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Hiking is the Ideal Blend of Exercise and Fun

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

: Image by Al_HikesAZ via Flickr

Hiking is a fantastic way to get in some exercise and have fun at the same time. There are many reasons why hiking is such a great outdoor activity. It provides a cardio workout, overall fitness benefits and lots of fresh air. This is the main reason why hiking is referred to as a body exercise, everything is involved.

This is one of those activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family or alone. Those persons who love the outdoors can combine both loves into one. This activity can be done for an hour or longer depending on the hikers’ desires.

Many sports enthusiast are also avid hikers. They thrive on the challenges hiking can provide such as exploring mountains and forests. Few activities offer as many opportunities for exploring for the adventurous person.

If you need a chance to get away from it all for a while, this is a perfect way to do so. When it comes to stress relief, hiking is right up there with the best methods.

Tips for Hiking Comfortably

Hiking can be done safely and comfortably if done properly. Some tips to make hiking fun and safe include:

•Wearing properly fitting shoes is paramount. Close-fitting shoes, shoes with heels or too little traction on the bottom are definite not recommended.
•Bring water so as to keep hydrated. Drinking water from streams and rivers may seem like fun but it can be dangerous. Staying hydrated is especially important when hiking during summer months. Traveling with purification tablets is a good idea just in case you need to drink from a stream.
•If hiking for a long distance, learn the proper walking techniques to minimize soreness and prevent injuries.

Hiking is considered by many to be the perfect sporting activity. It is also one of a few activities that can be done year round.

Tags: Hiking, Outdoor activity, Outdoors | Posted in Adventures, All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques | No Comments »

Hiking and High Altitude

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

different kind of challenge in hiking is acclimating yourself to high altitudes. This especially holds true if mountaineering is your hiking brand-of-choice. It can be easy to forget that the air changes as you rise. You climb higher, the air gets thinner. Just because you’re still on terra firma does not mean the atmosphere remains the same. If you’ve ever read any mountaineering books, what can be most difficult about mountain climbing – aside from ascending any steep rock faces and escarpments – is getting used to the thinning air.

As you ascend and the air becomes thinner, you can feel almost asthmatic. No matter how deeply you inhale, you just can’t seem to get enough air. This is usually a sign that you need to stop, rest, and continue to get used to the thinning air. If you don’t rest and you continue to ascend without getting used to the new, lower levels of air and atmosphere, you may develop a case of Acute Mountain Sickness, or other types of Altitude Sickness, like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or High Altitude Cerebral Edema. Though these sorts of things usually happen at over 8,000 feet, they can be fatal, and if you don’t take necessary precautions, they are almost inevitable.

When you’re high up, drink a lot of water, eat a lot of carbs, and maintain a steady pace. Don’t overexert yourself, don’t stagger your energy output, and try to avoid medications and inhalants to address the symptoms of high altitude. Everything is more potent, and has different effects, at high altitudes. Alcohol, for example. It is easier to get drunk at high altitude, and someone with a normally high tolerance becomes an everyday lightweight above 8,000 feet.

The key to high altitude is pacing. If you have a long climb in front of you, rest a day or two at logical stopping points so you can get acclimated to the new air. A little deliberation could save your life

Tags: High altitude, High Altitude Cerebral Edema, Hiking | Posted in Adventures, Hiking Techniques | No Comments »

All About Caving!

Friday, July 30th, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

One of hiking’s subtypes is underground – literally. Caving. It’s exactly as the name implies. Hiking in caves. Like mountaineering or canyoning, caving (or spelunking) can involve a variety of hiking and climbing technique, and depending on where you are caving, it might even involve a bit of swimming or kayaking too. It’s an outdoor sport with a truly indoor mentality.

In caves, you will get chances to see wildlife and mineral formations you may never get to see on the surface of the earth – bats, spiders, worms, and even fish. And to the educated eye, a journey underground is an exploration of earth’s diverse and often violent past. Underground you can see millions of years into earth’s history, with fossils, sediment lines, and formations that have taken millions of years to arrive where they are now.

You should never go caving alone. Some cave systems have hundreds of miles of complexity, and if you get lost, there may be little or no chance of survival. Light is your best friend underground, and without a guide, and especially without light, one wrong step could mean a hundred-foot plummet.

