Three Common Hiking Mistakes to Avoid

A former child actor, Janina Casey appeared in the television show Electric Company and starred in a production of Sound of Music at Jones Beach Long Island Guy Lombardo Theater. Janina Casey currently works in finance and enjoys hiking in her free time.

Hiking can be fun and relaxing, but it does require some planning before each trip. Three common hiking mistakes to avoid include:

- Not bringing enough water. Perhaps the most important rule of hiking is to bring enough water to keep you hydrated. With hikes lasting only a few hours, you may not need more than a liter or two of water. For all-day hikes or hot-weather excursions, you will likely need closer to three or four liters.

- Wearing shoes that are not broken in. Wearing brand new boots on a hike is a recipe for painful blisters. Instead, break in your new boots during normal activities such as going to work or walking around the neighborhood, where you can easily change shoes if they become uncomfortable.

- Neglecting to check the weather forecast. Few things are worse out on the trail than being caught by a thunderstorm unprepared. Always check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing, no matter how unlikely the chances of inclement weather.