Recreation

The Importance of Water on a Mountain Hike

November 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

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

Building Family Bonds with Mountain Climbing

November 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

Mountain climbing can be a fun sport to do alone or with a buddy, but it is also a great family activity, as well. Mountain climbing activities have been known to build family bonds and even make a family stronger then ever!

Here are some tips if you want to get the whole family involved.

1. Invest in the proper equipment for each family member.

Don’t skimp on equipment. Make sure that every family member has the proper shoes, clothing and other gear. Also make certain that every family member has a helmet that fits properly and is also appropriate for mountain climbing. For children, periodically check to make sure that their helmets still fit properly. Don’t have a younger child use an older sibling’s hand-me-down helmet unless it is in good condition and it fits properly.

2. Stress safety

Before going on a climb, go over the safety rules and guidelines. Go over what to do in case of an emergency. If you are climbing with children, make certain that each child knows what to do in an emergency – including an emergency that means Mom or Dad is unconscious. Have older children and teens responsible for younger ones. Instill the importance of the younger children following the instructions of the adults.

3. Make it a positive experience for everyone in the family

When on a climb, involve all of the family members with duties and responsibilities, with plenty of praise for a job well done. Make sure that you notice any improvement in the efforts of the children and/or spouse and draw positive attention to it.

Mountain climbing is a wonderful outdoor activity, and it is a healthy one that can bring your family closer together. Fresh air, exercise, and a positive environment that encourages learning new skills and helping other family members will make this an enjoyable pastime for the entire family for many years.

Filed Under: Camping, Outdoors, Wild Trip Tagged With: Climb, Family, Mountaineering, Recreation

Preparing for a Family Camping Trip

October 27, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

One of the most inexpensive vacations you can take is take your family camping. The children will have a lot of fun and it can be very relaxing for the parents. Before you go you will need to prepare for your upcoming trip.

The first step is finding state parks where you can camp and determining how far you want to drive. Once you decide on a destination make your camping reservation, you want to ensure you have a spot to camp when you get there.

You will need to purchase a tent you may choose one for the whole family could or buy two, one for you and your spouse and one for the children. It is a good idea to put them together before the trip just for a trial run. Make sure that you have all the hardware and poles together in one place after you take them down.

Make a list of the things that you need to bring. You will need at least 2 coolers for you food and drinks. Decide what you will be eating and pack that at the last moment. You will need a couple of fold up chairs, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. Do not forget medications for the family members and a first aid kit.

To keep the children occupied bring outdoor toys to pass the time. Plan to go on several nature walks and let them collect interesting rocks and things. The state parks generally have a nice playground area for the children to play on as well as restrooms with showers close to the camping sites. Since you will be outdoors for the majority of the time, for safety sake make sure to bring plenty of fresh water and fruit juice to keep everyone hydrated.

After camping you will be better prepared next time. This is a great way to bond with your children and make everlasting memories.

Filed Under: Camping, Outdoors Tagged With: Camps, Child, Recreation, Sleeping bag

Must Have Supplies Necessary For Any Hiking Trip

October 25, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by Never Stop Climbing via Flickr

Whether you are planning a one day hiking trip or a ten day excursion, taking the right supplies with you is essential. Always bring more than you think you need just to be on the safe side.

Any time that you go hiking the weather can change within minutes and you could find yourself in the middle of a rain storm. It is important to bring a rain coat or poncho along with a large backpack for all the supplies that you need to carry along.

Always pack food with you. You might choose to take a sandwich for your lunch along with dry snacks. Fresh fruit is easy to pack and carry along with granola bars, potato chips, trail mix and mixed nuts to keep you energized. You also need to keep your body hydrated so bring several bottles of water or fruit juices.

Wear comfortable clothing along with special hiking boots and a spare clothing in case you want or need to change your clothes. Pack things like a fully stocked first aid kit. Make sure you inventory the supplies that are in the kit and replace what you need.

It is nice to have a map of the hiking trails that you want to visit as well as a compass to follow in case you need it. If it starts to get dark have a flashlight on hand. You may have to purchase a hiking stick and knife, both of those items will come in handy on every hiking trip you take.

Some of the less obvious things you might need would be garbage bags, duct tape and string. Bring along some paper and pens so if you are in the mood to journal your trip you can. Perhaps a book or two is needed to read while you are resting. Do not forget and prescription medication that you take on a daily basis. All that is left to do is have a great trip.

Filed Under: Outdoors, Wild Trip Tagged With: Hiking, Potato chip, Recreation, Trail mix

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

Rock Climbing Safety

October 21, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

Rock climbing is exciting, dynamic, and ever-changing. Every new route is a slightly new experience, and depending on the angle of the wall or rock face, entirely different muscles will be called on to get you to the top. If you do bouldering, competition may require you to climb and dyno (jump) between handholds at high speeds. Of course you want to do well in the competition, but remember that your safety should always come first. Whether you are a beginner or you scale hundred-foot walls for fun, here are some tips to make your rock climbing hobby safer so that you can stop worrying and have fun instead!

