Tips for Beginners in Hiking Gear

December 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tips for Beginners in Hiking Gear

Collecting fresh air of  nature with physical exercise at the same time, hiking becomes a really fun recreational activity. And you are a fan of hiking, to have a the most comfortable and safe experience of hiking, you can prepare some specific equipment for the trail. The following is some tips to help you purchase your hiking gear.

 

Hiking Boots

Your hiking boots are very important to your comfort and safety when out on the trail. Hiking boots are specifically designed to give you good foot and ankle support while also providing good grip and traction. There are many different kinds of hiking boots on the market, and the kind you get depends on what type of hiking you plan to do. For small day hikes, look for a pair of lightweight boots that just come up to the ankle.

Look for boots that are made from water resistant and breathable materials. Other than that, the most important thing is fit. You need your boots to fit you like a glove so that you are not only comfortable hiking in them for hours, but also to prevent the risk of injury.

 

Clothing

The clothing you wear on hikes needs to be appropriate to the conditions and terrain you are going to hike in. You will want a good pair of hiking pants – not jeans – to keep you cool, comfortable and easy to move about in. Even if it is hot, it’s still a good idea to wear pants to protect your skin from scratches, bug bites, poisonous plants and sun exposure. You’ll also want a lightweight, long sleeve shirt and a hat to keep the sun off your face.

 

Accessories

In addition to having the right boots and clothing, you will also need to include a few essential accessories for your hike.

Invest in an ergonomic backpack that will hold all your goods such as snacks, maps, sunscreen, compass, first aid equipment and personal items. If you plan to do a lot of hiking over rough, rocky terrains, you might want to purchase a collapsible hiking stick that can fit in your pack when not in use. Finally, remember to always pack more water than you think you need. Hiking requires a lot of energy and your body will become dehydrated out on the trail much faster than if you were just walking around town.


Be Prepared

Once you have all your equipment, make sure to enlist a friend to go hiking with you. It’s a good idea to have a partner there not only to make the experience more enjoyable, but also to help you if you run into any trouble. It’s also a good idea to let people back home know exactly where you’ll be and what time they can expect you home.

 

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Essential Hiking Tips – Bring Only What You Need

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We always want to repeat doing things we love to do and if it is something that brings us some health benefits, then the more reason we have to do it more often. Many people enjoy hiking as a form of recreation but health experts tell us that it also has many benefits to our body. It is a form of physical exercise that tones our muscles and is very good for the heart. However, before we take hiking as part of our healthy lifestyle, we do need to consult our doctors first in order to make sure that we will not be putting too much unnecessary stress to our body. Being safe and protected at all times has much importance as that of having fun on a hiking trip.

Nobody wants to fall victim to an unforeseen event that could result to injury or harm. What we want is to enjoy the scenery while hiking and at the same time keep our body healthy. Some people want to do it during the day while some would like it at other times, depending on their free time or convenience. We have to be prepared no matter when or where we hike. Preparation includes carrying hiking accessories and supplies that we need depending on the type of terrain or trail, its duration, the time of year, and our own comfort level or tolerance. Essential hiking items include comfortable hiking shoes or boots, water and water purification systems with bottles or water bladders, and other accessories and equipment if you are going on longer hiking adventures such as stove and cookware and lightweight foods. Make sure that your backpack can hold most of the supplies you carry and that it is designed for especially for backpacking. It is also important that you wear clothing that is appropriate for the season. You should not forget to pack first aid kits because you don’t know when and where you will need it.

Hiking will take you far away from emergency help and having it with you all the time will ensure that you get the emergency treatment you need whenever you need it. Knowing the kit’s contents and how to use then can also help. If you’re going on day hikes, lightweight hiking shoes would be perfect but if you are going on longer, more challenging hiking trips, you would be better off putting on heavy-duty shoes with rugged construction that can withstand all kinds of trail conditions. Always avoid tight fitting shoes because they can result to pain in your ligaments, cartilages, and in the foot muscles and bones. Neither should you put on lose shoes because they can cause blisters. Hiking will most certainly bring you to places where you will be in the midst of natural wonders and sceneries where you will find only the least human comforts that you are used to. It is therefore important that you carry with you only what is essential.

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Pet Friendly Travel – 10 Tips For Hassle-free Travel With You

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Pet Friendly Travel – 10 Tips For Hassle-free Travel With You

Article by Brainerd Redway

In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their pets, and the majority stay in pet-friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist.

If you will be traveling with your pet, here are some pet friendly tips to remember for safe and trouble-free travel.

1 – When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are allowed. An important advantage of reserving online is that you can see – in writing – whether or not pets are permitted and any restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation receipt that includes the “pets allowed” information. Verbal reservations leave more room for misunderstanding and miscommunication. If reserving by telephone, ask the reservation person to mail you a confirmation receipt that includes the “pets allowed” information.

2 – Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you should begin getting your pet more accustomed to traveling. Begin by making your car a fun place for your pet. Get in the car with them, play with them, give them a treat – have them enjoy being there with you. Then take a short drive with them. Gradually increase the length of time and distance that you drive with them. Before making a long trip with your pet, the idea is to have them comfortable with being in the car for extended periods of time.

3 – Remember that securing your pet while traveling in the car is crucial for their safety and yours. Consider purchasing a dog safety harness for your pet to use while traveling in the car. If you have a station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. They are usually sold at pet stores or are available online.

4 – Be sure that your pet has an identification tag and wears it while on the trip. The tag should have your pet’s name, your name and phone number. If possible, use your cell phone number, a home number and the number of where you will be staying.

5 – Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your trip. If your pet should ever become lost, you’ll be able to show others exactly what your pet looks like instead of just relying on a verbal description.

6 – Check with your vet for any recommended vaccinations appropriate for your trip – exposure to ticks while hiking, exposure to other dogs while boarding or heartworm prevention if your dog will be exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important preventative measures to take before your trip. If your pet is a dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for your dog’s collar. If you decide to day board your dog while on vacation, you may be required to show paperwork proof of the rabies vaccination.

7 – Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform the check-in person that you have your pet. You can inquire if there are any restricted areas where your pet should not be taken. Pet friendly lodging staff should be very accustomed to answering these kinds of questions and will appreciate your awareness.

8 – In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or vacation home rental – never let your pet use the furniture or beds to sit, lay or sleep on unless you’ve covered the furniture or bed with your own cover. Place your pet’s food and water containers on a mat or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. When staying in pet friendly accommodations, you may choose to feed your pet outdoors.

9 – If you’ll be leaving your pet alone in the room or vacation rental, make sure the front desk or rental agent knows. Be sure that you leave your pet secured in their travel container or crate if housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any time to clean. You certainly don’t want a housekeeper to enter and be surprised or even attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out of the room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured.

10 – Be very careful in warm or hot weather with leaving your pet in the car. Even when the outside temperature is only in the 70′s or 80′s, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and higher, especially when parked in the sun. It doesn’t take long at these temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to your pet.

Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging can be lots of fun – after all, your pet is part of your family too. Just using common sense and planning ahead makes for an enjoyable and surprise-free vacation.

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