So your headed on a hiking trip, these are usually big fun! Well, that is if you remembered some of the little things that can make or break your adventure. Usually when people plan they think “big”, in other words they remember all of the big stuff but very often it is something very small that you might have overlooked that can be the determining factor of whether or not your trip was a success or another hiking nightmare.
When creating your checklist for the backpack it is important not to forget the little things that at the time may not seem important but later you may really regret that you forgot them. Forgetting some of the little things can really ruin your trip even if you did remember the big stuff. What if you went out and bought a great new pair of boots but because they were new you got some blisters when you wore them? If you don’t have something in your backpack to treat your blisters then you remembered the big thing, which was the boots but forgot the little thing that you overlooked and now you are likely miserable. Make sure that you throw in a pack of moleskins next time!
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Have you ever been hiking and forgot the bug spray, if so then you are fully aware of what a disaster that can be. Even the most successful trips can turn into a nightmare. The last thing that you probably want to do is try to keep annoying bugs off of you all day long. The bug spray will stop all of those worries and it will stop you from getting bit by these little buggers and then possibly contracting some disease that could have been avoided.
Iodine tablets can be a genuine lifesaver and should always be included in a backpack. Unfortunately these are often one item that is forgotten but they are never forgotten more than once because of the potential that they offer. Hiking and water just seem to go together but even if you come across the most sparkling stream that you have ever seen, drinking that water could be a very bad idea. The iodine tablets will allow you to treat the water so that you can drink it without having to worry about getting ill. Drinking water under those conditions can cause you to become seriously sick. Iodine tablets are cheap and the perfect way for you to be able to enjoy clean drinking water in no time.
Never leave home without the flashlights and some extra batteries, even if you just put new ones in, bring extras. No flashlights means darkness, darkness means that you are stuck and unable to move around because you can’t see where you are going. You could easily trip and fall or slip, especially in areas that you are not familiar with. Never assume that all areas are flat. So as you can see, clearly the big stuff is awesome but forgetting the small stuff can literally ruin your hiking trip.
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Posted by Hike Camp Fish on July 2, 2009 in
hiking tips
Highest Peaks on Earth
In the strictest sense of the word, a mountain is simply another landform that towers above other land. In some cases, we call these hills or peaks, but when the landform is big enough, we give it a better word: a mountain.
The Earth’s wide variety of climates and terrain includes both the peaks and the valleys, the swamps and the deserts, but mountains appear on every single continent including Antarctica. According to some studies, about 25% of the land on Earth can be described as “mountainous.” So which are the peaks that stand high above all others?
Let’s look at it on a continent-by-continent basis:
- Europe - Mount Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet in southwestern Russia along the Caucasus mountain range. With two summits, Elbrus is full of lore especially in local areas, with names that range in meaning from “tall” to “eternal.” Standing even higher than the mountains in the Alps, this giant was first ascended in 1874.
- North America - Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, standing at 20,320 feet. McKinley also has meaningful alternate names, as Denali means “the great one.” You can find Mount McKinley in Denali National Park in central Alaska. Mount McKinley was first ascended in 1913.
- Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,330 feet. Located near the border of northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands out like a sore thumb along the eastern African planes, giving it a stunning view of the surrounding area. Kilimanjaro was first ascended in 1889.
- South America - Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet. Aconcagua, taller than Mount McKinley, is the tallest of all mountains in the Americas, and is located between the Chilean and Argentinian border in the Andes mountains. Its first recorded ascent was in 1897.
- Asia - The famous Mount Everest is the highest peak in Asia and the world at a gargantuan 29,029 feet. It should be noted that the Himalayas boast over 100 mountains taller than Aconcagua, which is taller than any peak in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This gives an idea of how large and tall the mountains of the Himalayas are.
- Mars - I had to throw this bonus “not on Earth” one. Olympus Mons, Latin for “Mount Olympus,” is the tallest known mountain in the Solar System, standing at about three times as tall as Mount Everest, at approximately 88,580 feet.
Now you know which mountains stretch higher above the others, as well as the dominance of the Himalayan mountain range, which is in turn dwarfed by Olympus Mons. While you don’t have to scale any of these today, you might consider taking a trip to one of these amazing sights: just remember to bring plenty of supplies if you decide to head to Mars.
