8 discoveries that await everyone on their first hiking trip

So, you've chosen a route, found a good company, and even bought tickets. You're done with studying travel forums, shopping, and taking advice from experienced vagabonds. Uncertainty and fears, the anticipation of vacation and the hassle of packing are behind you. You are ready for your first real hike!

Are you ready? Yeah, of course you are! Here are eight things you won't believe until you experience them for yourself.

Any mistake can have unpleasant consequences

We usually go out into nature in search of peace and tranquility. We don't want to strain, think, and worry about anything. But in reality, every little thing matters in a hike, and you can't relax completely. I was too lazy to look at the map once again - I got off the road and made a hook a couple of dozen kilometers. Too lazy to take a heavy sleeping bag - now you're shaking at night from the cold. No mistake goes unpunished, and every step has consequences that can be very difficult to correct.

Sunscreen and hygienic lipstick are not just for girls

Many people think that sunscreen doesn't really fit the image of a courageous conqueror of nature. And in vain. It is enough to stay under the sun for a few hours to get red and burning skin by the evening, which will not let you sleep peacefully for several days. The same goes for hygienic lipstick.

There is no such thing as waterproof

And this is really serious. No matter what material your clothes are made of, no matter how much money you pay for their super waterproof properties, you will still get soaked to the skin. How quickly this happens is determined only by the strength and duration of precipitation. There's nothing you can do about it, just accept it and live with it.

There is always someone in the forest

When you make your way through the forest during the day, it may seem to you that it is completely empty. Except for the birds, of course. But as soon as you settle down for the night, the forest will be filled with sounds and rustles in the dark. You will hear someone grunting, stomping, breathing, crawling right around your tent. Don't pay attention, they just live here and won't do you any harm.

Locals don't know anything

Want to be sure to get lost? Ask a local for directions! Locals, as a rule, have very little knowledge even of what is in the immediate vicinity of their garden, not to mention the more distant surroundings. They are firmly convinced that they live in the dullest, most nondescript, boring place on the planet and have little interest in the nature and sights of their native land. Therefore, always try to double-check the information you get from a "tongue" two or even three times.

The moon and stars shine better than a flashlight

What's a hike without a powerful flashlight? City dwellers are firmly convinced that without a flashlight at night in the woods or mountains, you are like having no hands. However, you will quickly see that a flashlight is more of a safety net. First of all, in the dark, you will usually be snoring peacefully in your tent. And secondly, in most cases, the light of the moon and stars is quite enough to move around in the dark. Moreover, you can see even better in this light than in the narrow beam of a flashlight, so you will turn it off when you don't need it.

Don't forget to put some empty space in your backpack

Usually, tourists try to pack their backpack as tightly and compactly as possible. But there are often situations when you need to add a couple more things on the road, and there is nowhere else to put them. It can be a loaf of bread from a roadside shop, mushrooms you picked, cheese you bought from shepherds, and so on. In advance, provide some space where you could put unplanned purchases.

The further away from people, the safer

Many people believe that the further you go into the wilderness, the more dangerous the hike becomes. In fact, this is not entirely true. The biggest troubles come from people and from cars, which, however, are also driven by people. Therefore, try to stay away from settlements and waterways. The fewer people around you, the more restful your sleep will be.

And what interesting and useful knowledge did you get on your first hike? Share with us in the comments!