Solo Hiking Tips and Safety Measures
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Solo hiking is not for everyone. You must have at least done a considerable amount of hiking with a partner before you go solo. If you decide to hike solo because you can’t find somebody to partner you, you are being irresponsible, particularly if you are inexperienced. This is basically an open invitation for trouble. However, if you have prior knowledge and experience, and you are confident enough to walk the trails alone, then here are some tips and safety measures to guide you.
Plan your hike thoroughly. Do not venture out onto a trail without first knowing what the possible weather conditions will be at the time of your hike. There are always weather and trail advisories for the most popular places. If these are not available, check the local weather forecasts on TV or go online. Park and mountain trails usually give off predator warnings or any broadcast about trail conditions and closures. Even if you feel like you do not need it, bring a map of the trail where you plan to go. And a good compass! Read trail brochures if they are available. These little tidbits of information may prove to be life-saving in the end.
Pack everything you think you need. One of the most essential things to bring in solo hiking is a whole load of common sense. You need to keep your wits about you, especially if the trails you are walking on may inadvertently bring you close to wildlife that you are inexperienced in handling. Take only the essentials with you, and that means leaving your mp3 player at home. You need to be extra alert to the sights and sounds of your surroundings. The last thing you want to see while hiking on your own is a mother bear with a calf in tow, charging up to where you are.
Try to practice a bit of foresight too. A whistle is one way to seek help if you happen to have a terrible accident. For vision, a small battery powered and waterproof torch light is better than bringing matches or a lighter, especially when you get caught at night in the rain. Pepper sprays may come in handy, etc.
Take the established route. If it seems like a well beaten trail through the park or the mountain, then take it. Most of the popular trails have signs, guide posts and more importantly, a name that people associate them with. Solo hiking should not afford you the license to go exploring the less beaten tracks. If you find something of interest, make a mental note of the location and come back with someone to explore it (if you still desire to do so).
Never explore seemingly innocuous abandoned houses or mine shafts. And never deviate from the path simply because you think you can find an alternative route on your own. Besides, these established routes usually have one or two key points where hikers and back packers can call for aid if they need assistance.
Try very hard to take note of the wild life around you. Do not assume for one moment that since everything seems peaceful, it will remain that way. Solo hiking will and should make you more alert, with all of your senses in tip-top condition. Take notice of animal droppings in your path or unusual smells. A scarred tree with a ripped bark is an indication of a bear nearby. If you find a fresh kill nearby (say, a small deer or even traces of fresh blood and half consumed prey), it would be best to steer clear by a looooong way. If you feel as if something is watching over you, it would be best to turn back.
Other animals like birds and rodents can actually help you tell if a predator is close. If you listen hard enough, you can actually hear them moving all around you – little chirps on the tree tops or tiny movements in the grass blades. However, if all the noise suddenly ceases to a creepy degree, then that is an indication of a predator nearby.
You can actually counter animals from approaching you by making sure they know that you are solo hiking right there. Although it sounds foolish, clapping your hands or singing loudly is a great way of making your presence known. Do not whistle or use the whistle. If you whistle through your lips, a predator may still mistake you as a prey. It’s best that you reserve the use of the whistle only for extreme emergencies.
Maintain your goal. Inadvertently, you may meet another hiker or group of hikers. If you really want to continue solo hiking, then it would be best to refuse any kindly invitations to join them. Politeness is the key here, with the total conviction that you need to do this on your own.
Clothing and Footwear for Hiking and Backpacking
Hiking and backpacking are great pastimes that can help you maintain a good level of fitness and teach you a self reliance and confidence in yourself that will be useful to you all your life. However, if you are not properly equipped it can also be miserable and it is useful to know how to equip yourself to be able to walk for long distances over rough terrain without blisters or dripping with sweat.
Hiking Boots
First the boots. These are probably the most important items you will purchase, and when buying them you should understand what to look for and why these aspects of your hiking boots are important. If you understand why you are looking for a specific feature, then you will be less confused by the large number of options available.
First and foremost your hiking boots must be waterproof. Moisture causes blisters, and you should buy boots with as many features as possible that prevent water getting inside. Hence, a full tongue that completely covers the opening is essential, and the boots must be made of a breathable material such as leather that allows the moisture to leave, but not to get in.
The higher the ankle the more support it will give you, and your boots should support your feet when pressure is placed on the toe or the heel as you walk over rough ground. They should support the arches of your feet and a curved insert is often a good way to achieve this. The boots should provide good overall support for your feet, ankles and your Achilles’ tendon, although if you are an experienced hiker then your legs and calves will have the strength to enable you to wear a lighter boot. No boots are suitable for all levels, so be prepared to purchase new boots as your skill and strength levels increase. Keep in mind that when you are hiking, every pound of boot is like five pounds in your backpack.
