Expect Experience

Hiking in the Spring

Springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year. As the flowers begin to bloom and animals come out of hibernation, many people are excited to work off their winter pounds by hiking. Hiking in the spring has its own set of challenges and rewards.

If you have certain breathing problems, you need to keep them in mind while hiking. Problems with allergies tend to spike at this time of the year, and hiking can aggravate those problems. In particular, hiking in the woods can be exceedingly difficult. Flowers are in bloom, pollen is in the air, and animal fur is all over. These are all common allergy triggers, so be sure to take a non-drowsy allergy medication if you have allergies.

Temperatures during the springtime vary wildly. They can dip to the cooler temperatures of winter or creep up to summertime temperatures. Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather forecast and dress appropriately.

Springtime tends to bring higher precipitation levels than any other season. Therefore, it’s fairly likely that you’ll encounter rain or the aftermath of a rain shower on a spring hike. Be sure to wear hiking boots that can deal with the slickness that rain creates. Slipping on a rainy incline can lead to a broken ankle or worse; you need to have gear that can deal with that.

Similar to the risk of rain, early spring can be fairly dangerous. As winter snows melt, they can cause a rundown of moisture into hiking areas and cause slick or unsafe hiking conditions. The higher the elevation, the longer it takes for this to occur. Plan accordingly for runoff of melted snow and don’t hike where it may be dangerous.

With a reliable hiking partner and safe hiking gear, springtime can be one of the most rewarding times to go for a hike.

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Allergy, 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

Restock Your Camping Supplies Without Breaking the Bank

Camping is one of your favorite pastimes. You have the tent, the hiking stick, and the other equipment you need to take your friends and family on a camping excursion they will never forget. Unfortunately, all of the equipment you need to camp can be expensive, but not when you use coupons and find deals, or find other ways to get what you need without breaking the bank.

Second-Hand Options

Some camping enthusiasts sometimes have a change of heart or their enthusiasm wanes. For you, this can be a goldmine of camping equipment and items that are gently used and sold at bargain basement prices. Some of your options for hunting down these bargain items is garage sales, consignment shops, estate sales, and second-hand stores. There are even second-hand stores that specialize in sporting goods, including camping goods.

Incredible Deals

If you prefer to shop for new items, you can still land a good deal. Websites such as www.offers.com are your one-stop source for finding great deals without having to spend hours hunting them down. You will find coupons for stores including Bass Pro Shop and Dicks Sporting Goods, as well as other sporting goods and supply companies.

You can be a camping enthusiast and restock your camping supplies without breaking the bank. When you shop for sporting goods and camping supplies the right way, you enjoy your camping supplies even more. As a matter of fact, it makes a great campfire story, too. You can tell everyone how great of a deal you got on your camping supplies and all of the great sources you used to land the specials and deals you received. Since you will pay a fraction of what it would cost without any deals, you can reallocate your savings to pay for one of your other hobbies and activities.

Filed Under: Family Travel Tagged With: Bass Pro Shop, Camps, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sports equipment

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

Picking a Hiking Backpack

Image via Wikipedia

There’s a reason that the phrase “taking a hike” can be used to refer to breakups; both things involve a lot of packing and moving. Hiking involves lots of equipment, including water, layers of clothing, boots, and safety tools. Investing in a high-quality backpack is very important for protecting your equipment and making your hike more efficient.

Categorizing a hiking backpack involves many different factors, including the type of frame and the size of the backpack. Some backpacks are frameless. In the frame backpacks, there are two additional types. A hiking backpack can have either an external frame or an internal frame.

Internal frame backpacks tend to be more popular amongst hikers. They are considerably more flexible than backpacks with external frames, so they can expand to hold more equipment or compress slightly if there is less to carry. External frame backpacks also sit further from the body because of their rigid structure. Internal frame backpacks hug the body better, so they are more comfortable to carry and they improve your balance.

A splash cover is important for any hiking backpack. Since hiking backpacks aren’t waterproof, a splash cover can be put on the hiking backpack to protect the equipment that could be ruined by water.

In order to ensure that you’ve chosen the right backpack, you should go to a hiking or sports store and try several different kinds. You’ll be wearing the backpack for long stretches of time, and it is imperative that the backpack doesn’t strain your back or cause pain. To test it, wear the backpack around the store. Note if it pulls at your shoulders or causes you to walk unnaturally.

By evaluating your hiking needs and ensuring a comfortable fit, you can pick out the best hiking backpack for your gear. It’s a big investment, but it’s one that will last you for many years.

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Backpack, Hiking

The Benefits of Hiking

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

Image via Wikipedia

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

Vacation for Free

Tourists always look for and need great places to stay while they’re on vacation. Those with families often like to find property rentals that are close to living like home. These are great attractions, and if they are marketed right, the property can stay occupied for entire seasons at a time.

Since tourists do like property rentals so much, many tourists make a habit of locating and securing their property rentals sometimes months or even years in advance. It’s very much a growing trend for couple vacationers, retired vacationers and especially those vacationers with families.

Property Managers

As a property owner, you are in a unique position to benefit directly from the growth of tourists and the vacation property rental lifestyle. Even if you don’t live in the same city as the property that you own, property managers can take care of things for you. Very busy cities that are tourist attractions have property managers for this very reason. Staff members with Las Vegas property management stay busy all year, managing properties, clients, handling issues and taking care of their client’s investments. Property owners are relieved to know that their property is in safe, capable hands, although they are over 1,000 miles or more away.

Free Room and Board

Imagine going to a Las Vegas vacation, once, twice or even three times a year! There are numerous attractions in the city for individuals, couples and also for families. Many people take regular vacations to the area, and there is always something new and exciting to do there. As a rental property owner, you have the capability and convenience of knowing that not only do you have a great place to go on vacation, but that you also get to reap the profitable reward from leasing out your property during those times of the year when you and your family are not occupants.

Filed Under: Family Travel

Choosing a GPS for Hiking

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