Packing List

 

In addition to what you would normally travel with (cameras, chargers, adaptors, regular shoes and clothes), this is the list of items you really should take for the hiking days:

 

•  Knapsack large enough to carry 5 litres of water as well as your daily necessities.

•  Bladder for your backback (available at most sporting goods stores)

       – you can hike and sip at the same time and keep your hands free

•  Supportive, worked in hiking shoes/boots (not running shoes!)

•  Socks -- thin and thick

•  Hiking pants, shorts or capris

•  Hiking sticks - not everyone likes these, but they are very helpful to take some of the pressure off your knees

•  a flashlight                                 

•  Wipes

•  Sanitary hand wash

•  Band aids

•  Antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly

•  Sunglasses

•  Sun block

•  Sunhats

•  Kleenex (small travel packs)

•  Quick dry towel

•  Electrolytes and Gels

•  quick dry t-shirts

•  Fleece/sweatshirts

•  Windbreaker

•  Bathing suits

•  Rain gear (pants/jacket)

 

 

Q and A

 

How long will we be hiking each day?

• Typical hikes range from 4 to 6 hours a day with a break for lunch.

 

What will you need to carry with you on the hike?

• A knapsack large enough to hold 4 to 5 litres of water for the start of the day (preferably in a 1.5 to 2 litre bladder), cell phone, rain gear (if the forecast indicates rain), a spare pair of socks, some fruit or snacks, your prepared lunch, sun block, band aids, a flash light, toilet paper and wipes (there are no facilities en route!). You may also want to keep your passport and money with you on the day we hike before arriving at our new accommodation.

 

What type of shoes should you wear?

• Proper hiking boots which have been broken in prior to the hike are mandatory. No open-toed sandals or running shoes! Take previously laundered hiking socks in order to avoid blistering.

 

Training Tips

• You must be in good physical condition to enjoy the hikes. The distances are long and for part of the day you will be schlepping a knapsack holding over four litres of water.

• To train for the hikes, choose an area where you can practice walking on uneven terrain. In Southern Ontario, the Bruce Trail and hiking trails in cottage country would provide excellent terrain for practicing. The trails in Israel are rocky and uneven.

• Jogging and walking on level and hilly terrain are both beneficial to improve your fitness level, and will strengthen your core and leg muscles. It is important to prepare your knees for the challenge of the hike. Treadmills set on high elevation and Stairmasters are perfect for winter training.

• Start your training without carrying any weight, and eventually add a backpack with increased weight. 

• There is nothing worse than developing a blister early on in the trip, and have it get worse as the kilometers increase. Applying petroleum jelly over your entire foot will reduce friction and hopefully avoid blisters. Wear hiking socks that have been previously laundered. The moment you feel a blister developing, remove your sock and shoe and apply a protective pad or plaster to the affected area.