United States | Expect Experience

Hiking is for Everyone

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Hiking is one of those activities that anyone can afford and everyone will love. In a time of economic difficulty, finding activities to share with friends and family can be a bit of a task. A hiking a trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the summer of fall will bring happiness to everyone involved. There are many things to draw individuals to the large number of trails in the woods and mountains of northern New Hampshire. Whether you are hiking with a family or on your own, the sites are amazing. White Mountain views and trails through the woods will surely leave memories of great times for all that participate. Or you can try hiking out of country with some Canada 411. This basic information will help you determine which hiking experience is best for you.

For individuals new to the world of hiking it is not difficult to find trials that offer excellent views and still allow slow progression up the trails. These are great opportunities for hikers to take some time for great photo opportunities, a chance to get intimate with nature and the great opportunity to increase the quality of health while taking in the basics of the world without all the technologies of today. Taking time to care for health and enjoy nature is vital to a higher quality of life.

Hikers should take a few precautions when going out onto the trails. Take plenty of water on the journey and keep health snacks like granola and trail mix handy for the journey. Be sure to dress in layers in the event you need to load on or take off some clothing for comfort while hiking. Make sure that comfortable shoes are worn and that loose clothing is worn. Also, never go hiking without telling someone where you will be going.

What Must I Know About Taking My Pet to a Foreign Country?

Regulations regarding taking pets into foreign countries differ from region to region, so you will need to research the particular country you will be visiting to determine what is required. However, if the area you are visiting as part of your hiking vacation participates in the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), this article can provide information on that.

Some of the countries that do participate in PETS are the United Kingdom and Canada. If you are visiting these countries, here’s a little bit about what you need to know. This is not all-inclusive, however, so you may need to do some additional research.

You must first meet certain regulations, such as making sure your pet is current on rabies and other vaccinations. In addition, you must be able to verify that your pet has not been out of either a listed or non-listed PETS participating country within six months prior to traveling to another country.

Once you have met the initial requirements, because they participate in PETS, the United Kingdom and Canada do not require quarantine for your pet to enter the country. In those countries that do not participate in PETS, quarantine periods can be as long as six weeks.

Further, the United Kingdom and Canada do not limit the pets allowed to enter the country to just cats and dogs. Ferrets are also allowed to enter under the PETS policy. Not only that, but pets that were brought into the United Kingdom can be taken to other European Union countries by their owners, and will be allowed to enter the UK again.

In order to make sure that you can meet and stay up to date on all these requirements, consider obtaining pet insurance. This way, if your pet should require treatments for an illness or need updated vaccines, you would have the financial means to do so.

Filed Under: Adventures, Family Travel Tagged With: Animal, Canada, Insurance, Pet, Pet insurance, Recreation, Travel, United States

Hike to China

China has of late projected itself as a country from where cheap electronic goods and toys come from. It is being seen as a country that is both populated and polluted. But China is more than that. China is projecting itself as a worth tourist destination with world class hotels such as Holiday Inn, and Hard Rock Hotel opening up in China. If you do not like Chinese food you can also opt from American brands such as KFC, McDonalds and of course Hard Rock Caf

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Asia, Asia-Pacific, China, Hard Rock Cafe, Holiday Inn, KFC, McDonalds, United States

mount Pilchuck

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It is not a particularly difficult six mile climb if you are in good shape. It is strenuous and you are actually climbing to the top of a small peak which makes it interesting. There is an ancient ranger fire lookout on top as well. It is a day hike with no place to camp on top.

Partly due to the ease of access, the steepness of the trial, and the sheer cliffs at top with a shocking long way to the bottom, hikers are lost here almost every year. Lost as in dead. When you make the climb and stick to the trail, you can’t imagine why this occurs but it does. Part of the problem is the steepness of the mountain and the jagged cliffs that loom in unexpected places. The trail is steep and easy to keep to, but wander off and you may put your life at risk
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The other problem with this hike is that it is heavily used and seems deceptively simple. The peak stands at 5,300 feet which does not seem like much, but at these elevations in the Cascade Range, a storm can do you in if you are not prepared. Going up in tennis shoes and shorts with no supplies? Not a good idea. Don’t do it.

Once on top the view is incredible which is why it used to be a fire lookout. Peek over one cliff and you may see sun bathers way below stretched out on a snow field during certain parts of the year! Don’t ask how they got there and don’t lean over too far!

