Tips About Hiking Equipment

Equipment plays an important role in hiking all the time, today we will introduce some essential items. It includes a map, compass, tents, boots, sleeping bags, sunglasses, flashlights, bags and food.

Map - a detailed map can help you have knowledge of the surroundings, so we will not lose our way in a strange environment.

Compass - we can determine the direction rapidly at night and overcast conditions with it. It is used with a map together.

Tent - we can hardly find a hotel or restaurant if we choose a remote place to go hiking. Then we need a tent to shield us from the coldness, pests, and wind at night.

Boots - we recommend boots with soles and high heels in case of a twisted ankle, which will bring quite a lot of troubles to the hikers.

Sleeping bag - it is also noticeable that everybody has a different sense to the coldness. We should pay attention to several temperatures' standards of sleeping bags including the upper limit, comfort rating, lower limiting.

They help us choose proper type for ourselves; it is neither hot nor cold when one sleeps in it. Apart from it, we need considering factors such as the spots and season we choose. For instance, we need two different kinds of sleeping bags in summer and winter.

It should be pointed out that a pair of gloves is essential in the winter while a mosquito net is necessary in the summer. The former keep us warm while the latter keep us from annoying mosquitoes to ensure you have a good rest to continue hiking next day.

Sunglasses - we need them to protect our eyes from strong sun lights, especially when we climb a high mountain or walk through a desert. The ultraviolet, infrared rays contained in the lights can do harm to our eyes easily.

Flashlight - it is indispensable to explore the unfamiliar path at night. If you are unlucky to get trapped at night somewhere, you can make others know by using flashlights to get others attention.

Food - no man can enjoy the hiking hungrily, or can hardly finish it. What kinds of food can be brought should be considered carefully. The foods had better not too weighty because they will be a burden for the hikers.

The chocolates and hard tacks are the first choice according our experiences. They can provide lots of Calories in a short of time. You can try to have a picnic if you get tired with these foods which can be easily found in a market.

Walking stick - it helps to improve the stability of hikers, while reducing the burden on the legs. Scientific study shows, the proper using of a walking stick can reduce at least 22% of stress with which hikers bear, it is especially useful when climbing a mountain.

Bag - those items taken above should be put together in an hiking bag. This kind of bag is of high quality because of the changeable climates. It is required to be strong, rain-resistant, or it is useless. Please pay more attention to the bags' materials and size.

Those above are just essential equipments for most hikers. You can choose what you think are necessary in different circumstances. Our purpose is to ensure the quality of your hiking. You can share your own ideas and experiences with us by giving comments.

By : Charles_Wei

Essential Advice For Your Kilimanjaro Climb!

Culminating at 5895 m (19341 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro is by far Africa's highest and most majestic mountain! Here's some advice on what to bring on your trekking odyssey!

Walking sticks

Whether you call them walking sticks, staffs, or trekking poles, they're just indispensable for a comfortable walking journey!

Walking sticks will assist you during your climb, and support your knees on descents. Especially if you already have fragile knee joints!

For best support (and even better comfort), consider buying two sticks!

Boots

Your walking boots have to be solid and soft at the same time, the type that will resist the most extreme weather conditions out there!

Indeed, boots are perhaps the most important item you will purchase! Both in terms of your health and well-being. Make sure they fit you properly! Moreover, try them on before considering a purchase. They just have to be the right size!

Do this: put your foot in the shoe without tying the shoelace, and slide your foot forward until it hits the front of the boot. If you have one finger's thickness of space at your heel, then the boot is made for you. If not, then it is either too big or too small (less than one finger space)!

Some key features to look for in boots are:

- Vibram, or comparable high rubber-content soles with deep lugs to provide better traction.

- Sturdy, high tops with padding to protect ankles while providing good ankle support. Boots with a stiff heel counter is also a big bonus, as it relieves your foot and ankle.

- Uppers made of leather or a leather/Cordura combination.

- Removable insoles for extra comfort and cushioning.

- Lacing system with D-rings and speed hooks to easily put and remove your boots.

- Sewn-in, gusseted tongues.

