New Hiking

Ever since John Wesley Powell braved the raging whitewater in its depths in 1869, the Grand Canyon has been touted as the Eighth Wonder of the World. And no wonder. Despite the many years of seeing postcards, snapshots, and movies of the Grand Canyon, your first view of this mighty gouge in the skin of the earth will still hit with the force and surprise of a heavyweight’s sucker punch. Yes, it is that overwhelming. The Grand Canyon is inarguable the most overexposed icon of the American landscape. Every year, approximately 5 million people come to gawk into the abyss, never mind if they have to spend millions of rolls of films on shooting pictures from river to rim – mementos of how they conquered this monster of a sight in one long, exciting, satisfying Grand Canyon hiking trip. In fact, the view of the place itself is enough and worth the price of admission and the price of walking for miles till the end of the trail. However, if you want real adventure, nothing beats a Grand Canyon hiking trip that includes hiking down below the rim and floating through the Colorado River’s alternating series of hair-raising rapids and cathedral-still quiet water. Avid hikers like yourself will find something utterly unique about Grand Canyon hiking. For one, the place itself is so different from most other backpacking experiences that your adventure is guaranteed to be totally on a level on its own. There are only two ways in which you can react to the experience: either you can’t wait to get back, or you swear you will never do it again. Either way, the experience is worth it. First up, know right now that the Grand Canyon offers a desert climate, so you must be prepared for that. In Grand Canyon hiking, knowing where water and protection from the elements can make the difference between life and death. Your trip begins at a high elevation at around 7,000 to 8,000 feet so that means you will be starting your trek with a bone-jarring descent. If your pack is heavy, the descent could cause blisters in your feet, and when it’s time for you to face the long climb out, you’d be very tired by then. The easiest trails to take when on a Grand Canyon hiking trip are those starting from the South Rim. Here, you are given three trip choices: * Trip A – Night 1 (Bright Angel Camp), Night 2 (Indian Garden Camp), and Night 3 (Hike Out) * Trip B – Night 1 (Bright Angel Camp), Night 2 (Bright Angel Camp), and Night 3 (Hike Out) * Trip C – Night 1 (Indian Garden Camp), Night 2 (Indian Garden Camp), and Night 3 (Hike Out) There are also the North Rim hikes available, but the roads to these trails are closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall. Trips along these trails can last anywhere from three nights to five nights. And for the serious mountaineers, the Corridor Trails offer extreme Grand Canyon hiking adventure.

One of the best ways of communing with Nature is through a hiking tour. What’s a hiking tour, you say? Well, it’s really little more than a plain, old trek or hike, only that it is much grander in scale and much more organized. When you are plain hiking, you can do it alone or with a close friend for a hiking buddy. However, when you join a hiking tour, you are usually part of a large group and accompanied by a guide. Hiking tours follow the same basic rules in hiking. For instance, you need basically the same things you would normally need in a simple hike, such as the following: * Map of the area or trail * Compass * Matches – preferably wind-proof * Fire starter – place them in waterproof containers * Extra food or water – include a way to purify water found on the trail, lunch, energy bars, trail-mix, snacks, etc. * Extra clothing – such as rain jacket, emergency blanket * First aid kit * Sunglasses, pocket knife, nylon cord * Flashlight – with extra batteries Other items you may also want to take on your hiking tour: * Camera and film * Binoculars * Toilet paper * Signal mirror * Garbage bags * Tent * Cellphone * Hiking stick When you are on the trail in a hiking tour, the basic hiking rules and trail etiquette should be practiced to ensure that your hiking experience does not damage the natural environment or the experience of fellow hikers. Below is a gist of these rules: Before Hiking The first thing you need to do is to determine your own physical, mental, and technical abilities. Not only that, you should also know your restrictions as well. Remember that just because you are joining a hiking tour with a large group and a guide does not mean that you ought to forget your limits. Knowing things like these about yourself is essential to your safety. Adjust your plans accordingly. That way you can prevent problems that might cause personal injuries or injuries to others. Another rule before going on a hiking tour is to make sure you are well-informed about the trails you will take. This is so because some trails are really quite dangerous and require more experienced hikers. Checking hiking terrain conditions and hiking weather conditions is one way. Having a detailed and up to date map with you is also another. For last minute updates and firsthand information about the trail, check with local authorities. Next, make sure that you are well-equipped for your intended hiking tour. Also, make sure that your gear is appropriate for terrain and weather conditions. Take enough food and drinks for your intended hikes and the items included in the list of essentials we have provided for you above. And lastly, inform people of your itinerary and your expected time of return. This should not be too much of a problem when you are joining a hiking tour since hiking tour companies often keep records of the tours they are offering. However, it is still a good precautionary measure to take, if only to appease the worries of your friends and families who are not joining you in the tour.

