Seasonal Hiking | Expect Experience

Understanding Web Design

Web design is a fast growing business and has become a useful skill for those interested in this career. Some individuals fall into web design, as their companies start a website and need an employee to assist with the process. Whether someone is a professional web designer or a novice looking for experience, this can be a fun way to experiment with different approaches and options.

Typically some type of web design software will be necessary in order to create a professional looking site. Some programs offer free trials for 30 days or more, so that potential customers can try out the features. It’s also smart to assess the needs of the business before undergoing a big project, because websites that offer sales are much more complex than those without. Security and encryption must be more advanced, and there has to be a way for customers to pay. For complicated websites, it will usually pay off to use the services of a professional web designer. Learning internet codes such as HTML, FTP, and PHP can be confusing.

For those who want to become more advanced in the world of web design, there are plenty of courses offered at colleges and universities. There are also forums and other means of communication from fellow web designers available online. It is often more helpful to read the experience of a person who has encountered a similar problem, because these people can provide guidance.

Designers can browse popular websites to get a feel for their likes and dislikes, and what they feel works well on a site. This will help ensure that the final result will be visually appealing.

Filed Under: Adventures, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: File Transfer Protocol, HTML, Web design

An Adventurer’s Dream

A waterbar in New York's Catskill Mountains. T...

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A great way to stay in shape is to take up the hobby of hiking. Hiking can be a very enjoyable and relaxing activity, but it will also help you to stay in shape. Hiking in the great outdoors allows you to get some fresh air and to see wildlife in its natural environment.

Finding great places to hike isn’t very difficult. Most government parks include hiking trails. You can also check various websites that list hiking trails in your area. Take advantage of resources such as canada 411 to find hiking opportunities close to where you live.

You will want to make sure that the trails you choose are at or below your skill level. Some trails are designed for more experienced hikers and you should be aware of the skill level of a trail before you begin your hike.

Choosing the right trails is important, particularly if you are a little out of shape and need easier trails with little rough terrain and virtually no significant elevation. Once these trails become easier for you, it’s time to move to the more advanced option. Some of the more difficult trails may include hiking through forests, hills or even mountains.

The point of hiking is simple – to get or stay active, enjoy the great outdoors, and have fun. This is a family activity that even your children will enjoy. Use it as a learning tool to become educated about plants and animals and identify different types and species. The possibilities for fun while hiking are endless.

Filed Under: Adventures, All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Outdoors, Trail

Is Hiking Only During the Summer?

Windbeeches on the Schauinsland in Germany (Bl...

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Hiking around in the great outdoors is a very common practice during the summer time, but a lot of people hang up their boots and take to other pursuits when the cold weather rears its ugly head. As sad as it is, a lot of people get all gloomy and end up skipping out on the winter, even though it’s one of the most beautiful seasons of the year for taking a long hike.

You can hike during the winter, but only if you know how. There are a lot of different aspects of hiking during the winter time that many summer time hikers never really think about. For one thing, you need to pack more calories into your snack schedule during the winter, because your body has to work harder to keep itself warm. For another thing, making sure your water doesn’t freeze up will be another issue. Speaking of water, obviously you can sweat during the winter time. But do you know how to properly layer your clothes, so that you can moderate how much you sweat as you exert yourself?

There are a lot of different components to winter hiking. Even the gear you use is different for this time of the year. Insulation and fabrics designed to wick away sweat are extremely useful in the cold, and keeping your feet dry is especially useful. Trench foot can cause serious damage at up to sixty degrees, even when you’ve only had wet feet for six hours or so. Before you venture out into the winter wonderland, make sure you know how to make it back from there safely.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Outdoors, Weather

The Best U.S. Mountains to Climb

Mount Elbert, Colorado in June - http://www.Ro...

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The question many beginner mountain climbing enthusiasts ask is what are the best U.S, mountains to climb? The first part of the answer to that question is the level of difficulty involved in climbing a particular U.S. peak.

The level of difficulty involves a mix of two factors: altitude and terrain. At the lowest level a mountain would be at a low altitude with easily climbed terrain. The reality is that a tall mountain could be a walk-up with little difficulty involved and a mountain at a much lower altitude could have much rougher terrain. Regardless of the level of difficulty, a safety minded mountaineer always climbs with a companion.

California’s Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in the lower 48 states at an altitude of 14, 494 feet and yet it is considered a walk-up climb by mountaineers. The same level of difficulty applies to Mount Elbert in Colorado with an altitude of 14,433 feet.

Located outside the continental United States is Hawaii’s Mount Haleakala, a walk-up mountain that makes up 75% of the island of Maui. The mountain was formed from a volcano over thousands of years.

