Hiking the North Coast
Exploring New Trails Author: Michael Savio You've decided to start hiking. You bought a pair of boots and some other gear. You've also picked up a guidebook or some maps and you're ready to go. Now you just have to decide where to go so it's time to pick a trail. You should start on a few popular trails. Yes, you'll have to deal with a more people on these trails but there is usually a good reason why these trails are popular. Usually, they have some amazing scenery; a spectacular overlook, near a nice lake, some unusual geologic formations or lead you to a distinctive peak. Once you've explored the popular trails, you will have a better sense of what interests you and what you want to explore in the future. You can start to make mental lists of trails that will be good when you are in certain moods. I usually have a few hikes that I am looking forward to doing if I want to get a great workout, don't have a lot of time but want to see something cool, or when I have the time for a long hike. One my list I have trails to see changing leaves, out-of-the-way remote trails, trails that are great for the kids and trails for when guests are in town. If you really get into hiking you will probably end up having the same type of lists in your head, even if you don't know it. You'll probably want to have a hike that is shaded by trees for any hot days and thoughts of a south-facing trail that should have less snow than others for the winter time in the mountains. I usually make some of these notes in a hiking journal but you can jot your note in your guidebooks as you read them. It doesn't matter how you remember these trails as long as you can refer back to them later. When you feel like trying something new, these notes will come in handy and will be a good starting point. Whatever you do, explore new areas is great way to get you excited again. So get out there and enjoy it!
Check out one of the regional Hiking Guide book:
Getting Ready For Your Backcountry Adventure
Author: Michael Savio Much of your hiking gear is only used when hiking or backpacking. And for many people, once you get home, it gets tossed into the closet until the next trip. Prepare For Your Trip If this is you, you have to be certain that all of your gear is in working shape before you leave on your next adventure. Even if this isn't you, you still need to check everything out before you leave home. This should be done a few days before, just in case you need to do some cleaning or replace parts. There's little worse than having something vital, like your stove, break down on the first night or, even worse 20 miles into the backcountry. Prepare For Weather Having the proper equipment for inclement weather is absolutely necessary when backpacking. You need to be prepared for rain, cold temperatures, and even the sun. In wet conditions, you're going to need raingear. The best option is a waterproof breathable jacket. Rainpants are great, especially when the weather is cool or in higher winds. In warmer conditions, they may not be needed if you have hiking pants made of a quick dry material. Even with the best gear, you shouldn't expect to stay completely dry, if you are hiking all day in the rain. Purchasing clothing made from synthetic, quick-dry materials, helps because when you do get wet, it'll dry faster. A raincover for your pack is also a necessity. A lightweight alternative to carrying a jacket and pack cover is to carry a hooded poncho to cover yourself and your pack all at once. No matter what weather you are expecting on trip, you need to plan for the worst and always have the following: raingear, hat, gloves, extra dry clothes, extra pair of socks, and waterproof boots. Even if you're planning on staying in trail shelters, you should always carry your own shelter. You should also be prepared by packing two fire sources. Obviously, this is just a quick, basic list; backpacking in extreme conditions required extra equipment. After You Return When you get back home, remember to clean everything thoroughly. Vacuum the zippers of your pack, sleeping bag, and outerwear to minimize wear caused by dirt. Make sure your boots are clean and, if needed, (re)waterproofed for your next hiking trip. Clean your stove to prevent buildup. Spend a little time doing the proper maintenance and the life of your gear will be extended and help to make sure that your gear will be ready when you need it. 
Hiking Trails - Preserve Your Experiences
Author: Rick Chapo Hiking is a great way to escape the rat race, get out in nature and leave the stress of the world behind. Alas, your hiking experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a hiking journal. Hiking Journals Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent hiking experience. What sticks out in your mind? Who did you go with and were there any incredible views? Now think about the first time you ever went hiking. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with and the particular hiking routes. The experiences you've forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a hiking journal, this won't be the case. There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank's Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your hiking experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass. A good hiking journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don't have to lug extra weight around. Second, it should have a case to protect it from the elements. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include: 1. Who you went hiking with, 2. The length and difficulty of the hike, 3. Who you met and contact information for them. 4. The weather conditions, 5. Any unique things that occurred while hiking. 6. The routes you took on the hikes and alternatives you might want to try later. 7. Unique information about the particular hiking trail, and 8. Any inside information provided by locals or other climbers you met. At the end of the hike, you should be able to get the following from your journal: 1. Contact information for other hikers you met, 2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you or they hike the location a second time. 3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and 4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren. To get the most out of your hiking journal, you should write in it just before you start, during breaks such as lunch and when you return. It is always interesting to see the different impressions you have before and after a hike as well as your mood changes as the hike progresses. On a miserably rainy day in winter, the journal will make for good reading. Hiking is a great way to commune with nature and spend a weekend. Make sure to preserve the experience with your hiking journal.
