Hiking Tips For Beginners

Starting with that first step, a person must understand hiking and camping is just like everything else; you must learn the correct way of doing something to be successful. Aspiring backpackers should keep things simple, to begin with and then challenge themselves as experience and equipment grows.

Hiking and backpacking for beginners have multiple benefits as a low-impact workout. Hiking is more than walking on a treadmill or pavement; the workout can be unpredictable, highly stimulating, and addictive.

Hikers escape the crowds and disconnect from technology, at least for a little while.

Fundamental guidelines should be followed and learned over time to make the most of your routine. Forget the embarrassment of getting lost your first time out; the following will give you a solid understanding of what to wear, where to go, and how to stay safe.

Most people want to find a way to either lose weight or get in shape without the drudgery of walking in place or lifting iron. You can quickly become hooked on hiking and backpacking with the proper motivation. Choosing suitable trails and preparation turns into a valuable experience. Hiking does not need to be an epic lifetime journey; only a simple way to get fit and have fun.

Hiking and camping are two entirely different trips; camping takes more than a day, and hiking should be considered a vigorous day of walking.

Day hiking is what most people think about when the word hiking comes up. This exercise can be done in a day or less; a 12-hour hike is a good workout for anybody.
Backpacking is a multi-night excursion where hikers take tents, sleeping bags, food, and all the gear needed to spend the night.
Thru-hiking is considered backpacking that starts and ends in different locations. These are longer trips on locations such as the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.

Hiking

Before heading out on that first big excursion, here are a few fundamentals to consider.

If you have the experience and the right equipment, hiking solo can be a wonderful, enlightening experience. However, it is dangerous to hike solo without experience. Buddy up with a friend or family member the first few times out, and the bonding will likely become permanent. Never go out alone without letting someone know where you are headed. Never!
Essential equipment is a full-featured GPS device, comfortable backpack, and hiking boots. Smartphones can be used in a pinch as long as there are cell towers. Choose a device with at least a good SOS signal, compass, and weather device.

Garmin is one of the best all-around manufacturers of GPS devices on the market. The Montana 700i has everything a hiker or camper would need to hike successfully or camp anywhere in the United States. Features include GPS navigation, global connectivity, SOS with alerts, and a weather screen.

Bulldog Sling Pack is a small, good-looking pack with plenty of room for everything a day hiker may need. Padded shoulder slings and a wrap-around belt make the Bulldog a comfortable and secure pack for hiking all day. The Bulldog features plenty of padding, compartments, and is made of durable nylon.

Determine your level of hiking experience. Out-of-shape newbies should not head on a 12-hour trek through the unknown wilderness. Pick trails nearby, allowing you to return to your car or civilization quickly. Another thoughtful piece of survival gear for your day hike is a capable first-aid kit; make sure you have all the little items to take care of things like blisters.

Adventure Medical Kits, Ultralight 7 is a convenient, full-featured solution for the day hiking enthusiast. A lightweight, waterproof, zippered bag is perfect for keeping necessary medical items. Everything from butterfly bandages to a wide array of medications is included.

Adventure Medical Blister Medic Kit. Do not let blisters on your feet and hands ruin a good hiking day. The Blister Medic Kit has everything necessary to care for and eliminate blisters. Plenty of pre-cut pads, gel, and alcohol wipes for cleaning the wound.

The Right Trail

When you first start, pick a trail suitable to your experience and the shape you are in. The elevation is a significant consideration when starting your hiking adventures. Make sure you know the elevation gain of the trail. A trail may start at 100 feet elevation and end at 100 feet elevation; however, there may be rolling hills and steep climbs along the way.

Beginner trails should be about five miles with minimal elevation gain. Consider trails with 250 feet of elevation per mile or an average grade of ten percent.

Elevation gain refers to the cumulative elevation throughout the trail. The “golden ratio” for elevation gain is 100 feet per mile or 1000 feet for every 10 miles. If you plan on becoming a better hiker, your route should be close to this ratio at the beginning and grow larger with more experience.

Instead of heading to the first tree line, download AllTrails.com. This app is by far the best for finding the right hiking trail. Put in a zip code or other info, and up pops hiking trails of variable lengths. AllTrails will give you an excellent description of the hike, elevation gain, scenery, and much more. There will also be plenty of reviews for each trail, which can be invaluable when planning your trip.