There are mountains in the United States that are significantly more difficult to climb. New Hampshire’s Mount Washington peaks at an altitude of 6,288 feet and yet it is a difficult climb because of the weather conditions. The highest recorded wind gust on a U.S mountaintop – 231 miles per hour – was measured on Mount Washington. During the winter, sustained temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded on this mountain and the wind chill has been estimated at -100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another low altitude mountain that merits difficulty respect is Maine’s Mount Katadhin at 5,267 feet above seal level. This mountain sits at the end of the Appalachian Trail and is known for the Knife Edge Trail, a path that is no more than two feet wide in some spots with 1,000 foot drops on either side of the path.

Filed Under: Adventures, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Mountaineering, United States

The Triple Crown of Hiking

Within the United States there are three internationally acclaimed hiking trails known as the Triple Crown of hiking: the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Each of these trails has its own unique topography and character. All three trails have been designated as National Scenic Trails under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail runs 2,175 miles through the Appalachian Mountains from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine, passing through Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. The Appalachian Mountains also form the geographic boundary between the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest United States.

The terrain ranges from flat to areas that require the use of the hands to move forward or up. As the trail moves north, the terrain becomes more rugged. The average altitude is around 3,000 feet above sea level.

The Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail is often called the “King of Trails” and is most challenging of the three national scenic trails. The trail stretches 3,100 miles from the Mexican border to the Canadian border making it the longest of the three. The Continental Divide Trail winds through the Rocky Mountains and a variety of other terrains in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Portions of the Continental Divide Trail are considered wilderness and as of 2004 slightly over 70 percent of the trail has been completely cleared for hiking.

The Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail differs from its two cousins in that it is a hiking and equestrian trail. The trail covers 2,650 miles from the U.S-Mexican border to the Canadian border at British Columbia, Canada, and passes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Cascade Range in California, Oregon and Washington.

An average of 300 hikers attempts to cover the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail every season – less than the number of climbers that have climbed Mt. Everest.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: AppalachianTrail, Hiking

Hiking in the Winter

When the winter blues hit, there is little that helps more than some physical exercise. One of the best ways to get some exercise and shake off the depression is hiking. Although there is a bit more preparation required for winter hiking, it is definitely worth the extra work.

As you plan a winter hike, keep in mind the shorter days. Winter has the shortest days of the year, and with the short days come cold temperatures and heavy wind. Using the weather forecast, track the sunrise and sunset times for your area. Plan on finishing your hike well before the sun is expected to set. Not only will the sudden onset of nighttime leave you confused and with a poor sense of direction, it can also leave you exposed to the frigid cold.

Since you will be dealing with the cold and wind, you need to dress warm. Rather than dressing in two heavy, puffy layers, dress in lots of thin layers. Dressing too heavily for the winter can leave you sweaty and dehydrated. Wearing layers allows you to adjust your clothing to the fluctuating temperatures. Be sure to bring a hiking backpack that has enough space for your various layers.

Wintertime has the unfortunate side effect of ice. Ice can be incredibly dangerous to a hiker, since a slip in the woods could leave you vulnerable to the elements. It’s even more dangerous when there is snow on the ground, since the snow can mask the ice and give you a false sense of security.

Because of the increased physical dangers of ice and snow, it’s imperative that you hike with a partner. If one of you slips and gets hurt, there’s someone available to go get help and seek medical care.

Even if it’s not the most popular time to go hiking, winter is a great time to reconnect with nature and explore.

Filed Under: Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Wintertime

Hiking in the Fall

As the leaves change color and families return to their regular routines, hiking still fits in most schedules. Although everyone thinks of summer as the best season for hiking, fall is an equally wonderful choice.

First, the beginning of fall is a lovely time to hike. You still have the long days of summer but you also get the cooler temperatures. These cooler temperatures can take the edge off of a long hike and keep you from becoming drenched with sweat. Even as the days grow shorter, hiking is still a fun activity. The shorter days become cooler, allowing you to hike in areas that may have been too hot during the summer.

If you hike during the late part of fall, plan to start no earlier than 8 or 9 AM and to be done by 4 or 5 PM. The shorter days can lead to you being in the woods when the sun goes down. This change can leave you disoriented and confused, a very dangerous state for a hiker.

The cooler temperatures of fall mean that you need to take extra steps to stay warm. It is not typically as bitterly cold as the winter days that follow, but it can definitely get breezy. Dress in many layers when hiking. You never know what the weather will be throughout the hike, and it’s important to be able to dress and undress as you need to in order to remain comfortable.

It is highly recommended that you hike with a partner during the fall. Night can set in earlier than anticipated. If that should happen, it is imperative to have a partner that can help you get out of the woods and back to a safe area.

Hiking during the fall can be a fun and exhilarating experience as long as you stay safe and warm.

