Hiking Techniques | Expect Experience

Getting Your Partner Involved in Your Hobbies

March 16, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

When it comes to relationships and dating, learning more about the other person is certainly one of the major priorities. This is one major area that must be explored in order to measure compatibility, as getting to know the other person will allow you to see their values, passions, and things they like to do for fun. Thus, for both individuals, it is important for one’s hobbies to be shared.

Showing your hobbies to your partner, whether you’re in the beginning stages of a relationship or more involved, makes for a fun date that can be revealing and important. For instance, if you enjoy pottery, this could be a fun and slightly unorthodox date. Both of you could take a class or you could have a more intimate setting, where you would be able to teach him techniques to make an object.

In relationships this is how interests can become shared. After all, one’s hobbies, in a meaningful relationship, can become enjoyed by both individuals. Many committed relationships find both people enjoying activities such as these. While it may not become his favorite activity, he is likely to enjoy spending time with you and learning more about a passion of yours.

Don’t forget that this goes both ways. When you are dating someone – or even when you’re married – it is a great idea to ask your partner about their interests. Making this attempt will demonstrate that you’re interested and want to know more about your partner’s interests and passions. It makes for a great date idea and something that the two of you can share, and you may just find something that is fun.

Getting involved in your partner’s hobbies, and certainly the other way around, is an important value in dating. Strive to get to know your partner and to allow him to get to know you.

Filed Under: Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Committed relationship, Dating, Hobby

Sensible Rules for Mountain Climbing

February 16, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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Mountain climbing can be a fun and challenging activity; it can also be dangerous. There are rules for climbing mountains that make it safer and more enjoyable.

Choosing the proper clothing beforehand is an important first rule. At higher altitudes the air is colder and weather needs to be considered. Thick wool socks should be worn with boots designed for climbing. Trousers, preferably climbing breeches, should be loose fitting and comfortable. Top garments should be warm and designed to protect against wind and rain. Many climbers prefer neoprene-proof anorak for protection in rain. Trousers made from the same material will shield from run-off from the top garment. Light weight thermal gloves offer good protection for the hands. A safety helmet should always be worn when climbing.

The next rule is to plan the climb well in advance of the date. Planning includes getting and becoming familiar with maps of the area, keeping close track of expected weather conditions, and planning the route to be taken. Make sure a copy of the planned itinerary is left with a responsible person. If the weather becomes unsafe, it is best to cancel the climb – better safe than sorry.

Safety is a prime consideration in mountain climbing. Before starting to climb, double check to make sure that maps, a flashlight and a compass will be handy at all times. The one piece of technology that should be carried is a fully charged cell phone. Be sure to stay on the planned route – do not wander off into unfamiliar areas. Bring plenty of fluids and drink periodically to stay hydrated. Travel at a moderate pace. Even walk-up mountain climbing can be exhausting. Stay alert for unexpected hazards along the route.

Always be considerate of the environment and others who climb mountains. Whatever is brought onto a mountain should be taken back down. “Whatever” includes trash, empty containers and anything else that is not part of the natural habitat?

Finally, have a safe and enjoyable climb.

Filed Under: Adventures, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Climb, mountaineer

Trail Mix, Trail Ease

February 12, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

It’s the familiar hunger. The miles have yielded a need to stop, to sample the essential tastes. The collection of fruits and nuts stuffed in your bag offers little appeal, however. A mix was intended for forest trails but seems insufficient: its flavors are unknown; its calories are high; and its scent is stale. It was promised to be perfect but you’re beginning to think that promise was a lie.

It was — and it’s one that could have been avoided with the use of a food dehydrator.

The need for sustenance while hiking is understood by all. The paths can be long and the hours can be longer. Energy is wanted and trail mixes can become ideal sources of that energy. They bolster the body, providing essential carbohydrates and monounsaturated fats (which are derived from nuts, rather than animals, and offer doses of vitamin e, fiber and more). They’re easy to store and easier to carry — claiming little space in packs and demanding nothing beyond your fingers.

When purchased from stores, however, they can instead demand dollars and high caloric counts. Shop brands can be expensive: with you wasting money on unnecessary (and unwanted) sugars, trans-fats and artificial flavors. These will steal energy, rather than provide it; and your body won’t be able to endure those afternoon treks.

A food dehydrator will make such treks easy, though.

Create your own mixes with the aid of a dehydrator. Choose the ingredients (and quantities) that you want; avoid the unhappy additives; and build layers of flavor. Consider nuts like pecans and almonds for bursts of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Add fruit — that you dried yourself — like raisins, apricots, cherries and plums for natural sweetness. Blend in a scattering of sunflower seeds to create texture. Store then in an air-tight container and go on your way.