Know What You’re Doing

If you’re very new to rock climbing, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Practice climbing indoors, on a wall with safety gear such as a rope and harness before you even think of attempting something like bouldering (a fast-paced rock climbing style that often is performed with no rope or harness, and that asks you to dyno more often than other styles.) Practice and memorize a variety of rock climbing techniques and holds before you attempt climbing an actual rock face.

Plan Ahead

As you’re climbing, plot which hold you’re going to reach for next, and with which hand or foot. Always have a plan, and ideally you should have a plan of what to do if that handhold doesn’t work out. For example, if you’re climbing an actual rock face the hold might not be as stable as it appeared, and crumble–what will you grab instead to steady yourself? You’re a lot more likely to actually grab onto the backup hold in time if you know where you’re going to reach for ahead of time!

Keep Your Gear In Shape

No amount of careful route plotting and training will help you if you take a fall on a worn-out rope. Worn-down gear can’t do its job, which is to keep you safe and to make your climbing experience more fun. Always keep your gear in good shape and treat it well, and it will do the same for you.

Filed Under: Outdoors Tagged With: Boulder, Cliff, Climbing, Commercial Gyms, Indoor, Recreation, Rock climbing, Rope

Taping Your Hands

October 12, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by photofish12 via Flickr

Unless you’ve got very calloused hands, climbing around and hanging from rough rocks by your fingers all day is going to be tough on your skin. Rock climbing can also put significant strain on your individual digits, especially those holds that leave you with only enough space to hang from one or two fingers. Some of them even require you to wedge a single finger into a crack and twist it in order to lock it in–all of the weight hanging from that arm is being placed on that finger!

While the weight won’t change if you do, wearing tape or gloves can help protect your hands from rough rock surfaces, and tape in particular can reenforce the tiny muscles in your fingers, reducing your risk of injuring them due to strain. Taping is the most common method of protecting the hands in rock climbing. Most rock climbing stores that sell gear for the sport also sell climber’s tape, but pressure-sensitive medical tape is more commonly used. Medical tape, which is adhesive, is preferred for a variety of reasons: it is strong enough to reenforce muscles, is designed to let skin breathe through it, leaves little to no residue when removed, and has a rough exterior texture that makes it ideal for giving athletes more grip when they tape their hands. Medical tape is used by athletes of numerous types, rock climbing being just one of them.

Typically, the fingers and joints such as the wrists are taped most often. One technique is to create a glove out of tape by taping the entire hand, but the most popular method of taping is to create “figure-eight” of sorts around each joint. Taping your fingers when training during recovery from an injury reduces the strain on the muscles; however, do not use this as a crutch. If you don’t reduce the intensity of your routine to allow your muscles to heal, all you’ll be doing is progressively injuring yourself further, so use common sense and don’t think of tape as an instant cure for injuries that might slow down your routine.

Filed Under: Outdoors Tagged With: Business, Climbing, Industrial Goods and Services, Packaging, Recreation, Rock music, Supplies, Surgical tape

Don’t Leave Home Without These Camping Trip Essentials

October 11, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

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

Rock Climbing Gear

October 11, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

For a demanding physical sport like rock climbing, safety is a big concern, especially since scaling rock faces hundreds of feet tall is not uncommon. Unless you’re into that adrenaline high that life or death situations provide so readily, you’re going to need safety gear. Also, climbing entirely unassisted is an impressive but difficult feat; most rock climbers utilize various climbing equipment such as belay and rappel devices to help them hold still and rest at various points during their ascent. “Gear” is what you wear, so pitons and other climbing tools aren’t listed here.

The most common rock climbing gear are as follows:

Rope: Climbing rope is essential for most rock climbing styles. Designed to catch you if you fall, a good rope is around 10mm thick and at least 50 meters long.

Webbing: Basically, flat rope. Great for tying gear to you and tying yourself to an anchor.

Carabiners: Little metal loops with spring-loaded openings at one point. Extremely useful for securing ropes, gear and you, these little guys can hold your weight despite their tiny sizes.

Quickdraws: Basically, two carabiners attached to either end of a short piece of webbing. Used to secure gear to you, your belt and anchors, and also great for reducing friction as rope slides between the attached pieces.

Climbing Harness: A typical rock climbing harness has belt-like loops that go around the waist and around each thigh. Has a lot of metal loops on it to secure you to your ropes, gear, anchors, and anything else you want to carry along without taking up your hands.

Chalk: Stored in a chalk bag that hangs on your belt, chalk comes in a variety of shapes, including powder and ball forms. As you climb, you dip your hands in to get them chalky, which helps you grip holds better.

Belay Devices: Various designs of device, all made to release your rope in controlled increments and at the speed you desire. Very helpful whether you’re using it or somebody else is using it to help you descend.

Protection: Helmets, padding, gloves, climbing tape and other gear designed to reduce injury should you fall.

Filed Under: Outdoors Tagged With: Belaying, Carabiner, Climbing, Climbing harness, Indoor, Recreation, Rock climbing, Rope