Hiking trails vary greatly depending on the place you are planning to trek. It could be a serene walk from winery to winery in the rolling hills of Italy or it could be a rugged backcountry hike through rainforests and rocky cliffs. The differences can be extreme, and this is what draws the itinerant backpacker to hiking trails all over the world. Yet, for all the fun, excitement, and adventure that hiking trails offer, they can lead you to get into dangerous situations. In fact, majority of the outdoor survival situations that occur each year are due to the danger that hikers face because of lack of preparation and foresight. Anyone can go through these dangerous experiences. Whether you are a long-time hiker or a first-timer, it’s always the same, because this kind of danger does not always stem from inexperience and recklessness. It often stems from ill-preparedness and lack of foresight. For this reason, we have compiled below some tips to help you overcome any safety risks you might encounter along the hiking trails of your choice: Tip 1: Hike with a Buddy Hiking with at least one partner reduces the potential of getting into situations that are difficult to overcome if you’re all alone. While it is far more exciting to go on a hike alone than with a buddy (it definitely stretches the whole activity to the extreme), safety requires that you have at least one person with you. Not only does having a hiking buddy on the hiking trails with you help when you get into difficult situations, but it also helps lessen the potential for harassment from people you may encounter along the trail. Remember that just because you are on hiking trails in the wilds does not mean that you are removed from the two-legged dangers faced in urban areas. You encounter all kind of people on the trail, including the good, the bad, and the ugly, so take heed. Tip 2: File an Itinerary When you are on unfamiliar hiking trails, it is always a good idea to leave some information about you and your family and friends who are with you on the register. Specifically, include the particular trail you are taking. And before you leave, be sure to get the phone numbers for local law enforcement and land managers. Tip 3: Dress Conservatively This should already be a given. Select attire that avoids unwelcome attention from people you may meet along the hiking trails. Tip 4: Don’t broadcast your Itinerary The register is the only exception as it is a precautionary measure in case some harm befalls you while on the hiking trails. But do not discuss trip plans with suspicious strangers, and do not travel the plans of fellow hikers. Another thing, if you are hiking alone, claim to be the leader of a larger group following behind you. Tip 5: Be Sociable But just because you are not to broadcast your itinerary to strangers does not mean that you should stop talking to anyone all together. Be sociable, but exercise caution when you converse with strangers. Pay attention to details such as location and their appearance, and behavior. Avoid anyone acting strangely, provocatively, openly hostile or drunk.

A mountainous, rugged canvas of land spreading from the west, sloping gently in the middle, before fissuring into a watery gap to the east. This is the scene that unfolds before you when you go on a North Carolina hiking trip along the Tar Heel State’s Piedmont Mountain range. This North Carolina hiking trail occupies the heartland of the relatively geological infant range, formed as it was only some 250 million years ago. The Piedmont Mountain range came to be in the wake of similar tectonic buckling that created the Appalachian Mountains to the west, another great site for North Carolina hiking. North Carolina’s heartland contains its three largest cities – Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro – and consequently its heaviest population density. Naturally, this of course means that the same area plays a prominent role in the state’s commercial fortunes, and has also been the stage for much of North Carolina’s historical and cultural evolution. But more than that, this region’s bustling metropolis lie very close to a landscape of hills, forests, and lakes brimming with North Carolina hiking opportunities. Charlotte North Carolina Hiking Quick Escapes Charlotte is one of North Carolina’s busiest cities. But despite that, there are certain pockets in the borders of the city that provide you with the perfect North Carolina hiking quick escape. The 32, 500-acre Lake Normal, located some 35 miles north of the city on I-77, is one of North Carolina’s largest lakes, formed in the sixties when Duke Power Company dammed the Catawba River. In return for flooding the valley, the benevolent company also gifted a parcel of land that now forms Lake Normal State Park, where great North Carolina hiking opportunities await you. Thirteen of the lake’s 520 miles of shoreline are located within the park. As a pocket of land protected from the spoils of over-development, a North Carolina hiking trip in one of the park trails provide you with excellent spots for solitude and communing with nature. To access the park for a short North Carolina hiking trip, do it from Exit 42 off I-77. Once you have arrived, make for the trailhead of the 6.5-mile Lakeshore North Carolina Hiking Trail, located at the parking area of the family campground. North Carolina Hiking Triad: Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point The triad – the three cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point – has witnesses its share of pivotal moments in U.S. history. Today, it offers one of the best North Carolina hiking you will find in the state. Located just under one hour north of the Triad is a great North Carolina hiking spot, the Hanging Rock State Park. This North Carolina hiking spot is composed of 6, 921 acres of forest and mountain tucked between Highways 66 and 89. This park was established in the 1930s and sits within the ancient Sauratown Mountain range, named for the Saura Indians who once inhabited the region. Over 18 miles of North Carolina hiking trails thread through the wooded expanse of the park, leading you to waterfalls, caves, and the dramatic outcrop of Hanging Rock itself.

