How to overcome the challenges of hiking in the mountains

Mountain hiking is, for most hikers, an exciting prospect because of its challenging terrain and beautiful views. You get a huge sense of satisfaction after a successful mountain hike.

The Mountain Environment

The climatic zones in mountains present a huge challenge to hikers. At high altitudes, the temperature falls and precipitation is likely. Not all mountain ranges are the same. Some are predictably sunny in certain months of the year and some are rainy. Some mountain ranges have thunderstorms and some are have unpredictable weather.

Weather patterns in mountains are usually well documented and researching your destination before you set off is a good thing to do. You may find that above the treeline that conditions can get worse with fierce wind, blinding sun and no shelter. Sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen are indispensable this high up in the mountains.

As you go up to higher altitudes it's important that you slowly acclimatize your body and be aware of the decreasing temperature.

Mountain Hiking Season

Mountain hiking in most parts of the world is only suitable during summer. In hot tropical climates, the cool temperatures in the mountains is a good getaway from the heat and they may even be snow-covered throughout the summer.

In most areas, the mountains may start to lose snow in late spring or early summer and begin to build up again in autumn. However, some mountain ranges have snow all year-round and summer blizzards may even occur in some occasions. The further away from the equator, the shorter the hiking season.

Hazards

When hiking across fields of snow and ice you need special skills and equipment like an ice axe and crampons. In late spring or early summer, melting snow from glaciers and snowfields fills rivers and streams making them difficult to cross safely.

The Challenges in Mountains

Mountain hiking is physically challenging to hikers no matter what age or ability they are. If you want to go mountain hiking you need to get yourself in good physical shape. If you have trouble breathing or your lungs are not in good shape we advice that you don't go mountain hiking especially without special equipment.

A heavy backpack and long climbs make hiking quite challenging. Slow progress is expected as you walk at most half the speed you do walking on a flat surface. And speaking of backpacks, your backpack will also be heavier as you need carry more equipment, clothing and food to survive the cold. Always carry one layer of warm clothing more than you think you need and bring a balaclava or two along with you. You'll be glad you did.

But if you do decide to get in shape and confront the challenges of mountain hiking the sense of achievement when reaching a summit is incomparable and the memories will last a lifetime. You will also remember the friendship of the people you went mountain with and the bond will have gotten stronger.

Jonsky is an expert in camping gear and with over 20 years of experience hiking around the world. Especially loves hiking in the mountains. Be sure that you wear sunglasses because you will be more exposed to the dangerous sun rays high up. And balaclavas will help a lot in keeping you warm.

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The great Hike and Ramble up Mont Blanc

Top Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc

Hiking Tour Du Mont Blanc, France, Switzerland, Italy

The Tour Du Mont Blanc covers a distance of about 170 kilometres and takes in three countries France, Switzerland and Italy in a loop around Mont Blanc. There are valleys to walk through as well as long stretches high up in the mountains with mountain passes to cross. The first known person to walk around this area was in 1767 although it is possible that Hannibal used the pass, the Col De La Seigne when he crossed the alps with his elephants. It is impossible to describe the beauty of the mountains which have to be seen to be believed and the best way to see them is to hike the Tour Du Mont Blanc.

This hike has multiple start points but most people start at either les Houches near Chamonix in France or Courmayeur in Italy. Spectacular alpine scenery is the norm on this hiking adventure although the weather can interfere with views.

There is plenty of accommodation in mountain huts, food is also readily available when you are hiking Tour Du Mont Blanc so that the hike can be done carrying a relatively small pack. Accommodation can become booked out especially late in the day, however it can be pre-booked if required.

French is the most prominent language spoken in the Swiss and French sections of the track with Italian on the remainder. Some english is spoken however it is considered polite to attempt the local language so a knowledge of some words and phrases would be helpful.

The Tour Du Mont Blanc is normally walked in an anti-clockwise direction and you should allow seven to ten days for this hike which is classified as moderate to hard with lots of climbing and descending each day. For those that want to do a bit less walking there are some cable cars and buses that can be used at certain locations.

For more information on hiking visit http://www.hikinginfoonline.com
For more information on weight loss visit http://www.weightlosssecret.info

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How to enjoy a great Hike and Ramble in Hawaii

4 great Hikes and Rambles in Hawaii

If you are an avid hiker, you will have a blast on Oahu. And even if you're not, there are some very nice trails and short hikes worth checking out. Many of the trails on Oahu were blazed by the early Hawaiians. Like many nature oriented Oahu activities, hiking on Oahu is free -- and thanks to the State, you needn't spend any money on hiking guides or maps either!

Guided Oahu Hikes

Many Hawaii Eco Tour services offer guided hikes, but you can go on a Hawaii Sierra Club hike for free (although they do suggest a small donation). Just go to their Website and click on the Oahu on the map in the middle of the page. On the Oahu page, click on "Outings" on the menu on the left. There is a calendar listing outings up to three months in advance. The outings range from easy and suitable for young children to difficult and they include service project outings.

Oahu Hiking Safety & Self Guided Hikes

If you don't want to go with the group, visit the Hawaii's Trail and Access System, Na Ala Hele Administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, under the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the Na Ala Hele Website provides detailed information on many of Oahu's hiking trails, as well as their Trail Safety Guidelines.

Hiking in Hawaii may be very different from your hiking in your local region, so please read their safety guidelines!

