Sports | Expect Experience

Recreation on the Wasatch Range

The Wasatch Range is a mountain range spanning 160 miles from the Utah-Idaho border to central Utah. It is located in some of the most pristine and beautiful country in America and also boasts to be one of the most accessible mountain ranges. The range is home to 11 ski resorts and claims to be home to some of the most frequently used canyon roads in the United States. The Wasatch boasts countless marked and unmarked trailheads, ranging from easy hikes to strenuous mountain climbs.

The most frequented canyons in the Wasatch are Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. Only a half hour from the Salt Lake International Airport, Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons are home to some of the most famous ski resorts in the world. Alta was rated the best skier’s mountain by “Ski” magazine and holds the distinction of being one of only three ski resorts that only cater to skiers. The other standout resort is Snowbird. Along with Alta, it was rated the number one North American ski resort by “Skier” magazine.

While the winter beauty and notoriety of the canyons cannot be surpassed, many people flock to the Wasatch canyons in the summertime for the epic hiking and other summer mountain sports. On any given warm summer day, you will see people riding triathlon bikes, trudging up 45-degree angle roads, and rock climbers. When attempting either of these sports, you should make sure you are prepared. Have the proper equipment and use a guide when necessary.

With a locals-only cave that is known to run over 3,000 feet deep, make sure you have a guide and don’t try caving alone. Regardless of what sport you choose to do or the season you go, the Wasatch Range offers a multitude of outdoor recreation second to none.

Filed Under: Adventures, Hiking Techniques, Sports Tagged With: Alta Ski Area, Canyon, Salt Lake City International Airport, Ski resort, Snowbird Utah, United States, Utah, Wasatch Range

Boots, Socks, Adhesive Tape and No Pain

It is amazing to see what people go through when they decide to backpack without honestly making the effort to be prepared first. Your feet? They are either your Road Ranger or a skate board with broken wheels. Which do you want when you are ten miles from the trial head?

You can go to the specialty stores and purchase the best boots imaginable and spend hundreds doing so. Asolo, Vasque, Patagonia, Soloman . . . the brand names are endless, but the brand name does not get you what you need. Each manufacturer creates boots for certain specialties. That means you need to go to the store knowing the kind of terrain you are going to travel. Which will you get for high alpine climbs on snow fields? Vasque Breeze Gore-Tex or Asolo TPS 520 GVs? You better know the difference. You also need to know that the best boot will leave you disabled if it has not been fitted by a professional. This is not retail rhetoric. It’s a reality. Let the wisdom sink in so you don’t have bleeding toes!

Socks are critical to the safety of the two things that transport you up and down again. A big thick pair of wool socks, right? Maybe. Maybe not. If you have never hiked or are not an avid runner, you need to know about layering of socks: a very thin synthetic on the foot covered by wool or cotton on top. That way the socks rub on socks instead of boot and sock rubbing on skin. However, even that precaution will not protect your feet completely. You need to have worn the boots enough to know where the rub-spots are and cover those spots with adhesive tape for further protection. And if your feet are most tender, don’t forget to pack Second Skin.

The comfort and safety of your feet is perhaps the number one item on your list of to-dos before gearing up with any other of the needed items. Without your feet, you’re in painful nowhere. Do your research. Enjoy your journey.

Filed Under: Air Travel, Family Travel, Sports Tagged With: Adhesive Tape, Boots, No Pain, Socks

Who to Bring Hiking

: Image via Wikipedia

Hiking is a sport and activity of solitude but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. As you are planning your next hiking trip, you’re probably generating interest among family and friends who want to enjoy the quiet and the peace of the great outdoors. Here’s the only problem: You fancy yourself to be a serious hiker and you want to plan a trip with the right people. Your regular hiking buddy can’t go, so who do you bring with you? Just like alternative cigarettes, there are a lot of choices, so make sure you think through your options.

