Hiking and Trekking Articles

Hiking and Those Annoying Bugs

Hiking is a great way to get off the couch and get some exercise. Alas, those bugs can drive you batty, particularly when their bites itch.

Are you aware that one of the most polluted environments you will experience is actually in your home? This is particular true during the winter. The problem is the home is an enclosed environment. Dust, dirt, bacteria and mold can quickly create a surprisingly toxic environment. The best way to fight back is to clean regularly and get outside. In short, your mom was telling the truth when she told you to get outside and get some fresh air!

Going on a hike is a great way to get outside on your own or with your family. It is cheap since you only need clothes and shoes. It can be as simple as heading off to a park or more adventurous when you head off to a remote path. Your course, if you will, is really irrelevant. The point is to get outside, get some exercise and breathe in the fresh air. Do so and you will come back with a fresh attitude and feeling better.

There is, however, one thing that can ruin a hike. In this case, we are talking about annoying bugs. Gnats are not known for biting you, but their endless buzzing around your head can really ruin a good hike. Mosquitoes are an entirely different matter. The little blood suckers are both annoying at the time and when the leave itchy bites.

If you head out for a hike, make sure to apply an insect repellent to keep the bugs from ruining things. Many people make the mistake of using repellents with lots of chemicals such as DEET. These products can be harmful for you, especially for kids. More importantly, what is the point of escaping your polluted home only to spray more pollutants on your skin? There is a better choice.

When you are looking for insect repellent, try to choose an all natural product. They work just as well and are much better for you. As shocking as it may seem, there was once a time in our world when people used non-toxic chemicals to repel bugs. Natural oils were the key, so look for products that offer such protection. At the end of your hike, you will feel refreshed and have no bites.

John Grimes is with All Terrain - makers of natural products for the outdoors.

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Enjoying the Outdoors Without Getting Ill

Getting outdoors is a must if you want to live a fruitful life. Catching something while you are out enjoying life, however, will ruin a good time.

Getting outdoors is good for your health, mind and spirit. Whether you are going for an epic hike, climbing half dome or just doing some fishing, you have to keep in mind that the great outdoors is a wild place. Part of this wildness is bacteria and such things that can make you sick. To avoid ruining your day or trip, you need to take some basic precautions.

The most obvious recommendation is to wash your hands frequently. This is particularly true before you prepare food or eat. Bacteria exist naturally in the environment and some of the little bugs can really throw your body for a loop. When washing your hands, try to use an anti-bacterial soap to get them extra clean. To avoid messes, liquid soaps in small bottles are usually the way to go. Try to use natural, biodegradable soaps so you don't pollute the streams and ground around you.

As odd as it may sound, cleaning your feet is critically important as well if you are going to be taking a multiple day trip. Cleaning should be done at least once a day. New socks should also be used each time. Taking these steps will let you avoid the much dreaded athlete's foot. It can also help reduce the risk of blisters. If you do get blisters, definitely clean them to avoid infections. Infected blisters are painful and will definitely ruin your trip.

Finally, keeping peace in your group is important. Brush those teeth! Nothing sours a trip, pun intended, like dragon's breath. There is little chance a dirty mouth will turn into some serious illness, but the people in your group will definitely appreciate the effort.

If you take basic steps, you can minimize the chance of ruining your time because of health problems. Wash those hands, clean those feet and brush those teeth!

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural biodegradable concentrated soap and sanitizer products for the outdoors.

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Preparing for the Hiking Season

As we roll into spring, it is time to start planning some outdoor adventures. A little mountain hiking should be on the list, but you need to prepare before you go.

When the weather starts to warm up, it can get your juices flowing. Egad, let me outside! I am sick of the winter, the snow and cold! This is a natural feeling, but you need to do a bit of preparation before you decide to do some serious outdoor hiking. This is particularly true if you are going up!

Your overall health is obviously important. If you have been sitting on the couch all winter, going on a six-hour hike is going to result in some serious sore muscles. Heck, a one-hour hike might have the same result! The fact you might have spent some time in the gym over the winter will not suffice. It would be wise to start taking some leisurely walks when you have time. This could be at lunch or after work. Once you have your endurance again, you can head out on longer trips.

The second thing you need to take into account is where you are going to be hiking. If you are going to be on a fairly flat surface, go ahead and knock yourself out. If you plan to do a hike with elevation in it, you may be surprised how quickly the old legs give out. The best bet is to find a stair climber machine and do some reps a couple times a week. If you don't mind people staring at you, do the sessions wearing a backpack. It will get your back, neck and shoulders up to speed.

