You’re hyped and ready to go on your first hike with Road Trip TT! First of all, you made the right choice. You do a mental checklist of all the things you may need and then boom, hike day is here! You’re second-guessing yourself now like, am I ready? I’ve never been on a hike before! Am I really ready?
After a recent trip to Rio Seco with Road Trip TT, I have officially joined the hiking life! Here are five tips that are sure to help you on your first hike:
1. It’s not a race
Road Trip TT provides helpful tour guides who are there to assist you along the way and just because other hikers are in front of you, doesn’t mean you should be discouraged! Each person on the hike will complete the trail in their own time. This is due to a number of variables such as different fitness levels, whether you go with friends or not, and so on. On the trail you might encounter the occasional hurdle of a tree trunk, but it’s still not a race and trust me, no one expects you to be an athlete. You determine your pace and you stick with it throughout the hike.
2. Don’t underestimate the trail
Cue the song, “If I Could Turn Back Time”. After watching countless YouTube videos of other hikers visiting Rio Seco, I somehow got the idea that “Oh it’s just one or two lil hills man. It’s basically flat, I got this. I mean children could do this, who am I?” Guys, please pledge the following: I, *insert name here* will not look at any videos of the hike that I’m about to go on. On a serious note though, you should go on hikes with no preconceived notions, other than it’ll be fun, because it will be that and then some.
3. Exercise
Granted there are short, long and differently rated levels of hikes, it’s advisable that you do some form of exercise in the period leading up to the hike. This is especially for those who do not exercise regularly and are thinking about going on their first hike. Even if you do some light walking here and there, it’ll wake your legs up and keep them strong for hike day. I determined that hiking is equal parts adventure and scenic exercise. Hiking is like nature’s treadmill and you’ll be rewarded at the end of it. The waterfall was so beautiful and the water was so clear, guys! It’s worth it!
4. Walk with a change of clothes… slippers too
Road Trip TT provides you with a timely reminder of when your hike day is approaching, including all the details like pick-up points, and they even advise you to bring along a change of clothes. Now, I don’t know why it didn’t click to me that a change of clothes meant for my feet too but I went on the hike without any extra pairs of shoes. Of course there was mud on the trail so I didn’t expect to come back with clean shoes, right? I cannot answer that question and I feel your disappointment through the screen, guys. This is how I felt on the way back from the hike, wondering where was I going to get some clean footwear that afternoon. Minus the random stares I got from other pedestrians while crossing the street with my dirty shoes, I thank God for the little Chinese store in Curepe and my new slippers. The hike was an adventure, even after it was complete. P.S. I recommend slippers with thick soles so that they can cushion your feet if they’re hurting after the hike.
5. Take photos!
This may be a once in a lifetime experience for you! Not that it will be your only hike, but because there are so many different hikes and experiences that Road Trip TT offers, you may choose to go on a completely different activity the next time. So take along your camera/phone and capture shots that will always remind you of your unforgettable experience with Road Trip TT!
And welcome to the hiking life!
