what? I can almost hear certain readers exclaim.Well, that’s for you to discover for yourself.

Daypack and essential gear
 Carry what you need in a small daypack or fanny pack. Even with overkill, the loaded pack shouldn’t weigh much more than a very manageable 10 pounds.Anything under 20 pounds can be comfortably supported by your shoulders.There are a number of simple, quality daypacks to choose from.There are models with hip belts as well. Consider using a fanny pack for light loads.This is a very small pack that simply buckles around the waist.
What to pack for a short, warm weather dayhike: Pullover, energy bar, map, poncho, water, tissue and Ziploc.

What you absolutely need is water.
 You’ll also need protective clothing to keep warm and dry if it gets wet and cold. Bring a quart of water for every five miles of hiking or a water filter if you know you’re hiking next to a water source. Pack rain gear and a pullover.Also pack fruit and energy bars for snacking, toilet paper and Ziploc bags to pack out the used toilet paper. Further information about footgear, clothing, the outdoor toilet and safety are in those chapters so-named. The Ten Essentials You may want to consider “The Ten Essentials.” First developed by the Mountaineers in the 1930s as a part of their climbing course, this is your basic kit for a worst-case scenario (getting lost and spending the night). Some of this stuff may be overkill depending on where you’re going and for how long.
1. Extra clothing 
2. Sunglasses 
3. First aid kit 
4. Extra food 
5. Flashlight/ batteries 
6. Map 
7. Compass 
8. Matches 
9. Firestarters 
10. Knife
Dayhiking menu
 Examples of things to pack and eat include sandwiches of all sorts, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, granola and energy bars. It’s best to keep it simple and light, of course.You can always load up before or after and not even bother with a planned meal. Not so, however, with water. 
Building up to it 
 Start with short dayhikes over easy, well-marked terrain with little altitude gain or loss. From five–eight miles (two–three hours). Increase distance and difficulty as you become accustomed to the exercise.You’ll find it takes longer to cover hilly or mountainous terrain. Up to 10 miles (four–five hours).
Go for it when you feel like it. Try 12–15 miles (five–six hours). First hike Plan to hike five miles your first time out.
You will need:
 ● Map
 ● Proper footwear
 ● Daypack
 ● Proper clothing including protection from potential cold or wet weather
 ● 1 quart of water for each person and/or a water filter
 ● 1 or 2 energy bars for each person
 ● Small roll of toilet paper
 ● Ziploc bag

Stay hydrated
 Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Always hike with water (or near a water source from which you can filter water). 

Physical considerations and slogans 
Your first five miles may seem like a lot.The last mile may seem endless (the last mile always will).To use a well-worn phrase,“No pain, no gain.” To steal a wellknown slogan,“Just Do It.” Both are apt. But so is “Take it Easy” Perhaps “Stretch, Don’t Break” is the more suitable cliché. 

Attitude 
You may love it right away or you may find it tedious. Hiking is not jumping with action. If your hike were a television or radio program, it would be full of “dead air.”The value of hiking is measured and filled by the quiet, steady pace. It may take some time to tune in. Give it (and yourself) a chance.

Crybaby 
Some folks don’t get it right away. It’s not like the movies. There isn’t a lot of immediate stimulation.A hike with friends was slightly marred because one person became frantic with the pace. Unused to the slow rhythms of a hike, she exclaimed after about a mile: What are we doing! What’s there to see! Look there’s a tree! Turn the bend and there’s another just like it! What’s the use! Angry and frustrated she clumped back to the cabin to watch television and drink wine. Oh well.At the time I was happy her head simply didn’t explode. 

Parting words
 ● Start with a few miles over flat or gently rolling terrain.
 ● Build up the miles and increase dif ficulty from hike to hike incrementally.
 ● Take stock of your efforts both physically and mentally (be patient).
 ● Take regular rest and water breaks.


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