Hiking for Diabetes

Another necessity of hiking for me is my prescription sunglasses. And the sunglasses have their own accessory, in this case some Kleenex or toilet paper to wipe the inevitable sweat off of the lenses.

I think that a walking staff is a necessity. While I seldom see other hikers with a walking staff, I am so used to carrying one – particularly when going down a steep hill – that I can’t imagine hiking without one.

For about 20 years my walking staff was a bamboo pole that came with a rug wrapped around it. With a crutch tip on the end to avoid slipping and clattering, it was light weight and completely satisfactory until the bamboo began to crack. Nowadays, I use an even lighter walking staff that I got at REI.

With luck, our hikes will be on sunny days. For me that means wearing a hat with a wide brim and applying suntan lotion.

In most parts of the country the other thing we need to apply before going out for a hike is insect repellent. For years the choice was limited to products made with DEET. Now, however, we have picaridin, which is just as effective and a lot more pleasant. A brand called Cutter Advanced contains picardin. This spring Cutter introduced wipes with picardin, which are even more convenient than the typical spray can.

While I seldom carry a flashlight because I don’t plan on being out after dark, I have been surprised. Once when the trip was longer than expected, it took me hours to find my car on a pitch-black night. I had my flashlight, but had failed to check the batteries, and they were dead.

If you need help, some people suggest carrying a whistle. Instead, I usually carry my cell phone. However, some of my best hikes in the wilds were so far from civilization that I was out of range of the cell phone towers.

Except for time, this is all we need for a day hike. While hiking is exercise – which those of us with diabetes particularly need – I think of it as fun. In fact, I’m going to stop right here, because I’m off for a jaunt in Eldorado Canyon this afternoon.

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