by Jill Schuman |
June 07, 2017
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When you’re headed into the backcountry for several days, how you plan, what you pack, and the type of food you carry can change significantly from a day-hike or even an overnight trip. Spend some time thinking about your first multi-day hike before hitting the trail: a little extra planning can go a long way in determining the success of your trip.
- Do your research
Get your maps and trail notes out and study up. Identify tricky, challenging, or even dangerous sections of trail beforehand so they don’t take you by surprise. If there’s a section of trail above treeline, organize your itinerary so you’re tackling it early in the morning before the afternoon monsoons roll in. It’s also good to be aware of alternative trails and escape routes in case something goes wrong. Seriously, there’s no such thing as over prepared.
- Get the gear (and know how to use it)
It’s easy to skimp on the Ten Essentials when you’re only headed out for the day, but we wouldn’t advise it on even an overnight trip! Pack weight becomes more of an issue the longer your trip becomes. Focus on packing lightweight, multipurpose items that will function in a variety of terrain types. I like to use a checklist as I’m packing to insure I don’t leave anything important out. REI has a comprehensive backpacking checklist that can help you make your own.
- Count some calories
You’ve probably heard about the thru-hiker stereotype – hungry as a horse, will eat anything, even questionable food from the floor. Think about counting calories (as many as you can get) when you’re planning your backpacking menu. As weight is an issue, consider a calorie to weight ratio. Find the most calorically dense items that weigh the least. Pre-prepared meals are great, but they also weight a lot. I like to carry a variety of pre-prepared meals as well as homemade items to save on weight.
- Prepare for an emergency
Epics can happen to the best of us. Be sure to leave your trip itinerary with someone who will call search and rescue if you don’t turn up at a prescheduled time. I like to carry a personal locator beacon to send an SOS message if necessary. If you have a First Aid Kit (which you should!) spend a bit of time learning how to treat basic injuries, splinting, dressing wounds, etc… And have a backup plan!
Do you have a backpacking trip coming up? Send us photos from your adventures – we’d love to see the mountains you’ve climbed and beautiful campsites you’ve seen.
Tagged:
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by Jill Schuman |
June 02, 2017
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Going on an active, outdoorsy vacation doesn’t mean you can’t have a cultural and educational trip! Our favorite vacation destinations offer the best of both worlds – which is great, especially if you have kids. Check out our favorite cities for mixing indoor and outdoor fun.
Wellington, New Zealand
Photo courtesy of Simeon W
Wellington has got a great vibe. It’s trendy yet down to earth. It’s got great restaurants, shopping, and some incredible scenery to boot. The Te Papa Museum, New Zealand’s national museum and art gallery has incredible exhibits and offers visitors a unique insight into New Zealand’s history and culture. Wellington itself has great walking on the the greenbelts that run throughout the city. It’s easy to forgot you’re in the middle of New Zealand’s capital city!
Edinburgh, Scotland
In addition to Edinburgh’s wealth of museums and galleries, Scotland’s capital city has a fantastic mix of medieval and ultra-modern architecture. It’s a great city for walking – albeit very hilly. Take a stroll down the Royal Mile or walk up the extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat. You can also rent sea kayaks and paddle about the gorgeous Firth of Forth.
Denver, Colorado
Denver has a vibrant art scene with numerous new galleries opening up and lots of museums like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Clyfford Still Museum, and a massive aquarium. It’s also one of the most active cities in America. Ride a bike or go for a run along Cherry Creek, explore the large city parks, or go climbing on the cliffs above the Coors Brewery!
Vancouver, Canada
We love Vancouver. It’s currently attempting to be the greenest city in the world by 2020 and has fantastic greenbelts throughout the city – like Stanley Park. From whale watching to sea kayaking to hiking the 47-mile West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, there’s no shortage of outdoorsy things to do in this beautiful city. On top of that, it’s super modern and trendy with plenty of great restaurants and galleries and museums.
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by Jill Schuman |
May 31, 2017
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Whether you love it or hate it, running is a great way to stay fit. If you’re looking for a bit of motivation or organization to keep you on track this summer, check out one of these great apps designed specifically for running.
RunGo
There’s nothing more annoying than having to stop and look at the map when you’re running a new route. With RunGo, you can set your desired route beforehand and it will offer voice commands, letting you know when and where to turn. RunGo can also recommend routes to help you avoid crowded streets or get lost in unknown parts of town. It’s great for anyone in a new city or looking to diversify their running routines.
Ghostracer
Need a bit of competition? Ghostracer paces you against previous known times on set courses or routes, pulling its data from Strava. You can also race against yourself as it also tracks your best times. It can also be used by cyclists.
Runkeeper
We think this one is pretty cool. In addition to tracking your pace and distance, Runkeeper also provides real-time feedback on mileage and calorie count. You can plan workouts in it and set goals. But the best part is that it works with iTunes and Spotify to pair songs to your pace based on the rhythm of the music. Don’t ask us how.
