Adventure

Training for a Triathlon

November 16, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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For many people, participating in an Ironman competition is the ultimate test of endurance and fitness. Triathlon competitors are known for their superior athleticism and mental toughness. But what does it really take to compete in such a mentally and physically grueling event?

For those who do not know, a triathlon is a fitness and endurance competition composed of three events: swimming, cycling, and running. In recent years, people have also started to compete in reverse triathlons, where the event begins with running and ends in swimming. Regardless of which way the events are scheduled, each event is run in succession so the winner of one segment of the competition does not necessarily win the race should she fall behind in the other components of the event.

One of the most important aspects of a triathlon is to have the right training. Triathlon contestants are some of the fittest people in sports today. Their training routines include grueling runs through canyon terrain, cycling through mountain passes, and swimming in the open ocean or cold-water lakes. There are many triathlon websites on the web that offer free downloadable triathlon training plans according to fitness level.

The key to being a good triathlon competitor is consistency. If any one of your single event results is inferior to the others, then you may be relegated to the losing side of the podium. In addition, the proper equipment is also essential to running the perfect race. The only event in a triathlon that requires equipment is cycling, but the importance of proper triathlon bikes, perfectly proportioned and tailored to your style and body, cannot be underestimated.

With the proper amount of determination, consistency, and the right equipment, you can be well on your way to competing in your first triathlon.

Filed Under: Adventure, Camping, Hiking Tagged With: Competition, Cycling, Ironman Triathlon, Ironman World Championship, Multi-Sports, Sport, Swimming (sport), Triathlon

The Importance of Water on a Mountain Hike

November 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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In almost any exercise that you engage in they tell you to make sure that you drink plenty of fluids. The risk to your health is to great to ignore this type of warning when you are exercising.

Mountain hiking is no different then any other type of exercise. It requires the replenishment of fluids when you are hiking. But there is also another reason for that. The elevation.

Most mountain hikes take a person above the regular elevation that they are used to. For example if you were to hike in the Rock Mountain National Park you would be going to levels from 7000 to 12000 feet above sea water which can really change the way that your body works.

Doctors recommend that if you are planning on hiking at these higher elevations that you consider drinking plenty of fluids to allow your body to adjust. By fluids the doctor means that you drink, water, sports drinks or other type of fluids. It is not recommended to drink alcoholic beverages or sugary sodas as those could actually hinder the body’s adjustment to the higher levels.

Another reason that water is recommended is because of the thinness of the air. The air level is very thin and while the water may help to keep your body adjusted to these different levels there is also another factor that is going on with your body. The thinner level of air is actually depleting the body of water. The water that exists in the lungs can quickly turn to water evaporation and cause altitude sickness. To avoid any such problems people are recommended to drink plenty of fluids so that this does not happen to them.

To avoid altitude sickness it is important that you pack plenty of water. Do not rely upon the park to have fresh water streams or other areas. Be prepared and you won’t get sick!

Filed Under: Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors Tagged With: Altitude sickness, Hiking, Recreation, Water

Learn to Protect Yourself While Camping

November 5, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

You never know what you will experience while you are out camping. The reason most people go out camping is because they want to be one with nature and experience things that they have never experienced before. However if this was your first time out camping it might be a good idea to learn some of the ways that you need to protect yourself while you are camping. After all you never know when you’ll be encountering a swarm of bees, a bear or a mountain goat.

Here are some of the ways that you can protect yourself while you are out camping.

Food supply chests. Bears and other wildlife animals are attracted to the scent of human food. Food supply chests allow you to lock up the food so that they cannot smell it from a distance and come near the camping grounds. Even the smallest candy bar or apple could bring in a lot of bears or raccoons.

Bug Spray. Bug spray is the best way to protect yourself from the bites and stings of various animals. There are various forms of bug spray that you can purchase. Some allow you to use a lotion to rub into the skin and you’re protected, others are sprays that you spray on the person. Sometimes if you don’t want to spray or put lotion on you can burn candles or burn special products that will allow the bees and animals from not coming near you.

Noise Makers. Many animals are afraid of loud noises. Having an air horn or other loud noise maker would help scare the animals away when they come near you. Make sure that you brush up on what animals need to be scared and what ones don’t because you don’t’ want to scare the wrong one and have them start to attack.