Some caves are more well-explored than others, and there are usually guided tours through some of the more popular caves in the world. A lot of American caves, for example, have already been explored and you can see their tour advertisements listed on billboards for tourist attractions along most of America’s cross-country highways. Though, despite the casual appeal, there is a serious pursuit behind the practice, and new ways to challenge yourself as a hiker, climber, and caver.

If you’re caving, having a good light source and cave-map are extremely helpful. Cave systems are like earth’s capillaries, and are just as three-dimensional. If you’re not sure where something goes, don’t go there. It’s a simple rule to follow as you plummet into the bowels of the earth.

Tags: Cave, Caving, Show Caves | Posted in Adventures, Seasonal Hiking, Sports | No Comments »

Important Things to Bring on a Hike

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The best and most rudimentary form of exercise is a good, long hike. It’s easy to lace up your shoes, step out of the door, and wander into the woods. Some trails are easier than others, and some are more secluded. One of the reasons that anyone would want to hike is for the seclusion and to silence the outside world for a long morning afternoon.

However, weather can turn, you can twist your ankle, or get dehydrated easily depending on how hard you’re hiking or how dry the weather is. While it’s tempting to leave everything behind as you walk into the outdoors, there are a few things you can bring along to aide in your journey without bringing too much of the noisy world with them.

As always, a compass is a hiker’s best friend. Some trails dwindle and disappear and it’s easy to get lost in the woods. If you get lost, you can spend hours walking in circles without knowing it. If you know where your roads are and which direction is ‘out,’ then a compass get you out of an otherwise sticky situation.

Equally as important is remembering to bring along some water. Fill up a canteen and strap it around your shoulder, or invest in a backpack-style water bladder, which makes it easy to drink and easy to carry. If things get rough, you need to be able to think clearly, and staying hydrated is key.

Finally – and people don’t often consider the usefulness of this – bring a whistle. Say you’re hiking, you twist your ankle, and fall into a small ravine. You’re fine, but your leg is too hurt to crawl out. Yelling repeatedly can harm your throat and dry you out. You need to conserve energy and water incase someone doesn’t come by for a while. Whistles are louder than your shouts for help, and while they may annoy you, having one could possibly save your life.

Hiking can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Preparedness is key for enjoyment.

Tags: Hiking securty, Hiking stuffs | Posted in Adventures, All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking | No Comments »

Hiking Can Be As Dangerous As It Is Beautiful

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Though nature and its beauty has been romanticized by poets, photographers, and other artists for thousands of years, it can also provide a wide host of dangers. For the safety-conscious hiker, being aware of these dangers can – in some cases – make the difference between life and death. Different areas of the country pose different types of threats, so preparedness begins with one simple maxim: know where you are.

A lot of people have been deterred from all types of hiking altogether, as a fear of nature seems to be an endemic philosophy in our technological society. It is often portrayed in modern films as dominating, terrible, and absolutely unforgiving. While nature does operate with its own medium and mode, it is partially nature’s indifference which makes it so beautiful. Though it may be a bit abstract, it is important to regard nature as having a mind of its own, and approach it with respect and awe. In other words, serve it, and let it serve you.

Part of the process of respect begins with familiarizing yourself with the flora and fauna of the area. For example, diamondback rattlesnakes are much more of a threat in the Arizona deserts than they are in the Pacific Northwest. The English Yew, on the other hand, with its poisonous evergreen branches and toxic touch, is all over the Pacific Northwest, but nowhere to be found in the hot swamps of the Florida Everglades. Knowing what plants are poisonous, being able to identify toxic berries and mushrooms, and knowing venomous and non-venemous animal species involve a lot of research, but for the serious hiker, this knowledge can save your life.

For example, the difference between the highly venomous Coral Snake, marked by its red, yellow, and black rings, and the non-venomous, eerily similar Erythrolampurs Aesculapii, or ‘False Coral Snake,’ marked by its red, black, and yellow rings, is one that can keep you on the trails and out of the hospital.

