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When people talk about hiking up a mountain, they could mean anything from a leisurely stroll to an intense trek.
For beginner hikers, it is important to understand the difference so you can plan your mountain trek accordingly.
From researching the terrain to packing essential supplies and being mindful of safety precautions, this blog post will provide helpful tips on how you can safely prepare for your next mountain hiking adventure!
Table of Contents
What do people mean when they say they’re going to hike up a mountain?
When people say they’re going to ‘hike up a mountain’, they typically mean that they will be climbing from the base of the mountain all the way up to its peak.
Depending on the terrain, this could take hours or days.
Sometimes when people say they’re going to hike up a mountain, they mean that they are going to hike to its summit, but they might not be starting from the bottom.
Depending on where the trailhead is, they might start climbing the mountain part-way up, perhaps because they’re able to drive part of the way.
For these people, a summit attempt might take as little as an hour or two, or could be a full-day affair.
Regardless of whether they’re hiking all the way from the bottom, or starting part-way up, a mountain hike can be a dangerous exercise, so it’s important to be well prepared.
5 Types of Mountain Climbs.
Here are some different types of mountain climbs you may come across. Please note that not all of these will be suited to beginner hikers or even more experienced hikers if they don’t have mountaineering experience.
1. Day Climb
This generally involves hiking up a mountain in one day, usually starting at the base and ending with reaching the peak. It’s usually the most common thing people refer to when they say they’re hiking up a mountain and is usually achievable by regular hikers who don’t have any mountaineering experience. It may not require technical gear and may follow a marked trail.
2. Technical Climb
This is more challenging than a day climb because of technical features such as steep rock faces or ice fields that require special equipment and expertise to navigate safely.
3. Traverse Climb
This involves traversing across multiple peaks over multiple days requiring ascents and descents along the way. It often involves camping overnight on the mountain and carrying food/gear for several days in order to complete the traverse successfully.
4. Alpine Start
This is typically used by climbers attempting summits of high mountains (14,000ft / 4,000m or higher) before dawn in order to obtain better weather conditions later in their climb. An alpine start requires extremely early waking times, fast packing skills, and efficient route finding technique for success. For example, many Mt Everest summit attempts will involve alpine starts.
5. Winter Climbs
This is a specific type of mountaineering involving snow & ice gear due to increased difficulty from hazardous winter conditions such as cold temperatures & avalanches. It requires specialized training, knowledge & experience beyond regular summer mountain climbs.
How to prepare for a mountain hike.
So you want to attempt your first mountain hike?
No matter what type of mountain hike you’re planning, safety should always be your top priority.
Preparing for a mountain hike will require a lot of planning and preparation, both mentally and physically. Here are some tips to help you plan for success:
1. Start by researching the mountain you plan to hike.
The first step to successfully hiking up a mountain is researching the terrain.
This includes finding out information such as:
- the length of the trail
- the elevation gain
- the estimated time it takes to complete
- any special gear or permits that may be necessary
You can find this information online on the official website(s) for the mountain you’re planning to hike, or by talking to locals and others who have already hiked the mountain (just make sure they have the same experience level as you!).
You must understand the difficulty of the trail, so you can plan accordingly and be prepared for any unexpected occurrences.
2. Choose a trail that’s appropriate for your skill level.
Start by looking for trails with ratings that match your experience level. The classification of how easy or hard a trail might be will differ depending on region.
Generally, if you’re a beginner hiker you should stick to easy trails, and if you’re a more experienced hiker you may be able to opt for more advanced trails.
Some ways you can assess whether a trail might be appropriate for you include:
- Elevation gain — Hw much climbing will you be doing (your elevation gain)? This might involve looking at an elevation profile or using a topographical map. In very simple terms, look at the elevation difference between where you’ll be starting and where you’ll be finishing. If the difference is less than 500ft / 150m, it will be a very easy hike. If the difference is more than 1600ft / 500m, there will be a lot more climbing and your hike will be much harder. An elevation gain of 3,200ft / 1,000m or more should be reserved for only very fit & experienced hikers.
- Distance — How long is the total distance from the start to the summit (and back)? If you’re hiking up a mountain, chances are the horizontal distance (on the ground) you’ll cover will be very small, but the vertical distance (elevation) will be significant. Higher elevations and shorter distances equal tougher climbs. A hard climb could be climbing 1600ft – 3200 ft (500 – 1000m) of vertical elevation over a short 1.2 – 2 mi (2 – 3 km) distance (or less). An easy climb could be climbing the same vertical elevation but over a longer 6 – 9 mi (10 – 15km) distance (or more).
- Estimated time — How long will it take you to complete? Also, how long will the actual climbing sections take you? Generally speaking, the longer the hike is likely to take you, the more difficult it might be. But this is not always the case. For example, if the track involves a long ‘approach’ trail (i.e. 3 mi / 5 km or more) before you begin your climb, then the entire trail will take a while to complete but the actual climb itself might only take an hour.
Always double-check your decision by researching the recent condition of the trail you’re interested in and talking to people who have recently hiked it.