Finally, a few idiots [me] will want to immediately head off to the closest mountain to hike to the peak. To one extent or another, this can bring the issue of altitude change into the picture. A few years ago, I actually was stupid enough to fly from my coastal town to Colorado and go mountaineering in Steamboat Springs with a friend. It was like the baton death march. There was a serious amount of gasping going on. Afterwards, I was wiped out for about three days. Not smart.

Spring is a happy time as we emerge from our winter routine. Enjoy yourself, but make sure you do a bit of preparation to minimize any negative effects.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural products for the outdoors.

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Why Your Knees Ache After Hiking

If you have ever wondered why your knees ache after hiking a long distance, the answer lies both in the nature of pain and the anatomy of the knee. The knee is one of the most overworked parts of the human body.

The knee is a marvel of engineering that has been sometime likened to the transmission of an automobile. It acts as a connection between the upper leg bone, the femur, and the lower leg bone, the tibia. A complex arrangement of ligaments and tendons surround the knee and make walking possible by allowing the leg bones to swing freely. Some scientists have claimed that the knee has not quite caught up to the evolutionary changes in the human species. It is almost as if we were not intended to stand upright and certainly not to walk or run long distances.

This is because despite the miracle of its construction, the knee is a very fragile part of the body and it subject to injury during physical exertion. Although corrective surgery has become quite advanced, many injuries permanently disable the knee from its most efficient operation. Once certain injuries take place, there is little that can be done to restore full function.

Pain is the bodies alarm system. It is caused by a chemical reaction in the nerves. The chemicals transmit signals to the brain which the brain translates as pain. This signal is intended to tell us something is wrong. So, the ache in the knees after hiking is a type of pain signal and it is signaling that something is wrong. What exactly is it trying to tell you?

One of the pieces of connective tissue in the knee is called the meniscus. The plural is menisci and this is actually a cartilage. It serves as a shock absorber between the large femur bone and the smaller tibia below it. The knee supports the entire weight of the body when standing upright. When the body is in motion, walking or running, this weight is pounding down on the menisci as well as working the other supporting tendons and ligaments. The muscles surrounding the knee are also put under a strain. After a certain amount of this constant pounding, the connective tissues began to become stressed and inflamed. Something is wrong, and the chemical reaction is begun that sends this information to the brain.

The ache in your knees after hiking is your body's way of reminding you that you have overexerted your knee joints by subjecting them to pressures they are not able to withstand indefinitely. It is a biological and evolutionary defense mechanism that is telling you that it is time to slow down and rest. In most cases, taking the weight off the knee joint for a certain amount of time will allow the tissues to recover and the inflammation to subside. Your body is telling you to slow down and take a rest. Listen to it.

Get a bevy of natural remedies for your active lifestyle at AllTerrainCo.com.

Article by John Grimes

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Tips On How To Avoid Getting Lost While Hiking

Most people, while hiking or walking, don't even think about the possibility of getting lost. Unfortunately this can lead to trouble. You are usually safe as long as you stick to established trails.

But too often, complacency can get you into trouble. You decide to take a shortcut across the trail switchbacks. You wander just a little ways off the trail to see a bird a little better.

All it takes is a momentary lapse of judgment and you can be lost. Don't let this happen to you. A little preparation can avoid the problem.

The most important thing you can do to avoid getting lost is to use your head and be aware. Take a moment before you begin and then periodically while moving. Look where you are, where you are going and where you have come from. How does your position relate to your surroundings? Look around for landmarks. Note the position of the sun. Which way is north.

If you are planning to use an established trail make sure you know exactly where it will take you and how long the trip will take. Know what turnoffs you will encounter along the way.

As you travel the trail keep your head about you and note any side trails and turnoffs. It is easy to get confused if you are planning to return the same way you came. Pay attention!

The majority of trails, animal or man-made, will not take you anywhere you want to go. They were not made for the purpose of taking you to civilization. So just following an unknown trail hoping that it will lead you to safety can be the worst thing you can do.

During the process of getting lost there is always a point where you first hear that little voice in your head that says, No, I can't be lost. That is the time to STOP because you are either lost already or about to be. Immediately take stock of your situation. Don't wait until things get worse.

Mentally trace your steps up to that point and review your path in relationship to the sun or any distinguishing landmarks. If possible, retrace you path back to a point where you are sure of where you are. But only if you are sure. This is not the time to be wandering about and trying out shortcuts.

If you are not sure, you need to stay put and think. Make a mental map of your journey up to that point. Review the distances and how long each segment took you. Try to remember any landmarks that you can relate to a specific point or time along the way. Do this while it is still freshest in your mind.