Never again rely on shops and their uncertainties. Form a mix that’s instead thoroughly your own.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Fruit, Nuts, Trail mix

An Experience Under the Stars

February 8, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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Camping outdoors, under the stars, enjoying the full moon image, and bonding with surrounding nature . . . a mountain vacation is indeed peaceful and almost spiritual to experience. There is no traffic, no interruptions, no “busyness” or other daily distractions to interfere with your vacation pursuit of solitude and perhaps even enjoying a different kind of physical fun, like hiking. Hiking is definitely a physically demanding sport, so be sure to adequately prepare for it with the proper gear, clothing, tools, fluids, and camping essentials to make your experience safe, fun, and full of wonderful memories.

Hiking and camping trips are ultra physical activities that also make for a good vacation. There are numerous places to try out your hiking instincts, and there is nothing like cooking bacon and brewing coffee over an open campfire! Imagine trekking in the mountains of the Himalayas, seeing the sights, experiencing the sounds, and inhaling that fresh mountain air as you scale that steep mountain or maneuver through those winding trails. A Himalayan adventure is just one option among many, with various other locations offering similar fun and excitement that you can’t wait to share with your family and friends!

But, even if they can’t be there with you when you stand on that mountain peak and bellow out through the valleys, you can still let them know you’re thinking about them by sending them a picture text or message. Or, for nostalgia and a more memorable keepsake, send postcards of the amazing sights and sounds that you experience in the mountains. They can keep those postcards to add to their scrapbooks, on their refrigerators, or on their desks at work. It’s a great idea to share your experience and is also a way to spark conversations as you reminisce about your visit and exciting events that occured while you were on vacation.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Hiking, Himalaya, Mountain

The Benefits of Hiking

January 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

When it comes to picking an exercise routine, there are many options available. Not nearly enough people consider hiking! In this day and age, most people would rather go to the gym or do a DVD in their living room than get outside and get their exercise by exploring the world around them.

One of the main benefits of hiking is that it is essentially free! You don’t pay a monthly membership fee to the forest and you don’t sign a contract with a mountain. You only have to buy the appropriate hiking equipment; however, that is true with any exercise routine! No matter what you do, you have to buy the clothes and equipment for it. After you’ve made that initial investment, you are free to exercise whenever you want to.

Hiking also has lots of health benefits. Being outside and breathing in fresh air releases endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that make you feel happy and make you more capable of dealing with stress and negative situations. There are also health benefits for your body. Hiking is an aerobic activity, so it’s good for your heart and lungs. However, it also provides strength training because of the constant weight shift that goes on. The rugged terrain that’s present in most hikes also helps you improve your balance and coordination.

Finally, hiking helps you explore your world. Even the most geographically boring areas have dozens of hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered. By hiking, you can see all of the wilderness around you and stimulate your mind while you are working your body.

Hiking is such a great pastime and exercise form that it has something to offer everyone. All of these benefits make hiking the right choice for your mental and physical health.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Hiking, Recreation

How to Pick Hiking Boots

January 15, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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When you pick out shoes to buy, it’s likely a quick process. Try them on, see if they’re comfortable, and buy them if they seem to fit. It’s not that easy to buy hiking boots! Since hiking boots should last you several years and many miles of rugged terrain, you need to take care while purchasing them.

If you tend to take the same type of hikes on a regular basis, take that into account as you shop for hiking boots. If you tend to hike on an incline, look for boots that have some grip to them; they will help prevent sliding. The type of terrain that you hike on is also important. Soft dirt and rock are two very different hiking grounds, and there is a huge variety of terrains between the extremes. Different types of boots are needed for different types of ground, especially if you want to prevent blisters and strained muscles.

Upon trying on hiking boots, there are some things to look for. First, do the boots fit? They should fit comfortably without being too snug. If they are snug in the store, it is almost a guarantee that they will be too tight when hiking. After several hours of hiking, your feet will swell. Swelling is even more likely to occur if you are hiking in hot weather. Make sure that your boots fit comfortably but also have room for growth.

Another option to consider is waterproof boots. Some hiking boots come already waterproofed; if you hike in moist conditions or near the water, this is an incredibly important factor. Hiking with wet or damp feet can be very uncomfortable. Decide whether you’d rather buy waterproofed boots or buy boots and then waterproof them.

Buying the right pair of boots is easy if you consider all of your hiking choices and preferences.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Hiking, Waterproofing

Choosing a GPS for Hiking

January 13, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Getting lost while hiking in the forest is certainly a terrifying experience. Hikers today do not have to worry about that danger, thanks to the creation of GPS. GPS, which means “global positioning system”, is a way that hikers can keep track of their location and track where they are going. Before running out and buying the first GPS you find, it’s important to know what to look for.

While you may think that using the GPS on your car or phone is alright, special GPS setups for hiking exist. A car or phone GPS system can typically track your location to an accuracy of about 30 feet. However, a hiking GPS is meant to be more specific. When you’re lost hiking, 30 feet is a fairly long distance.

Some GPS systems also have the ability to continuously update your location. If you have a handheld system, that can be very helpful! When you are lost, it is sometimes helpful to just go back to where you started rather than try to soldier through. If you have a map that shows your exact movements, you can simply track your movements on the GPS to get back to your starting point.

