How I’m Making ready To Hike The French Pyrénées…As A Newbie

In early July, I’ll be heading to the Occitanie area, drawn by the beautiful mountain surroundings and the chance to discover the nice open air. Regardless of not being an skilled hiker, I’m decided to take advantage of this journey. To see these breathtaking vistas, I do know I would like to organize and get match, and I wish to share my journey with you. This publish is all about how I’m getting ready to hike the French Pyrénées as a newbie hiker.

**This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, which implies that I’ll obtain a small fee should you ebook by means of my hyperlinks, at no further price to you.**

1. Why Head To The French Pyrénées Mountains?

The Pyrénées kind a pure border between France and Spain (and Andorra), stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. What makes this mountain vary so particular? The surroundings is completely beautiful!

(a) Japanese Pyrénées

Orientales and Ariège departments. Definitely one of many highlights was seeing the mountains whereas using the Little Yellow Prepare (Le Petit Prepare Jaune).

After seeing photographs of the central Pyrenees with their pristine lakes, I knew I needed to go to. [The Western Pyrenees and Basque mountains will have to wait for another trip!]

(b) Central Pyrénées

For my upcoming journey, I’ll be within the central Pyrénées, southwest of Toulouse. My buddy and I’ll keep in Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur, each within the Hautes-Pyrénées division. This area boasts the best peaks and the Parc Nationwide des Pyrénées, which options 350 kilometers of marked trails and 300 lakes.

2. How I’m Making ready To Hike The French Pyrenees

Should you learn an earlier publish, I’m not an skilled hiker (the publish is known as “Mountaineering In The French Alps: What You Want To Know”) and I did two hikes-one was nice and one was actually robust/terrifying. I’ve realized from this expertise and really feel higher ready for my mountaineering journey this time.

3. Getting (Extra) Match To Hike

I’ve been operating for the previous 34 years however it was solely 9 months in the past that I employed a operating coach. I needed to get stronger and sooner. I’ve realized that the energy coaching workouts that I now do twice every week have enormously improved my mobility, core,  and decrease physique energy. Surely it will repay after I’m mountaineering.

(a) Endurance

When you don’t have to run lengthy distances like I do, constructing endurance is essential. It’s finest to keep away from tackling a protracted hike in your first day if it’s your first hike ever. Don’t neglect, you’ll be going up and down. Do it step by step. They are saying for runners, don’t add greater than 10% to your distance every week.

(b) Core And Decrease Physique Energy Coaching

Constructing energy in your core and decrease physique will increase energy and endurance, enabling you to sort out longer and tougher hikes whereas decreasing the chance of damage.

I do 35-minute classes twice every week specializing in strengthening my core, hamstrings, quadriceps, adductors, glutes, hip flexors, ankles, calves, and ft. These workouts have improved my stability, hip mobility, flexibility, and knee stability.

For particular workouts, search YouTube for:

• Squats (entrance, single-leg, leap)
• Lunges (ahead, backward, and aspect)
• Standing hurdles
• Hip hinges and thrusts
• Vegetation (entrance and aspect)
• Strolling bridge
• Sidestep with band
• Lateral aspect step-ups
• Calf Raises
• Hip hikes

4. Joined A Mountaineering Group

Again in April, I joined the Bruce Path Conservatory. It is a volunteer-based, charitable group that has over 1,300 km of trails within the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada.

I joined not simply in order that I might participate in organized hikes, however as a result of one of many membership sections organized a Mountaineering 101 program: 3 classes the place we realized extra about mountaineering and collectively did a 2 hours hike within the Niagara area of Ontario. I cherished trekking with like-minded folks and studying about mountaineering terminology, etiquette, security, and packing necessities.

5. Select the Proper Attire and Equipment

[If you’d like me to show my complete packing list, let me know. For now, I just want to give you an overview the most important items that I’m bringing].

(a) Clothes Necessities

I’m packing garments made with moisture-wicking properties and can be dressing in layers to scale back the quantity of garments I have to carry.

• My shorts and mountaineering pants are all gentle, stretchy, waterproof and breathable.
• In addition to bringing short-sleeved shirts, I’ll even have a UV-protective long-sleeved shirt.
• Masking one’s legs and arms might help with solar safety and being scratched should you stroll by means of woodlands with lots of brush. An important motive, nonetheless, it defending oneself from ticks and poison ivy.

Up to now I’ve worn trainers or path trainers. They have been effective for many of my hikes; nonetheless, neither offered ankle help, so I bought the extremely popular Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Mountaineering Boots by Merrell. No matter you determine to put on, be certain they’re comfy and supply traction and help.

