Taking the Family on a Hiking Trip

May 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A team of Varsity Scouts getting ready to head... 

Image via Wikipedia

Hiking, backpacking and camping are among the top recreational activities for families for the weekend or even taking a mini vacation. Anyone that enjoys spending time outdoors will have a blast on a family hiking trip. You will need to plan ahead for a few circumstances that could arise, like bad weather, sunburn and fatigue from backpacking.

When you are taking the family on a hiking trip, go over all of the camping equipment that you will need to gather. Camping equipment like tents and backpacks should be purchased before your family trip in the outdoors. Using Canada 411 to find these things is an excellent option for convenience.

Backpacking requires some strength and stamina, so you should be sure that your entire family is in physically fit condition. Starting approximately four to six weeks before your trip you should incorporate some endurance training into the family time. Once a day, you should have an hour time slot for this important step before venturing out on a hiking trip. Begin your training sessions with stretching the muscles of both arms and legs before initiating a good cardio exercise regimen. The more exercising that your family can get in, the better for their stamina on the hiking trip.

Check the weather conditions before you head out on your hiking adventure. A day or two ahead of your trip scan the weather Doppler for any rain or other possible weather hazards that may hinder your family trip. If there will be a chance of rain, you will need to carry enough gear to protect yourself in the storm.

 

Filed Under: Camping, Hiking Tagged With: , ,

Don’t Rely Completely on GPS

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

While the invention of GPS is tremendously innovative, there are warnings that go along with them. Nothing is infallible in the world of technology and the GPS system is no different. Inaccurate directions, battery failure and simple mistyped information can lead to many complications when you rely on it for your camping or hiking adventure.

Anytime that the experience of hiking and outdoors adventures goes beyond our own knowledge and control, there are chances of mishaps. The best thing is to be self-reliant and self sufficient before you even plan your trip. Hikers and mountaineers should know how to prepare for the trip, recognize possible dangers and prevent the need for emergency assistance. Your map reading skills and survival intuition will be a couple of your best tools to take during your excursion. Electronics cannot be fully relied upon when it comes to safety in the outdoors. Many things can go wrong with devices like GPS and even cell phones, so it is best to be prepared before beginning your journey.

The unlimited battery life is another reason that the device could prove unreliable when you need it the most. If you were in the middle of an adventure through caves and caverns when your device lost battery, you would have to figure your way to your destination without it. It is recommended that you pack an extra amount of batteries, in case they start to lose their charge. Of course, this will depend on how much equipment that you have already packed because the batteries will add a bit of additional weight.

In other words, the two old sayings are correct; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a predicament, lost in the wilderness, wishing you had been smarter and safer so that you didn’t end up sorry.

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With:

Choosing the Right Daypack

January 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Whenever you are planning a camping, hiking or climbing expedition you will need a good, sturdy daypack for carrying your items. Having the right kind of pack for the adventure will make your entire outdoors experience better organized and more efficient. You can pick one of the panel loaders and top loaders, with optional compartments, depending on your outdoor sports activity.

The panel loading type of daypack is fastened with a U-shaped zipper around the front of the pack. When it is unzipped the flap falls completely open for full access. The wider opening pack allows for more organization when you are loading your gear and when you are looking for specific contents. Many students use this kind of pack for their school books and supplies, as well as trip leaders and parents.

The top loader type has a simple opening at the top of the pack that is secured with a drawstring or sometimes a zipper. This kind of daypack can be great for hiking with extra gear because it can be stuffed to capacity with such things as shoes, ropes, helmet and rack. There are also a few that include both options of a top loader and panel loader all in one daypack.

Choose the right size daypack for your purpose. The bigger capacities of about 40 liters are good for the trip leader that may need to carry more gear than the others. Primarily, the 30 liter multi-sport daypack is sufficient for most hikers and campers.

Think about what your standard load of equipment will be and find packs with specialized features like daisy chains, crampon patches and ice axe loops. Depending upon what you will be carrying and the amount of time that you will spend hiking, you might want to consider the kind of daypack that carries a couple of fresh water bottles so you won’t get dehydrated on the hike.

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: ,

Finding the Best Boots for Hiking

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWhen you are hiking, you are spending hours, if not days, on your feet. Your hiking boots are the only thing between you and the ground, so be sure to spend some time making sure that your boots are just right for your needs.
Buying new hiking boots is an important investment and one that takes a bit of preparation. First, as tempting as online sales may be, they are not the way to find the perfect boot. Fit is extremely important in hiking boots so it is imperative that you try on the boots in the store.
When you go shopping for hiking boots, it is a good idea to do a bit of walking first. The size and shape of feet changes as you walk on them, so go for a walk around the neighborhood or at least around the mall before you get fitted for your boots. Also, be sure to wear the same socks that you would wear while hiking. The idea is to replicate the conditions of hiking when you are fit for the boots.
Determine what your needs are before you start trying on boots. Do you need them to be waterproof? Do you need added grip on the bottom? The salesperson at a good outdoor supply should be able to help you narrow down the best style and brand based on your needs.
Finally, try on as many boots as you can. Spend some time walking around the store in the boots to check for pressure spots. Be sure that there is enough space in front of and above your toes. You also do not want to have too much room so that your foot slides around. If your heel is slipping out as you step, try a smaller size or a different brand of boot.
Consider these tips and you should be able to find the perfect boots for your hike!