Then make a decision as to the best path back to a point you remember. Clearly mark your present position with whatever you can find. Then move out, marking your path with stones or sticks. If you don't reach a point where you are less lost, go back and try another direction.

There are a number of things that you can bring with you that can help you not get lost and help you get unlost.

One of the most useful things to bring is a pencil and paper. It doesn't take much to get disorientated and our memories are unreliable. Make notes of landmarks, hills, streams, trail forks, and the sun position. Note the time it takes to go from one point to the next.

A compass is usually considered mandatory but you have to be careful using it. A compass is only useful if you have a good idea where you are and which direction you need to go. Lots of things can render the compass useless. Electrical wires, ore deposits, large metal objects like cars or small metal objects like your belt buckle. Yes, bring a compass, but make it a good one and learn how to use it before you get lost.

Bring a map. The most useful map is the topographical map. It will show the actual layout of the land including heights. If you are hiking in a National Park, topographical maps are often available for sale at the visitor center book store.

A GPS is a great tool but it has its limitations. In order for it to be useful after you get lost you need to use it before you get lost. Enter waypoints as you travel, including your starting point. Then if you get lost you have marked an electronic trail back to your starting point. Don't completely depend on the GPS. Batteries have been known to run down and signals can get blocked. You still need to use your own skills in keeping up with where you are.

The key to not getting lost is to always know where you are and where you are going. It's not that difficult but it requires a little effort and preparation. It's worth it.

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The author, of this article, Peter Shannon, is the owner of the website http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com. Here you will find a large collection of vacation and getaway ideas for travelers searchable by theme and location.

Travel Prepared For Hiking Trips

Outdoor vacations require planning just like any other vacation. Depending on what you are doing and duration, you may still need to find accommodations and make travel arrangements. Regardless of what details you must handle for your particular trip, every vacation requires proper preparation by determining what items you will need on your trip.

Whether you will be a tourist traveling around Europe or enjoying the fresh outdoors hiking through the wilderness, any trip is more enjoyable when you are prepared allowing you to just enjoy the surroundings whether it is a beach or the countryside.

If you are planning a hiking trip, you will definitely want to bring along a backpack but not just any backpack. With so many choices in backpacks today, it helps to first get a general view of what is available. Shopping for a backpack could get overwhelming, especially for the beginner hiker.

First, consider what you intend to carry which is usually determined by the length of the hike, the location and anticipated conditions. An overnight stay with a restaurant or snack bar, for instance, does not require you to carry the same items as a weeklong trip through the wilderness.

You will need approximately one gallon of water per day, though it varies by activity, your size and the weather conditions. But, one gallon is a good starting point with which to estimate how much water you should bring and what size backpack you will need.

Take the same approach with food. If you are only taking a short day hike, you may be fine on with no or very little food which means you will not need to haul around such a large backpack. Keep in mind, though, that you do need fuel while hiking as it burns a lot of calories. Keeping yourself hydrates is the most important, but your body does need fuel and nutritional components found in food.

Another factor to consider is your overall fitness level. If you are in good shape, you will be able to handle a larger backpack and carry more weight. With that said, though, no one should go overboard as a heavy load can contribute to fatigue. Experienced hikers even aim to minimize the load they carry on a hike.

Also consider how you plan to carry the backpack and weight. Most backpacks have many internal and external flaps, pockets, buckles and loops to attach add-on items. As you suspect, the weight of the backpack is not just what you put inside but also what you attach on the outside. However, aim to keep the majority of the weight inside because it can otherwise lead to imbalance making it more difficult to carry.

Generally, try to minimize what you need but do not leave out essential items. Think confined, light and definitely comfortable. You will be carrying it around for hours or maybe even days, so be sure you have taken the time to find the right fit with the right shoulder and belt straps.

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Concentrating on news and information about Moraira, Jack Blacksmith published mostly for http://www.alicante-spain.com . You might discover his articles on tourist attractions in spain over at http://www.alicante-spain.com

Hiking Tips You Haven't Heard Before

Hiking Tips - Preparation

Do you need these hiking tips? You do if you ever get blisters or twisted ankles or knee pain. In fact, I stopped getting blisters at all over ten years ago. More on that in a moment. First, lets look at some basic preparation and precautions to take when planning a hike.

If you haven't done anything physical in a while, you really should try to get in shape before taking a long hike or a backpacking trip. Not only will it make much more enjoyable, but the process of getting ready will point out any problems you might have (sore back, knee problems, blisters, etc.).

Take a hike near home with a fully loaded pack to see how far you can comfortably go. If you are going to be backpacking in running shoes rather than hiking boots, you'll want to strengthen your ankles. A simple way to do that is to hike on uneven ground. This will flex and exercises your ankles if you do it at least several times in the week or two before your trip.

