Getting in Shape for Hike the Highlands

No matter how many days you plan to hike in this year’s Hike the Highlands Festival – Sept. 11-20, 2009, you must begin now to prepare and get in shape.  With five weeks to go before the festival starts, you have time to build your fitness level up to handle the longer hikes and or two 2 hikes a day.

Start with short hikes 2km and then gradually build up to longer hikes – 10 kms.  Then start doing two hikes a day and later hike two consecutive days.  Make sure you mix the hikes with hills  and more difficult terrain etc.  It is important to have your daypack with you and water so that your shoulders, back and arms are getting in shape along with your legs and feet. As well  hike with your poles – nordic walking or trekking poles …. 

Scarpa Kailish Hiking BootsThinking of a new pair of hiking boots for the festival….remember it takes on average 6 times out to break in a new pair of boots, longer if they are leather.  This is a great time to try out new socks and see how they work with your hiking boots. Some of the popular hiking socks out there are Smart Wool, Wigwam, and Fox River…

New in 2009, Hike the Highlands Festival will be introducing a hikers distance award program of 100 km, 50 km and 25 km.  More information coming soon.  To help set you some goals – you will need a weekend to hike 25 km, a week or two weekends for 50 km and the full ten days in the festival to hike 100km.