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Photographing Wildlife

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Content

One of the incredible things about hiking is the wildlife that you might see along the way. Because you never know what you might see, it is an excellent idea to bring a good quality camera with you on every hike so you never miss a great shot.
There are many options for cameras that range from an inexpensive pocket camera to a professional camera with removable lenses. Choose a camera that suits your needs and your level of experience.
There is a large selection of digital cameras on the market that are portable and still take great shots. The advantage of a digital camera is that you can take many shots without worrying about using up your film. They also photograph quickly and will automatically adjust for light and distance. Get to know your digital camera before you take it on a hike. Know where the zoom is and how to change the light and zoom settings.
Many cameras offer a “macro” option that focuses on objects at close range. This is a great function to use when shooting flowers, insects or other objects extremely close up. Play around with the function and take shots with it on or off to see which you prefer.
There are also setting for shooting in low light on most cameras. This is a great function to use around dusk, but often it will only work well with the camera on a tripod. If you find yourself needing this function on a hike, try using a tree stump or balancing your camera on your backpack for a steady shot.
When hiking with your camera, always take the necessary accessories. Buy a good waterproof case for you camera that seals securely. This is an investment that will save you money in the long run. Also pack a spare memory card as a back up. This will allow you to catch every memorable moment on your hike.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What to Bring on a Hiking Outing

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentHiking is one of the most rewarding and physically exerting outdoor activities available. You spend hours or even days removed from civilization, so it’s important to be prepared for a long hike. To start, be sure you have all the hiking equipment you need to be safe and ready for any occasion.

One of the most important things to bring is water. You never know how far you’ll be from a safe source of drinking water, so bring as much water as you can comfortably carry. Inflatable water bottles are perfect for this; although they hold their shape like a regular bottle when full, they lie flat when empty. This saves space in your bags.

A hiking backpack is the perfect tool to sort all your hiking gear and carry extras of everything. Keep your gear as well as clothing within your bag. Pack enough clothing to be prepared for sudden weather changes; this is particularly important if the area you are in is susceptible to sudden heat waves or cold snaps. You should also have a pair of high-quality hiking boots to go with your hiking clothes.

Energizing foods are a hiking staple. Granola, granola bars, dried fruit, and trail mix are all healthy foods that are packed with nutrition. Don’t bring junk food or sugary, salty snacks; they’ll just drag you down and keep you from feeling your best. Bring enough to cover you if your hike happens to go longer than intended; it’s better to have food left over than to run out.

Being prepared for a hiking trip is incredibly important. It helps you stay safe, be prepared for any emergencies that come up, and have enough supplies for your fellow hikers. By bringing the right gear and supplies to your hike, you are doing everything you can to stay safe.

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Heaven in Hell Hole Reservoir

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Upper Hell Hole lake view looking north.
Image via Wikipedia

Despite its colorful name, Hell Hole reservoir is a beautiful and enjoyable place to camp. It was described by 1913 visitor and author George Wharton James as a “paradise”, filled with “delightful surprises”. The three and a half mile long artificial lake is maintained by the Upper Hell Hole Dam and divided into three distinct sections: Upper Hell Hole, the Narrows, and Lower Hell Hole.

There are two campgrounds; the first, Lower Hell Hole, is home to a ranger station and a paved boat launch area, which is the only point that has vehicle access. The second campground, Upper Hell Hole, can be reached in two different ways: by boat, or by hiking three and a half miles on a trail several hundred feet above the water level. The latter promises a spectacular view in the process, with the trail going across the breakwater of the dam.

Camping at Upper Hell Hole is free; there are 15 campsites and two pit toilets, but no trash service, so be sure to bring a secure container to hold your garbage during your stay. Streams and creeks are abundant near the campsites, particularly during snowmelt in the spring. The three-tier campgrounds have steps carved into the granite to navigate between them, and camping is allowed wherever the wild terrain will allow boat landings along the lake’s shoreline.