If you will be traveling in the mountains, try bicycling to get ready. This uses a lot of the same muscles you use when hiking uphill. Of course, regular bicycle rides are also a fast way to boost your aerobic capacity. That can help you walk faster more comfortably.

Buy the right equipment before your hiking or backpacking trip. To be honest, on a short hike you can get by with almost anything. But if you plan to be deep in the wilderness, get some decent clothing for that purpose. Jeans get soaked easily in the rain and stay wet, which is uncomfortable, and can be dangerous if it is cold outside. A nice hat can keep the sun out of your eyes, and a rain jacket can keep you safe and warm.

Carry enough water. If you have any problems with pain when hiking, you should probably carry aspirin or other pain relief, even on short hikes. Map and compass are a good idea of course, and tell someone where you'll be.

Hiking Tips - Taking Care Of Your Body

I stopped getting blisters the moment I gave up hiking boots and hiking socks. They create a hot, humid environment that is perfect for creating blisters. Even on longer backpacking trips, I use thin nylon socks and lightweight running shoes. You may want to try it. Chances are, you'll never go back to heavy socks and boots. If you are worried about ankle support, strengthen those ankles! (See above.)

You should also develop a routine for keeping your feet dry and comfortable. Stop occasionally and take off your shoes and socks. Air out your feet for a few minutes. If the socks are wet, replace them and hang the wet ones from your pack to dry. Remove any sand or small sticks and stones from your shoes. If your feet get particularly hot, soak them in a cold stream for a while. Do this, and you'll get a lot more comfortable miles out of them.

If you get knee pains when hiking, the long term solution may be special exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Short term, you can buy a simple elastic knee brace to see if that helps. You might also want to try arch supports. They cost less than ten dollars and can help stop knee and back problems that are related to over-pronation (flattening of the foot when walking). The combination of these two seems to have cured my knee problems.

What if you are out hiking and get sudden knee pain? Here are a few tips: Icing the knee for a while with cold water from a stream or with snow can help. Resting with the leg elevated usually helps a little as well. Making a walking stick from a branch or small tree and using it especially on downhill stretches can take some of the pressure of the knee.

Still too painful to walk? The inner bark of willows and poplars contains a compound that is similar to aspirin. You can scrape the spongy bark off and make a tea of it, or try just chewing some up. Better yet, just use the hiking tips in part one and be prepared.

By: Steve Gillman

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Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Hiking for Skiers

You may think that you’re just gliding along the smooth snow when you’re skiing, and I‘m almost inclined to agree with you. Skimming along the snowy ridges and curves of the mountainside almost feels like you’re effortlessly sailing, but this is just a misconception. Experienced skiers know that underneath the surface, your leg muscles and your upper body are getting a tough workout.

You want proof? How about taking a gander at all those skiers who just dive in right away, then return several minutes later, moaning and groaning about how their legs hurt. You know that next day you’ll see them walking around with aching muscles all over their body. This is what usually happens every time a skier forgets to maintain his skiing muscles during the summer. Come wintertime, the muscles that you need for your favorite sport will definitely fall apart on you before long.

Hiking can play a valuable role in keeping your muscles healthy and strong, the same muscles that you need for skiing. Now how would you develop those muscles? Go up. Include hills into your hiking itinerary as much as possible. Start slowly, but do more intense uphill hikes as the summer draws to a close. Gradually increasing your effort will surely pay off the next time you visit your favorite ski resort.

When hiking uphill, though, remember to take short steps. Try to keep your weight even and don’t lean into the hill too much. When going downhill, be careful not to lean backwards too far, or you’ll end up falling on your rear end. This is especially true on wet terrain, so be careful.

Remember that your goal in hiking is to workout your core and leg muscles for skiing. So if you can hike around in a ski resort, so much the better. Several ski areas are open during the summer for hiking and mountain biking, so take advantage of it. Some of the resorts even run their ski lifts to bring tourists, hikers, and bikers to areas that are difficult to get to. Being above the tree line and seeing the slopes without snow will really make you see them in a whole new light.

Use hiking poles, not ski poles. Using a pair of hiking poles will give you an added bonus, since this will be very helpful in giving you an upper-body and respiratory workout, much similar to using a Nordic-Trak machine. Avoid using your ski poles as hiking poles, since continually stabbing them into the ground will eventually damage or break the tips. Your ski poles are not designed for that sort of treatment, anyway, so you’d be better off using a pair of poles specifically suited for the job.