Never buy cheap boots, since they will come back to bite you. Always buy the best you can afford, and make sure that you have proper strong braided nylon laces. Don’t use flat laces because they will eventually break. A good tip is take spare laces with you since nothing is worse than having your laces break with no replacements handy. If you intend to include any climbing, make sure that your boots have crampon connections.
Although the fitting of hiking boots is very important, the assistants should be trained to fit them properly. If they seem not to be then go elsewhere. Also wear the socks that you will be wearing when hiking for the fitting.
Hiking Clothes
The rest of your hiking apparel should be suitable for a variety of outdoors conditions. Your temperature is of extreme importance, especially if you could be encountering particularly cold conditions. Your thermal equilibrium is very important and you should wear at least an insulation layer and a waterproof outer layer when walking. Underneath that you should wear a good standard of thermal underwear, and consider purchasing separate rain gear.
Your hiking clothes should be designed to provide a balance between the heat your body is generating and the amount it is losing. Ideally, your body should not have to lose heat through sweating due to the equilibrium between heat generation and heat loss. Sweating is tiring, and can result in a lot of wasted energy apart from the discomfort. A good equilibrium can be obtained in two ways:
Firstly, your hiking clothing should be weatherproof, and protect from rain and snow. Secondly, it should be able to allow sweat to quickly evaporate. The correct selection of clothing is therefore very important since this combination of breathing an water resistance is not easy to find. Your hiking clothing should also be padded enough to protect you from the environment.
You might find that gloves are useful to you, though many people prefer not to wear them since bare hands and wrists help the body to cool. However, they are useful to carry in case you come across any thick undergrowth that you have to move aside. There are a lot of things in nature that can harm you, even simple thorns, and you might be thankful for your gloves if have to get past poison ivy or any other similar obstruction that you would rather not come into contact with.
General
When hiking you will not generally have much room for night clothing, and if you do have some extra room in your rucksack or backpack then it might be better used for a spare set of socks and underwear. If you do manage to get wet you will find a change of socks and dry underwear much more refreshing than a nightdress or pajamas!!
In general, the first rule of purchasing hiking apparel is to buy the best that you can afford. Look to your boots first since they are the articles that could make life a total misery if not chosen properly, and spend as much as possible on quality. Make sure you get expert help when choosing and fitting them.
Next will come your choice of thermal equilibrium clothing and finally anything else. Your socks are also important since you don’t want to walk on a seam, but if you follow this advice and take care when choosing, then you should enjoy trouble free hiking for years to come.
The Best Women’s Winter Boots on the Market Today
The Best Women’s Winter Boots on the Market Today
When you think of women’s winter boots, does the image of fur laden, big, bulky and heavy boots come to mind, or the little things that only serve the fashion worlds idea of a boot? A lot of people do, but when you look at Ugg brand boots, you will see that being warm, comfortable and in fashion can be achieved all at once.
The Ugg brand boots are an Australian line of footwear and have been around ever since the sheep, that provided the skin for the footwear, have been there (well nearly). Ugg brand boots, of the sheepskin and other variety’s have been worn by sheep herders, pilots and even surfers all over Australia and the world, to keep their feet warm from a variety of chill factors.
are worn all year round by people, not just in cold winters. They are designed so that the foot can breathe in the airy sheepskin and are meant to be worn without socks, which affords for a very comfortable snug fit.
Moisture is absorbed into the sheepskin keeping your feet dry and comfy in temperatures up to 80 degrees, which helps keep your whole body at a healthy temperature. Another feature of Ugg brand boots, is the ability to mould around your feet, supporting the natural arch and making them a truly personalized piece of footwear, that nobody else should wear.
It is true that the word Ugg, comes from ugly, but if you have ever seen any Ugg brand boots, you will know they are anything but ugly. Ugg boots may not be recognized for any fashion statements they make, but they are good looking, healthy for your feet and oh so comfortable. They also come in a broad range of colors and designs and have different heights in the heel.
There are also other Ugg accessories for water resistance and stain repellants, so you can keep your Ugg brand boots in tip top condition. Even if something does get spilled onto your boots, there are good cleansing products and conditioning products, by Ugg themselves, after all who knows their boots the best.
Boots are not the only product that Ugg supply; they have fashionable handbags to go with more accessories, so you can be a true Ugg fashion setter and enjoy your Uggs for as long as you want this hardy brand to last.
