Hiking

The Benefits of Hiking

Outdoors / By

During winter, it is always important to plan ahead what your activities will be next spring and even for summer. There are a variety of them that you can do whether they involve family and friends or simply you all by yourself. Hiking is one of those activities that is not only fun and fulfilling but has many benefits too – but what exactly are those benefits?

Physical Health

If you are looking for something that will make or maintain your fitness, hiking is a good choice of activity. Hiking is categorized as an aerobic exercise or cardio workout. Because of this, it is beneficial for you if you are looking for an activity that helps with losing weight. Not only that, because it is a cardio workout, it has benefits for maintaining our heart healthy and decreasing cholesterol. It can reduce the risk of heart diseases and stroke. It is also good for lowering your blood pressure and also the risk of type 2 diabetes. It will also improve bone health, which reduces risk for bone disease such as osteoporosis, and strengthening our muscles. It will build strength to glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and also muscles in your hips and legs. Therefore it will strengthen your core and improve your balance. It is also said to reduce risk for cancer at lungs, breast, colon, and endometrial. 

Mental Health

Not only hiking is good for you physically, but it is also beneficial to our mental health. If you are stressed and tired with your work or any other afflictions in your life, hiking will be a great way to destress. It is said that hiking helps with anxiety and tension for it clears our mind. It is also helpful for those who have depression for it boosts our mood. How will it not be? Hiking involves being with nature and it just brings peace to your mind. Studies say that being with nature eases our stress and negative emotions. It will improve on how we will see things because of nature’s simplicity in opposite to the complex world in cities. It is not only for mood and emotions though but also for boosting your brain. It is said when you spend time with nature, you will be more creative even with the problem-solving tasks. Add to that, spending time with your friends and family will surely improve your mood.

Other Benefits

As said before, hiking is a great time to spend time with your friends and family, so it will be helpful for our social lives. It is only not that, you can also join some hiking club from your community and you will be able to meet new people with this. If you have kids, there are also some trails easy enough for them and not only you will be able to bond with them, they will also improve their health and develop confidence. It is also a great way to teach kids, and even yourself, about the beauty of nature. It is a great break for all the technology and gadgets that at times causes us fatigue and focus on something that matters more.

Hiking Tips and Tricks

Outdoors / By

With all the stress and busyness of our lives, we just want to take a break and unwind. One of the good ways to do it is to have a hike. This is an activity that you can do with your friends and family or just by yourself. There will be planning involved though even it’s just a short one. The reason for this is safety and also to have a smooth adventure. You need to know what to expect. What are those preparations that needed to be done?

Know the right trail and get familiarized

Are you a beginner or an expert? No matter what it is, it is important to know the right trail for you. There are short and easy trails that are perfect for beginners. If you are also looking for a time alone and relax, this may be the trail for you to go for it is less dangerous. Maybe you are an expert and would want to go to a more challenging trail. No matter what will you choose, always be familiarized with it. You should know to expect and what things like what kind of animals or plantsit has around and what kind of terrain it has. You should also have an expectation for what’s to come, so you can prepare what you may need on your trip. 

Know the weather

Another important thing to prepare for is the weather. What season will you take your hike? Will it be during winter with the snow or spring and summer where there are rainfalls? Keep in mind the heat you’ll experience too. The reason for this is because it will affect how you will dress and what to pack. It will also affect the trails you will choose to go to. Also, if the weather is not good and dangerous, you might need to cancel your plans.

Know the essential items

Hiking is not just about dressing up and walking on the trails. There are things you will need to bring during the hike for your safety. Make sure your stuff is clean and ready. The essentials include:

  1. Navigation (map and compass but with technology, your smartphone might have a map, compass, and GPS)
  2. Sun Protection (sunscreen and sunglasses)
  3. Extra Clothing
  4. Flashlight
  5. First Aid Kit
  6. Materials for fire
  7. Food
  8. Water
  9. Emergency Shelter

Know the right clothing

Knowing the right clothing is important for comfort and protection. Light clothing will be a requirement, especially on a hot day. There are all-weather jackets available in case the day is colder and windy. Rain essentials are necessary to be brought because weather is unpredictable at times and you need to be ready at all times. The material of the clothing is also important. Cotton should be avoided because it stays damp. Instead, choose ones that are made of wool or synthetic. Choosing the right hiking boots is also a must. You should have the right type to protect your feet and they should be comfortable for you to wear even in challenging and muddy trails. Choose also a pair that will not cause blisters.