Keep going, but rest when you have to. Bring along a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. Wear gloves to keep your palms from getting blistered all over from holding onto you hiking poles. Don’t forget also to tie your boot laces tight and short. A big loop from your shoelace could and will get caught on something, probably resulting in a nasty fall. And with that in mind, bring along a first-aid kit and a multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss knife or something similar.

Look for good uphill hiking trails in your area, or ask your local tourism department for assistance in finding good places. Keep in mind that your goal is to build up your muscles for the great skiing ahead. So go out, find that hill, start hiking and think snow!

By: Syahrul Azlan Idris

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Azlan Irda is the co-founder of http://www.campinggear247.com, which provides high-quality camping and outdoors gear. Visit us for all your outdoor equipment needs.

Hiking Sticks - do they really help?

I get it all the time. It's snow-free weather and here I am carrying a pair of hiking sticks (or trekking poles) on my way to a trail when someone smartly jokes, "Hey, are you going skiing or something?" But on the flip side, when I'm on the trail with hiking sticks, I would always pass by people hiking who would point at my sticks and say, "That's a good idea!"

I guess this is indicative of the difference of opinion about hiking sticks. Despite the derision and extra burden of carrying around these poles, I believe that they're worth it. I have arthritic knees from years of playing basketball and using these sticks on hiking trips have allowed me to better enjoy the scenery while allowing me to take my mind off my knee problems.

Hiking sticks are beneficial in many ways. One of the most important benefits is that they give you two extra legs (if you're carring two sticks), which increases your stability. The stability is nice for balance when you're crossing streams on boulders, logs, or stones. Often it's a hassle to change shoes in the middle of hike (you wouldn't want to waterlog and ruin your expensive gore-tex hiking boots, wouldn't you?) so the balance gained by the extra pair of legs will keep you dry while maintaining your momentum as you're boulder hopping. The extra legs also help distribute the force and shock of each step you take, which mostly goes to the knees. The added stability can also decrease the likelihood you'll be twisting an ankle or knee (since not all of your weight is on your feet), and keep you upright (which is especially important if you're carrying lots of weight on an overnight backpack trip). When you're going downhill on a steep decline, the extra legs can help you "spider" your way down confidently. Hiking sticks can also benefit you in unexpected ways. For example, you can use the sticks to probe for depth in a stream crossing or marshy area, you can creatively use them as a makeshift tripod for photography, you can lean on them for rest, you can push off the sticks while ascending a hill, and you may make yourself appear bigger in wildlife encounters by raising the sticks or at least defend yourself when all else fails.

In order to realize the benefits of hiking sticks, you must hold them properly. This means that you must utilize the straps attached to the handles of trekking poles, which allows you to lightly hold on to the sticks. You won't realize most of the benefits of trekking poles by holding onto the handles in a vice-like death grip without using the straps. To properly grip the poles and thus taking advantage of the straps, place your hand through the looping strap with your palm facing forward and your fingers upright (kind of like you're about to push through the loop of the strap). Your wrist should be resting on the strap while your fingers are free to grip the stick. If you're familiar with cross country skiing, it's the same way your grip the ski poles. Once you've properly gripped the sticks, you should try to establish a rhythm with both your arms and legs as you hike to ensure that one stick and one leg strike the ground at roughly the same time (preferably in such a way that opposite arm and leg are in use).

Trekking poles do have their drawbacks. For example, you'll have to carry extra weight while not having free hands and you'll be exerting more energy as your arms now play a greater role in each stride you take while hiking. The lack of free hands can be especially cumbersome when you're scrambling and need to hold onto trees or rocks. Hiking sticks can also fail by slipping or changing length without warning, which can be hazardous when you're exposed to drop-offs or when the trails are narrow. They might also get caught in dense vegetation or in grooves on bridges or fallen trees on narrow trails as well. If you're hiking closely with your partner, you might poke that person inadvertently. Furthermore, the tips of the sticks may make loud noises when striking hard surfaces such as granite, pavement, or lava. Finally, it's possible to disturb or even destroy vegetation just off the trail (if it's narrow) as hiking sticks typically require you to use more room.

Given the pros and cons of hiking sticks, it's ultimately up to what your comfort levels are and how you perceive what your hiking situations will be. There are still many backpackers and hikers who are adamant about not using trekking poles and view them as nuisances, while there are those like me who look at them as tools to enhance the outdoor experience. Regardless of your choice, the ultimate point of going outdoors is to escape to nature and enjoy the beauty around us. Trekking poles are merely one way to help you achieve those goals.

By: Johnny T. Cheng

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Johnny T. Cheng is author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls (Story Nature Press). Find out more about his book at http://www.storynature.com or visit his waterfalls blog at http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com