What Do I Take For My First Backpacking Expedition?

Backpacking can be fun and rewarding. However, it can also be very dangerous if there is not careful preparation. A hiker never knows what peril may be lurking off in the woods. But isn’t that exactly why we enjoy it?

Always be prepared. A backpack needs to carry all the essentials for the trail and a few things for emergencies. However, you don’t want to tote around a lot of needless items with you all day either. This can be a very delicate balance to achieve.

You will want to carry along enough water for the hike. This means you will need about a half a liter per hour. The best estimate is to figure you can hike about 2 miles per hour. This allows for terrain changes and challenges. So you need about a liter per every 2 miles of the hike. And throwing in an extra bottle is not a bad idea since you never know when you may need a little extra. If you get lost, or need to wash an injury you’ll want to know you have plenty of water to sustain you.

There should always be some snacks included even if it is a relatively short hike. One of the worst feelings in the world is to be a few miles from civilization and being famished. If you are embarking on a long day hike you’ll want to plan for three meals plus a couple of snacks. Dried fruit and nuts are always a good and light option if you are going on a short day hike.

Include a small first aid kit that will hold a couple of Band-Aids and some antibiotic ointment. There are tons of things that can be included but these are most necessary. And always make arrangements for emergencies. This will help you to cope with any problems that could arise when you are hiking. Another thing that you should remember is to bring a roll of toilet paper or tissue – just in case! You never know what may happen on a day hike!

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How Do I Find The Best Hiking Trails?

Hiking trails are as varied as those who travel on them. It is very likely that if you do a small bit of research you will find that there are many in the area in which you presently reside. They are just there, waiting for you to come play! Hiking trails can be a very rewarding past time. But it can be difficult to get started. It is not very difficult to find the right trail on which to begin.

Most of the time trails are classified according to difficulty. There are easy trails; which means the terrain is predominantly flat and there are not many obstacles along the way. These are the least strenuous to hike. There will not be any big rocks to climb or mountainous sections. It may have some gentle slopes or hills but nothing too big or challenging.

The moderate classification is for those who are at least somewhat experienced at hiking. The overall terrain is a little more difficult to navigate. There may be some areas where quite a bit of climbing may be necessary. There may be some large formations and rocks as well as water that may need to be crossed to complete the journey. The hills in this classification will be somewhat steeper and trickier to navigate. If you have already been on a few trails go ahead and try the moderate ones they can be lots of fun and very rewarding to complete.

Save the difficult trails until you have explored many miles and varieties of hiking trails. They will offer the most complicated landscape. There may be rocks and cliffs that will have to be carefully climbed. These may be in mountainous regions and require much preparation before attempting. Those categorized as difficult will need careful consideration and miles of experience before undertaking.

Since there are many health benefits that are associated with exercise, anyone who wants to have good health should start hiking. So, set some goals for hiking, start out slowly and enjoy! This will help you to enjoy good health and also commune with nature!

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What the Devil? The Curious Names of Hiking Trails

Hiking carries numerous benefits with it. Your body gets exercise. Your lungs can breathe the cool, clean, crisp air. You can revel in your unbounded creative juices away from the chaos of your everyday life. Your soul can recharge. Hiking is great in so many ways, but perhaps the most delightful benefit of hiking is the exposure to the excellent trail names. Here for your delight are a few of the different categories you might run into while out enjoying your hike.

Local Landmarks
While these names are useful in terms of finding your bearings, they are not exactly the most eclectic or imaginative of hiking names. You may run into such trails as Big Dry Creek Trail, Narrow Gorge Trail, or Cedar River Trail on your adventures.

Animal names
These names are a little more colorful, if more difficult to decode. A trail with a name like the Serpent’s Tail could mean lots of switchbacks, or maybe numerous snakes that like inhabit the path and its nearby shady places. With a name like the Galloping Goose Trail, who knows what could be in store for you.

The Devil
This is one of the most popular and wicked sounding components of the names of various hiking trail, and a good warning of what may be coming. Whether you are trying to tackle the Little Devil’s Step or whipping up something vicious in the Devil’s Kitchen, beware. The inclusion of this name usually means something rather challenging is up ahead.

Regardless of where you hike, you are bound to run into some interesting trail names, and the stories that are behind them. As you begin to hike more areas and in more states, start collecting these quirky names. Keep a list of the interesting names, and what those names mean in terms of difficulty and enjoyment. Maybe someday in the future you can be the world’s great expert of the curious names of hiking trails.

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The Grand Valley: A Plethora of Hiking Options in Grand Junction, CO

Situated about halfway between Salt Lake City and Denver, the Grand Valley in western Colorado is an outdoor gem filled with numerous hiking possibilities. From end to end, the Grand Valley encompasses four towns in total: Grand Junction, Clifton, Fruita, and Palisade. You can set up your base in any one of these cities, but Grand Junction, as the largest of the towns in the Grand Valley, is your best bet for a springboard to any of the awesome hiking areas that surround it.