Filed Under: Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Recreation

Hiking in the Summer

Once the kids are out of school and vacation hours can be used up, it’s time to go for a hike. Summer is one of the most popular seasons for hiking, since it’s warm and the days are longer. Use these tips to stay safe and have the most fun you can on your summer hiking trip.

First, plan your hiking trip around certain hours. Between 10 AM and 2 PM, the UV rays of the sun are the strongest and you are most prone to sunburn. Even if you are hiking in the woods and are under a cover of trees, the sun can still seep through and leave you with a painful sunburn. Hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Since the days are so long, you can safely wait until late in the afternoon to start your hike. Even in the off-peak hours, apply sunscreen.

Be sure to liberally apply bug and mosquito spray. Summer is bugs’ favorite season, and failing to use insect repellent can leave you with painful welts or bites. Bring the repellent with you so you can reapply throughout the day. As you sweat, you are likely to sweat off the repellent and leave yourself vulnerable to hungry insects.

Pack lots of water! The summer heat can be brutal all over the country, and it is very easy to get dehydrated due to sweat and heat. Bring lots of cool water; a great way of saving space is packing the water in collapsible bottles. The bottles stand up like a regular bottle when full. Once you are done, however, they collapse to lie flat and save space in your hiking backpack.

With these tips, it’s incredibly simple to have the time of your life on a summer hiking trip. Stay safe, hydrated, and protected from the sun.

Filed Under: Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Recreation

Great Hiking Spots in Alpine Lakes Wilderness

The Cascade Range in Washington is not only breathtakingly beautiful, it is home to many of the region’s best hiking spots. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a nature area located within the Cascade Range. It also has many hiking areas within its woods and the mountains located within its boundaries.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness has a lot of forested area in it that provides paths and hiking trails. The Wenatchee National Forest is located here, as is the Snoqualmie National Forest. It is such a great hiking area because it is a very rugged area. There are lots of peaks, valleys, and other topographic variations that make for a challenging and exciting hiking area.

There are five mountainous areas in Alpine Lakes Wilderness that are excellent for hiking. Mount Daniel is one of the biggest challenges, and therefore a big goal for many hikers. It is almost 8,000 feet tall and it is known for being the highest point in the Kittitas County. However, it isn’t the highest point in Alpine Lakes Wilderness! Mount Stuart is almost 9,500 feet and it is the tallest mountain in the entire wilderness area.

The Stuart Range of mountains is also located here. It has over 10 scalable peaks for hikers and climbers. It also encompasses the Enchantment Lakes, which provide a rest spot for weary hikers. The Stuart Range runs parallel to the Wenatchee Mountains. The Wenatchee Mountain range has dozens of mountain peaks that range in difficulty level from easy to very difficult.

Also located within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area is the Chiwaukum Mountain range. It is considerably smaller than the other ranges in the area. However, it still has three peaks for explorers to try.

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area is clearly an exciting hiking area for hikers of all skill levels.

Filed Under: Adventures, All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest

Great Hiking Spots in the Washington Cascades

Hiking in the Washington Cascades is a great adventure for any hiker. The Washington Cascades are a chain of mountains that extend from southern Canada to northern California. They are known for their variety of beautiful and exciting hiking areas.

Annette Lake is one of the primary places that hikers enjoy in the Washington Cascades. The lake is frozen over most of the year, due to the high altitudes and the acclimation of snow. As a result, snow bridges often form over and near the lake. During the summer, however, the lake is warm and inviting. The forest and hiking trails leading up to the actual lake are surrounded by trees on all sides. This keeps the trails cool even on warmer days, and it can also make it difficult to get a good sense of direction.

If you would rather try your hand at hiking some Washington Cascades mountains, try out the North Bend Three. These summits are not for the weak at heart or the inexperienced. They make for a strenuous workout, and they are quite the physical challenge. Three peaks make up the North Bend three. The first is Granite Mountain; some say it is the easiest of the three. The second challenge is McLellan Butte. It takes a longer time to master, and it can cause fatigue in even the most experienced hikers. Finally, Mount Si is the end to the North Bend adventure.

Hiking in the Washington Cascades comes with its share of challenges. The rewards definitely outweigh the challenges, though! Hikers that brave this area can look forward to exploring uncharted territory and spending some intimate time with nature. As with all hiking trips, you should be sure to have a good map and emergency plan if you hike in this area. Hike with a hiking buddy in case of emergency.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Washington

Understanding Web Design

An Adventurer’s Dream

Is Hiking Only During the Summer?

The Best U.S. Mountains to Climb

The Triple Crown of Hiking

Hiking in the Winter

Hiking in the Fall

Hiking in the Summer

Great Hiking Spots in Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Great Hiking Spots in the Washington Cascades

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