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Photo Credit: eamoncurry123
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Posted by Hike Camp Fish on July 1, 2009 in
hiking
Forest Fire
You might have heard the old catchphrase “Only you can prevent forest fires.” But what if you actually find yourself in one? Granted, for many people this is a longshot, but if you plan on going out and camping in the woods, it might not be a bad idea to be prepared to protect your family and yourself. Here’s a quick guide to what experiencing a forest fire might be like.
First, if you encounter an out-of-control fire that you started yourself, remember the best way to put out these fires: clothing, towels, and flame-resistant tarps or drapes. Using water isn’t as effective as you might think unless you have enough of it to completely engulf the flame. If you can’t find anything else, use the ice water from your cooler, as that will probably be the most water you have access to. If you’re near a river or lake, use this cooler to scoop up water as a last-case scenario.
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If it becomes apparent that a fire is out of your control and your life might be in danger, you have to move out. Whether or not you started the fire, the authorities need to know about it as soon as possible - the faster they arrive, the better they’ll be able to control the situation. Don’t worry about anything else except for keeping yourself, your friends, and your family safe.
When you move away from a fire, keep into account how a fire moves - the direction of the wind will be important to monitor. The wind will blow fires onto new branches, bushes, and trees, so that will help you predict a better escape route. Keep in mind that fires also tend to travel uphill faster than downhill, since heat rises. Getting down to a lake or river if possible will help, as long as you have a way of escaping. Otherwise, don’t let yourself get trapped. Crossing a river can be helpful if you have no other recourse.
If a situation arrives that requires you to “break through” the fire - i.e., travel through it - you can still take safety precautions, as long as you’re aware that this should be a last option.
To do this, cover your face with a wet cloth - dry if that’s all you have - and run through the fire as fast as possible. Be ready to stop, drop, and roll on the other side of the flames to extinguish any fires that caught on your clothing.
Be sure to have the goal of consulting the local authorities as soon as possible, as long as it is safe to do so. Ultimately, your only job is to survive.
Photo Credits: leppre
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Posted by keira on June 30, 2009 in
camping tips
Mount Everest
In the strictest sense of the word, a mountain is simply another landform that towers above other land. In some cases, we call these hills or peaks, but when the landform is big enough, we give it a better word: a mountain.
The Earth’s wide variety of climates and terrain includes both the peaks and the valleys, the swamps and the deserts, but mountains appear on every single continent including Antarctica. According to some studies, about 25% of the land on Earth can be described as “mountainous.” So which are the peaks that stand high above all others?
Let’s look at it on a continent-by-continent basis.
Europe:
Mount Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet in southwestern Russia along the Caucasus mountain range. With two summits, Elbrus is full of lore especially in local areas, with names that range in meaning from “tall” to “eternal.” Standing even higher than the mountains in the Alps, this giant was first ascended in 1874.
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North America:
Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, standing at 20,320 feet. McKinley also has meaningful alternate names, as Denali means “the great one.” You can find Mount McKinley in Denali National Park in central Alaska. Mount McKinley was first ascended in 1913.
Africa:
Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,330 feet. Located near the border of northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands out like a sore thumb along the eastern African planes, giving it a stunning view of the surrounding area. Kilimanjaro was first ascended in 1889.
South America:
Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet. Aconcagua, taller than Mount McKinley, is the tallest of all mountains in the Americas, and is located between the Chilean and Argentinian border in the Andes mountains. Its first recorded ascent was in 1897.
Asia:
The famous Mount Everest is the highest peak in Asia and the world at a gargantuan 29,029 feet. It should be noted that the Himalayas boast over 100 mountains taller than Aconcagua, which is taller than any peak in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This gives an idea of how large and tall the mountains of the Himalayas are.
Mars:
Olympus Mons, Latin for “Mount Olympus,” is the tallest known mountain in the Solar System, standing at about three times as tall as Mount Everest, at approximately 88,580 feet.
Now you know which mountains stretch higher above the others, as well as the dominance of the Himalayan mountain range, which is in turn dwarfed by Olympus Mons. While you don’t have to scale any of these today, you might consider taking a trip to one of these amazing sights: just remember to bring plenty of supplies if you decide to head to Mars.
