Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort has been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national park systems. In honor of their efforts, let's break out of our winter hibernation and venture into the crisp, clean outdoor air and hit some of those dirt trails. Let's Go Hiking!
Here are 4 steps to having an enjoyable hike, no matter where your feet decide to take you.
1. Know the area you will be hiking in to. Although many states, like California, Colorado, or Wyoming have exceptional hiking hot spots, even your local park will have some kind of useful information. Whether it's a website with information and trail details, or a map at the park office, trailhead, or visitor center, always check before you head out on your hike so you know what to expect.
2. Know the conditions you will be facing, wherever you go. Nothing is worse than traveling to a hiking destination only to miss the hike, because it was raining or freezing and you weren't prepared. If the trail is flooded out, or snowy conditions have shut it down for an extended period, you should be able to find this out as well. It is also good to know if there are any plants or animals to watch out for at your hiking location. Wiping with poison ivy won't feel good in the morning.
3. Wear clothing that works and fits the terrain and hike conditions. There are many options in your clothing arsenal, to keep yourself comfortable, here are a couple of pointers:
- Try and stay away from cotton. Instead, look for synthetic and natural fibers that pull moisture away from your body, or at least stay warm when wet.
- Also, go for layers to keep yourself warm, versus carrying around a huge parka, in case you are hit by a freak snowstorm.
- The two most important pieces of clothing for any hiker, are good socks and good shoes. Don't underestimate the pain a hike can cause with uncomfortable shoes and socks.
- Finally, a hat in cold weather is a great addition, since your body loses over half its heat through your head.
4. In addition to knowing the weather conditions, you will need to be prepared with a first aid kit that's appropriate for the hiking you will be doing. In most cases a simple kit will do. You can pick up a simple first aid kit at a local department or sporting goods store. Or you can build you own, which should include these basics:
- Different sizes and shapes of bandages and gauzes.
- Various types of tape for wounds or fixing tools.
- Suntan lotion.
- A light emergency blanket (preferably with some kind of water resistance).
- Aspirin, allergy, laxative, and anti-diuretic medications.
- Small multi-use tool with a knife, scissors, and a needle and thread.
- A cell phone can come in very handy in emergencies.
It's a good idea to pack all of this in a waterproof bag or container.
Using these tips, your next hiking adventure should be quite comfortable, safe, and enjoyable!
Additional information and resources for this article can be found at: http://www.dohiking.com/art icles/56/4-steps-to-an-enjoyable-hike/
© 2005 This article is provided courtesy of DoHiking.com
This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
The thing with enjoying the great outdoors is seeing aspects... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More
The first recorded mapping of what is now Koombana Bay... Read More
Nightlife in Big Sky, Montana is more exciting than you... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More
San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
There are so many selections available when it comes to... Read More
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More
Table Mountain sheltered the original Cape explorers in the 16th... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where... Read More
The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
As the weather cools in late summer and the days... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our... Read More
My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Outdoors |