Be Wary of Newbies

Look, everyone thinks they can hike, but then they get out there and it’s a lot tougher than they thought. You don’t want to have a hike planned only to get out there and realize that your companion can’t make it through half of the itinerary. It’s no fun having to forgo part of a great hike in a place you’ve never been before just because someone can’t keep up. That’s why its so important to make sure you bring active people. It might be worth it to bring along athletic people, even if they’ve never hiked before, because you know they will keep up.

Good Conversation

Here’s a rule that you should follow: You need to spend your hiking trip with someone who can do two things for you. First, you want someone who can enjoy the silence with you. Someone who is a chatter box or who doesn’t know when it’s quiet time isn’t a person you want with you for a hike. Second, the person needs to be able to make good conversation. You don’t have the bright lights and loud bars of a city. You just have the two of you and amazing conversation. Select a companion who can bring that.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Hiking, Outdoor, Recreation

The Allure of Custom Poker Tables

Given the geography and history of the southwestern part of the United States, one can imagine certain sports being more prevalent than others. Think of a whole host of sports that require dust, dirt, and open expanses of desert. Images of cowboys being flung to the ground by rampaging bulls and bucking broncos come to mind, as well as 4×4 off-road vehicles flying through the air as they race from one ridge to the next. You can hike all the time in the beautiful places.

What is it about the Southwest that brings out the cowboy, whether riding a horse, a bull, or in a Ford Bronco? Along with activities like roping calves and breaking horses are the indoor sports, or what one might call “saloon sports,” such as darts, cards, and pool. Perhaps the heat drives people to the cool of an indoor saloon to enjoy a tall drink and something less strenuous than wrestling a 1,200-pound steer.

Custom poker tables, pool tables, and dart boards are highly coveted items in the Southwest, in terms of sporting goods. They are almost required in a home or business for the residents to be socially acceptable. Imagine the social status conferred upon someone with custom equipment in a region that is known for its innovation, especially when it comes to off-road vehicles.

Another well-known Southwest sport is the professional baseball game. Every spring in the Phoenix, Arizona area brings the Cactus League games, which are played by 15 major league teams. The main team, the dean of the Cactus League clubs, is the Chicago Cubs, which first began training in Mesa in 1952. The prices for the games are extremely reasonable: $5 for a lawn seat, $25 for a bench. Each professional team has its own stadium, and most are within a 30-minute drive of Phoenix.

Filed Under: General, Sports Tagged With: Baseball, Chicago Cubs, Sport

Need Sports Equipment? Consider Using a Prepaid Card

Sports can be great fun, and also a great way to relieve stress. Not everyone plays them, but even watching from the sidelines with friends and family members can make for a great time with a lot of laughs and excitement. Buying sports equipment can be costly, though, and some sports cause this equipment to wear out fairly quickly. If you want to set up a sports budget, you can do that in several different ways. One of these is with a prepaid card, so you don’t spend too much when you shop. It’s a good idea to have a set amount.

There are other great ways to save for the sports equipment you want and need, though. You can have a savings account that’s specifically for your sporting adventures, or you can have a sports fund where you save money in a jar or can – like many people do with their spare change. These are all great ways to have money for your sports equipment when you need it. That’s important, too, because you never know when your favorite store is going to run a great sale on something you want or need to buy. Keeping your eyes open for these sales can help you expand your sporting life without breaking the bank.

Make sure you get safety equipment, too. You don’t want to get hurt and have to sit out when you could be playing. Protecting yourself is important. If you have kids who want to play sports, be sure that you’re setting a good example. You don’t want them getting hurt because they were trying to be like you and disregarding safety equipment when they play sports. It’s not that hard to protect yourself from most sports injuries, so take the time to get the proper precautionary equipment, and you’ll have less to worry about.

Filed Under: General, Sports Tagged With: Money, Sport, Sports equipment

Preparing for a Hiking Trip

: Image via Wikipedia

Hiking is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, get some exercise, and explore new places. Being prepared for a hike is the best way to ensure that it is fun and comfortable for everyone involved.