One of the best hiking getaways near the Grand Valley is the Colorado National Monument. The Monument has been a national park since 1911 after John Otto, a local canyon enthusiast, campaigned to have the area designated as such. Overlooking the Grand Valley, the Monument is filled with canyons plunging to depths of 500 feet. It also boasts soaring monoliths of rock, going up to 450 feet in height.

You can hike on any one or all of the Monument’s 14 hiking trails, but the Serpent’s Tail is a popular choice. It covers about 2.5 miles, and was the original dirt road used to access the Monument. If you happen to enjoy biking in addition to hiking, try tackling the winding road up along the face of the Monument as a challenging bike path.

Once you have had a taste of the Monument’s hiking delights, check out two of the Grand Valley’s other excellent hiking possibilities: the Mesa and the Book Cliffs. The Mesa offers many hiking trails, lakes for fishing and boating, and camping sites. The Book Cliffs run along the north side of the Grand Valley and offer more of a desert hiking environment. In the Book Cliffs, you may even catch a glimpse of some wild horses if you are lucky.

Regardless of which destination you choose, the Grand Valley can offer many great panoramas and sites for memories. Try it out on your next outdoor adventure.

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The Playground of Poets: The Creative Benefits of Hiking

People often extol the physical benefits of hiking when listing the reasons that you should take up this new pastime, but they do not often list the benefits creatively or emotionally that can come from exploring mountain paths. Lest you forget you can enrich your mind while also exercising your body, here are a few reminders of the ways that hiking can exercise your creative spirit.

Fresh Air
Fresh air is a good thing for your body physically, but it is also a boon to your creative soul. Feeling like you can breathe more easily and more cleanly will make you feel like your creative tendencies can move more freely and easily as well. Breathe deeply, and let the creative juices breathe as well.

Space to Think
Similar to fresh air, the wide open spaces you often find while hiking can be a catalyst for creative ideas. Those newly born ideas need a little space in which to grow. What can be better for your creative impulses than having the whole of a canyon or acres of forest in which to roam free?

Connection with Nature
Many great works of literature and poetry have their inspiration in nature. While you are enjoying the fresh air and open spaces of the outdoors, allow yourself to revel in the wonders of the natural world.

Time to Yourself
Especially if you have family or friends who can demand a lot of your attention and time, hiking can be a great excuse to get away by yourself for a little while, and tone down the chaos of your everyday. You can open yourself up to your creative side, and listen to its whispers that usually get drowned out in the clamors of the day.

Even if you can’t snag some hiking time to yourself, the memories you create with your friends and family can be also a ripe source for material. Don’t be afraid to invite them along.

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From Couch Potato Friends to Hiking Companions: A Convincing (Partial) of the Numerous Benefits of Hiking

Have you ever tried to round up a few friends for a fun weekend filled with hiking, and only been met by blank stares and uninterested gazes? If your friends are not already hiking enthusiasts, you may have a difficult time convincing them of why they should they should accompany you. Here, to help you out the next time you try to dredge up some companions for your weekend outdoors, are a list of some of the benefits of hiking.

The Exercise!
While this is, of course, the first benefit that comes to mind when talking about hiking, this probably should not be the benefit with which you begin the discussion with your couch potato friends. Wait until you have convinced them with some of the other reasons, and have them walking on the trail beside you, before you bring up the fact that they are actually burning calories for a change.

The Food!
When you really think about it, is there anything more delicious than trail mix and jerky? Well, maybe not mixed together. While you can eat these food anytime (and let’s be honest, you probably do), they never taste as delicious as when you feel like you have truly earned them.

The Fun!
If neither of the other benefits listed above work, go with the fun that you and your other friends will be having without your couch potato friends if they do not come, too. No one likes to be left out, even if they have to walk a little to be part of the in-crowd.

There are tons of other benefits of hiking, but start with these few. The list of hiking benefits can go on and on when you really think about it, but try not to overload your new hiking companions at first. Give them a taste of the sweet hiking life, and let them uncover the rest of the joys for themselves. And go easy on ‘em!

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place – Why You Should Never Hike Alone If You Can Avoid It, and What to Do If You Can’t

While you may enjoy the time alone which hiking by yourself provides, hiking alone can be more dangerous than hiking with another person. Though they may intrude on your “inner-peace seeking,” their very presence can provide a sense of added safety and security to your trip. Here are some things to consider and tips on what to do if you ultimately can’t find anyone who is willing to accompany you.

Tell your hiking plan to someone at home.
Be sure to tell someone where you will be going hiking for the entirety of your trip, and stick to that itinerary. It may be tempting to change plans at the last minute, but it could be more difficult to be found if you get into any trouble.

Bring extra supplies of food and water.
Seasoned hikers do this without thinking, but sometimes it is good to have a reminder of how important it can be. While it may mean carrying a few extra pounds in your pack, you will be glad for having carried the extra weight with you if you happen to run into trouble and become delayed.

Have extra clothes and blankets on hand.
If you were only planning on a day hike, you could feel extremely worried if you are unprepared to spend the night. Having warm clothes, or layers of clothing, can help you survive the night, as can that blanket you packed.