Strava
You’ve probably heard of Strava if only because everyone on your Facebook feed is sharing their latest workouts! Strava is probably one of the top running apps for competitive athletes. It allows you to set segment goals, track and plan your pace, and provides post-run analysis. It’s social feature allows users to share their workouts and progress with others. So even if you're training alone, you have a whole community to offer support and advice!
by Margaret Hedderman |
May 26, 2017
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The Cairngorms are home to some of Scotland’s wildest and most rugged mountains. The weather is capricious. It’s as likely to be foul as it is to be pleasant. And the terrain should never be underestimated! I set out last Friday on what was to be a 3-day backpacking trip. Though my route was only 40-miles long, I intended to work in a few side hikes up neighboring munros.
I left from Glenmore, just a few miles from the Highland town of Aviemore. The trail tracked south, crossing a swift stream before climbing up a low, bald hill where it wound around its side.
The Chalamain Gap in Cairngorm National Park, Scotland
The first hurdle on my hike was climbing the Chalamain Gap, a rocky passage between two munros. I climbed swiftly through it, pausing to take a few pictures. Apart from the boulder field at the top of the Gap, the walking was quite easy. I followed the trail down towards the fabled Lairig Ghru, an old droving route between two steep lines of mountains.
Looking down into the Lairig Ghru from the Braeriach Traverse.
When I reached the top of it I made a snap decision to climb above it, and traverse the mountaintops. Though it was cloudy, it looked as if the weather would hold for the day and this might be my only chance to get a bit of altitude if it really was going to rain all day tomorrow.
The trail quickly gained 1,500 ft. of elevation and when I gained the top of the ridge, the views were magnificent all around. I followed this long ridge, known as the Braeriach and Cairn Toul Traverse for several miles before climbing back down into the opposite end of Lairig Ghru. It was such a steep downhill, I eventually had to stop and wrap a bit of eNZees around my toes as they were starting to rub. Passing a bothy – a backcountry hut – I followed a meandering trail eastward to Glen Derry where I camped for the night.
A lonely bothy near the Fords of Avon.
The following morning was wet and windy. It looked as if it had been raining all night and intended to do so throughout the day. The trail stayed high, sidling the ridge above the river in Glen Derry. It was too cold and rainy to stop, so I hate my snacks as I walked and before I knew it, I’d nearly done 20 miles! Rather than looking for a place to camp, I decided to dry out and warm up at the hostel in Glenmore.
I hurried past the Ryvoan Bothy and Green Loch and finally stomped into the hostel, where I booked the last bed available. It seemed as if everyone else in the mountains had the same idea as me! After a quick shower, I settled down a big plate of fish and chips and a local ale.
Tagged:
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by Jill Schuman |
May 24, 2017
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There’s nothing like a beloved pair of boots. They’re that faithful companion you’ve been on many an adventure with, but they don’t last forever! If you want to keep your feet happy, healthy, and blister-free on the trail, make sure your footwear is in good condition. Here’s how to tell if your trusty boots have a few more miles left in them or are ready for retirement.
- Check the tread
This is perhaps the simplest (and most obvious) way to tell if your boots are worn out. Like the tread on your tires, you want to make sure there is still plenty of depth to the grooves. If it’s been worn thin, then your boots won’t have a good grip on slick or steep surfaces. It’s also a good sign that other parts of the boot are worn out as well.
- Check the mid-sole
The mid-sole is the “unseen” component of the boot, found between the sole and the upper. It’s what provides the boot’s stiffness, support, and cushion. When this wears out, you’ll likely find your boot isn’t as comfortable or supportive. An easy way to tell if it’s worn out is to do the “press test.” Simply press the bottom of the boot into the upper. If there are very few, faint lines on the side of the boot, they're fine. However, if there are big heavy lines visible, it's a sign you've lost the cushion and support of the midsole.
- Are they still waterproof?
Do your boots still leak even after you’ve applied Nikwax or other waterproofing products? Boots do have a limited lifespan, and if they’re no longer holding waterproofing agents, it’s time to invest in a new pair!
- Do your feet hurt?
Another obvious sign, but one so often overlooked! Were your boots once the most comfortable pair of footwear you owned but have suddenly begun to hurt? If your feet and joints have begun to hurt after a hike when they didn’t used to, your footwear may need to be replaced.
Tagged:
how to check the midsole on your hiking boots,
how to check the tread on your hiking boots,
how to tell if you need new hiking boots,
how to tell if your hiking boots have worn out
Photo courtesy of Luigi Mengato
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The Chalamain Gap in Cairngorm National Park, Scotland
Looking down into the Lairig Ghru from the Braeriach Traverse.
A lonely bothy near the Fords of Avon. 