Filed Under: Adventure, Camping, Outdoors Tagged With: Camping, Insect repellent, Recreation, Shopping

Mountain Climbing and Homeschooling Credits

November 3, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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Mountain climbing is a great sport for exercise and endurance. Homeschoolers in most states (check your local laws) can use this sport to help fulfill P.E. credits. The physical activity and multitude of learning opportunities make it a fun, exciting P.E. class.

However, this isn’t the only use for the sport. You can incorporate mountain climbing into nearly every subject. Here are some examples.

1. Social Studies. In combination with a climb, have students study about historical expeditions, such as the ones on Mount Everest. Have them locate various mountain ranges on the map and study them. Have them research the biographies and nationalities of various mountain climbers and local their home countries on a map.

2. Language Arts. Students can read about various expeditions and write reports covering the details. Details about both the climbers and the mountains they climbed can be researched and discussed.

Have each student keep a journal that details the climbs they have undertaken. Have them share details such as landmarks reached, improvement with each hike and lessons learned from the experience.

3. Math. How long did they walk? How how did they climb? Have them do detailed calculations on the scope of the climb(s).

4. Science. Rock formations, mountain formations, geographical features with the types of rock are all possibilities for studies. Nature observations are also a good idea, and many students will keep a nature journal to write and draw what they observe.

5. Art. A picture is worth a thousand words. Have students sketch what they see. Have them add in elements of depth and shading for realism.

Mountain climbing is more than just an exercise – it can be incorporated into an entire unit of study with some creativity and imagination. By reading biographies and other supplementary material, writing about what they have read and experienced and studying maps for a feel of the geography involved, mountain climbing can be a well-rounded study for any curriculum.

Filed Under: Adventure, Camping, Outdoors Tagged With: Climbing, Mount Everest, Mountain, Mountaineering

The Amazing Things That Fresh Air Can Do For You

October 22, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by lawgeek via Flickr

Ever feel stressed, tired, frustrated or angry? If you’ve answered yes to that then you’re probably human. If you’re like most people you probably don’t handle these types of emotions very well. There is however a secret cure that anyone can partake in.

Fresh air.

Fresh air is known to help a number of people overcome a laundry list of emotions and feelings that they’re dealing with. When you get upset and angry, consider taking a walk around the block. You come back to your house or apartment and you instantly feel better. Surprisingly it’s the fresh air that does it.

Some of the freshest, crispest air can be found while hiking to the top of mountains. For centuries people have used mountain hiking and mountain air as a form of relaxation and stress relief. Some of the world’s heaviest problems have been solved after taking a stroll up a mountain path. Think of all the old stories that involve having children or adventurers hike to the highest mountain to see a wise old man. It wasn’t the wise person who gave advice it was the mountain air that helped them figure it out. This might be a slight exaggeration but these stories do showcase how mountain air can help ease stress and solve problems.

In today’s society people carry a number of more modern concerns such as growing debts due to addictions to sports betting sites, divorce and marriage problems, world peace and even unemployment. While climbing to the top of a mountain won’t give you the instant answer to these problems, it can help you relax and be at ease for a little bit. The best part of this great relaxation method is that it is free and open to anyone who might feel stressed, angry or anxious. Try it out for yourself and see what fresh air does for you!

Filed Under: Adventure, General, Outdoors Tagged With: Asda, Bolivia, Cape Town, Hiking, Kathmandu, Mountain, Recreation, Recreation and Sports

Don’t Leave Home Without These Camping Trip Essentials

October 11, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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Camping is a great way to spend time with the family, enjoy nature, breath in the fresh air, and see new places. No matter if you are camping at a local family campground or going on an adventure in another state, a little planning in advance will make sure you packed all the camping trip essentials. Here is a camping trip essentials check list:

Food:
• Granola bars, trail mix
• Bread
• Cereal
• Crackers
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Milk
• Hotdogs
• Hamburgers
• Bacon
• Sandwiches
• Fresh fruits and veggies like apples, bananas, carrots, celery
• Canned beans, soup
• Peanut butter
• Water
• A few chocolate bars

Cooking and eating supplies:
• Frying pan
• Boiling pan
• Spatula
• Knife
• Tongs
• Silverware
• Paper plates
• Paper cups
• Aluminum foil
• Can opener
• Plastic bags or containers
• Dish soap
• Paper towels
• Sponge

Camping equipment:
• Tent
• Ground tarp
• Rope
• Mallet or hammer to drive tent spikes into the ground
• Matches/lighter
• Trash bags
• Camping stove or small grill
• Fuel, charcoal, fire starter