Another advantage of this feature is that it can help you on later hiking trips. If you love a hiking trail that you found, you can save the hike information from your GPS. In higher end models, you can even download the information to your computer. You could build a great database of hiking trails!

Some of the simpler features to look for include a long battery life and resistance to water. For long hikes, you need a GPS that can hold up to days of usage. The moistness of many forests and waterside hikes indicate a need for a waterproof GPS. These are special features that can only be found on a hiking GPS.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Global Positioning System, Hiking

Safety Advice for Hiking with Kids

January 8, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

As childhood obesity rates rise in America, many people are trying to get their children more active. One of the best ways to do that is to get them interested in hiking. Hiking is a fun family activity that can help your child stay active and interested at the same time.

However, hiking with children isn’t always easy. It requires a fair bit of planning as well as some extra precautions. The first thing to consider is whether or not your children are old enough for hiking. If it’s one of your favorite hobbies, be careful to not overestimate your children’s ability to hike. If they are younger than eight, you should wait a year or two to try hiking.

If your child is younger than thirteen, you should consider your hiking locations very carefully. There are many things that could make a trip difficult for children that you wouldn’t otherwise think about. Consider the incline and other physical limitations that could wear your child out early in the trip. Failing to take these things into consideration could make a hiking trip end prematurely. Even worse, you could have a tired, whiny child for the duration of the trip. Not only would that be unpleasant for you, but it is sure to turn your child off to hiking.

Be sure to bring lots of water for children. They dehydrate fairly quickly, and it can be very dangerous for them to stay dehydrated. Bring more water than you think they will need; it is better to carry around too much water than to leave your child dehydrated after strenuous exercise.

Have a backup plan if your child gets hurt, tired, or dehydrated. You could choose a hiking location that circles back to your car or plan a shorter hiking trip. These tips can help you foster a love of hiking in your children.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Hiking, United States

Hiking For Charity

December 27, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

So you enjoy hiking and you always try to give back to your community by helping them raise funds for a cause close to your heart. Have you thought about the possibilities of hiking to raise funds for those causes? There are thousands of people who train and take annual hiking trips in order to raise funds. From celebrities to average citizens, those who enjoy this activity will find ways to make their trip productive. So why not give it a shot and while you are having fun doing what you love, find a sponsor who is willing to support your cause. There are several ways to raise money by hiking and certain companies will notice your good nature and they will even offer to foot the bill for your trip.

If other sporting activities can raise money, then you will be able to achieve the same by hiking. Companies try to find new ways to advertise their products and they are willing to pay as much or as little as possible. Companies benefit from these types of donations, as this is a form of tax deductible for them. You too will benefit by receiving the funding you need for the charity and at the same time you may stand to have the entire trip paid for. This is a winning situation for all parties involved and you will only receive praise for your efforts while having a good time.

It is always a good feeling to give to charity and help those who are a lot less fortunate than us. If you are new to hiking, you too can take part in this, but you must train for several months so that you can endure the physical pressure. You will experience something new and raise funds while doing so. As long as you have an open mind and a passion for a new experience, you will love hiking and look forward to future trips.

Filed Under: Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Fundraising, Hiking, Recreation

Adventurous Holiday Getaway

December 24, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Holidays are a time of the year when you get the chance to spend time with your family, you have not seen in a while. For many, the holiday season is the only time they can get away from home and have a relaxing time. If you are one of those people, why not try to do something that you can involve the whole family in and go to a new place. New places bring about a certain joy from experiencing new things, and you can learn a few new activities you have always wanted to try. There are many activities you can perform and you will be amazed at how much your family enjoys the new experience.

It is hard to find a good time for every family member to get away, and between work, school and, other things that go on in our everyday life, holidays times are the best. Almost every person, regardless of their profession, has this time of the year off. What better way to spend it than with your family and at a place you have always wanted to visit. You can go to on a beach getaway or even a cruise and if you and your family are looking for something adventurous, try to find something new. Go on a safari or even on a hiking and excavating trip. These new adventures may involve a lot of physical activities, but maybe that’s just what you and your family needs.

Something like hiking will give the entire family something new to look forward to. Even though you will receive complaints about your trip planning, you will still be the one suggesting a change. Once everyone experiences the fun you can have together, they will forget their complaints and enjoy every minute of it. A new place with certain activities provides a new outlook on life and, hiking may do just that for you and your loved ones.

Filed Under: Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Christmas and holiday season, Family (biology), Hiking

Getting Your Partner Involved in Your Hobbies

Sensible Rules for Mountain Climbing

Trail Mix, Trail Ease

An Experience Under the Stars

The Benefits of Hiking

How to Pick Hiking Boots

Choosing a GPS for Hiking

Safety Advice for Hiking with Kids

Hiking For Charity

Adventurous Holiday Getaway

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