5. Go off trail

Every hiker needs snacks to stay energized. However, the type of food you bring is important. Nutritious snacks such as beef jerky, energy bars and trail mix are classic hiking snacks for a reason. They work.

Salty snacks also are good. They replace the salt lost via perspiration, and they lesson the potential of hyponatremia, which is a lack of sodium in the bloodstream caused by drinking too

Dressing comfortably is important when hiking, but leave these three items at home. Denim jeans and cotton T-shirts are heavy materials that will bog you down. Flipflops offer no protection for your feet. And wear good socks.

“Nothing ruins a hike faster than a blister,” Salter said.

He recommended dryfit or lightweight shirts and clothing, and he said to wear whatever shoes are most comfortable for the type of hike you’re doing.

“Shoes are very much comfort based … you can even go hiking in cowboy boots if you’re (agile) enough,” Salter said. “But for the average person, a comfortable pair of shoes is very important.” Just don’t. You can get

Hike with others or, in the least, let others know when and where you’re hiking. If something goes wrong on the trail, your fellow hikers can summon help. If you don’t return on time, those in the know can point first responders in the right direction. Overconfidence can be deadly.

“A lot of people like to go alone,” Salter said, “but that can be kind of dangerous, since you might think of yourself as Superman in some sense of, ‘Oh, I can make it. I do this all the time.’ But all you need is that one time you can’t.” THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE BORN IN CHINA