Pack an old fashion map.
You may have a GPS device, a cell phone, or any other piece of magical modern technology, but you can never guarantee that these will work 100% of the time. Carry a paper map of the area you will be exploring. It is lightweight, reliable, and could be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Whether you are alone or with friends, hiking can be an enjoyable outdoor activity if you are well-prepared for any potential problems. Once you are ready, head out and have fun!

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A Blessing or a Curse: What to Consider When Buying Your Next Pair of Hiking Shoes

Shoes in shoe covers

Image via Wikipedia

Walking in the woods, whether by yourself or alone, is a relaxing and enjoyable experience – unless you are in agony with every step you take. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind the next time you go shoe-shopping and are facing the rows of possibilities.

Know what you need.
First and foremost, you should be sure to know what you need from your hiking shoes. Are you going to hike in a specific environment? Do you only go hiking during a specific season? Will you be taking more leisurely hikes, or scrambling over rocks and through water? If you plan to use these shoes occasionally to take a stroll on the well-worn path, you may not need as many high-tech features in your new hiking shoes. If you plan on hiking a mini-Everest anytime soon, you may want more of these features (and should be willing to pay a little extra for the comfort they will provide).

Check out the specs.
Now that you know how you plan to use these new shoes, look for certain specifications in your shoes. Are they waterproof, or water-resistant? Do they have good, gripping tread on the bottom? Are they thick and warm, and/or breathable? Do they lace up securely on your feet? Think about all of these aspects while you are trying on different pairs to see how comfortable they feel.

While you are shopping, get some socks to go with your new shoes!
A good pair of warm, comfortable socks can go a long way toward making your hike more enjoyable as well, so pick up a pair or two while you are shopping, preferably one that can wick away the moisture from your feet and keep them dry.

Finding the right pair of hiking shoes is imperative, as they can be a blessing or a curse on your next hike. Good luck with your shopping and your first hike in your new shoes.

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High-Altitude Sickness: The Toll of Hiking in High Elevations

Nothing beats a day of hiking in the clear, crisp mountain air, but there is one additional danger which this high-altitude paradise can present. Whether or not you are used to higher elevations, there is always a danger of high-altitude sickness if you are heading higher up. Here are a few of the signs of high-altitude sickness that you should watch out for, and what to do if you think you may have it.

Signs of High-Altitude Sickness

Usually, people begin to experience these symptoms of high-altitude sickness within two days of reaching a higher elevation. Keep an eye out for these symptoms. While all of these symptoms can appear by themselves or in other contexts, having more than one of these while at a higher elevation could be a cause for concern.

1. Unable to sleep
2. Decreased appetite, nausea, or vomiting
3. Headaches
4. Fatigue
5. Feeling breathless
6. Face, hands, and/or feet swelling

How to Prevent or Treat It

Luckily, the human body is adept at acclimatizing to higher elevations, but it helps if you can move gradually up in elevation and not rush too quickly to the mountain heights. If taking your time is not an option, here are a few other strategies to try.

1. Drink lots of water.
2. Take it easy for the first couple days, and give your body time to adjust.
3. Avoid alcohol – you’ll feel the effects of it more severely at higher elevations.
4. Talk to your doctor – he/she may be able to prescribe medicines to help treat high-altitude sickness.

Remember, just because you have escaped high-altitude sickness in the past does not mean that you are forever safe from getting it. Any time you are heading to the higher elevations, be sure to pay attention to your body and the possible toll the altitude could be taking. Other than that, enjoy the bright blue sky and the clear mountain air.

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Breathe That Mountain Air: Things to Consider When Hiking in High Elevations

If you have never been up in the high mountain air, you may not realize what a toll a high elevation environment can take on your body, especially if you are planning on doing any kind of physically demanding activities while there. Here are a few points to help you more easily adjust to the rigors of mountain hiking.

Drink Water – While it is no secret that you should stay well hydrated whenever you are being physically active outdoors, drinking water becomes even more important in the high elevation. Carry plenty of water with you, and remember to take sips throughout your hike.

Wear Sunscreen and Reapply It If Needed – When you are up in the mountains, you are literally thousands of feet closer to the sun and its potentially skin-burning rays. While you may not think a few thousand feet can make a difference, they do. Protect yourself by applying, carrying, and reapplying sunscreen if you are going to be outside for a long period of time.

Take It Easy – No one will doubt your hardiness if you need to take it a little easier up in the mountains. For one, there is less air available to your lungs the higher up you go, and you’ll find yourself winded much more quickly than you get lower down.

Cooler temperatures – The temperatures are lower the higher up you go, so be sure to bring along warmer clothes than you have been wearing at lower elevations. You will need them.

Watch Out for the Signs of High-Altitude Illness – This is the most important point to remember about your upcoming high elevation adventure. Monitor yourself, and take action if you start to have headaches, difficulty sleeping, stomach problems, or dizziness.

There may seem to be more dangers in high elevation environment, but the sky looks bluer and the air feels crisper. Go prepared, and your mountain hike will be worth the trouble.

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