Photo Credits: Kappa Wayfarer
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Posted by keira on June 29, 2009 in
hiking
Pack light!
One thing that might separate any experienced hiker from a complete beginner is seeing how the hiker is packed. An experienced hiker will have a good backpack, one that is steel-rod enforced that helps to distribute the weight of their towage across their body, instead of dragging down on their shoulders and neck. The experienced hiker might look under-prepared on first glance, traveling light, but carrying only the essentials.
The novice hiker might look like a walking hike-cyborg, a person with too many machines, too much to carry, and no respect for what carrying weight over long distances will do to their energy. While it’s true that some hikers can handle more weight than others, there’s no doubt that someone carrying too much for their own strength and energy levels is in for a pretty tough lesson about hiking.
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Here are three reasons to pack light when hiking:
#1. You’re preparing for the second half of the hike, not the first.
A rule of thumb for preparation is that you’re not preparing for everything that’s expected - although that’s part of it, as well - but preparing for the unexpected. By carrying too much equipment with you, you might be prepared for every situation, but you’re really only preparing for the first part of the hike - the time when you aren’t exhausted from carrying so much equipment. If you need some technology to navigate your way home, carry it with you - but only if you need it.
#2. Reducing your resource needs.
As you expend less energy by carrying less weight, you’ll also create less of a need to consume energy. Consider it the hiker’s paradox: the more food you carry, the more food you’ll need to eat to maintain your energy levels. This might not be as true during shorter hikes because you won’t need as much endurance, but on longer hikes, your endurance is a key factor, and reducing your resource needs is one of the reasons to pack light.
#3. Hiking is tough enough.
If you’re a serious hiker who’s tackling the terrain, it’s no fun to be held back by the weight you’re carrying. Hiking is tough enough, so pack light in order to give yourself the license to move with agility and relative speed, chasing high points and tackling long distances. For you beginners, you’ll understand this once you get out there. Some people increase their exercise intensity by adding weights to a run or jog, but unless you’re a serious hiker, there’s no reason to do this the first time out.
Photo Credits: The Sunshine Rabbit
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Posted by keira on June 28, 2009 in
hiking, hiking backpacks
Save on camping.
In these difficult economic conditions across the world, it’s not always easy to consider luxuries like camping trips and vacations as “essentials.” However, if we’re going to maintain our sanity during these times, we’ll have to keep living our lives and find ways to scrimp, save, and still pull off an adventurous, fun lifestyle.
That’s why this article will explain how to save money on camping, allowing you to take a quick, easy, fun camping trip for less money then you’ve been spending in the past. Let’s take a look at how this is done.
To save money on your camping trip, start in your house.
Your house? Absolutely - before you even start spending money for equipment and camping gear, you need to look in your garage, basement, and attic to see what you’ve already got. No sense in buying a new tent if you already have a perfect one downstairs, waiting to be used.
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Objects to look for include tents, pots, tools like pliers, lighter fluid, tarps, a cooler, rain gear, and backpacks. Many people have these lying around the home or garage and simply don’t put them to use, wondering how so much junk keeps piling up. If you’re going to save on camping, start using your junk!
Second, don’t go to the store to buy camping gear without a search online.
Online stores like Amazon and eBay might have what you need at lower prices, especially if you’re buying used equipment. If you don’t have an Amazon or eBay account, don’t worry - it won’t take long to set up and you can be saving in no time! Use the internet to find cheap items you can buy that you didn’t find around your house.
Third, bring your own food and be ready to cook it.
Buying bulk items like hot dogs and buns will be much cheaper than taking your family out to eat, and roasting wieners over the fire makes the process fun. Just make sure that you’re ready for your food: pack up a cooler with ice to keep your meats cold and fresh and you’ll be set for the weekend. You can even cook popcorn over your fire, which makes a great snack and is incredibly easy to carry.
Looking at these tips, you have a great starting point for saving money during your next camping trip. There are dozens of other ways to save money, so the rest will depend on you: if you adequately plan and prepare for your camping trip, you’ll find that saving money is easy, as long as you hold a watchful eye on every purchase and ask yourself “can I save money doing this a different way?”
Photo Credits: mckaysavage
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Posted by keira on June 27, 2009 in
camping tips
Hike with the right gear!
