You Should Try Night Hiking Next Time You Go Camping
Have you ever been hiking at night? It offers many benefits that you just can’t get while daytime hiking. It may seem similar, but it is a whole other experience. Below I will go over all the benefits there are to night hiking as well as some tips to consider while night hiking.
The Benefits of Night Hiking
Sometimes it is just too hot to go hiking when the sun is high in the sky. An easy way to get around this is to go night hiking instead. This way the sun is not beating down on you draining all of your energy. You can get out in the cool night and have a more enjoyable hiking experience.
Another benefit for night hiking is that the views are just naturally different from a daytime hike. It’s one of the most beautiful sights in the world to look up during a hike at night and see all the stars shining in the sky. Being away from the city is one of the best opportunities to be able to see all the stars in the sky clearly. Don’t forget to try and identify some of the constellations while you’re looking up there. There are also some apps on your phone now that can help you identify the constellations just by just pointing your phone's camera at the stars. This is a great activity to try especially with kids!
One of the most magical things about a night hike is having the moon’s light guide your way. If you plan things out accordingly, you might be able to hike during a full moon. This way you can have a good source of light from the moon illuminating your path. This is just all around a very beautiful and exciting experience.
A Few Night Hiking Tips to Help You Out
One of the best things you can bring with you during a night hike is a head lamp. I strongly prefer these to a regular flashlight because they keep your hands free. Also it’s just a plus that the light is always facing where your eyes are when you turn your head.
If you have multiple people in your group hiking, be sure that everyone in your group has a flashlight and a whistle. It’s important that each person has a flashlight to light their own path, not just a singular person. It’s also important that each person has a whistle just in case your group gets separated. It will be a lot easier to find the rest of your group when you hear each other’s whistles.
Another tip is to bring some extra clothing. While it can be a relief to hike without the sun above you, it can get a little too chilly at night. So be sure to bring some extra jackets in case you need a little bit extra warmth.
Don’t forget to keep drinking water! Although you may not seem as thirsty because you don’t have the sun beating down, you can still get dehydrated just from the hike itself. So be sure to constantly be drinking some water.
It’s important to keep your energy up during your night hike. Be sure to pack some healthy and high protein snacks. Things like granola bars, protein bars, or fresh fruits are great snacks to keep you going!
Conclusion
Every hiker should at least try a night hike at least once. It might just end up being one of your favorite outdoor experiences. There’s nothing quite like connecting with nature at night with the stars above you and the moon’s light surrounding you.
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