Once the pandemic started, many people ran to national parks and mountain reserves to escape their four walls at home. This is an entirely amazing thing for human health and funding of our beautiful Texan nature. However, Texas has some extreme weather and extreme natural formations that require great preparation if you want to get into mountain climbing. If this is your first time taking a more serious hike with a climb in Texas, here’s how to prepare for your adventure:
Do your research
The most important thing you can do to prepare for your Texas mountain climb is to do your research on the location. Make sure to choose a trail (there are many in Texas) and see how it looks. Find out things on the trail like water sources, elevation, terrain and weather you can expect on your climb. If you ask any climber about their previous bad experiences, they will find many to tell you. Every climber has a story about running out of water, getting sunburned or not being able to catch their breath or even finish the hike—all due to poor preparation.
The most important thing you can do for yourself is conduct research on the trail online. If you can, print out a map of the trail and the park so you can always access information about your next step. Most park websites have maps you can print out or put on your phone, but physical copies are always better because you don’t have to worry about their battery or damage.
Start training
If your hike and climb is a very serious one, make sure to start training well in advance—12 weeks in advance is great, just like preparing for a marathon. Some hikes and climbs are very demanding and you can be utterly devastated by the physicality of them. If you’re just a beginner climber, book some guided trails. Texas State Parks have tours with experienced guides running all year round, with climbs and trails showing you the best of Texas parks. Once you get used to Texas weather and terrain, you can consider taking smaller solo hikes before you tackle the main climb you came to the park for. If you are an experienced hiker and you visited hiking places in Pune, Tanzania, Nepal, or Chile, you don’t have to worry about your condition. You are good to go!
Get accommodation
If you’re coming to do a great Texas hike or climb, you have to take care of your accommodation. Preparations for a medium or pro-level climb last for a long time and are best conducted at the location, so you can get the feel of the environment. Choose a base for your climb and rent a nice little apartment where you can relax and unwind. You can get affordable apartments for rent in Brownsville all year round so you won’t have to struggle on that front. Don’t hesitate to rent something more lux with a pool, because you’ll love this perk after training in the Texas sun for the entire day.
Eat well before
Climbing is very physically draining, so make sure to fuel your body with plenty of energy the night before and just before your climb. No matter your diet, it’s always smart to do carb-loading which will provide you with all the necessary energy for the activity. Carbs (bread, pasta, crackers, oatmeal, quinoa, nuts, etc.) are a great idea for a night before your hike and climb. The best thing you can do is have a well-balanced meal containing carbs, protein and fat for sustained energy over the entire day.
Think about water
In most cases, you won’t find any water sources in the backcountry. Therefore, you have to pack plenty of water with you. According to experts, it’s necessary to have one gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking. As you can see, water weight can be a great burden but it’s a price you just have to pay. Otherwise, you can choose trails that have water access. For instance, you can find water at the Pine Springs Visitor Center, McKittrick Visitor Center, Dog Canyon Ranger Station, etc. Do your research!
Protect your pet
Many hikers choose to bring their pet with them for the walking portion of the road (dogs are not very good rock climbers but can handle good inclines). If you’re bringing your pet, make sure to bring plenty of water and food for them and keep them on the leash. Some trails don’t allow pets, so respect the rules.
With these tips, you’ll be perfectly prepared for your climb and enjoy a demanding yet smooth outdoor adventure.