Some people may find the Ugg brand boots a little pricey, but what price would you put on having healthy, comfortable feet. There are places you can get discount Ugg boots, even by doing a search on the net for ‘Ugg discount boots’. Also waiting until the end of a season is good time to find cheaper Ugg boots, but no matter what the price Ugg brand boots are, they are worth it and have to be some of the best if not the best women’s winter boots out there.
Buying and Fitting Boots
Tips for Buying and Fitting Boots
When buying boots, most people will go into a store, try on a pair that looks good, and if they feel comfortable they will buy them. That is what most people do, and that is why most people have problems with their boots at one time or another. There is more to purchasing a pair of boots than how they look and feel in the shop.
The first think you must consider is what your boots will be used for. Are they for walking or climbing? Are they for casual wear as a fashion accessory, or are the intended to keep your feet dry in bad weather. Are they for your children and if so how quickly will your child’s feet grow? Boots designed for a particular use might not be suitable for any other. An example is climbing boots that are made very stiff so that they are solid when placed on a tiny mountain shelf, but not very good for normal walking due to a general lack of flexibility.
Walking boots, on the other hand, are made flexible and breathable so that they will not hurt your feet and give you blisters after a long trek. Boots designed for backpackers are made to handle heavier weights than normal everyday boots, and the soles can withstand more rugged terrain than normal sidewalks or pavements. They have more support in the ankle, whereas lightweight boots for general use are more flexible and designed more for looks and comfort than for practicality.
You should also consider the material that your boots are made from. Leather is still common, but the thickness and conditioning of the leather will affect their stiffness and comfort. Harder more durable leather might need to be ‘worn in’ to remove the initial stiffness and prevent chaffing and blisters, while the suppler leather of fashion boots provide instant comfort, but less durability and resistance to water and to scuffs. This is particularly true of full grain leathers that sometimes need a lot of breaking in before they can be worn for protracted periods.
Many styles of fashion boots are made from synthetic materials that have a high degree of waterproofing, but are less durable than leather boots. However, they can be made with a variety of finishes, and are popular where certain fashion finishes, such as a metallic or a false crocodile finish, are required.
Irrespective of the type of boot you are purchasing, they must be fitted correctly, and this means more than just ‘feeling comfortable’ in the store. The best time to shop for boots (or any form of footwear) is later in the day, after a period of walking around the shops looking for a pair that you like. That is when your feet are likely to be most swollen, and when fitting you should be looking for a good fit round the leg and ankle, but with plenty of room for your toes. If you can curl them up without abrasion, then the fit is right. About half an inch of space between your toes and the end of the boot is about right.
Pay particular attention to the width between the big and little toes. Not everybody’s feet are the same width, and if you feel any tightness or restriction at the sides of your toes where they meet the edge of the boot then you can develop blisters and bunions. You also need space between the joint of your toes and the top of the boot, and if this is not deep enough then you will develop blisters at the joints of your toes.
Most people try on only one boot, and then assume that both will fit. It is common for both feet to be of different sizes, so you must try on both boots. Walk about with them a little, and try walking upstairs. That will indicate if the bend at the toes is sufficient or if they are going to cut into the joint. You are better with a pair of boots slightly too large than too small. You can easily add inserts or wear thicker socks, but you can’t make a small pair larger.
Speaking of socks, make sure that when you go shopping you wear socks or stockings that relate to the use to which the boots will be put. If you are buying hiking boots, don’t wear thin socks, but wear proper hiking socks that you will be wearing when using the boots. Similarly, if your boots are fashion boots for winter, then wear the foot covering you would normally wear with them during the wet and cold winter months.
Although it is not generally necessary to break in a new pair of boots these days, many people find it better when they do. Once you get your new boots home you should wear them in the house for a few hours, and if they start to feel uncomfortable then return them to the shop and get a size or half a size larger. Sometimes as they soften your boots might actually expand and feel too big. Modern leather processing techniques should prevent this from happening, but you never know, and there again you should take the boots back to the store and try a slightly smaller pair.
Most boots come with instructions on how to clean them and how to care for them. If you look after them as you should then not only will they last longer, but they will remain comfortable throughout their life. Poor maintenance and bad treatment could cause them to harden up and lose their suppleness, and that will result in them also losing their comfortable fit. As leather hardens due to neglect, it becomes less able to flex with your foot and will start to abrade your skin and give rise to blisters.
If you keep in mind the use to which your boots are to be put, wear the correct footwear when trying them on, and have them fitted once your feet have swollen with normal daily walking, then the assistant should be able to make sure that your boots fit properly. If you keep in mind the critical areas of length, width and depth, and are able to walk in them without your feet rubbing hard against any of these areas, then your boots should be a good fit and last you well so long as you properly maintain them.
This applies as equally to fashionable crocodile boots as to their heavy climbing counterparts.
