The Snowdonia region may be just about the most picturesque places in the uk. The area has a number of the highest mountain ranges in Wales and England and it is the place to find the Snowdonia National Park.To be the largest national park in Wales, the Snowdonia region comes with an extremely strong tourism industry. Each and every year countless tourists go to the area to hike and enjoy nature.
Nature is often very unpredictable so hikers need plan in advance to be sure they are ready for anything. The following are important guidelines to follow before venturing out on your next trek.
Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back: This is the very first thing every good hiker must do no matter where they’re going no matter what size the group. If you are lost and hurt outside, time becomes key factor. If people don’t know you’re missing chances are they won’t begin looking for you. Also if they’ve known where you are hiking they can define the search to a specific area.
Never stray from the path: Even though it can be exciting to explore from the path that idea can result in a great deal of problems fairly quickly. Furthermore your foot prints damage sensitive areas, but when you’re off the path it can be fairly easy to become turned around and not know where to go next. The terrain could also become unpredictable and cause increased risk if you want your hike to be problem free, adhere to the designated paths.
Wear proper comfortable hiking shoes: Having comfortable shoes means that at the end of the day your feet won’t be sore or have blisters and you will enjoy your journey a whole lot of more. Having solid shoes or hiking boots will likely help limit the prospect of injuring your ankle and foot. Under no circumstance are flip-flops good for hiking even if you are using a well-used trail. These must only be used at the end of your day when you’re relaxing at home or in front of a campfire with a bottle of beer.
Plenty of water for the entire trip: Whatever you are doing, your whole body is always losing moisture; this takes place even in cooler weather so it doesn’t matter what the physical conditions are always use a bottle of water. The effects of dehydration are often very subtle but could severely impair your judgement and decision making abilities. Dehydration begins with a dry mouth and can lead to fatigue, dizziness and nausea so drink plenty of water. Don’t hike with alcohol; this could be a little bit of a disappointment; however alcohol will dehydrate you faster and also impair your judgement.
Bring a snack: You don’t have to pack an entirel course meal; if however you are out hiking for the entire day you need to pack a sandwich along with other foods. We always recommend eating natural-sugary foods like fruits. Apples and oranges are great. They will help keep you hydrated and provide you a boost of long-lasting energy. Trail mix, (Our favourite bag is a mixture of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, raisons and choc chips) is also a great snack because it will provide you the necessary protein and sugar
Wear different layers of clothing: Weather in the Snowdonia area can be quite unpredictable, however, it is wise to get ready for rain. The region is among wettest in the UK so your last layer needs to be something that is breathable and waterproof. Gortex is often a fantastic waterproof layer. You need to plan for no less than 3 or 4 layers, including: an inner layer, middle layer, outer layer and a waterproof covering. Try to avoid cotton because it holds in moisture and may sap your body temperature away from you. If you like natural products, a great outer layer is wool; it may be lightweight or heavy and it doesn’t absorb moisture.
Stretch before you start: At the end of the day the goal is to enjoy it and not be sore everywhere. Hiking is very demanding and you want to make sure that your muscles are warmed up. Stretching your legs, back and arms will also help alleviate problems with any injuries like cramps when out on the trail.
Hiking is a really fun activity if you want to be safe, you have to make smart decisions and stay prepared. Unfortunately accidents do happen but it is good to know that if something does happen you can rely on groups including the South Snowdonia Mountain Rescue Team. Rescue teams such as the SSMRT are comprised of hardworking and dedicated people who take their responsibilities seriously. If anything does go wrong you know that they will will do their utmost to ensure everyone is safe.
As you begin on your hike take a minute to think about keeping safe in the mountains, and remember mountain rescue teams are there for you if you need them.