Tags: Beautiful, Dangerous, Hiking | Posted in Adventures, All About Hiking, Sports | No Comments »

Hiking, Camping, and Fires

Friday, May 21st, 2010

If you are an avid hiker, chances are, you are a fan of camping and other outdoor activities too. And if you’ve ever been camping, you’ve probably had a fire going. Perhaps you were making some dinner, toasting some marshmallows, or maybe even boiling some water for some coffee. If you’re in the woods, having a good fire can be your best friend, but left untended or improperly prepared, it can quickly turn into your worst enemy. There are a few important precautions to take when you’re out spending a day in the woods, hiking, camping, and everything else.

First, whatever spot you pick to make a fire, do it away from brush, dry trees, and other fire hazards. Your best option is an open area in a clearing where sparks won’t jump from the fire onto a tree or a pile of dry leaves. To ensure the fire stays controlled, make a perimeter around it using rocks, dirt, sand, and whatever else might be used as a retardant. Finally, when you’re done with the fire, douse it amply with water and dirt to ensure that once it’s out, it stays out.

The embers at the root of the fire have a tendency to roost and reignite, so when you’re putting out a fire, mix it around and get it as wet as possible. And if you don’t have any water you want to spare, you can always urinate on the fire site too. It doesn’t smell the best, but it’s economical.

Finally, you should avoid making new fire sites whenever possible. The whole point of trail systems and prior camping sites is that you try to leave as little of a footprint as you can when you are out exploring the wilderness. The woods are to be respected, as are all the forces of nature, and nothing is more naturally destructive than fire. Therefore, in the woods, fire only when necessary.

Tags: Camping, Fires, Hiking | Posted in Adventures, Hiking Techniques | No Comments »

Hiking on the Prairie

Monday, April 26th, 2010

They used to say that, before the advent of the West in North America, a squirrel could go from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River without touching the ground. That is, before the true influence of agriculture in America, the country was wooded from coast to coast. Of course, this is a grossly simple oversight. Native Americans were tilling parts of the land before Europe arrived, though it certainly wasn’t as aggressive of a farming style as was the Europeans.

Nonetheless, America’s plains were maintained by the large herds of bison and other grazing creatures, and today they still stand as a testament to North America’s diverse animal history. The bison were slaughtered and most of the animals are gone, but the plains and prairies remain. And for hikers who are tired of the popularity of the woods and the attention those draw, prairie hiking is just as fun and exploratory of a way to experience America’s still ranging diversity of flora and fauna.

On the prairie there are insects and different kinds of birds and mammals that you wouldn’t otherwise see in the forest, and the range of grasses and flowers across the prairie is extensive. As you stand and look across the horizon of the prairie, it’s a different sort of feeling that you might experience simply looking through a screen of trees in the forest. You realize how truly large the land is.

One of the problems being in the plains, however, is the intensity of the sun and weather. If you’re out in the plains in the summer, bring extra water and sunscreen to shield you from the unforgiving rays and exposure to the sun itself. And if you’re in the plains during a storm, seek cover quickly, since lightning strikes have a potential to seek out the tallest object around. Other than that, enjoy the plains – a geography unique to America.

Tags: Hiking on the Prairie | Posted in Adventures, Seasonal Hiking, Sports | No Comments »

Using Insect Repellent on Hikes

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Hiking is the most rudimentary way someone can reconnect and reestablish themselves with nature. There are trees, brooks, creeks, stone formations, birds, and even the occasional wandering mammal. It’s easy for people to romanticize nature, because it can be beautiful and powerful. But, if we think about it hard enough, nature can also be pesky too. Specifically when it comes to insects. The drifting afternoon bumble-bee can be peaceful to watch as he drinks the pollen out of some swaying flowers, and as dusk settles, watching the lightning bugs flicker through the trees can be surreal and sublime, but what about other bugs? Spiders, beetles, caterpillars, and the worst of them all – mosquitoes.

A damp weekend can make for a bad month of hiking, with mosquitoes and their nests hiding even in dried, upturned leaves. While spiders, beetles, and other bottom-feeding or predatory insects can be intimidating, none of them are as pesky as the mosquito. Plus, mosquitoes, aside from leaving itchy bites, can also carry dangerous and possibly deadly viruses. Using insect repellant can help, though not all insect repellants are created equal.

