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Hiking at the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon, to many, is the grand-daddy of all the possible sights to see in the world, the most intriguing visual challenge to conquer. To locals in Arizona, it may more simply be a great place to hike, but the Grand Canyon continues to be one of the top-rated spots to backpack and adventure, even for beginning hikers. Here is a brief guide to hiking at one of the world’s most famous hiking spots.
1. You are responsible for your safety.
The Grand Canyon, though national park land, doesn’t exactly have lifeguards posted at every turn to make sure that hikers have a good time and stay safe. Rather, hiking is an “at your own risk” type of situation, which is what experienced hikers should be used to – but something that all hikers should prepare for.
What’s included in your safety? Having enough supplies for you and yours, having an accurate forecast of the weather, and knowing where you’re starting and where you plan on going. You’ll also want to have an idea of the local environment, including critters to expect along the way, just to cut down on the unexpected things you might come across.2. Choose your hike wisely.
There’s no single “one” Grand Canyon hike, there are many to choose from, and if you’re a beginning hiker you’ll want to choose the easier ones. The views are the same whether you’re a beginning or experienced hiker, so don’t feel bad if you don’t get to explore more on your own the first time; just try to choose a hike that is appropriate to your skill level. It’s possible to challenge yourself without putting yourself out of your element, and if you’re going to be responsible for your safety, it falls on you to choose the right hike.
3. Don’t carry so much.
It’s tempting to take your whole car with you on a hike, packing up your backpack full of plenty of convenient – and heavy – items. Don’t do this, as a heavy backpack is one of the quickest ways to spoil a hike; you don’t want to be crawling to the finish line. Instead, pack as light as possible, including necessary elements like water, and spare what you can afford to spare.
All in all, you’ll find it easy to enjoy the Grand Canyon; hiking it is more a matter of understanding your limits and not trying too hard to challenge yourself. You’ll find that once you’re actually there, the magic of the Grand Canyon will take over and you’ll feel you’ve been hiking all your life.
Photo Credits: The Javelina
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Tips for Small-Lake Fishing
Let’s be honest: unless you live on the coast, you won’t be able to enjoy a grand sea every time you head out to fish. For some people, this is just fine by them, as they prefer inland lake fishing. But what if you can’t even find a large inland lake? Then it’s time to figure out some great tips and strategies for having a great outing even though you feel like you may be able to swim the length of the lake. Here are some tips to help you come back with plenty of fish.
First, a quick physics lesson. We live in space and time – and since your space is limited in a small lake, it will help to optimize your time. What is the best time to catch fish? If you have to wake up early in the morning, even a little before dawn, or wait until evening, do so if those are your best chances to catch small fish. If you can fish on a calm lake, you’ll have the advantage of finding undisturbed fish.
Some small lakes have rules that dictate how long people can run their motors on a high level. You’ll want to avoid these hours, as smaller lakes will be easier to disturb. During these hours, make sure that you have something else to do so that you don’t get antsy waiting to fish. If you can, try to get your fishing done early as opposed to later, as this will free up your time as the evening hours roll around.Next, be sure that you can optimize your bait. What does “optimizing your bait” mean? It’s just a fancy term that suggests you have the right bait for the right kind of fish. Ask some locals nearby what kind of fish you can expect to catch, and what the biggest kind of fish enjoy for bait. Then head to the bait shop. If you simply roll up to a lake with the same old bait, you can’t always be sure you’ll be bringing the right “stuff.” Sometimes, worms and leeches will work just fine, but it always helps to be sure, just in case.
After that, try to find out the behaviors of the fish you’re catching. If they flock to one area, be sure you put your boat in that area. Since there won’t be a lot of options in a small lake, it’s quite likely you can find out if there’s an ideal “spot” for fishing.
Remember that fishing requires preparation and patience – if you have neither, chances are you won’t come back with much. But if you have both, you can succeed, even on a small lake.
Photo Credits: Kamil Porembiński