Know about emergency essentials

We will never know what might happen during hiking, so it is important to have emergency shelters and first aid kits in case of accidents. Tell a friend or family where you will be going, so in case of emergency, they will be able to contact professionals and know where to find you. It is also handy to have emergency contacts on hand such as your medical assistance when something serious happens.

What To Wear When Hiking In Hot Weather

Outdoors / By

Hiking is one of those activities that is great for a group, but potentially just as enjoyable by yourself. It is a good bonding activity. But at the same time, it is a nice way for you to reflect and relax and also spend your time in solitude with nature. Also with a hike, not only will you get a work out, you will also able to connect with nature. 

If you are planning to go for a hike, there are certainly things you need to do to prepare. From the location you’re planning to hike to the essential gear and supplies you’re bringing with you and even the weather. What if it will be incredibly hot that day, for example? What should you wear under these circumstances?

1. Hiking Boots with Thin Socks

Trails are much different than the regular paths that you may be used to walking in. They are steeper and at times muddy. With hiking boots, you will be able to protect your feet from it. When the weather is hot, it is important to have boots that are lighter and breathable. It is also important to look for a boot that will not cause blisters. That will be a headache with hiking especially because this is more challenging than other normal walks. The kind of socks you wear is also important for they also provide protection. On a hot day, it would be more efficient to wear something that is thin enough. The type of material used should also be kept in mind. Cotton is mostly avoided for it absorbs moisture and dries slowly. It is advised to choose alternatives made from wool or synthetic. Remember to wear something that fits perfectly with your feet to avoid minor injuries such as blisters.

2. Light Clothing

What you wear will affect your activity. When it is hot, it is important to wear clothes that are light in color, so that they will not absorb heat unlike dark-colored clothes. Also choose clothes that are light and breathable so that they will help you maintain a tolerable body temperature. As with the socks, the material it is made from should be paid attention to as well. Avoid clothes that are made of cotton and choose nylon or polyester instead. But you will also need to choose clothes that cover you up as protection from sunlight especially if it gets particularly strong. You can wear long-sleeved shirts that are light, so they will not make you hot. It is also important to have something on your neck to keep you cool. You could use a neck gaiter or a lightweight cloth like a scarf to cover your neck and maintain moisture.

3. Hat

A hat can be used as protection for your face and neck. It could be a normal baseball cap or hiking hats that have brims goes around for more protection.

4. Others

What you will wear is not the only essential when the weather is hot. It is also important to have some things on hand that will protect you and your health. On a hot day, it is important to have a lighter hiking gear so your body will not need so much force that will likely cause exhaustion. It is also important to have water to keep you hydrated throughout the hike.

What To Bring On A Day Hike

Outdoors / By

On busy and stressful days, sometimes you just want to have a small break. Once an opportunity comes, grab it. There are many things to do though. But why don’t you clean your boots and prepare for a hike? A hike is a great activity for a big or small group. You can also do it by yourself if you want to. You could go on a long trip or just nearby. If you are short on time, you can do it in one day. It is a great activity for you even if you are a busy person. It’s one of the great ways for you to unwind.

In preparation, what are the needs for hiking?

1. Hiking Backpack

Of course, you would need something to put your essentials in. Look for the one that is the perfect size, not too big or not too small. It is also important that is not heavy and fits your body really well. Remember that it will be used while climbing and various things will be put in it.

2. Food

Hiking is a very physical activity and would require lots of energy. In order for you to have plenty, you will need food. Of course, you would need something that is not bulky, but rather something that is easy to carry. There are a variety of foods like this to choose from but the most well-known would be granola bars and trail mixes. Not only they are easy-to-carry snacks, but they are also healthy. They are packed with nutrients that will give you energy and strength for your hiking. If you are looking for something to eat that is light to carry but heavier for your stomach, a sandwich is good to go.

3. Water and Other Drinks

One of the most important things for us to pay attention to is staying hydrated. When you are doing a physical activity like hiking, you will definitely sweat a lot and water decreases in your body. Water is important for regulating our body temperature and helps our joints and muscles to work better. That is why it essential to have water on hand especially on a long hike. You can also have other beverages that will help with hydration such as energy drinks and juice.

4. Navigation Tools

When hiking, you will need to always pay attention to your surroundings and know where you are going. Having navigations tools is helpful for they will guide not only to your desired destination but also in getting back. Basic navigation tools include a map and compass. With today’s technology though, it is much easier and you will not need to have extra bulk, which is helpful especially for a fast hike. Smartphones have maps, GPS, and even compass on them, so it will be easier and lighter to carry and also easier to use.

