Coming from the equally flat terrain of Central Illinois, I would throw out a caution about transitioning from hiking on flat ground to hiking on sloped ground. I walk a lot, but on two occasions, when I took off up and down slope, I had a lot of trouble with my feet. From what I know now, I think that it was achilles tendinitis. This happened once in the smokies, when I walked up to Low Gap and back, a distance of about five miles and couldn't walk for three days. The other time was in Canyonlands. Same thing, but not as intense. I didn't realize what was happening until the damage was done. I still don't know how to prevent this, but I think that the most important thing is to take it easy going up or down hill until you feel comfortable with your feet.