Choosing the right Salomon hiking boots requires that you keep a few goals in mind. One, you want your Salomon hiking boot to be as light and comfortable as possible. Two, you want your Salomon hiking boot to keep your feet dry, warm, and well-protected. And lastly, you want your Salomon hiking boot to have the right fit. If the Salomon hiking boot you picked right off the counter has all these characteristics, then you got nothing more to ask for. Well, nothing besides the other considerations that is. Below are brief discussions of some other considerations you need to take a look at when choosing the perfect pair of Salomon hiking boots: Intended Use When choosing Salomon hiking boot, the first natural concern you have is its intended use. Of course. This is the single most important question you will have to ask yourself when buying a pair of Salomon hiking boots. You may know by now that there are several different hiking types that you may normally engage in, and for each of these types, there are also corresponding Salomon hiking boot types. Consider the following factors to find out what specific type of Salomon hiking boot you should buy: * Expected terrain * Weather conditions * Intended hiking duration * Intended backpack load Hiking Skill Level The second most important factor in Salomon hiking boot buying is your level as a hiker. It is a commonly accepted fact that hikers with more miles and experience under their belt are able to choose lighter Salomon hiking boots compared to less experienced hikers. And this is true even if they plan to do the same hike under the same conditions. If you are new to hiking, you should go for Salomon hiking boots that give good support while your feet, ankles, Achilles’ tendon, calves, and legs get used to the added strain of hiking. As time goes, you will be gradually increasing your skill level by increasing the difficulty, load, duration, and/or terrain difficulty of your hikes. Now, if this is your plan all along, then be sure to get Salomon hiking boots that allow you to grow. Not only that, your Salomon hiking boots should also be able to meet your needs once you reach your next skill level. However, note that there are no Salomon hiking boots that facilitate all levels of hiking. So once you get into hiking for which your current Salomon hiking boots are not intended, then make sure to get new boots. Salomon Hiking Boot Quality Good quality boots will not give out when the going gets tough. Salomon hiking boots are known to last hikers for years on the trail. A pair of Salomon hiking boot will never break or give out on you while still in the middle of a hike. When it comes to judging quality of boots, brand names are often a good indicator, and when it comes to brand names, Salomon hiking boots is among the top of the list.

