Staying Healthy on the Trail
Some hikers thrive on a difficult trip while others wear down quickly.
To thrive, most importantly, you want to avoid getting sick while on the Trail.
Be sure that standards of hygiene are maintained. Fecal contamination of any kind is the easiest way to get sick. Be sure to use alcolol antibacterial gel on your hands throughout the day.
Proper food and safe, sufficient water is essential. Don't live on GORP.
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Be Prepared
The Nootka is long & strenuous, isolated & potentially dangerous. You must be prepared mentally & physically. You must haul the right gear.
You must be informed. Do your homework. Take notes from this web site.
Despite our strident warnings, many people survive the Nootka as their first major hike. Our experience is that any fit person can do the Nootka -- UNLESS they have chronic knee, ankle, or back pain. UNLESS the weather deteriorates badly.
But the more prepared you are, the better.
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First Aid Kit
Prepare for the worst! You need a far better First Aid kit than usual on the Nootka.
We thought we were overcautious when bringing a heavy knee brace & ankle brace on the West Coast Trail. One of our hikers started using the knee brace on the second day & wouldn’t have been able to finish without it. Her trip would have been ruined.
Someone in your group should be qualified to administer First Aid. This is a serious responsibility.
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Pre-hike Conditioning
We’ve know of people who loaded up the pack and then practiced climbing up and down a ladder against their house. Good idea.
You might climb stairs while wearing your pack.
We take short practice hikes, too, with extra heavy packs (loaded with books and power tools).
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Hiking Technique
- Avoid the strain of big lunge step-ups & the impact of big drop step-downs whenever possible.
- Step over a log or obstacle to a foot placement of similar height to your back foot when you can.
- Zigzag on steep sections. Many small steps are better than taking one big step both up & down.
- To assist with a big step-up (when it's unavoidable) push down on your knee with your hand as you extend that leg.
- Take many short rests. Sit with your pack on whenever you find a convenient stump or log.
- Take off your pack to stretch whenever possible.
- Make frequent adjustments to your pack harness. Keep shifting weight off of pressure points.
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