Tips for hiking

[chocolatelover_123]

Family and I have been doing some nature visits and walks lately during quarantine. There is a turquoise lake that we want to go to which has a 1.6km hike with some steep hills. My dad has had trouble walking due to numbness and muscle pulls. His tumour is sitting on a nerve where it disrupts his walking. Anybody have any tips for hiking as a cancer patient and walking better in general?

[Kaliber]

Adt has nearly crippled me ... I can’t walk out to my truck without turning red ... huffing and puffing ... and my bp jumping from 126/68 ..up to 215/110 instantly. I like to get out and enjoy hiking trails , city hike and bike trails , nearby Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks and even the local Zoo which all require a LOT of walking.

My fix was to buy a ew-38 e-trike. It kinda looks like a stylish electric moped with a comfy mobility scooter seat on it. I’m very heavy so I need the heavy duty ew-38, you can get the lighter duty ew-34 as well. This type of etrike goes up to 40 miles on a charge and can go over 15 mph as well. Riding one is like freedom again. This etrike has a special ability to switch down to very slow walking speeds to accompany walking or jogging people with you. Anywhere you can ride a bicycle, ebike , or mobility cart ...you can ride one of these. I ride miles out on the local city trails ...stopping here and there and get off and walk around a little to keep myself limber and build up my physical endurance. Ridding one of these makes you feel 15 years old again. These have big 16” wheels and easily go off-road as well and can pull surprisingly steep hills. These are NOT for using indoors generally tho you could, they are electric bicycles / tricycles not mobility carts.

I have no affiliation with the company that makes the ew series of etrikes , a quick search of Google for ew-38 , ew-34 or etrike will bring up many dozens of models and brands available. They are very common and seen everywhere . Right in my own neighborhood...I started riding a couple months ago and now there are half a dozen of to be seen out mornings when it’s cool locally.

There are literally dozens of affordable trailer hitch transporters for etrikes that make taking them places effortless. That and with a power inverter in your truck / suv or a mini generator ( Honda ) you can recharge them easily on the go ...out and about.

Get your dad a etrike and pick trails or hike and bike paths where there is little activity. On my local city h/b trails I rarely see anyone and when I do I simply put my mask on until I quickly pass them. It’s easy to cover 10 - 15 mile segments of trail in less than an hour out ... then an hour back. It it’s exhilarating and enriching to own an etrike. I’m definitely not dead yet.

💪💪💪✌️✌️✌️

[ctarleton]

My general rule of thumb is "if it's starting to be sharply painful, don't do it". A referral to a Physical Therapist and/or Neurologist for an individual evaluation of sensory and physical capabilities might be helpful, within COVID-19 restrictions, of course. There are all kinds of "tips and tricks" they may have for things like improving compromised lower back support, "core" strengthening exercises, various braces or assistive devices, etc.

[Kaliber in reply to ctarleton]

Yea ... wish I could do some of it but adt has screwed up my biology totally .... very little exertion causes my quite normal bp to suddenly skyrocket , the docs have fixed it as good as possible...but .

... adt has caused my bg to become quite unstable and rise considerably as well .... the drugs they are giving me for that ( metformin plus glimepiride) , the glimepiride has the weird effect that the docs adjust my meds for my average daily activity conditions and food intake but any moderate to higher exercise causes my bg to drop dramatically.... my bg can drop dramatically from a modest 125 down to 40 ( or less ) in just a couple of hours and I have to watch it closely and eat a candy bar. If they adjust if for the exercise drop ( which is easy to do ) then the average regular daily bg is too high. In both cases they say its all due to the impact of adt on my body and they are doing the best they can. If I eat about the same daily and get about the same modest exercise activity daily things Are fine .... big changes cause big problems for me.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Kaliber]

You forgot to mention you're a part time Uber driver.....(tips welcomed)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/01/2020 5:57 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

I am ...... I only drive for squirrels tho ....they pay with nuts.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Kaliber]

You play with their nuts?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/01/2020 7:11 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

Might as well .... can’t find mine .....

[Kaliber in reply to Kaliber]

Someone just posted looking for you

[j-o-h-n in reply to Kaliber]

You know those tiny peas between your legs....... dem are dose...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/01/2020 7:16 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

Not here ... mine climbed up into my abdomen and are fishing for real estate with my bladder. At least I hope they are up there "....yayahahahaya

[j-o-h-n in reply to Kaliber]

LOL..... They're playing Pong in your Pee.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/01/2020 7:22 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

Paddles are fun ....but no “ slam “ shots now .....

[j-o-h-n in reply to Kaliber]

Oops my bad.... glasses fogged up............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/01/2020 7:13 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwee .... no ..... DOUBLE EWWWWWWW

[noirhole]

I would try getting some walking sticks. They can aid in balance. I would also suggest building up to trail hiking by walking at a high school track which has a flat even surface. I know my neuropathy maks trail hiking and rock hopping difficult and dangerous. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to noirhole]

Good advice!🚶🏽

[dadzone43]

trekking poles take practice, but once used they transfer some of the work of walking/hiking to the upper body. worth a try. If they do not help him, another family member may benefit. bestreviews.com/best-hiking...

[Hidden in reply to dadzone43]

👏🏼

[Hidden]

Boy! Chocolatelover, this is a tuff one. Even walking is impact . May I ask where is that damed tumor that’s driving this? In the back? A turquoise lake sure sounds worth the walk. He might need to start on level ground if steepness is the problem .? An elliptical machine in the home would be nice. No impact . Nice job loving dad and getting him out . I praise your love for him. 🙏

[Kuanyin]

Years ago I purchased a treadmill. I live in So. Ca where the mornings for almost 1/2 year can be hot (depending what time you walk, of course). When the malls opened early, my wife and I occasionally walked in the local mall. Of course, this doesn't beat hill-walking. We live close to the Santa Monica Mountains which contain little ground cover, as one finds in Northern Ca. However, a treadmill will help build up endurance. On most of these devices, the angle of the machine may also be increased, if not the speed.

[MateoBeach]

It can be a great motivating goal, that turquoise lake. So level ground walking in sturdy and stable shoes or light boots. Think ankle support and food gripping sole. And practicing with light weight trekking poles. Search “best ultralight hiking poles”. You can probably find a used pair. Make sure there are places to rest spaced to meet his capacity on this trail. Scout it first for him. You can also find ultralight camp chairs if needed. They can be as light as one pound and very comfortable for rests along the way and for time at the lake. This is a good thing to undertake.

[MateoBeach]

One other thought about preparation training, Chocolate. Stairs is a good way to simulate steep hills up and down and building strength and stability. Such as up and down a flight and repeating a few times (with rests as needed). Hand support for safety of course.