Let’s face it: some of us take rather tame hikes. We might head out to a “bunny” hill, or a place with clearly-mapped trails that never veer off too far from civilization. Some of us are amateur hikers who prefer to still be able to hear the sounds of the highway even as we reach the hilltop.
But for more serious hikers, not everything is so comfortable and predictable. Bottom line: you could get lost on a hike. Rather than worry about it, it’s better to prepare for it. Here are some must-have pieces of equipment to bring with you in case you get lost:
- Navigation: Whether you bring a map/compass or a GPS watch, you should have some sort of contingency for finding your way around. At the very least, be able to discern your direction so that you know where you came from and where you’re going.
- Fire-starters: Flint, matches, a lighter: whatever you need to get a fire going, bring it. If you ever get lost into the night hours and the temperature drops, you’re going to need a fire to stay warm. Fire also has other practical purposes, like boiling water and preparing food.
- A knife: In addition to helping you start a fire with flint, a knife has so many practical uses that any survivalist will tell you to bring a knife whenever you head out into the wild. From building shelter to hunting down food, a knife (especially a multi-purpose knife like a Swiss Army Knife) won’t seem like a luxury. It will seem like a necessity.
- Medical packs: A first-aid kit with disinfectant, tape, gauze and other necessary items will be vital, especially if you ever get knicked or gashed and need to prevent an infection without the help of civilization. Make sure to bring enough medical supplies for everyone in your party - and, to be on the safe side, bring a little extra.
- Food and water: Water is always a necessity, but the need for it increases with higher temperatures. If you get lost, it’s a much safer bet to find your water supply first, as humans can survive much longer without food than water. But bringing more than enough of both will keep you going as you gather your bearings once lost.
Keep in mind that most hikers don’t encounter an emergency situation like this - but it does happen. Rather than assume the best on the hiking trail, it’s wise to take a more cautious approach. Bring more food than you need, bring a Swiss Army Knife even if you can’t think of any uses for it. Simply by making these survival items a staple in your hiking pack and keeping them there, you’ll be prepared for getting lost every time you venture out in the woods.
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anoldent
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Posted by keira on June 26, 2009 in
hiking equipment
Camping Family
When it comes to camping trips, many people first imagine a fading-fire-filled, mosquito-swatting nature experience that doesn’t feel very natural at all. Especially for parents with families and children to take care of, getting into the Great Outdoors can feel more like a chore than a vacation.
Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you end up enjoying your camping trip, and these ways won’t necessarily cost you more money. Having a fun camping trip that your entire family can enjoy is about following some basic strategies that you won’t have to change your schedule around too much: and you can do many of them at home. Here are some great strategies for having a successful camping trip that everyone in your family enjoys.
First, remember that preparation is key. Doing all of your work up front means that once it comes time for camping, you’re prepared for anything that might head your way. While this is the “boring,” “safe” way to go camping, the way that seems rigid and inflexible, you’ll find that solid preparation is really the key to maintaining flexibility and providing for the ability to pursue a number of options. Does your family notice a chance to go hiking? If you’ve prepared with the right equipment, you’ll be ready.
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How do you prepare for a camping trip, and what are the things to consider? First, you’ll want to mentally run through a typical day at camp. How will you wake up? Will you be under a dry tent, and will your sleep be comfortable? How will you eat breakfast, how will you wash up, and what activities can you try throughout the day that you’ll enjoy? These are some great questions to ask yourself.
In particular, pay attention not only to a typical day for yourself, but what a family might need to do while camping. This will depend on the age range of your children, but you should already have a solid grip on what your specific children’s needs will be.
Out of this process, you’ll be able to form a “to-do” or “to-pack” checklist that will ensure you don’t forget anything on vacation day. You’ll not only be more likely to pack everything you’ll need, but you’ll feel more confident and secure when it comes time to leave.
Second, you’ll want to do some solid scouting. Make sure you’re choosing a campsite that isn’t too rustic or adventuresome. You want your family to have a good time, and many times, going the safe route and just letting your kids get a “taste” of nature is all that’s required to create a really authentic experience.
Keep in mind that these two strategies will help you remain flexible in the future: preparation should include preparing for the unexpected, and potential adventures that might come up. Be open-minded about your options and you’ll find out just how successful of a family camper you can be.