With a bit of searching, there are plenty of resources for a beginner, how to train, tips, and much more. Common sense hiking should take over. Make sure you have good hiking boots and the proper clothing. Do not head out in street clothes and expect to enjoy the hike. Always check the weather at least two hours in advance. And above all else, enjoy spending time outdoors.

3 LA Hikes To Abandoned Ruins

Nuclear war escape tunnels, 127 year old mines, and abandoned zoos. This is what the LA mountains have to offer.

People have come and gone, but the remains of what they left behind can still be seen today. If you consider yourself an adventurer, we’ve got three abandoned places you can hike to this weekend.

Let’s jump right to it!

Shoemaker Canyon Road

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1404 ft

While in the midst of the Cold War,, Los Angelinos feared a nuclear attack from the Soviets. Because there’s only so many exits out of Socal, they decided to build a road through the San Gabriel Mountains. This road is now known as Shoemaker Canyon Rd, named after the Shoemaker Mine.

The road weaves its way through precipitous mountain cliffs, abandoned bee farms, and of course two long tunnels. Construction on the tunnels began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. The project was permanently shut down in 1969 after conservationists and a limited budget dealt the final blow.

Although the tunnels remain a relic of an eerie past, they’ve become a popular hiking destination.

Two bonus drainage tunnels underneath the road add to the excitement, and the parking lot itself boasts a viewpoint of the San Gabriel River and Heaton Flats 500 feet below.

I highly suggest hiking to the tunnels in the spring, fall, or winter. If you visit in the summer, take plenty of water and a hat as there is no shade aside from the two tunnels.

You can also extend the trail by hiking up to Rattlesnake Peak via the same trailhead as Shoemaker.

Old LA Zoo

Distance: 2.5 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 383 ft

Built in 1912, the Old LA Zoo housed about 15 animals, some of which included bears, bobcats, ostriches, and monkeys. By 1949, the zoo was home to over 1000 animals. However, all was not well.

The zoo was running on an extremely limited budget from the start. Cages were crowded, and some animals lived in less than ideal living conditions.

In 1958 a rally to increase the zoo’s budget was initiated, and in 1966, the Old LA Zoo was abandoned with the opening of the new LA Zoo we all know and love.

You can still explore the spooky Old LA Zoo, which has become a popular hiking destination, especially near Halloween season.

Multiple structures lay side by side in the woodsy hills of Griffith Park, the most iconic being the old polar bear cages. The easy hike consists of a dirt road that boasts amazing views of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forest.

If you visit on a weekend, you can ride the ferris wheel at the trailhead which was built in 1926 and was the inspiration for Walt’s Disneyland!

Big Horn Mine

Distance: 4 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 587 ft

The Big Horn Mine was founded in 1895 by Charles Vincent Dougherty (later known as Charles Tom Vincent after killing 3 men in Arizona and fleeing the state) while hunting for bighorn sheep.

The hike begins at Vincent’s Gap and proceeds via a single track crowded by tall pine trees and breathtaking views of Mount San Antonio. Be very careful if you visit shortly after a snowfall as there are certain sections on the trail that get very narrow. Should you slip it’ll be a long way down.

Once you arrive at the mine, you’ll notice the remains of what used to be the building. You can venture inside the structure, but the real fun is inside the mine. The portal (entrance) is located near the back of the building.

Inside the mine, tunnels split into different directions, huge pits litter the area, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of droplets falling from the ceiling. There’s a lake inside the mountain, but you can only see a small portion as the rest of the lake disappears into another adit (tunnel).

When heading back to the trailhead, don’t forget to take a detour and visit Vincent’s cabin which still stands today! Vincent lived by himself in that tiny cabin located about a mile away from the mine.

7 Gadget Essentials For Your Next Hiking Trip

Nature and technology are two things that do not necessarily go together. After all, we choose to go camping and hiking as an attempt to get away from our work screens and app notifications.

However, there are times when tech meets nature with ease. More and more, people are heading to nature in order to escape their boxed in workdays. Therefore, numerous developers have created technical apps to help you get the best of the outdoor experience. Additionally, there are some well designed (don’t forget to pack the obvious) gadgets to maintain your wellbeing while appreciating nature.