Personal needs:
• Sleeping bags
• Pillow
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Clothes, such as True Religion jeans
• Swimwear
• Rain gear
• Towel
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Razor
• Toilet paper
• Medication

First Aid:
• Band-aids, bandages,
• Tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Insect bite medication
• Burn ointment
• Aspirin, Ibuprofen

Miscellaneous:
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Camp chairs
• Camera, charger
• Cell phone, charger
• Sunglasses
• Coins for showers and vending machines
• Playing cards

NOTE: Make sure at least one relative knows your itinerary, cell phone number, and your vehicle’s license plate.

Of course, these are just suggestions and your list may change depending on your camping needs.

Filed Under: Adventure, Outdoors, Places Tagged With: Camps, Cooking, Outdoors, Portable stove, Recreation, Shopping, Sleeping bag, Toilet paper

Work Your Way Up To The Big Climb

September 24, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Mountain climbing can be a very rewarding and life changing event. While the actual climb is an experience to remember, the preparation that goes into making sure that the actual climb will happen is just as rewarding and life changing. Very few people realize the amount of preparation and training that goes into mountain climbing. It’s not as if you can wake up one day and climb a massive mountain. Here is a brief look at two of the types of training that go into preparing for the big climb.

Cardio Training: If you are a climber that hasn’t climbed in a while, your lungs might not be prepared to make that huge climb. Even if you have been climbing for a while, it is a good idea to prepare your respiratory system for the event. Engaging in cardio training is one of the recommended ways to get your breathing and pacing up. After all, you can’t prepare for a very active climb by sitting around playing online casino games. Cardio training can consist of walking on the treadmill, running, jogging, or anything that gets the heart rate up. This type of exercise and training will allow your body to adapt to the type of conditions that you will experience on the mountain climb.

Mental Training: Mountain climbing is just as demanding mentally as it is physically. There will come times on the climb where you have to push yourself beyond your limits or you reach an obstacle that you don’t’ think you can overcome. If you are not in the right mental mindset, you will not be able to overcome these types of obstacles. Meditation, knowing the course you will take in and out, and preparing for the type of conditions that you will meet on the climb will allow you to be mentally set for the climb ahead.

Filed Under: Adventure, Outdoors Tagged With: Climbing, Mountaineering, Physical exercise, Recreation

Snowshoeing vs. Skiing

August 13, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Snowshoeing might seem like a slow-paced, trudging way to climb a mountain, especially if you’re used to riding a ski lift. However, there are some definite benefits of snowshoeing that skiing doesn’t have. One obvious advantage of snowshoeing is that you’re getting more exercise. Skiers use their whole bodies to steer their skis, and it’s definitely a workout, but the trip up the slope is as simple as sitting in a ski lift and being carried to the top. Snowshoeing requires that you climb that slope. Walking on snow is more of a strenuous workout than walking on the ground, especially while traveling uphill. It will take longer to reach the top, but if you enjoyed the trip up, why not take your time?

Perhaps the prospect of having to climb back down the hill is what is deterring you from snowshoeing. With skiing, you can slide down speedily and enjoy the air flying past you. You can’t do that on a pair of snowshoes—but you can pull a plastic sled behind you on the way up, and ride it down the hill in a fun, speedy slide if you like! You can put your snowshoes into the sled, too, so everything that you brought up the hill can come back down with you–no need to climb the hill again if you don’t want to. There is something satisfying about climbing a hill and having a picnic at the top while enjoying the view; pull your backpack in the sled on the way up.

If you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, you should try renting a set of snowshoes and walking poles before investing in a set of your own gear. Dress as you would for a regular winter hike: warmly, with a hat, gloves, inner cotton or wool shell, and waterproof outside layer such as rain paints. Waterproof shoes are a must–if you wear wool socks, your can use regular leather hiking boots. Since snowshoeing takes considerably more effort than regular hiking, your body will generate enough heat to keep itself fairly warm so long as you keep moving.

Filed Under: Adventure, Places, Sports Tagged With: Hiking, Skiing, Snowshoe

Snowshoeing for Beginners

August 12, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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First, of course, rent or buy a set of snowshoeing gear: snowshoes and walking poles. Ask the person recommending the gear to help you ensure that they are the right size; sizing is very important for snowshoes, as it is based on your weight. Basically the heavier you are, the wider the snowshoes need to be to distribute that weight over the surface of the snow. Be honest about your actual weight, and count in the weight of any gear you’ll be carrying, or you could find yourself sinking through the snow rather than walking on top of it!

