Do's And Don't's For The Lady Hiker

Hiking can be a lot of fun, whether you go out for an hour or two or go all the way out into the backcountry for several days. For women, though, it can be particularly nerve-wracking. We might worry about our safety, our health, or whether we can really "keep up." We also worry about finding the best gear and clothing, including women's hiking tops, women's hiking pants, and women's hiking shorts. Hiking alone can be particularly challenging, especially for women. However, you really can hike on your own, providing you follow some simple rules:

• Make sure somebody you trust knows where you are going, your planned route, where you are camping and when you will be back. In many parks, you are also required to give this information to the rangers. Even if not asked for it, do give it to the rangers. It's their job to come looking for you if you don't make it back and they may save your life.
• Check-in. Any time you manage to sneak bars or snatch wi-fi, check in with somebody, so people know you are safe (also a great time to send those pictures). Keep your cell phone charged. Take a solar or crank charger.
• Always do your research. Well, even if you have a buddy, still do your research. Check the weather. Bear in mind that the weather can be different at altitude and that it's quite possible, even probable, that in highly mountainous areas you will walk across a ridge into a raging hailstorm. Even in summer. Knowing what the conditions are likely to be will help you pack or prepare.
• Any time you pass a ranger station, stop and chat with them. They can help advise you on routes and warn about current conditions that might be a problem. There is little worse than discovering, halfway down, that the trail is out and you have to backtrack miles... and won't make it to your planned campground.
• Consider taking a GPS locator, which can send an emergency message to 911, your friends, or the ranger station even if you don't have cell coverage. You can also consider taking a flare and a signal mirror (however, do not use flares if in an area under fire restriction).
• Have a backup plan. Let's say you plan on hiking a segment of the John Muir Trail... only to find that that segment is currently on fire! Do you have an alternative route in mind? What if the government shuts down again and closes all the National Parks. Having a good backup plan can keep your trip from being ruined by acts of God or man.

The other thing to consider is what you should take. There are some good hiking checklists out there, but most of them are, of course, written by men. Here's a basic list of things to think about in addition to a good backpacking checklist:

• A first aid kit. Make sure before each trip that the medications in it are not expired. Your kit should be in a waterproof bag. You can find a general checklist for a hikers' first aid kit online.
• A really good bra.
• Period supplies. Even if you don't think you're going to need them. If you can use one, menstrual cups are lighter and cut waste. (Used tampons and pads must be packed out, always).
• High energy snacks. Dark chocolate, dried fruit, and granola bars are perfect.
• Garbage bags. Three or four of them.
• "Water shoes." Crocs are actually excellent for this. If you have a deep water crossing, you won't want to soak your hiking boots.
• A pee funnel. Seriously. People mock them, but consider getting a pee funnel, especially if you think it might be cold or wet.
• Bear spray. It's mostly for bears, but...in a pinch, you can use it on human interactions.
• Women's hiking skirts. Seriously consider a hiking skirt. It's easier to layer, you don't have to shrug off your pack to pee, and many women find they chafe less (in fact, some men hike in kilts for this reason). If you prefer women's hiking pants, then make sure you get a good brand.

Always pack the best gear. KÜHL hiking apparel is some of the best on the market. Treat yourself with a hiking top or hiking pants now for a reasonable price and look forward to your next hike.