3. Gather the appropriate gear.
After you’ve researched the mountain and decided on your route, it’s time to gather the appropriate gear.
Essential items for hiking up a mountain include a backpack, sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing layers (even if the weather looks good), water and food for sustenance, a first aid kit, maps/navigation or GPS device in case you get lost, and a flashlight.
If you’re planning on camping in the mountains overnight, make sure you also have enough supplies such as tents and sleeping bags.
Depending on your level of experience and the type of mountain you’ll be hiking up, you may also need some special safety equipment (e.g. microspikes, crampons, ice axe or even a helmet).
4. Train for your hike by physically preparing your body for the challenge.
Physical training is a very important aspect of preparing for a mountain hike. You need to be physically fit to tackle the steep inclines and long distances involved in hiking up a mountain.
The best way to train for this activity is by hiking hilly trails to build up your strength and stamina, but if you don’t have access to hills then you can achieve the same effect through long walks carrying a heavy pack (10 kg / 22 lb or more).
Make sure to focus on strengthening your legs, as well as improving your cardiovascular endurance. This will help you last longer on the trail and make it less tiring.
Stretch regularly to limber up your body and reduce the chances of injury.
Finally, if you have a medical condition or any underlying physical issues, consult with your doctor before embarking upon your hike.
5. Acclimatize yourself (if necessary).
Many mountain climbs (especially those in the larger ranges) involve climbing to heights where the atmosphere contains less oxygen.
Some people will begin to experience altitude sickness (caused by a lack of oxygen in the body) when hiking up a mountain higher than 2,500m / 8,000 ft above sea level.
The most severe effects of altitude sickness occur in the ‘Death Zone’ of the highest mountains, above 8,000 m / 26,200 ft above sea level.
One way of dealing with altitude sickness is to acclimatise.
Acclimatisation is the process of gradually adjusting to a new elevation by increasing your time and effort at higher elevations (not more than 300m / 1,000 ft per day).
Begin by slowly climbing shorter trails at lower elevations with lighter loads. As your fitness improves, gradually increase the time and effort you spend at higher altitudes.
Make sure to take things slowly during your ascent. This means allowing yourself enough rest stops and drinking plenty of water. Try to stick to a regular schedule of eating and drinking to help your body adjust to the changes in elevation.
If you’re a beginner hiker, chances are you won’t be hiking trails which take you into high elevation territory, but as you progress this is something to consider.
6. Check the weather.
Because of the higher elevations involved, mountain weather conditions can change quickly and unpredictably, which can present serious risks (especially for less experienced hikers).
Before you go hiking up a mountain, make sure to get an updated forecast from reliable sources such as a local hiking or mountaineering club or regional weather website.
Pay particular attention to wind speed and direction, temperature, wind chill, and the amount of precipitation (including snow).
If you get caught in an electrical storm at high altitude, the best way to stay safe is to head for lower ground like valleys and depressions in the landscape as you try to make your way back down. Avoid water, metal and lone trees if possible as these could attract the electrical charge of lightning.
If you get caught in a blizzard at high altitude, the best thing to do is to find shelter quickly. This is where packing an emergency blanket comes in handy, as it makes a great emergency shelter. Hunker down and try to keep your clothes & body dry and covered until help arrives or the storm passes.
The weather at higher elevations can be drastically different from lower down. Always check the weather, take extra precautions (such as a locator beacon) and be prepared for extreme cold or snow even on a sunny day.
7. Pack plenty of food and water.
Hiking up a mountain requires more food and water than a regular trail, due to the higher altitude, longer distance and tougher terrain.
Make sure to pack plenty of snacks as well as enough water for at least one full day on the trail – plus some extra in case of unexpected delays or emergencies.
Good food choices for hiking up a mountain include energy-dense snacks like nuts, trail mix and energy bars.
Pack food that won’t spoil quickly and is easy to transport. Also make sure to pack more than you think you’ll need – a mountain hike can easily take longer than expected!
It’s also important to carry at least two sources of water with you on your hike. A good option is to bring a combination of fresh water (in bottles) and a water filter or purifier so you can drink directly from streams, lakes or rivers.
Finally, remember to take regular breaks along the way – this will help keep your energy up, reduce the risk of injury, and allow you to take in the stunning views!
With these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful mountain climb! Do your research, prepare yourself mentally and physically, and take it easy!
Final Thoughts
Hiking up a mountain can be a rewarding and challenging experience, but beginners should take their time to prepare both physically and mentally, as well as research the route they plan to take.
Check the weather before you go on your adventure, pack appropriate supplies and make sure you’re properly acclimatised (if necessary).
Following these steps will help ensure a safe and successful mountain climb!
Michelle Green
Michelle Green is the founder of Long White Gypsy and Travel To NZ. She makes hiking videos on YouTube and has been featured in hiking magazines & podcasts. In 2019 she thru hiked 1,700 kilometres on Te Araroa's North Island, and is currently working her way through NZ's Great Walks.