You can also obtain permits here to collect plants in a state forest reserve. You may want to collect flowers, leaves or ferns for lei-making (more on this later).

Also download the State's free guide to "Hiking Safety."

Na Ala Hele's trail information includes whether a given trail can be used by mountain bikes, the length, difficulty, its' points of interest, printable topographic maps, driving directions and bus routes - all for free. They also give updated news and critical alerts about trails (you'll see the link when you're reading about a specific trail).

Here, you can locate on a map of Oahu an area that you're interested in hiking, and then by clicking on the number (not the pinpoint) the page opens with directions, details, photos and a topographic map. Or if you know the name of a trail you can use the drop down menu.

The American Hiking Society offers a long list of Oahu hikes with simple maps and extremely brief descriptions. It's a good place to start if you're not sure what you are looking for. When you find a description that suits you, take the name of the trail to the Hawaii site where you can get a map for free.

Here a few of Oahu's most popular hiking trails.

HONOLULU HIKES

Diamond Head: This national monument is home to the most popular Oahu hike! The moderate trek is made by people of all ages, is about one mile long one way and climbs 560 feet from the crater floor. Bring a flashlight for when you pass through the 225-foot tunnel. Also, be sure to bring water because it can get pretty hot up there. The trail offers sweeping vistas of Honolulu, and the crater floor where the trailhead is located offers a nice meadow for picnics.

If you don't mind sharing the trail with mountain bikers and aren't afraid of heights as in with sheer cliffs, you might enjoy the Aiea Loop Trail at Keaiwa Heiau State Park. This traverse through the site of an ancient healing temple in the foothills of the verdant Koolau Range. Above the town of Aiea, the trail winds through tall forests of eucalyptus, koa and other beautiful trees. The trail offers views of majestic canyons, Pearl Harbor, the Koolau Range and Central Oahu. It is about 4.5 miles long and about half of that is through a residential area.

Manoa Falls is beautiful to behold, an inspiring reward for the mile and half hike; however swimming in the small pool beneath the falls is not allowed and because of the danger, violators may be cited. As with any waterfall watch out for possible falling rocks from the top, in this case a long way up.

It gets darker up here in the forest before the standard sunset time so leave well before then because there are slippery roots and couple places with the trail narrows near precipices. This hike is very popular with locals.

WINDWARD OAHU HIKING


At the foot of the Koolau Mountains on the Windward side, the lush, Maunawilie Falls Trail is an easy 1.25 mile hike that winds through fragrant white and yellow ginger (blooms in Hawaii's summer May through October) and mountain apple trees, crosses a stream several times and climbs gently.

The trail offers views of Koolaupoko watershed and gulches, and then descends down a long flight of steps to a lovely waterfall and pool.

For more hiking information, including links to details and photos of hikes introduced above, visit http://www.CoconutRoads.com I've just written a new ebook about how to have a cheap but amazing eco vacation on Oahu, and there's a whole chapter devoted to Oahu Hiking. It's called the Hawaii Eco Budget Guide to Oahu, and you'll see a links to it on my Hawaii site.

Happy Trails,

Cindy Blankenship

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How to choosing and use a sleeping bag when Hiking and Rambling

How to select the right sleeping bag for hiking and Rambling

A lot of energetic people plan for an outdoor holiday. One of the requirements for such a trip is a sleeping bag which is as a matter of fact your first priority. It is a portable substitute for a bed. It provides all the comforts like warmth and protection from the weather. The bag also gives marginal protection against wind, rain or frost. But in inclement weather conditions like rain and snow you will need a tent or a bivouac sack as a cover. A bivouac is a light weight waterproof cover.

There are basically 2 types of bags. Firstly we have a basic sleeping bag which is in effect a square blanket which has a zipper on two sides. It can be easily folded and is easy to tote along. It can also be bound with a strap or belt. Secondly we have what is called a mummy bag so called as its shape resembles an Egyptian mummy.

A mummy bag tapers from the top (head) to the lower end (feet).Overall this type is more conducive to retention of heat. These types of bags are also especially available for women which adjust to the special contours of a woman's body.A mummy bag generally for carriage is just stuffed into a stuff sack. If you have children going along for the camping trip than you are well advised to carry a slumber bag- which is a sleeping bag for children. However a slumber bag is not for outdoor use and will need a cover. Hence a tent will be a requirement.

All campers have different needs as their bodies are different. Therefore selecting a sleeping bag is an important exercise.Before you buy one, you will have to think about your trip and where you plan to go. You will have to be aware of the terrain and type of weather you will come across during your camping holiday.

Incase you plan to travel in warm and hot weather conditions then your requirements are simpler. All you will need is a basic sleeping bag. But if you will be moving out in winter and snow and sleet may be encountered then one with more advanced features will be needed that must protect you from the vagaries of the weather.

Size and shape of the bag will have an important bearing on its comfort value. Such a bag affects the degree of warmth it can give you.In cold weather this become s a critical condition. A second factor to consider is the type of material used and also on its fill. This is important in case you are camping in the cold.

Whether your sleeping bag is made of all-natural down or whether it is composed of man-made synthetic, the choice is a significant one. In case children are going along than they will also need sleeping bags. Insure that you select the proper bag for your kid. It is an absolute necessity to have a sleeping bag designed for optimum comfort. You will be faulted if you do not select one that fits the requirements of your trek or holiday for you and your family.

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