Preparing for a hiking trip is easy. Make sure you have the following on hand when preparing for a hiking trip:

• Proper attire. Make sure you check the weather before you go for a hike. If it’s an all-day hike, layering is ideal since it is typically cooler in the early morning and evening than in midday. If you’re going to be hiking through water, consider wearing a bathing suit underneath or clothes that dry quickly. Proper hiking shoes are essential, as well as thick socks to prevent blisters.

• Sun protection. This is crucial even if it’s cloudy. Make sure you bring sunscreen with you as well, and reapply often. A high SPF that is waterproof and sweat-proof should be sufficient. A hat is also a good idea, as well as sunglasses.

• Water/food. It’s important to bring plenty of water. Some hikers opt for backpack-type water containers that take up less room than bulky water bottles, or you could just toss a few water bottles in your backpack. Bringing a couple of frozen bottles is a good idea too, as it will melt as the day progresses and ensure you have plenty of cool water to drink. If you’re going to be gone for awhile, a sack lunch or some granola bars, mixed nuts, or trail mix are good options for a quick snack that won’t slow you down on your hike.

• Maps or directions. If you’re hiking in a popular, well-known destination with clearly marked trails, this is not as important. But if you’re roughing it, make sure you have an updated map and a way to get help if necessary.

You always need a place to stay. Ever wanted to wake up to the smell of breakfast on a chilly morning in a small village tucked away in the mountains? Remember vacation rentals are not only for the beach.

Being properly prepared will make sure your hike is a fun experience for everyone.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking, Sports Tagged With: Clothing, Hiking, Outdoors

Hiking Basics

: Image via Wikipedia

Hiking is a great sport and excellent exercise. While it may seem that hiking is as simple as finding a trail and walking, there is more to it than that. These hiking basics will help beginner hikers learn hiking and nature etiquette and tips so their hiking experience will be fun and enjoyable.

1) Stay on the trail. Sometimes it’s tempting to veer off of the marked trails you’re hiking and go exploring on your own, but it’s in your own best interest if you stay on the trail. It’s easy to get lost, and even if an area looks safe at first glance, you never know why an area may be marked restricted.

2) Respect nature. Don’t pick flowers, capture or feed wildlife like frogs or lizards, or tuck articles in your backpack as souvenirs. Nature is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. In some national parks and places, it is actually illegal to remove or disturb natural artifacts and surroundings. At the same time, never litter and make sure you follow guidelines for proper trash and waste disposal.

3) Choose your hikes carefully. New hikers start slow and pick a few easy day hikes to start with. Then you will get a good idea of your actual fitness level and hiking basics, like how often you need to rest. When choosing a hike take into account such things as altitude (higher altitudes can make breathing more difficult), your fitness level, steepness of the hike, and length of the hike.

4) Be prepared. You should always be prepared for your hike. This means taking enough water and snacks or food on your hike, depending on the length, making sure you are protected from the sun with plenty of sunscreen and hats, and dressing appropriately for the climate and duration of your hike.

These hiking basics are important for anyone who is new to hiking.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Sports Tagged With: Hiking, Outdoors, Trail

Stay Ahead of Sports Betting Books by Going With Your Passion

: Image via Wikipedia

When it is raining and you can’t go hiking, you can always try sports betting. It is a fun alternative to hiking–less tiring too!

Sports betting is a fun way to gamble. If you do it well, it won’t ruin you financially and it will provide you with some great entertainment. Gambling experts have written tons of books dealing with sports betting, and you can probably learn a thing or two about sports betting if you read some of them.

What sports betting books will never tell you, however, is just how exactly to become great at sports betting. There are some tricks to learn; follow them well, and you will become a professional sports bettor in no time.

The cardinal rule of sports betting is never bet on a sport for which you have little passion, even if you know that sport very well. For example, you may watch basketball and can tell people the names of all the great basketball players in the last century. But if football is your passion, and football is the game you wish you could have played yourself, then that is where your passion lies. So, bet on football. Don’t bet on basketball.

