Why get up early in the morning and start the hike with the first morning sun rays?
Not everyone is an early bird. And surviving an early morning wake-up when one doesn't have to, especially if one is used to getting a good night's sleep, is a challenge.
But if you can convince every cell in your body that tells you not to get out of your soft bed, it will be worth it. If you put all that first morning discomfort behind you and hike with the first rays of the morning, you'll discover a whole new experience out there and discover nature from a perspective most people will never get to see it from. You'll experience a whole new dimension of silence, avoid most of the problems associated with the overcrowding of some popular hiking spots, and allow yourself time to enjoy every single moment in the mountains to the fullest.
These are our top 5 reasons why we think going on a hike super early is a great idea and will always recommend it further.
Lower risk of thunderstorms
Afternoon hours bring with them an increased risk of storms, especially in summer. Sure, we can pack a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and wear boots with a waterproof membrane in our backpacks. But it's one thing to stay dry, it's another to really enjoy the hike.
The earlier we start our hike, the more likely we are to avoid these problems.
The second reason, related to the weather, is snow, especially in high mountain areas. It is able to stay (almost) all year round at certain altitudes, but the roasting sun makes it softer and therefore less stable. It is better to walk through icy snow than through unpleasant, wet slush.
You'll be less bothered by the heat in the morning
Most hikers respect the cold in the mountains. They take care in their choice of equipment, they don't underestimate anything and they have studied the risks well. Paradoxically, this vigilance decreases radically in summer, while summer in the mountains also brings its own specific risks and dangers. Particularly when it comes to heatstroke and dehydration, which risks are only multiplied by active movement and high altitudes.
In addition to the need to constantly replenish fluids, we can also help ourselves by getting an early start. Going on a hike extremely early in the morning means about 4-5 hours of weather in the summer, which is pleasantly cool, comfortable and therefore much safer.
The only people you'll meet will be those with a similar mindset
Starting early in the morning means that your only companions on the hike, apart from the wildlife, will be at most a couple of similar "fools". The peace and quiet you experience in the mountains between five and seven in the morning has such a specific character and charm that it is literally addictive.
There are no queues or crowds at ladders or popular, photogenic spots. And you only encounter the first masses of people on the way down, which is a very satisfying feeling in a way.
Because you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the beauty around you
Hiking shouldn't be about performance, there are other sports for that. Hiking should be about appreciating the beauty around you, being able to stop, smell the flowers, brew some coffee in the kettle, roast a piece of bacon. To look around and to linger peacefully in magical places for a few hours.
Of course, it's something you can't afford to do if the approaching sunset is haunting you, you don't have a headlamp in your backpack, and the last train leaves in half an hour. But if you get up early enough, you'll treat yourself to a few extra hours, which doesn't necessarily mean a longer hike, quite the opposite. They can mean that you really enjoy your planned hike with all it has to offer, without unnecessary stress and chasing.
You can experience the magic of night hiking without fear
Walking through a dark forest in the dark, with a headlamp that only illuminates the path in front of you, is a feeling that is not easy to get used to. Night hiking has its specific charm, but also its risks and requires some training. It is therefore much easier to get up at 3am and walk in the dark for an hour, knowing that it will soon be light than to walk uncertainly through the forest at 10 pm.
Then the peaks and views await you with a well-deserved reward - mountain sunrises in complete silence that are second to none.