For a fun day on the lake, visitors can canoe, kayak and ride small motor-powered boats. The tendency toward high winds during the afternoons discourages visitors from outright sailing. Due to the small number of campsites, the lake is rarely crowded, even in the height of summer. There are numerous small granite “islands” to explore on the lake, as well; depending upon what time of year it is, they may appear larger or smaller. The peak month for high water levels in Hell Hole reservoir is May, after which levels start to gradually go down again.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Adventure, Outdoors Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mount Rainier: A Hiking Intorduction to One of the US’s Most Dangerous Mountains

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
GRAND CANYON, AZ - JUNE 10: A National Park S...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Mount Rainier is one of the largest mountains in the North American region. It stands at close to 14,400 ft above sea level and is located southeast of the Seattle area. Any mountain climber that has ever had a desire to climb one of the fiercest and most dangerous mountains should consider hiking somewhere on Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier has over 300 miles of set trails all along the mountain that hikers can enjoy. Since the mountain is located in the northwest of the United States the majority of the hiking trails are open from late May to early September.

You’ll never know what to expect when hiking in this area. There is a wide range of weather and outdoor scenery that can be experienced when hiking along Mount Rainier trails. For example, if you are hiking along the trails in late May you are likely to get beautiful views of the glaciers and snow. If you head to the trails in September, you’re likely to encounter low areas of fog, rain and the beautiful leaves changing colors.

A special trail known as the Wonderland trail, allows hikers the unique opportunity to hike all around Mount Rainier. This hike takes anywhere from 10 to 14 days but allows hikers the unique opportunity to experience every part of Mount Rainier, as each side of this mountain has a different landscape, views and scenery.

Hiking along the designated trails on Mount Rainier does not require any special types of permits. However, if you are a hiker that enjoys going off the beaten path, then a permit is required from the National Parks Service. This is to prevent too many people from hiking in what is known as the back country of Mount Rainier and it allows the environmental impact of these hikers to be reduced.

If you’re looking for a challenge, consider taking a hike along one of the United State’s most dangerous mountains, Mount Rainier.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Adventure, Hiking, Wild Trip Tagged With: , , ,

Little Heard of Climbing Mountains Experience: Ruth Mountain

November 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Torii near summit of Mt. Fuji, Honshu, Japan v...
Image via Wikipedia

When it comes to hiking and climbing mountains most people have heard of the more traditional mountains. There’s Mt. Rainier, Mt. Fuji and even Mt. Everest. Those are some of the tallest and most well known mountains in the world. However, if you are just starting out and exploring this new outdoor sport you might not be up to trying out these well known mountains. That’s where these little known hiking mountain trips come into effect.

Some of the mountain ranges that are within the United States have varying difficulties when it comes to the type of hiking that is required. If you are just starting out with climbing mountains it is a good idea to start off with a relatively easy mountain range. In the northwest that mountain range would be the Cascade Mountains and the little known easy mountain climbing experience would be trekking to the top of the summit of Ruth Mountain.

Ruth Mountain is a pyramid shaped mountain peak located in the Cascade Mountains in the area of the Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker area. This peak of a mountain is located to the east of Mount Baker and is considered by those in the hiking world as an easy hike. It is best known for having the most beautiful view of Mt. Shuksan, the highly pictured mountain of the Snoqualmie-Mount Baker ski area. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle!

Ruth Mountain is an easy hike because it requires very little equipment. It is recommended that those who are hiking to the summit take an axe and crampons but they might not be needed to make it to the top.

Reaching the top of Ruth Mountain can be achieved in one day. From the trail head that leads to Ruth Mountain all the way to the summit of it is a round trip of 12 miles. Climbers will ascend to 4000′ above sea water with this hike.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Hiking, Outdoors Tagged With: , , ,

Why Sunscreen is Important on a Mountain Hike

November 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
MOBILE, AL - MAY 14: George and Tanya Evans o...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

You’re getting ready for your big mountain hiking event and you get your list of essential items. Some of the items seem as if they would be required such as walking stick, canteen, boots, long pants. Then you come to the item that stumps you: the sunscreen.

Why would you need sunscreen when you are going on a mountain hike? When you look at mountains they have snow, clouds and rain so why would sunscreen be an essential hiking tool.

Sunscreen is an essential item because of the amount of sun that is present on the mountain. Although you might not be able to see it, there are intense UV rays that are beating down on the body. The UV rays are actually more intense the higher up you go on a mountain because of the higher altitude.

To prevent any type of burning or sun related problems sunscreen is recommended. Simply put the sunscreen on as if you were going outside on a sunny day. This means putting the sunscreen on a good 30 minutes before you plan on going out. It also means that you should be reapplying the sunscreen every 2 to 4 hours as directed on the bottle of the sunscreen.

Should you not put sunscreen on before your mountain hike you could face a number of issues. The main problem with no sunscreen is that of sunburns. Sunburns can be very painful and often take days to heal. By just putting a bit of sunscreen on you can prevent this. Other more serious issues from not wearing sunscreen include that of skin cancer. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to the UV rays could lead to skin cancer and other more serious issues.

Before you head out on that hiking trip consider packing extra sunscreen. You can prevent a lot of pain if you just lather up before hand.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Hiking, Outdoors, Wild Trip Tagged With: , , ,
« Older Posts