If you want to lessen your chemical footprint and forego repellant, limit your time outdoors to late mornings and early afternoons. Mosquitoes seem to be outside more often from dusk to dawn. If you’re camping or having an outdoor barbeque, you can burn insect repellant candles, but bringing fire into the woods on a hike isn’t the best idea, in which case you need a good spray-or-rub-on repellant.

Products containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, or DEET serve as the best chemical protection against mosquitoes, and are available on the market in doses up to 100%, though you don’t really need anything with more than a 50% concentration. Eucalyptus oil has also been proven to work well as a repellant, if you are worried about DEET’s interaction with your skin. Additionally, you can get clothing laced with Permethrin, which not only covers the skin, but acts as a pesticide as well.

Because of the diseases carried by some insects, sometimes a repellant is the hiker’s best form of protection.

Tags: Hikes, Insect Repellent | Posted in Adventures, All About Hiking | No Comments »

Utilizing All Terrain When Hiking

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Most people usually stick to the trails when they hike, and they desire to use systems and roads already established – as well they should. Venturing off the trail can lead to a complicated set of problems that affect not only the hiker, but also the system hiked in to. There are, however, times when doing hiking off the beaten path is the hiker’s whole intention. Of course, this shouldn’t be attempted by everyone, but for the hiker looking for a new challenge, ‘rogaining’ is a perfect solution.

Rogaining is a hiking trip directed by direction and orientation. You face yourself in a certain direction, and utilizing systems of maps, compasses, and perhaps even global-positioning systems, you set out across a given country or land plot to your ultimate destination. Some people will have certain landmarks they wish to find on their rogaining trip, and orient themselves that way.

Rogaining gets its name from the first names of the principle men and women who invented the sport, Rod Phillips, Gail Davis and Neil Phillips, an Australian ‘rover’ crew who set out to explore their country in a 24-hour cross-country excursion. ROGAINE can also mean ‘Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance,’ and either use is correct.

The sport as a whole involves a lot of endurance, agility, speed, and know-how for navigating the complexities of any country’s geography and geology. You may happen upon a river, a canyon, a gorge, or an impasse, and know how to navigate those obstacles quickly, without losing track of your eventual destination. The sport is a good way to learn the countryside and implement endurance and survival skills. And if you’re good enough, you can join the annual Rogaine championships, usually held in Australia or New Zealand.

But the true attraction to the sport is its versatility. Pick your own checkpoints, make your own competition. Have fun.

Tags: Hiking, Terrain | Posted in Adventures, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking, Sports | No Comments »

Canyoning: For the More Adventorous

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

Traditionally, hiking is a fairly relaxed enterprise wherein the hiker has time to enjoy nature, wildlife, and scenery all while burning calories and connecting with the non-urbanized world. Of course, some people aren’t content to merely walk and dabble on light trails with small ascents and short, closed circuits. Sometimes you will be hiking and happen upon a creek, a boulder collection, or a tough root system, and then what do you do? The fledgling hiker might turn around, but the more adventurous among us will welcome the difficulty with open arms.

The hikers who found this challenge invigorating sought out new terrain to conquer, and soon enough, ‘Canyoning’ was born. Also called canyoneering, this form of hiking is a more down-tuned version of mountaineering, though often times it can involve just as much skill and tenacity as even the most demanding of hiking or mountain sports. Often times in canyoning, the same sort of equipment employed in mountaineering will be used, and sometimes, even technical jumping, swimming, and climbing will be involved.

The whole reason anyone might go canyoning is for the adventure. There is a feeling of exhilaration the hiker experiences when he or she conquers a tough hill, serious climb, or technical descent. Canyoning amplifies the challenge and therefore amplifies the exhilaration. When you steep rock faces, waterfalls, unpredictable terrain, and awesome interactions with nature, you get canyoning.

Some of the best places to canyon are in Australia, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the United States. Of course, different canyons offer different challenges, but the experience is the same. Dangerous and thrilling. Different skills can be utilized too, depending on the canyon. Of course, the canyoneer will have to keep an eye out for the occasional falling rocks, flash floods, and roosting snake, scorpion, or lizard, but sport provides awesome photo opportunities and a way to experience nature outside the pages of a book.

Tags: Costa Rica, Recreation, United States | Posted in Adventures, All About Hiking | No Comments »

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