- Waterproof coating to ensure your feet stay dry at all times.

Socks

Pay special attention to the material of your socks. They can be made of:

- Cotton: Not a great idea while hiking. Cotton absorbs moisture and retains it.

- Ragg Wool: Way more comfortable, but you don't have to be allergic to it.

- Acrylic: Not as resistant and much warmer than wool socks, although they do wick moisture away from the feet. Notice that some acrylic socks have extra cushioning, which can be interesting!

- Polypropylene: Primarily used in liners - thin socks worn beneath thicker main socks. Will wick moisture away from foot, and can also reduce friction between your foot and the shoe.

- Silk: Same purpose as polypropylene.

Sleeping Bags

Should be chosen wisely! Large variety of options, from "Down Sleeping Bags" (very resistant to water and cold), to "Hollowfibre" (synthetic fibre, dries rapidly), and "Thinsulate" (state-of-the-art synthetic fibre, economic, very light) types!

Important things to consider in a sleeping bag:

- Needs to fit your body (in width and length).

- Two-way zipper (for better ventilation).

- Insulated hood.

Daypacks

Preferably big, but not too big either! A 25-40 litre rucksack tends to fit most people needs.

Headlamps

A good head torch is essential as it leaves your hands free. Petzl Zoom Headlamps and Petzl Tikka are definitely worth it, although not the cheapest I agree.

Gloves

Two pairs highly recommended: a pair of wool or fleece gloves as a next to skin layer, and a second pair of waterproof gloves that go over the first pair!

A very good pair of gloves should not be underestimated if you want to keep your fingers healthy and intact!

Hats

Good-looking hats are important for sure, but as you know looks are not everything! Most importantly, a good hat is one that protects you from the sun, and also that fits easily into your backpack (or comfortably fastens to your belt, backpack, etc...). Furthermore, make sure it can provide good shade to your face, and that it "breathes".

I just love some of those Rogue hats, don't you?!

Thermal Beanie/Balaclava
Protects you from the wind and hinders frostbite. Not to be neglected!

Duffel Bags

A lightweight classic! Easy to stuff with your clothing and rolled socks.

Things to consider: a strong seam, good quality zippers (that can be padlocked), and short handles to pull your bag quickly if required.

Water Bottles

Drink, drink, and drink some more! Water is vital to appropriate acclimatisation, and so are water bottles! You should be able to carry 2-3 litres of water at any time!

Any water bottle is good really, although I must admit I really enjoy the Swiss Sigg types. They are eco-friendly, and reusable! Unless you'd rather go for hydration systems, with a tube from a bladder in your pack to your mouth; practical and very popular! The only disadvantage of such systems is they can freeze easily! Either way, be sure it won't leak nor freeze.

Gaiters/Anklets

Very useful little pieces of materials that keep mud, rocks and to a certain extent water out of your boots! May even be utilized to keep ticks away!

Can be sweaty nevertheless.

Jacket & Trousers

Two words come to mind: comfort and waterproofing! The two items need to be waterproof, breathable and windproof.

By : Michael_Theys

Tips For Having a Good Dude Ranch Experience

You've decided to chuck the same old vacation experience and try something new. Yes, you and the family are going to head off to a dude ranch for a bit of fun and relaxation. To make sure you achieve your goals, you might want to take into account these tips.

The first tip I can provide you is know what you want. Do you want an authentic western experience in a somewhat rustic ranch? If so, you want to pick a destination that is part of a working ranch. These locations view guests as an add on to their core activities and you will get a very realistic experience.

What if you are looking for something a bit more relaxing? Well, you need to then look for a location that lists activities that bear this out. You should look for things like pools, hot tubs, canoeing and so on. You do not want a working ranch because it will end up being a bit more rustic than you probably want.

A second big issue to consider is what is included in the price. Most ranches will give you a price for the week. Does it include meals and, if so, which ones? What about amenities like horseback riding?

Some locations include it in the base price while others do not. You don't want to pick a cheap location only to find out it is expensive because you have to pay a lot for the various activities you want to take.