Here are some of our suggestions of gadgets and gizmos to pack for your time in the nature zone.

Binoculars

If you can’t see it, is it even there? An important part of hiking consists of enjoying the views. We recommend using a high-quality pair of binoculars that are lightweight and compact. If you need help selecting a model, go to opticsandlab.com to find one that best suits your needs.

GPS

Even though you can use your smartphone as a GPS, um duh… experts argue that it is best that you invest in a separate GPS system when hiking. That is because inbuilt map applications on our phones do not always work in areas where there is no internet connection. So use a GPS to avoid getting lost when exploring areas that are not that well-traveled.

GPS gadgets are budget-friendly and come supplied with detailed maps. And they are ruggedly designed for various weather conditions. Plus, most of them have rechargeable batteries so you can prep before your trip.

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How to Pack for a Weekend Trip to the Mountains

A trip to the mountains is a perfect opportunity to get away from the crowd, relax and enjoy the fresh air. Depending on the type of mountain, the trip will probably require a bit more items than your regular trip to another city, for example. That is why we are here to help you pack for a weekend trip to the mountains.

Safety comes first

Regardless of the type of accommodation you have, some safety items and tips can come in handy, since you are probably going to walk or even hike somewhere. The essentials you should have are a flashlight, and if possible, a headlamp, bug spray, navigation or maps, matches or a lighter, a first aid kit, an umbrella and a repair kit. By bringing all of these, you will feel a lot safer and be able to react fast in case of an emergency. Make sure you explore the place you are going to before the actual trip and study the maps and places you plan on visiting. This way, you will not risk getting lost.

Clothing essentials

A trip to the mountains requires a lot of versatile clothes since it can get chilly even in the summer, not to mention fall or winter months. The first thing you should think about is bringing comfortable clothing: tracksuits, hoodies and raincoats for chilly, rainy days and light wear t-shirts and shorts for hot days. Since traveling to the mountains is a perfect place for many sports activities, even carrying on with your fitness routine, we recommend packing comfortable gym wear, which will keep you safe from injuries in rocky terrains, and it will be great for all those long days spent hiking. If you are a fashion freak, you can try techwear clothing brands for your outdoor adventures.

As far as shoes go, you definitely need comfortable running shoes, for example, those that provide support for your feet and enable you to endure all the daily activities you have planned. Besides this, some flat sandals are a good choice because you can wear them during the day, and even on a night out, if you happen to go to a dinner. Don’t forget hats, bathing suits and extra pairs of socks and underwear.

Technology and electronics

Most of us can’t deal with a technology-free trip, especially to the mountains. And you actually don’t have to, because they are there to make the trip more fun and more convenient. The obvious items are your phone and charger, but besides that, make sure you bring a power bank, just in case. For fun, hanging out time, a Bluetooth speaker is your best friend, just don’t forget to download some music. In case you don’t have GPS in your car, it is a good idea to install it before your trip. And of course, if you want to take some photos, and keep the trip as a beautiful memory, a camera, a tripod and even a drone if you have one will help you do that. Other electronics you will love are a water-filtering bottle, a universal power adapter, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and a Kindle for when you want to enjoy some alone time.

Cosmetics and beauty products

A trip to the mountains can’t go without at least some basic beauty products, whether you are male or female. The first and most important item is a sunscreen which will protect you from the sun. Just don’t forget to bring it even in the winter, since you can get sunburnt in the mountains as well. The fresh air definitely has lots of benefits, but your skin may need an adjustment period, so just to be safe, bring a more hydrating moisturizer and lip balm so your skin won’t be dry. We already mentioned a bug repellent, but you should also bring aloe vera gel, for example, which you can use to soothe the irritation if something does bite you. You can toss a refreshing mist, hand cream and face wash in your cosmetics bag as well.

A trip to the mountains is a lot of fun because you can fill it with various outdoor activities, relaxing days staying in and even sightseeing and delicious food. To be able to fully relax and have no worries, go over this list of things before you go and make sure you have everything to make your trip even more enjoyable.