Seattle Washington’s Pacific Northwest is well known for its abundant Washington hiking opportunities. And fortunately for Washington hiking enthusiasts visiting this part of the State, there are some great Washington hiking spots and right next to Seattle’s doorstep. Washington hiking along the Pacific Northwest’s forests and mountains is perfect if you are short on time but want to sample the splendiferous outdoors fun that Seattle has to offer. Washington hiking on either Tiger Mountain or Granite Mountain provides the best conveniently located hikes. Both these Washington hiking trails are within an hour’s drive of downtown Seattle. Not only that, they both provide you with countless Washington hiking opportunities, including immersing yourself in lush forests, stretching your legs as you power up a steep trail, or ambling through high alpine meadows. Which Washington hiking trail you choose to take may depend on your time and physical condition, or on whether you are merely looking for a quick break from the city or a true alpine experience. Tiger Mountain Washington Hiking Snug in the Cascade Range foothills only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Washington hiking on Tiger Mountain is your best bet when your schedule’s tight. If all you want is some quiet downtime wandering in the woods, Tiger Mountain offers the best Washington hiking you need. This Washington hiking mountain trail is part of Tiger Mountain State Forest, encompassing over 13,000 acres. It provides you with 80 miles of Washington hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Its convenient location lets you easily plan a morning, afternoon, or even after-work Washington hiking excursion during the long Northwest summer days. Tiger Mountain is a popular destination, mainly because of its close proximity to Seattle. As a result, you may find a full parking lot when you get to the Washington hiking trailhead. However, don’t be discouraged by this tiny setback. The Tiger Mountain Washington hiking trail actually offers a surprising amount of solitude due to the area’s large network of trails, which readily disperses hikers throughout the area. Granite Mountain If you have a little more time and gumption, or if you seek a more alpine mountain experience, a one-day Washington hiking excursion up Granite Mountain might just be it. Providing you with a tougher Washington hiking experience than Tiger Mountain, Granite Mountain is definitely not for the weak-kneed. However, if you don’t mind a little rough-walking, this Washington hiking trail rewards you with delightful gardens of granite splashed with wildflowers, sweeping views of Mount Rainier and teardrop alpine lakes and a historic Cascade Mountain fire tower. And if you think that that is all that this Washington hiking trail offers, then you need to re-think that, because we haven’t even mentioned the best part of this trip yet: Granite Mountain. This mountain of a view is less than a one-hour drive from the bustle of downtown Seattle, easily accessible from Interstate 90. The Granite Mountain Washington hiking trail is located on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and in the heart of the region’s self-named Mountains to Sound Greenway straddling Interstate 90.

Hiking and camping trips are one of the best ways to relax without spending too much. That’s because unlike a “real” vacation, hiking and camping trips may only require you to pack a few essentials in a backpack and start exploring the nearest woods in your locality. Hiking and camping help you become more aware and appreciative of nature, and at the same time, help you get away from the drab of city life. Since there are many different hiking and camping areas, each of them offering different challenges, the first thing you need to do to get started is to make a hiking and camping list. Below are the things you should consider bringing with you when you go on a hiking and camping trip: Clothing Your choice of clothing to bring may depend on the kind of trail you are taking. Will you be going through a thick woodland area? Or a grassy meadow in Alaska? Arid desert? Or snowy glaciers? It is important that you bring clothes that are appropriate for the type of hiking and camping trip you are taking. Aside from clothing, you may also find a need for the following accessories: * Clothesline and clips (for drying wet towels and clothing) * Dirty clothes bag * Flip flops or reef shoes or sandals (for camp shower rooms and restrooms) * Gloves or mittens (for those chilly mornings) * Hat * Hiking boots or shoes * Extra socks * Laundry soap * Rain gear Cooking Cooking is fun when you’re on a hiking and camping trip. You are usually reduced to the bare essentials, which can be fun and exciting. Below are some of the cooking things you may need on a hiking and camping trip: * Aluminum foil and plastic wrap * Can, bottle opener, and corkscrew * Coffee, pot, filters * Cooking oil/spray/butter * Cookware * Cooler, 5 day or better * Cups * Cutting board * Dish soap, towel, and washcloth * Dishpan and drying rack (collapsible) * Food * Fuel and funnel for stoves, lanterns, heaters, etc. * Gladware or other cheap plastic food containers * Hot dog or marshmallow sticks * Ice * Kitchen funnel * Knife and sharpener * Ladel * Measuring spoongs and cups * Pan or skillet (cast iron) * Paper towels * Pie iron or hot sandwich maker * Plates and bowls * Pot holders or oven mitts * Pot scrubber * Pots with lids * Silverware (metal forks, spoons, knives) * Smore stuff, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate * Snacks * Spatula * Spices or seasonings or condiments (salt, pepper, mustard, etc.) * Stove * Table, tablecloth, and clips * Tongs * Watch and/or timer * Thermos * Water container 3-7+ gallons * Ziplock bags and plastic containers * Spatula Now remember that you do not have to bring all these things when you go hiking and camping. After all the essence of hiking and camping is to find if you can survive in the wilderness with limited means.