| |
| |
|
Outdoors Information |
|
|
|
4 Steps to an Enjoyable Hike
Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort has been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national park systems. In honor of their efforts, let's break out of our winter hibernation and venture into the crisp, clean outdoor air and hit some of those dirt trails. Let's Go Hiking! Here are 4 steps to having an enjoyable hike, no matter where your feet decide to take you. 1. Know the area you will be hiking in to. Although many states, like California, Colorado, or Wyoming have exceptional hiking hot spots, even your local park will have some kind of useful information. Whether it's a website with information and trail details, or a map at the park office, trailhead, or visitor center, always check before you head out on your hike so you know what to expect. 2. Know the conditions you will be facing, wherever you go. Nothing is worse than traveling to a hiking destination only to miss the hike, because it was raining or freezing and you weren't prepared. If the trail is flooded out, or snowy conditions have shut it down for an extended period, you should be able to find this out as well. It is also good to know if there are any plants or animals to watch out for at your hiking location. Wiping with poison ivy won't feel good in the morning. 3. Wear clothing that works and fits the terrain and hike conditions. There are many options in your clothing arsenal, to keep yourself comfortable, here are a couple of pointers: - Try and stay away from cotton. Instead, look for synthetic and natural fibers that pull moisture away from your body, or at least stay warm when wet. - Also, go for layers to keep yourself warm, versus carrying around a huge parka, in case you are hit by a freak snowstorm. - The two most important pieces of clothing for any hiker, are good socks and good shoes. Don't underestimate the pain a hike can cause with uncomfortable shoes and socks. - Finally, a hat in cold weather is a great addition, since your body loses over half its heat through your head. 4. In addition to knowing the weather conditions, you will need to be prepared with a first aid kit that's appropriate for the hiking you will be doing. In most cases a simple kit will do. You can pick up a simple first aid kit at a local department or sporting goods store. Or you can build you own, which should include these basics: - Different sizes and shapes of bandages and gauzes. - Various types of tape for wounds or fixing tools. - Suntan lotion. - A light emergency blanket (preferably with some kind of water resistance). - Aspirin, allergy, laxative, and anti-diuretic medications. - Small multi-use tool with a knife, scissors, and a needle and thread. - A cell phone can come in very handy in emergencies. It's a good idea to pack all of this in a waterproof bag or container. Using these tips, your next hiking adventure should be quite comfortable, safe, and enjoyable! Additional information and resources for this article can be found at: http://www.dohiking.com/articles/56/4-steps-to-an-enjoyable-hike/ © 2005 This article is provided courtesy of DoHiking.com This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.
MORE RESOURCES:
Outdoors - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Unforgettable White Mountains Vacations - The Most Scenic 100 Miles in New England This amazing drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire has a gorgeous vista at every turn, oodles and oodles of family vacation fun, and a visit to the home of the world wind speed record. Just keep reading to discover a remarkable trip on your White Mountains vacation. Bird Watching Journals - Preserve Your Bird Watching Experiences Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your bird watching experiences can fade with time. Top Five Honeymoon Safari Destinations In Africa An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate your marriage.The pampering that you get is second to none and the surroundings are as beautiful as you will get anywhere in the world. The Royal Barge Procession - Splendor on the Chao Phraya River The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare occasions, is a spectacular royal armada on the Chao Phraya River. This procession is normally conducted on the following occasions: When the King ascends the throne. Its an Alien World in Every River When you look at a river, what do you see? A few flies on top? A fish or two?Look closer.Lay down on your chest at the side of the river and stare down into it. Tom Sawyer Day - Floating Down The River There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer Day. I promised my friends an adventure-disaster, sure to get them wet and cold. Spanish Courses in Spain Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish.. A Thumb Sketch Outline of Tanzania's Attractions and National Parks The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. Discount Lift Tickets - Learn what Colorado Ski Resorts Do Not Want You to Know! How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts in Colorado including Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek.The ski resorts make it difficult for anyone coming from out of state to get a great deal on lift tickets. New Technologies in Camping and Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Outdoor Experience Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the outdoors. The weather needn't be an obstacle to what sorts of climates and places you might trek to. Greek Food A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of hot and cold plates known as mezedes. Soups are few but they are meals by themselves. Costa Rica White Water Rafting Trip Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible for one of the best white water rafting river choices in the world. Experienced rafting outfitters regularly run about half a dozen of rambunctious rivers, and those river trips not only provide plenty of excitement, but also allow enjoying gorgeous scenery. Yachats, OR: An Outdoor Lovers Paradise on the Oregon Coast There is something about a town tucked between the mountains and the sea. Often, it feels like one has reached the far end of the world when he or she arrives in a place like this. You Might Be An Ultralight Backpacker If... If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good idea," to more than one of the following, you might be an ultralight backpacker. They are collected from various lightweight backpacking forums. Rigid Inflatable Boats A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat with air inflatable collars. RIB hulls are made of fiberglass, aluminum or composite materials. The Best Backpacking Food Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner. There really is no "best" backpacking food. Campsite Meal Planning and Recipe Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals are one of the most memorable aspects of any camping trip and if one meal is a disaster you will never hear the end of it. Alternatives to Pressurized Fuel Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where they held a Pressurized Fuel Training session. The focus of this training was to teach leaders what they should be teaching boy scouts about safety rules for using primarily cooking stoves, but also lanterns and heaters that use propane or liquid fuels under pressure. Safety Tips While Walking in the Spanish Countryside Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit - including an elastic bandage, gauze pads, antiseptic cream and antihistamine tablets.Mobile Phones - Always tell at least one person where you will be walking and the estimated time you will be out. Visiting Croatia Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good reason. The rocky coastline continues for 1778 kilometres and includes pine-fringed coves, wide sandy beaches and cozy inlets.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