Photo Credit: Just-Us-3
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Posted by Hike Camp Fish on June 25, 2009 in
family
Kayaking
One of the most overlooked aspects of enjoying a camping trip is fully exploring the uses and potential of nearby lakes and rivers. If you’ve ever camped on a lake before, you’ve probably felt that the only options available to you are either swimming or fishing. Nothing could be further than the truth - it sounds like you need to kayak!
Kayaking can be a great, peaceful activity that gets your blood moving without exerting you too hard. While some people fully embrace it as a way to build upper body strength and balance, you don’t have to kayak for the physical benefits. Instead, inflating a simple rubber kayak or renting a wooden/metal kayak can be a great way to spend a few hours as daylight dwindles into twilight.
How do you get started with kayaking?
The first thing you’ll need is a kayak, so make sure that you’ve done some exploring to find cheap kayaking options. Local camping sites might have kayaks to rent out, but you could always find a cheap kayak online or an inflatable one. If you purchase an inflatable kayak, make sure there are no leaks by testing it out in shallow waters first. You’ll also want to remember to buy an auto-inflater that uses batteries, as blowing up a kayak by yourself can be quite a chore.
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Once you have a kayak or two secured, make sure you have an idea of where to go. On a small lake, you don’t have to worry about getting lost, but large rivers can be a different story. Make sure that you’re capable of getting back to where you started, especially in rougher waters where it can be extremely difficult to control your direction.
To spice up your kayak trip, you’ll also want to take a waterproof camera, or at least a well-protected digital camera. Why is this? It won’t only help you remember the trip, but it will provide some snapshots for others to see what you were able to find on your kayak. If you have a companion kayaking with you, you’ll also be able to take some great water-level pictures with extraordinary scenery and backgrounds.
Also, be sure that you don’t overexert yourself on your first kayaking trip. It can be easy to overestimate one’s own endurance, and even though you “feel great” starting out the trip, you might tire easily if it’s your first time. Make sure you don’t stray too far from home base - after you’re confident in your abilities, you can start to venture out farther and continue exploring.
Make sure to wear a life preserver, and you’ll be all set for a safe, secure, and enjoyable kayaking trip - and you can be home just in time for a flame-grilled dinner.
Photo Credits; SergioDJT
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Posted by keira on June 24, 2009 in
boating
Get Seen!
So you’re enjoying another fresh summer day in your extended backpacking trip, well used to the sounds of trees whistling in the wind and the sound of leaves and branches under your feet. You’re both a backpacker and a hiker these days, enjoying the feeling of the sun on your neck and having little else to worry about. Until you reach a strange new spot, look at the ground under the feet, and realize that you’ve lost the path.
What do you do now?
Here are three tips to remember if you ever get yourself into a situation in which you feel like you’re lost.
1. Get seen.
It’s tempting to continue on with your backpacking trip like you aren’t lost, as if following the woods you were walking through will somehow lead you back to the path you were on. But you need to get seen, especially if you’re in an area that has a relatively high level of human activity. You want to get seen not only to be seen but to see - many times by getting in a clearing or on a higher elevation, you’ll be able to scope out your exact situation. Sometimes, simply “getting seen” at a good vantage point can give you a reference that leads you back to where you were headed.
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2. Don’t panic.
If you’re lost for the first time in your life, you might not be sure how to handle it. So the body reverts to its old fallback option: panicking. You want to avoid this. Why? The more calm, assertive, and relaxed you are, the better you’ll be able to function. As soon as you start playing doomsday scenarios in your head, you’re beginning to find ways to make those scenarios happen. So cut them off right away and ask yourself empowering questions like “okay, what’s my next step? Where can I go?” Just taking that first step can clear your mind and get you feeling calm again.
3. Believe in survival.
Survival experts across the world point to your mental attitude as being one of the most crucial elements to any survival situation. After you’ve stopped yourself from panicking, you need to take an empowering attitude that opens up your mind to the right possibilities. Do you believe you’re going to get home? If you don’t, there won’t be much sense in trying - at least to your mind. But if you do believe it, you’ll work for it, you’ll persist, and you’ll eventually find a way to make it happen. Make sure that you do - and believe that you can.
Photo Credits: andrew.petro
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Posted by keira on June 23, 2009 in
hiking, hiking tips
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