If you decide to do this climb, be prepared with a pack full of food, water and perhaps a change of clothes . . . and a coat! Wear good hiking boots and do it when the weather is known to be good. You can get there via the Mountain Loop Highway out of Granite Falls, Washington. There is a ranger station on the way. Stop and ask questions about the current conditions of the trail and weather. Make it a safe trip.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Cascade Range, Climb, Hiking, Mountain Loop Highway, Outdoors, Recreation, Trail, United States

To Pack Light or Heavy for Ski Holidays

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Many backpackers have polarized themselves into one of two camps: the light travelers and the heavy travelers. The lights think that the less you bring with you, and the lighter that stuff is, the better time you will have. After all, it can be a real irritation to have to lug what feels like a soldier’s ruck up a mountain. While it’s great to experience a challenge, there is a fine line between “a challenge” and “a death march.” The heavies are quite the opposite, though. Not only do they thrive on the challenge of carrying plenty of things with them, they can also live like trailside royalty on what they’ve brought.

Ski holidays inspire a similar divergence of thought. On the one hand, some people like to cross country ski for days at a time, as if they were a spy during the Second World War, escaping the Nazis across the Alps. Some other people prefer to travel as lightly as possible, and even go so far as to take one of those tents that weigh less than a pound as their only means of shelter. While this is very efficient, it can also cause them to be a little wanting for supplies. This may just be the difference between knowing that your car is a mile or two away, versus wanting to go off the trail for a couple of days and see where you can end up.

There is plenty of validity to the ideas of both camps. If you have anything on your back, you have a chance of getting some blisters. And after a couple of hours of skiing, wearing a piece of paper on your back would be an amount of weight that your muscles would certainly notice. It may just end up coming down to wanting two different kinds of experiences. You can always take another trip later.

Filed Under: Adventures, Air Travel, Family Travel, Gambling, Hiking Techniques Tagged With: Alps, Cross-country skiing, Nazism, Ski, Sports, United States, Winter Sports, World War II

Glacier Basin: Ugly Hike. Destination: Heaven

Monte Cristo, Washington used to be a gold mining town at a turn in the Mountain Loop Highway out of Granite Falls. The road washed out many years ago and a gate was put up at the entrance, leaving the place to serine calm for the few residents without a road. There was, for many years, more than grumblings about the fact that these residents were erased and ignored by the State of Washington. No surprise. Governments do that. Although the story ends painfully for the residents, it is not so painful to those who want the area pristine. Some of the most beautiful hikes in the Cascade Range, such as Gothic Basin, are in this neck of the woods and the oddly hidden nature of the trailheads keeps most hikers away. That’s good for you.

If you want maps and descriptions of the area, stop at the Verlot Ranger Station about twelve miles out of Granite Falls and they can fill you in on current trail conditions in the area. You will also need to purchase a parking permit. With economy’s ups and downs, there are years that certain trails are no longer maintained as lack of money eliminates the effort. The parking permit money is well worth it.

Walk four miles along an unkempt road into Monte Cristo. Two miles from Monte Cristo, over monstrous trail is Glacier Basin, a beauty of a place worth exploring for a few days. Like the journey to Gothic Basin, this climb is very tough with the last mile seeming to be near vertical.

The gold mines that resided there are all blasted shut. Just as well. Pack the tent and the gear and stay awhile. It is sometimes crowded with climbers readying themselves for Cadet and Monte Cristo Peaks and Wilmon Spires. It can be an enjoyable time watching the climbers and sitting in flower covered meadows surrounded by jagged mountains. To maintain the beauty, hikers are asked to stay on the trails and camp at Ray’s Knoll or Mystery Ridge. The journey is worth the stay.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Cascade Range, Hiking, Mountain Loop Highway, Outdoors, Recreation, Trail, United States, Washington

Riddle Lake

: Image by j o s h via Flickr

As far as Continental Divide hikes goes, this one is a piece of cake. It may be the easiest Divide hike. In fact, there are tougher hikes along the Puget Sound at sea level! Riddle is in South-East Yellowstone, Wyoming. The road to the trail head is right on the Divide itself, meaning there is no mountain to climb . . . at all. As in this is a flat walk! OK, there are a few mild rises.

Now that this is clear, enjoy the walk. It is less than two miles across marsh land that tends to be wet until mid-July so even though this is a walk around the block, boots are in order in case the dampness is still there when you arrive. It is also popular with the bears in the spring and early summer so the path is normally closed until mid-July anyway. Due to the bear population it’s a good idea to do this with a larger group of four or more.

Riddle lake sits at 8,000 feet so if elevation is a problem, this is the only thing to hold you back from seeing endless lilies along the shore mixed with reeds and tall grass. This aligns with a backdrop of the Red Mountains to fill the camera lens. While you are in the marshlands, you may spot some elk or even moose. You will likely see prints, including those of your buddies, the bears. It is always a good idea to keep a sharp eye out for the wildlife. You are in their front yard, not the other way around. That being said, respect their property. Keep it clean by leaving it the way they would leave it: no Twinkie wrappers allowed.