There is simple psychology to back this up. Betting, like many things, is a mix of science and art. Mostly, it is an art; you need to have that strange knack for knowing things about teams, players, and the games they play. You do not develop this knack by merely accumulating facts. You need to have passion to develop a feel for a game and the players who play it. If you are not passionate about basketball, you will never have that instinctual inner nudging that will help you uncannily predict the outcome of a game. You may know all the statistics, but only a passionate interest in a game will make you a good predictor of that game. Therefore, bet only if you are passionate about a game, and you will not go wrong.

Filed Under: General, Sports Tagged With: Gambling, Games, Sport, Sports betting

Changes to Saints Roster May Affect Sportsbooks

: Image via Wikipedia

If you like to place wagers through sportsbooks, you’ll want to keep abreast of changes for professional sports teams. It can be surprising to see how a new addition or cut can affect a team. Cut players have the motivation to settle the issue on the playing field once they sign with a new team. Sometimes, the influence of a new coach can bring out hidden talent. Not all changes to the roster help a team. If a player brings baggage, attitude, or grudges to practice, it can negatively affect the working relationship of the team. Some players may not like the changes, especially when they have no say in the decision.

New Orleans Saints fans will want to pay special attention to the lineup for the year. The team re-signed Harry Coleman and cut running back Lynell Hamilton. The Saints signed Coleman in the off-season before releasing him before training camp. Now he’ll be back on the team as a safety/linebacker.

The decision to cut the second-year player came after Hamilton tore his ACL during a practice in New England the night before the pre-season opener with the Patriots. To qualify for injured reserve, a player needs three years of experience, which Hamilton lacked. He joined the New Orleans Saints in 2008 as a free agent at the NFL draft. For most of his rookie season, he stayed on the club’s practice squad. In 2009, he started in one game and played in nine. His stats included two touchdowns and rushing 125 yards.

Hamilton’s injury may allow running backs Chris Ivory and P.J. Hill to step into the limelight, or the Saints may decide to cut another player from the roster and sign a new running back. The changes are sure to affect the team, but fans will have to wait to see whether the Saints thrive or crash.

Filed Under: General, Sports Tagged With: New Orleans Saint, NFL, Sports

All About Caving!

: Image via Wikipedia

One of hiking’s subtypes is underground – literally. Caving. It’s exactly as the name implies. Hiking in caves. Like mountaineering or canyoning, caving (or spelunking) can involve a variety of hiking and climbing technique, and depending on where you are caving, it might even involve a bit of swimming or kayaking too. It’s an outdoor sport with a truly indoor mentality.

In caves, you will get chances to see wildlife and mineral formations you may never get to see on the surface of the earth – bats, spiders, worms, and even fish. And to the educated eye, a journey underground is an exploration of earth’s diverse and often violent past. Underground you can see millions of years into earth’s history, with fossils, sediment lines, and formations that have taken millions of years to arrive where they are now.

You should never go caving alone. Some cave systems have hundreds of miles of complexity, and if you get lost, there may be little or no chance of survival. Light is your best friend underground, and without a guide, and especially without light, one wrong step could mean a hundred-foot plummet.

Some caves are more well-explored than others, and there are usually guided tours through some of the more popular caves in the world. A lot of American caves, for example, have already been explored and you can see their tour advertisements listed on billboards for tourist attractions along most of America’s cross-country highways. Though, despite the casual appeal, there is a serious pursuit behind the practice, and new ways to challenge yourself as a hiker, climber, and caver.

If you’re caving, having a good light source and cave-map are extremely helpful. Cave systems are like earth’s capillaries, and are just as three-dimensional. If you’re not sure where something goes, don’t go there. It’s a simple rule to follow as you plummet into the bowels of the earth.

Filed Under: Adventures, Seasonal Hiking, Sports Tagged With: Cave, Caving, Show Caves