How To Get Your Kids Along On Your Next Hike Author: Mats Lundkvist How to get your kids along is really a challenging question to answer. No matter, whether you are anexperienced hiker or just a beginner, perhaps this is the biggest dilemma a parent can face in their lifetime. Most of us think that it is almost impossible to go on hiking with kids, especially on long and risky trails. But you can get your kids on your hike by considering two things i.e. making some modification in your goal and another is little planning. What type of goal you should choose for hiking with kids and what you should plan are two keys for a successful kids hike. Needless to say, if you win over these two things or combat these two issues then you can certainly take your kids on hiking. Although you may face a little difficulty with kids but it would be a wonderful experience to carry them with you. Kids really like outdoor events and they can reap different benefits with outdoor events. As a parent or guardian you must take your kids on relatively shorter hikes. Outdoor events such as hiking increase their knowledge, increase their team building skills, and increase their endurance along with other health benefits. Hiking with kids would be a great decision from the perspective of family health and it is also fun. For many children, it's thejourney that's important, not how long the journey is. So, whenever you get a chance to take them along never miss it. So make your hike a fun with kids; surely you can do it, you don’t need to give up your hiking as you have kids. However, you need to be a bit more careful and planned than usual, but it is not very difficult especially when both of you are determined. So, guys when you plan your hike with kids change your goals. According to experts, goals should be based on the ability ofthe youngest child, as they are the weakest link in the whole chain. Perhaps the best idea is to take some of their friends or siblings along with them, so that they won’t feel bored. As these young buddies are slower, delicate and inexperienced, so they can’t move like you adults. T hink carefully about your goal or destination where you wish to go, and as far as possible keep your goals easier if you are taking your kids for the firsttime. While deciding the visiting place keep in mind that it should be easy to reach and near the home because you have a little creature with you and which is not tough like you. Next, as far as possible encourage them to carry their own backpack as it gives them a sense of belonging as well as a purpose to be there, but be prepared to carry their backpack in case they get tired or exhausted. Sometimes, they don’t like to carry their own backpack even when they are not actually tired. In such events encourage them to carry their backpacks and motivate them by candies or chocolates as special treats orrewards. Quite obviously, keep their backpack small and light, otherwise they may hurt themselves. Initially, instead ofbackpack, you can encourage them to carry their own water bottle or snack. As they get stronger and experienced, let them taketheir own small backpack. There are different types of child backpacks available in the market, so you should get a good quality backpack for them. Keeping your goal shorter and easier has multiple benefits. First, you yourself will not be able to go very far or high because you have a much heavier backpack than usual because youhave to carry many extra things for kids like napkins, shoes, clothes etc., Second there is a less strong companion with you in terms of abilities, third kids often lack in patience and if their delicate feelings are hurt in anyway they may not like to go along with you next time. Therefore, better to start smallchildren on short trails over easy and low terrain. Although, it all depends upon the strength and temperament of your kid along with few other factors, but according to experts in terms of ability, children can cover about 1 mile for every year they are in age. That means if your kid is 4 years old then he/she has an ability to go for 4 miles. But, never treat this formula as a rule of thumb as they may not actually want to hike that far, but in general they could have the ability to do so. In addition to the above mentioned considerations, actually there are many more things to be considered while going onhiking with kids, such as special kids clothing & footwear, Wet wipes and tissues, kids backpack, water & snacks along with acompass, a map, a flashlight, waterproof matches, bug dope, sunscreen and a whistle. Last but not the least, you should pay utmost respect and attention to various safety considerations. As they are young,delicate and inexperienced, so you need to be very careful about their safety. First of all equipped them with right gears and accessories such as running or tenis shoes instead of open-toed shoes, adequate clothing as per the weather conditions inseveral layers that can be removed easily when they get warm, and added when they get cool, special purpose kids backpack todistribute the load evenly on their body. Next, when you go on hiking with kids, be prepared to survive from any injury becausethey are common especially in the case of kids. Never forget to carry a small, travel sized first aid kit for short hikes in theevent of accidental scrapes or insect bites or other small injuries. Moreover, as far as possible keep them in your sight and watch them carefully even when you allow them to play with their buddies. Educate and warn them to keep away from bushes, steep ledges, overhangs, poisonous plants and dangerous falls. And ask them to make signals using whistle or any other alarming device in case of any emergency. Well, if you can take care of these points, you will be having a rocking time together with your kids while on any hiking ortrekking. Not only you will feel great, but your kids would also have a wonderful time in the outdoor trips filled with enoughgood memories of wonderful sights and time with their family. Although encourage and empower them to take initiatives, but never allow them unattended for a long time. Have patience,positive attitude and realistic expectations during the whole trip to make it more enjoyable and memorable. I am sure, by following these simple tips, steps and ideas, your children will have a wonderful time in the great outdoors withyou. And, the next time they will be more matured and learned to go along with you on longer hikes with more difficult goals!
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