My third tip for you is a bit odd. It has to do with a very practical matter, but one that can be very important. Most dude ranches are located in remote areas. As a result, getting to them is not easy.

Many GPS systems will simply start smoking if you try to use them! Make sure you know the directions and the kind of roads you'll be going across. Driving across a ancient dirt road in your Camry isn't going to be good for the car notwithstanding the already questionable quality of it!

Does a dude ranch make a great vacation? Yes, particularly if you keep the above tips in mind.

By : Thomas_Ajava

Beaches For Your Relaxation

If you are like most people in the world, a vacation for you means spending time staring at the waves while they kiss the shore and drift away back to the ocean.

Just the sight and sound of this gives you enough energy to quench your thirst for some needed relaxation. If you want to find the best beaches in the world where it is just you and the powdery white sand, here are the top five choices.

Costa Blanca is Spain is a long stretch of coast in the southeastern part of the country. When we say long, we mean a coastline that covers 42 towns and villages long. Because of its length, you will surely find a place where you could spend quality time with yourself and a good book. The nearest international airport in this area is Alicante, the capital of Costa Blanca.

A hidden gem in the Philippines called El Nido is home to pristine waters and sand as white as your grandma's hair. It also has an amazing coral reef, known as the Tubbataha Reef, which was nominated in the new 7 wonders and has been declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site. There are no international flights going to El Nido so you need to catch a connecting flight from the airport in Manila.

Surprisingly, St. John in the US Virgin Islands is not as visited as compared to the other beaches in the Caribbean. Because of this, you can definitely enjoy the warmth sun without the madding party crowd that stays up 24 hours a day. Cruises are also available going to St. John and other beaches in the Carribean.

These beaches are definitely worth a visit, especially while they are still unperturbed by commercialism and crazy bars and pubs. Ah, pinacolada on a sun bed!

By : Brett_Chimay

Beach Umbrellas - The Fun Splash of Colors

It is ironical how we want to go to the beaches for the perfect tans, yet fear the sun's utmost potential of destroying our skin and hair. So, we are trying to find the solutions to keep the harmful effects of the sun at their minimal.

One of the basic accessories, when looking for ways to protect oneself from the wrath of the sun rays is getting a pretty beach umbrella. Now only do these adorable accessories make the trip more colorful but also, more enjoyable due to the simplicity of the comfort they provide.

When buying the b-umbrellas there are certain guidelines to follow, which revolve around purchasing the light weight umbrellas to ensure ease of transporting.

Also, the umbrella being bought for the purpose of protection from sun at the beach should have a larger diameter to ascertain maximum shadiness. This however, does not mean that it should be so big that it can't fit the car. A thorough search for the apt size of the beach umbrella is very important.

A perfect size for the umbrellas is six feet in diameter. Although the beach umbrellas for nine feet are also available yet, they are difficult to fit in small or normal sized cars because of their relatively large size.

The most important accessory to the umbrella will be an anchor, which holds the beach umbrella pole, firmly into the sand. One can also opt for the hooks for the same purpose. Also, the hook can be used for hanging towels etc.

Most of the times, hinged umbrellas can be found easily in the shops, which ensure providing lasting shade in the sun; if one can afford to find these umbrellas it would be a helpful feature for shadiness during their vacation.

Another efficient feature introduced in the beach umbrellas is the mesh panel, which allows the wind to pass through thus, releasing the pressure of the beach umbrella being swept away with the wind.

When buying umbrellas look out for the colors that are not dark, rather, opt for the lighter shades, which have the ability of reflecting back the light and the heat of the sun. Neon colors also make a good choice, but select the colors, which are not too gaudy for the other individuals' eyes.

For most of umbrellas the canopy is manufactured from the cotton based or polyester based fabric. In other cases it might the combination of these two, offering a thickness up to 300 deniers or more.

The higher this thickness is the more will be the protection offered by the umbrella against heat and light. This also means that the umbrella will be heavier to carry. The skeleton of the beach umbrellas should ideally be manufactured from fiberglass or steel.

By : Hamza_Ejaz