The word “thunderstorm” focuses on the wrong threat: it is the lightning that injures or kills. From first-hand experience, the most frightening aspect of hiking or climbing is the prospect of being caught way out in an open field or way above the tree line in an electrical storm with nowhere to hide. The experience […]
Importance of Hydration
Even more important than the very-important selection of hiking boots and breaking them in, is making sure you stay hydrated on your hikes (or at all times, really). The problems with dehydration are: You can’t immediately counteract the effects by gulping some water and thinking you’ll be OK in minutes. It takes some time for […]
National Take a Hike Day
Take a Hike – It’s Official We don’t stop hiking because we grow old –We grow old because we stop hiking. – Finis Mitchel I will celebrate the newly discovered (by me) National Trails Day on June 1, 2019 and National Take a Hike Day, November 17, 2019. Here are the various advocacy statements I […]
Using Hiking Poles for Safety and Balance on a Hike
Using a pair of hiking poles on your hikes provides several benefits. Poles help transfer about 20% of the workload from your lower body to upper body, which helps your endurance and gives a bit of upper body workout. They also help with balance on rocks, ascending and descending loose terrain and gullies and crossing […]