5. First Aid Kit

You never know what will happen during a hike, so it is always best to be prepared. Accidents happen whether big or small. You or someone might get their knees or arms scrapes and will need some quick cleaning and care. You might also need essentials for your health like an Epi-pen for allergies. You do not have to get crazy over it. You will just need some basics like bandages, cleaning material, and some over-the-counter medicine that might come in handy. If anything gets serious though, be sure to call for medical assistance.

Preparing Outdoor Gear For The Spring Season

Adventure, Tips / By

I don’t know about you, but when I pack up my outdoor gear at the end of the fall season it’s, ehh, not the cleanest should we say. Maybe I’m lazy, but usually at that point it just doesn’t seem so important to me that everything is nice and clean. What’s important is that it’s put away and I’ve moved on to the next thing in life. Hopefully I’m not the only one that thinks this way, and either I’m not lazy or we’re all lazy. Whatever works.

The thing is, almost every year on the last few trips things are just muddy and wet. Naturally everything picks up a ton of dirt. Are you really going to hose and brush everything down? How are you going to get it dry without bringing all of that into your house when it’s cold and wet outside? Maybe someone else out there has a practical solution, but I just pack everything up and wait to deal with it when the sun and the warm weather are back.

Well, spring has certainly sprung, and with it has come the sunshine, warm weather, and drier conditions that allow me to once again bust out my dirty outdoor gear and get it clean for the upcoming season. Here are a few things I do to get myself ready:

Clean Off and Out The Boots

At the end of a busy outdoors season my super high quality pair of boots often look like they’re destined for the trash can. They’re covered in leaves and pine needles, caked on with layers of dirt and soaked through with muddy water from the many puddles I had the misfortune of stepping in. I know what’s underneath though, and that’s my good old trusty pair of boots. I just have to bring them back to life.

So, first things first I’ll smack the living crap out of the to knock off as much of the dried and crusty debris as I can. You might want to cover your face when you do this, because so much dust and dirt flies up in the air you’ll be wondering if there’s a sandstorm. Then I’ll take a firm brush and while the soles are still dry I’ll continue knocking debris out of the tread. Once that’s all said and done it’s time for the garden hose, and I’ll hose those suckers down until the water starts to run clean. Then I’ll hang them out in the sun until they’re as good as new.

Getting The Tent Ready

On any given year my tent has likely seen some serious action. The first thing I’ll do is find a dry patch of land and get it set up so that I can do a basic damage assessment. While the tent is relatively dry – albeit awful musty – I’ll remove any leftover goods (train tickets, napkins, receipts, etc.) and take the opportunity to vacuum out all of the debris that had accumulated over the year of use.

Once the tent is clean on a dry basis, it’s time to actually get the material back in top shape. Usually my neglect has led to some mold forming on the outer and potentially inner walls, and once again there’s usually mud everywhere. I usually find a pressure washer works best for getting rid of both of these, as a gentle stream of high-pressure water loaded with detergent seems to be quite effective. If you don’t have one already, I’d recommend reading through some electric power washer reviews. They are quite affordable and even more useful.

Once I’m done washing I’ll give the tent a chance to dry, then I’ll treat all of the outer surfaces with a good water repellent to keep the coating in good shape to hold up through the upcoming season.

Tending To The Rain Gear

No, not reign deer. Rain gear. You know, like my rain jacket and rain paints. Duh.

I treat my rain gear very similarly as I do to the tent, with the exception of the fact that it is not resilient enough to stand up to the high-pressure stream from a pressure washer. Instead, I’ll hang them all on hangers, empty and invert the pockets, and wipe away any debris. Many people will put their rain gear in the washing machine but I find that this seems to have a hugely negative impact on the fabrics, seriously reducing their usable life. Instead what I’ll do is hose them down and use a sponge to gently lift any dirt and grime that has built up on them. Then I’ll let them air dry in the sun thoroughly.

Again, once they are dry I’ll use waterproofing spray to preserve the resistant properties of the Gortex. This will help them stay in good shape for years to come. If necessary, I’ll mend any minor tears or split seams with a needle thread, and I’ll put extra sealant on any of those repairs because I know from experience that my craftsmanship is a bit lacking and they’re prone to leakage.

With all of that behind me, I’m ready for the next outdoor season. This year I’m going to try to do quite a bit more hiking, as I feel I was spending a lot of time on flat ground last year. It was great fun, but you have to change it up from time to time.