Recreation | Expect Experience

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.

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

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

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

Fun Activities in the Nature

In today’s world, more activities are performed indoors than outside. If you have been craving to get away from your everyday life, it will be extremely refreshing to go on trips where you are surrounded by nature. You may not have the luxuries you are used to, but it will be a whole new experience and the nature will help you relax. Though it may sound strenuous, and you prefer the relaxed type of activities, this can actually be more fun than you can imagine. Go with a couple of friends or with your closest family members and you will enjoy this type of trip a lot more. You do not have to go into extreme sports and try to conquer places you have never been to before.

One such trip can be going hiking and taking people along with you. Hike along the waterfront or even small hills and spend the night at a camp. It will be different from spending the night in the city and you will experience a whole new world of entertainment. Spend the night by a campfire catching up with friends and spend the next day on your continued hike. You will be amazed at how much you actually discover just by walking and hiking, that you don’t usually notice if you are driving. The scenery alone will be something to talk about for months to come.

This is a low cost fun activity and if everyone pitches in on the expenses, you can make this a monthly activity. It will be fun and you will enjoy the beauty of nature. For places close to you, all you have to do is look online and choose something close by. If it is near where you are located, the drive won’t be that long and it will give you something to look forward to. These simple excursions can be beneficial for you both mentally and health wise.

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Extreme sport, Hiking, Recreation

Hiking In the Concrete Jungle

When we think about hiking we tend to think about going out into the wilderness. Hiking does not have to mean going into the forest and parks, but you can go hiking within the city. If you leave home with an open mind and the excitement of experiencing something new, you can go on a day trip into the closest city and hike your way around. Pack all the necessity items and wear comfortable shoes and you will see a lot more than expected just by walking around the city. Here are a few advantages to going hiking in the city.

* Take New York City for an example, if you decide to hike your way around, you can go to several parks and walk around along the water. You will discover new areas of the park and get the physical exercise your body needs. The city is a large concrete jungle and by walking you will learn a lot more about the city and its way of life. Discovering new places and trying out new things on the way will provide a whole new way of entertaining your self.
* If you are alone and you want to trek around, yet be somewhere safe, the city is the best place. You can walk around among other people and you don’t have to worry about what dangers lie ahead. You will see more of the city than driving around and when you are tired, just pop into a cafÃ© and get the rest you need. Set your starting and ending points and follow your route. All it takes is a little planning and a fun outlook on the whole experience.
* When it comes to packing for your hike, you only need to take the minimum required. It is low cost and when you need food or water, you can simply buy it. It will save you the hassle of carrying things around with you.

Filed Under: Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Hiking, New York City, Park, Recreation

Africa’s Best

: Image via Wikipedia

Namibia is found on the south western side of the African continent. Although always in the news for the wrong reasons, Namibia is a very good choice of a hiking destination. It tends to get lost between all the other countries of Africa. The best way to explore Namibia is by foot. And that is why multiple hiking tours are popular here.

Fish river is a long river that runs the length of Namibia. The hiking trip is 80 km long and lasts for 5 to 6 days depending on your speed and your breaks. It is recommended that you avoid hiking during months of excessive heat and only the months of April and September are optimum when the rains are often. The fish trail is the 2nd largest canyon on earth. It is a protected area. The flora is unique to this part of the world and many resorts can be found here. Another very popular hiking destination is the skeleton coast part hike. The whole area cream in color and the landscape is untouched. The area receives natural breeze from the ocean which keeps the area cold and manageable.

The whole area is a work of natural art with volcanic rocks and rugged canyons along with sand dunes which create a picture which cannot be defined but only experienced. Hiking along the coastline will reveal the carnages of many ships which have been the victim of war and the wrath of pacific. The park is huge and the hiking trip needs to be well planned so that every member of your team can manage to finish it on his own. The flora is non-existent except for rare desert vegetation. There are many other hiking destinations in Namibia for which tours are provided and always have something different to offer.

Filed Under: Adventures, Family Travel Tagged With: Africa, Dune, Fish River Canyon, Grand Canyon, Hiking, Namibia, Recreation, Science and Environment

Ways to Enjoy Your Hike

: Image via Wikipedia

Hiking is a wonderful experience and can be done in a variety of ways. It is a sport that can be enjoyed alone, with friends, or a whole family can enjoy the time together. It is even something you might enjoy with your dog. You will not only be able to enjoy some great exercise, but will be viewing some beautiful scenery along the way.

Hiking is a way to get away from all the stress that the world sometimes hands you. It offers so many health benefits, including controlling body weight and providing a good cardio workout. This will help to deal with controlling the blood pressure.

Taking the dog along is a great idea if you are scared to hike alone. It will give you a companion and may also prevent other animals you may encounter from an attack. Just be sure to wear your Chopard jewelry and bring your camera along. This will help you to be able to share your experience through pictures with your family and friends. An even better way to share the experience is to have them come along with you. This will give everyone the chance for bonding time.

Hiking gives a person’s body the benefit of getting a great workout. A body longs for one and it will be satisfied by hiking. Every muscle in your body will be challenged by taking a hike.

You might think once the first hiking trip is over you’ll never want to take another one again. You will want to push that out of your mind and move on after your aching muscles set in. If you move forward and continue your body will adjust to it. You will be much healthier and happier that you moved on and did what is best for you.

Filed Under: Adventures, General Tagged With: Directories, Hiking, Online, Outdoors, Personal Training, Recreation, Trip Reports, United States

South American Treasures

: Image via Wikipedia

South America is the home to some of the best hiking destinations in the world. It is a place with a perfect climate for Hiking throughout the year. The only thing that is a huge concern here is the number of insects that trouble travelers a lot.

Botswana is one such amazing destination where the climate is perfect, the forests are rich with vegetation that keeps lush the year round. The complete country is like a big hiking destination. In the forests you can find the famed llamas, roaring waterfalls, beautiful lakes, a constantly varying landscape that shifts between vegetation rich hills and mountains to plains with no vegetation at all. Just like a mini desert between lush evergreen forests. The options for a traveler are endless here to choose for hiking. Hiking might be the best mode of touring this nature friendly country.

Every so often on your hiking trip you will find old uninhabited stone houses that have been abandoned hundreds of years ago. Hikers come across a variety of birds and animals which are specific for the Brazilian continent. Also if lucky you might get in touch with the Aymara people who like in the Andes mountain regions. They have been living in the same way since centuries and have changed very little. The Andes is by far the best hiking destination in Bolivia and offers a mixture of beautiful landscapes, historical perspective, and animal and bird game visuals firsthand. Thought the country of Bolivia is politically and socially unstable, it is advised that a proper time be chosen to visit this beautiful country. The tour operators providing hiking tours need to be checked thoroughly by the locals before trusting them in the middle of the jungle. The roads in Bolivia are quite mediocre and are very rugged. Hence if traveling by road, a proper four wheeler needs to be rented.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Bolivia, Hiking, La Paz, Outdoors, Recreation, South America, Travel and Tourism, Travel Services