(c) Trekking Poles And Packing Dilemma

Trekking Poles
Once I hiked within the French Alps a couple of years in the past, I did one trek with out poles and one trek borrowed poles. The distinction was noticeable. Mountaineering poles assist shield your knees and supply further stability going up and down and they could be a godsend when the terrain is rocky or slippery

So I’ve lastly bought my very own pair: Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles. They’re adjustable to 1’s top, light-weight (shaft is aluminum), and are simple to arrange and collapse with a flick lock system. Aluminum is lots gentle they usually’re cheaper than carbon fibre. These have been dearer than some others however solved my downside with packing.

Packing Dilemma
You aren’t allowed to carry trekking poles in a carry-on so I’ve to examine this suitcase. I wanted poles that might fold up and slot in my suitcase. I solely have a carry-on dimension. It was both purchase cheaper, longer poles AND buy a brand new (greater) suitcase, or stick with my very own smaller suitcase and simply get the dearer, folding trekking poles. That is what I did. 

(c) Backpack

Because of some shoulder and neck ache, my physiotherapist advisable that I get a backpack that has hip belt because it transfers weight to your hips slightly than to your shoulders.

Mine is an Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack and I acquired the ladies’s-specific design (we now have shorter torsos) with a ventilated again panel. There are many pockets and also will maintain my water bladder, LifeStraw bottle, trekking poles, and extra.

(d) Solar And Bug Safety

When heading out on a hike, I’ll be slathering on the sunscreen, sporting sun shades, and a hat with a brim (the long-lasting Tilley hat) to guard my eyes and pores and skin from UV injury and the chance of pores and skin most cancers. Moreover, I’ll be making use of insect repellent and carrying it with me to reapply as wanted. That is essential to keep away from mosquito and tick bites, particularly when getting into closely bug-infested areas.

6. Making certain Security

Along with bringing alongside a primary help package and cellphone, I do suggest you carry alongside a whistle. Typically they’re included or a part of your knapsack. My Nathan operating vest has one constructed into one of many pockets.

(a) First Assist Package

Whereas not typical first help objects, facial tissues or rest room paper could be very helpful. Right here’s what to incorporate in your first help package:

• Bandaids
• Sterile gauze pads
• Tensor bandage
• Moleskin
• SteriStrips (for lacerations)
• Antiseptic ointment
• Ache relievers (ASA, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Antihistamine or allergy meds
• Imodium
• Private medicines
• Hand sanitizer

(b) Staying Related

Along with bringing a fully-charge cellphone (with an Orange SIM card), I’ll be bringing an exterior battery. I don’t know what the reception can be like, nonetheless, we’ll seemingly carry a paper copy and use and obtain an off-line map from an app like AllTrails.

Regardless whether or not I’m mountaineering or simply heading out for the day, I at all times depart a notice in my lodging indicating what my itinerary is for the day. I additionally depart a notice itemizing (in English and French) who to contact in case of an emergency.

7. Meals And Water

(a) Nourishment

For each outing, I’ll be bringing alongside path combine, granola bars, and different snacks to maintain my vitality up, as mountaineering can burn lots of energy in just some hours. Bear in mind, carrying a pack and navigating various distances and elevations can considerably enhance your calorie burn. You’ll want that gasoline to maintain going.

Nonetheless, staying hydrated is much more essential. It’s advisable to drink 0.5 to 1 litre of water for each hour of mountaineering. Given the warmth, solar, and humidity, it’s possible you’ll want much more. Train and sweating trigger us to lose electrolytes, so it’s vital to replenish them with a powdered drink (like Gatorade) or tablets (I exploit Nuun).

(b) Water Bladder

I’ve a water bladder that got here with my operating vest and it is going to be excellent for my hikes. It holds 1.6 litres of water and I’ll put it in my Osprey knapsack.

(c) LifeStraw Go Sequence Air purifier Water Bottle

As a former Lady Information, I observe the motto, “Be Ready”, so I’m additionally going to carry a water air purifier and BPA-free bottle……simply in case. It’s the LifeStraw Go Sequence Air purifier Water Bottle and it has a 2-stage filter that “filters out contaminants: the membrane microfilter protects in opposition to micro organism (together with E.coli + Salmonella), parasites (together with Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, sand, filth, and cloudiness.”

Are you a newbie hiker? I hope this publish has offered some inspiration and can aid you in getting ready to hike the French Pyrenees for the primary time. If I can do it, you’ll be able to too! Should you’ve you already been, please share your experiences and preparation suggestions

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