The trial head: it lies south of West Thumb Bay along Yellowstone Lake. Drive about four miles south of there and turn into a parking area on the east side of the road marked for the trail. Maps should show the Mount Sheridan Quad.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Continental Divide, Continental Divide of the Americas, Hiking, Puget Sound, Travel and Tourism, United States, Wyoming, Yellowstone Lake

Hiking in Transbaikalye

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Transbaikalye is considered the best destination for hiking in Russia. It is a land filled with mountains and astonishing natural contrasts. Some of the features of this landscape are rocky peaks, lakes, crystal clear rivers, mountains, shoreless taiga and mini deserts which cannot be found anywhere else in Russia or around the world. Kodar in Transbaikalye has blue caped glaciers that are a delight for climbers. The south munisk range is a paradise for hikers. The whole range is covered with fog and the entire range is hum with the pleasant sound of the waterfalls. Many locations in this region are only accessible through hiking since roads are not yet developed. Places like the green glacial lake are visited by very few people and only adventurous hikers and trekkers make their way to this place every year. The air is the purest that can be found anywhere and combines with the bright star light sky is what brings back hikers to this place every time.

The Udokan region is filled with a varying landscape which tell the story of land formation. The Udokan region also includes many volcanoes and glaciers that make the trip further interesting. Chikoi is a forest rich land which is filled with rich flora. Mushrooms, cedar nut trees and berry trees are found in this region. The rivers which pass through Chikoi are rich with fish which make for interesting fishing experience if you care to enjoy some fishing while hiking. The Alhanai territory in Transbaikalye is a region connected with Buddhist religion. It consists of many sacred locations like caves, rocks and steppes and many springs with promised medicinal properties. A hiking through this region can have a long lasting effect on a person’s personality the hiker will remember this experience for the rest of her natural life.

Filed Under: All About Hiking Tagged With: Directories, Glacier, Hiking, Organizations, Outdoor, Recreation, Russia, United States

Ghost-like Journey

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Heart Lake in Yellowstone used to be Hart Lake. Same place in case you find an old map. It is a 16 mile roundtrip that can be done as a day hike, but if you are going to hike all that way, you might as well take the tent and the gear to stay a day or two because the place is beautiful. If you like fishing, this is the place to do it. Consequently, don’t count on being alone there. It is a popular hangout for the local fishermen.

The trail head is just over 5 miles south of Grant Village Junction. You can park at the Heart Lake Trailhead parking lot on the east side of the road. Maps are the Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan USGS Quads. That being said, if you plan to make this a three or four day trip and you like climbing, Sheridan is there for the taking.

The hike is mostly in the trees on flat and rolling grassy ground. The trail is well kept and the area is beautiful enough that the hike goes fast. You will walk through some of the 1988 burn so it will give you an eerie sense of loss in places. It’s good for the soul as this lake often comes with a description including the word pristine. The burn is a reminder of how fragile this kind of nature is.

You will drop into Witch Creek drainage and if you happen to do the hike in the winter, the steam from the Factory Hill vents will cloud the entire view. You get the bite of eerie again, this time, ghost-like nature at its best. This part of the hike was heavily hit by fire in the past, adding to the ghost nature. You will see bright yellow sulfur deposits along some of the vents, as you hear the water below hissing.

All things considered, this is a hike worth adding to your repertoire of runs to make that don’t break your back to get there but leave you with worthwhile experience.

Filed Under: All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques, Seasonal Hiking Tagged With: Factory Hill, Hiking, National Parks and Monuments, Outdoors, Parks, Recreation, Travel and Tourism, United States

Avoiding an Adventure to Regret

There are several things that can ruin an otherwise great hiking trip. Bad weather, poor choice of clothing, and other such factors can turn a hiking trip into a disaster; however, there are several things you can do to make sure that your hikes are as fun and safe as possible.

If you have hiked very much you have probably either discovered the effects of wearing the wrong clothes personally or learned from watching someone else learning their lesson. When hiking make sure you wear comfortable clothes that are not so tight that they restrict your movements, but are not so loose that they get in the way and trip you. Jeans are usually a good choice for hiking. True Religion brand, on the other hand, makes jeans that are perfect for hiking paths, trails, and wilderness. Also, footwear should be suitable for the area and the weather. You obviously do not want to hike a snow-covered path in sandals. Shoes should be tough, such as hiking boots, and should have good grip. Also plan for clothing options that could help in certain environments, such as a hat if it is going to be very sunny or a jacket if it could get cold or windy.

To make sure your hike does not get interrupted you should also check the weather in advance. If the weather channel calls for rain you may want to reschedule. It might also be a good idea to get a small radio you can bring with you on the hike to check on any incoming storms. If you go hiking often, you might also want to get into the habit of packing a rain poncho in case of rain or a jacket in case of snow, depending on the areas you typically hike.

Filed Under: Adventures, All About Hiking, Boating Tagged With: Clothing, Foot (unit), Hiking, Outdoor, Recreation, Trail, United States, Weather