Walking in snowshoes is called stride. Your stride will be similar to walking without snowshoes, but you’ll have to straddle–walk with your feet further apart than usual–in order to keep the wide snowshoes from hitting together. Breaking trail is the term for creating a trail in the snow where it hasn’t been stepped on with snowshoes before. Breaking trail involves techniques called stamping and edging, but ways of placing weight on the edge of a snowshoe before pressing down into the middle so that the snow will pack down enough to hold your weight.

To turn around, you can’t just rotate–your snowshoes will catch in the snow. Instead, step in a circle by placing one foot at a 90-degree angle from the other, then placing the other foot to face in the same direction. Repeat this twice and you will have turned around to face the exact opposite direction that you had been facing before. There are five techniques for climbing hills in snowshoes, each suited for a different kind of slope; practice in your backyard before hitting the trails.

Snowshoeing is pretty straightforward in principal; walk on the snow. That can’t be that hard, right? There are a few differences between walking on snow (and in large, rounded shoes) than walking on the ground, though. Beginners to snowshoeing will have to relearn how they should stand if they have fallen down, turn around to face the other direction, and several other actions when they are walking on the white stuff. First, of course, rent or buy a set of snowshoeing gear: snowshoes and walking poles. Ask the person recommending the gear to help you ensure that they are the right size; sizing is very important for snowshoes, as it is based on your weight. Basically the heavier you are, the wider the snowshoes need to be to distribute that weight over the surface of the snow. Be honest about your actual weight, and count in the weight of any gear you’ll be carrying, or you could find yourself sinking through the snow rather than walking on top of it! Walking in snowshoes is called stride. Your stride will be similar to walking without snowshoes, but you’ll have to straddle–walk with your feet further apart than usual–in order to keep the wide snowshoes from hitting together. Breaking trail is the term for creating a trail in the snow where it hasn’t been stepped on with snowshoes before. Breaking trail involves techniques called stamping and edging, but ways of placing weight on the edge of a snowshoe before pressing down into the middle so that the snow will pack down enough to hold your weight. To turn around, you can’t just rotate–your snowshoes will catch in the snow. Instead, step in a circle by placing one foot at a 90-degree angle from the other, then placing the other foot to face in the same direction. Repeat this twice and you will have turned around to face the exact opposite direction that you had been facing before. There are five techniques for climbing hills in snowshoes, each suited for a different kind of slope; practice in your backyard before hitting the trails.

Filed Under: Adventure, Sports Tagged With: Shoe, Snowshoe

“Pay to Cruise”

August 11, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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When you take a cruise, you have several to choose from. You may want a cruise that will take you near the Sierra Wilderness so you can hike, fish, and hunt. You love being the Sierra Wilderness and a cruise that will take you near that would be perfection. Many times, we want to go with the cheapest thing we can find. It uses to be very expensive to take a cruise, but not now. Cruises have become a popular way to tour of vacation and this has caused Cruise Lines to offer more for less. A cheap cruise has many cost benefits for groups and families. One major benefit is cruises all in one packages. Once you have paid your cruise fee, you have covered your eating, lodging, and a series of entertainment options. This prevents the hidden cost you normally are hit with one vacations.

The opportunity to travel to different countries on one trip is another cost effective benefit to cruises. What other vacation you go on here you can say you have visited several countries for the price of one vacation. In addition, the fact that everyone can truly relax because no one is responsible for the transportation this is a priceless benefit.

Entertainment for everyone keeps you from having to pay several different adventures to satisfy everyone. Cruises offer you the royal treatment at no extra cost including spas, reading, games etc. The people aboard the cruise offer activities that suit all the different age group of children. All activities on the ship are closely monitored so for families it’s almost like free babysitting. Other staff members are on duty at all times to ensure the safety of the passengers.

The next time your family is on a budget and looking to find a good vacation, just look up a cruise. They take you to exciting places and give you plenty of activities. No need for transportation cost, extra cost for food, lodging is covered, and you get extras like massages and other top of the line treatment. This makes cheap cruises priceless.

Filed Under: Adventure, General Tagged With: Cruise, Cruise line, Recreation, Travel