hiking Archives - Tammie's Take~

4 Items You Need To Take With You When Going Hiking

Reviews · July 12, 2018

Hiking involves traversing over a variety of different terrains, so it’s vital that you’re aware of what to expect on each and every route you take, and that you wear comfortable footwear first and foremost. Since you’ll be wearing a backpack for the entire duration of your hike, you’ll have to emit some items and choose only the ones that are going to be the most useful to you. You should ensure that possessions you decide to pack are lightweight so as not to slow you down and tire you out before you’ve finished. Hiking can be treacherous if you’re not experienced, so you must stay as safe as possible and take the recommended essential items with you.

Experience

That’s right, you should take your thinking hat with you when approaching the prospect of hiking, especially if you’re going alone. You will need to think logically, and use your common sense to help you navigate getting around. You should be familiar (through map reading and research) with the paths you’re planning to take, and have a head full of suggestions, recommendations, and advice from experienced walkers and hikers. If you’re relatively new to hiking, then be sure to begin with the simple climbs and work up from there. Hiking in Bryce Canyon, for example, allows you to choose from five trails starting with Navajo Loop and increasing up to the more challenging hikes like Peekaboo Loop and Fairyland Loop.

Maps

If you’ve decided to go off grid for a while, then you’ll have to rely on the guidance of an area map and a compass. Before departing, always make sure that the map you’re using is the newest one to date, and that the compass you’re using is reliable. Track your route as you go, so that you know how far you’ve walked and how many more meters you have to go before you finish or find a camp. This way, you can figure out where you’ll be come sunset, and how to ration food and water if necessary. Keep the maps you use in a waterproof sleeve to ensure that you can use them come rain or shine.

A Safety Box

Inside this box, you should include matches, a windup torch, a whistle, and a first aid kit. Safety is paramount when you’re hiking, and you have to remember that you could potentially run into danger at any time. To signal distress, you should give three short blows on your whistle, and consider starting a fire to alert others to your need for assistance. Ensure that the box itself is robust enough to survive a fall from a height should it be knocked out of your bag and down a rock face, while still being lightweight and waterproof.

Calorie Dense Foods

Always remember to pack high-calorie foods with you when you set off in search of a hiking and trekking adventure. Routes and trails don’t always go exactly to plan, and you might find yourself lost, or accidentally having added many more miles onto your journey. Pack your bags with enough energy bars to last you for the entire trip, and preferably with ones that contain the likes of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, oats, honey, and dark chocolate.

How to Plan a Successful Hiking Trip

Reviews · July 12, 2018

Nature has so much to offer. Not only does it offer some of the most beautiful landscapes we can enjoy, it is also imperative for our health and happiness. Getting out into wildlife and away from the city is the best medicine for everyone, which is why hiking trips can be so beneficial to our physical and mental health. Planning a successful hiking trip, however, requires planning. The last thing you want to do is go out into the wilderness without adequate preparation, which is why you need to follow these four steps to ensure your next trip is a huge success:

Choose the Best People to Go With

The first thing to planning a successful hiking trip is to go with the right people. The last thing you want is to bring an inexperienced hiker with you, for example, on a multi-day long hike. There are two ways you can choose people to go with you. One, by choosing the hike or hikes you want to do. That way you can go with people who are experienced enough and interested enough to go with you. The other way is to choose the hike based on who is going, so that everyone can enjoy it. Communication is key here, so everyone knows that they are getting into before they go.

Choose The Best Trail for You

Choosing the best trail will depend on many different factors, including:

How long you want to hike for

Your experience level

Where you are hiking

If you are hiking in a national park like Bryce Canyon, for example, it is wise to find the closest lodging in Bryce Canyon to use as your base camp. That way you can enjoy several different routes and enjoy the park as much as you can. If you are hiking in a local area near you, however, choosing one hike can be more than enough.

Know Where and How to Get a Hiking Permit or to Pay Admission

Depending on the type of park there may or may not be an admission fee or permit you will need to pay for. What this fee does is it pays for the maintenance for the paths you use, and is therefore very important. Sometimes you will need to pay for this pass at the park entrance, other times you will need to pick it up from elsewhere and display it on your vehicle dashboard. Know in advance, so you don’t end up being fined.

Get Your Hiking Gear

Next, all that is left is to bring the right gear and equipment. Good shoes you have broken in are a great place to start. If you don’t have specific hiking clothes, wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature, and bring other necessities like sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water and protein snacks to keep you going.

Hiking is a great way to get exercise, experience the most beautiful sights in nature, and bond with your friends or family. By preparing in advance and ensuring everyone going knows what to expect, you can minimize issues and enjoy a successful hiking trip.