Hiking | Expect Experience

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.

How to Pick Hiking Boots

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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

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

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 Advice for Beginners

People take up hiking for a number of reasons. It’s a fun way to get in shape, explore some of the nation’s most beautiful areas, and bond with family or friends. Unlike other hobbies, inadequately preparing for a hike can have disastrous or dangerous results. Following some basic safety tips can make for a fun, safe, and exciting hiking trip.

Before you go on your first hike, pick the location carefully. There are guides that rate different hiking trails, and you should utilize these guides. Starting with a difficult or strenuous hiking path can set you up for disaster and leave you exhausted halfway through a hike. Consider the length, terrain, and location of the first hike you pick. It’s better to pick one that is too easy than one that is too difficult.

Bring a hiking buddy, preferably someone who has experience hiking. Having a knowledgeable hiker with you can often be enough to avoid common hiking mistakes and accidents. Be sure that your hiking companion has their own maps, food, and water. This is not an optional tip! Falling or getting lost is bad when you’re in a group; it can be fatal if you are alone.

As you pack for your hike, bring plenty of food and water. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of time you will spend hiking, so bring a little bit more water than you think you will need. For snacks, bring food that will boost your energy. Some good examples are granola bars, trail mix, and nuts. To save space in your hiking equipment, put your water in water bottles that stand up straight when full and lay flat when empty.

Once you become a more experienced hiker, you’ll be ready to tackle some of the country’s more difficult hiking paths. Until then, get your feet wet with these hiking tips!

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

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

Paying For Your Hiking Trip

If you have ever gone hiking on a destination getaway, you are aware of how much it can cost. Not everyone can afford to go hiking to their favorite destination on a regular basis but an occasional trip can be affordable. If you plan well in advance and save up a little at a time, you too can pay for that dream trip. There are several costs involved from purchasing the gear to paying for your transportation. Here are a few ways you can free up some cash.

* Save a little each month from you salary. A few hundred dollars a month will add up and before you know it, you will have ample funds for annual trip. The money saved can go towards your equipment and your stay while you are on your trip. You will have a good time knowing that you are not breaking the bank and the funds you use will not affect the cost of your living.
* If you have items lying around the house, that you have received as a gift and things you have purchased, that you have no use for, plan on selling them. There are several websites where you can sell your unwanted items so that someone who needs them can purchase them. Hold a garage sale and get rid of more items and you would be surprised at home much funds you free up. This alone can be more than what your trip will cost.
* If you have set a budget for yourself, you may notice that once all the planning is completed, your budget is just not enough. If you plan in advance and book your trips before hand, you can find great savings which will help you free up additional cash. You will still stay on budget and you do not have to compromise your trip.

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Hiking, Recreation, Travel, Travelogues

Hiking For Charity

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

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

Adventure for the Fit Individual

Hiking, regardless of the location, is one of those activities that require one to be in the best shape of their life. Even for those fit individuals, it takes much practice to tackle this adventure and without proper fitness guidance, you will not achieve what you aim for. Those that go hiking on a regular basis, have to maintain a daily exercise routine and spend a few months before their trip to prep their bodies. Whether it is going mountain climbing or hiking in the woods for a long period of time, if you are not fit, you will tire your muscles out within the first few hours. There are several reasons to train your body for this type of an adventure.

If you are going mountain climbing to a high altitude, your body and muscles will react differently as you get higher. Due to a lover level of oxygen in the atmosphere, your breathing will be affected and your brain and muscles will react differently. Some of the fittest individuals have trouble getting to the highest peak, simple because their body does not get used to the climate up there. This is a form of extreme sport that requires mental and physical strength equally. For those hiking through the dessert or hot temperatures, they too need to train accordingly. The heat can dehydrate you very fast and if you are not up to your standard active self, you will get tired easily.

These are adventures for the fit individual and those who are not up to par on their fitness should not attempt to try it. It takes years of practice so if you are planning on taking one of these trips, be sure to read up on all requirements. Find a good trainer who can help you get to your ultimate fitness level. Speaking with others who have gone on these extreme adventures before, will shed more light and help you get prepared.

Filed Under: Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Extreme sport, Hiking, Muscle