Article written by Sophia Smith
Sophia is a Beauty & Style blogger, Graphic designer and Style editor at highstylife.com

IMAGES ARE FROM UNSPLASH

5 Hike Trails That Will Make You Change The Way You Think Of Life

It’s easy enough to tell yourself that now you’re out of college and have found a job for yourself that this is it. You’ve finally achieved everything you could hope for. But you would be mistaken. There’s so much more than having a 9-to-5 job, a home, and a family, because after a while, you’re going to yearn for something more and you can find the thrill you’re looking for by going out and taking on an experience that you’ll remember for years to come. We’re talking about meeting the challenges offered in five of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the world, and we promise that you won’t be disappointed.

Getting Prepared

But before you consider grabbing your backpack and heading out, it’s important that you get everything that you need first. Here’s just a quick rundown of the important equipment you’re going to need if you want to enjoy these hiking trails as much as possible.

Navigation

Nothing is more disheartening than getting lost in the wilderness. Be sure to pack a map, compass, and possibly a GPS unit to help keep you on the right path.

First aid kit

Accidents happen, and it pays to be prepared to deal with them. Pack the essentials, such as band-aids, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, antihistamines, pain relief medication, and insect sting relief ointment, just to name a few.

Insulation

It can get very cold at night when you’re out hiking (or if you go hiking during the cooler months) so it’s important that you have the means to keep yourself warm. This includes a quality sleeping bag, jackets, and the right clothing. Even the pants you wear are important, so make sure that you’re well-equipped by checking out some of the best hiking pants the market has to offer.

Nutrition and hydration

You burn a lot of calories hiking, so bring high energy snacks and some means of having potable water with you at all times; that may require you to carry a portable water filter with you.

Shelter

You could invest in a high-quality tent, or you could go simple with a tarp, some rope, and some tent rods.

Fire-making tools

Matches are easy to start a fire, but if they get wet, you’re kind of screwed. Having a fire starter kit on hand can help in emergencies.

Insect-repellent

Biting bugs can be annoying and can also carry harmful diseases. Keep yourself protected for the benefit of your health and enjoyment of your trip.

With that said, here are five trails you should definitely consider for your next summer vacation.

#1: Te Araroa Trail

Located in New Zealand, this hiking trail has everything one looks for when it comes to diverse horizons: coastal sands, jungles, volcanoes, and mountainous ridges; you won’t be bored during a single minute of this trip. The entire hiking trail is split into 160 different paths, so it’s a new experience every time you go. It typically takes five months to complete the whole thing, but if you’re not that avid of a hiker, there’s nothing wrong with taking a short trail and camping for a day or two before you’ve decided you’ve had enough. The best times to go are between October and April, as the months are warmest then due to the alternating seasons in the southern hemisphere.

#2: Tour du Mont Blanc

Called the “rooftop of Western Europe,”, the Mont Blanc stretches across Italy, France, and Switzerland, so this is definitely an “international hike.” You’ll be amazed the glaciers that stretch across this mountain range during your hike, which can take about seven to ten days to traverse; if you’re a fast packer, it can take as little as three. It has everything to offer for the casual hiker or for those who are interested in taking on the challenging peaks. And while you’re at it, you can sample any of the local delicacies from the nearby villages to top up your energy (or if you’re getting tired of all those nutrient bars.) The best time to go is during the summer, when the glaciers are pushed back by the warm temperatures, making it easy for people to traverse this wonderful trail.

#3: Pacific Crest Trail

This hiking trail stretches across three states: Oregon, California, and Washington. This offers a wonderful diversity of landscapes, from the sight of the dry Mojave Desert and lush mountains, to sequoia trees and volcanoes. It’s hard to pass up a trip like this. Planning and packing are definitely recommended, as there are no towns or stops along the 2,650-mile journey to provide you with the means to resupply. Definitely not for the faint hearted, you can always choose to limit how far you go, but still enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer. The best time to plan your journey is around April, when the ice is all gone and it’s still cool enough that you’re not going to be sweltering during your hike.

#4: Overland Track

This is one of the shorter hikes mentioned in this last, as it’s only 40-50 miles long, depending on if you want to make the hike around Lake St. Clair. Located in Tasmania, this journey will take you through some of the most beautiful terrains you’ll ever come across. You’ll see rainforests, eucalyptus groves, mountains, lakes, and even come across some of Tasmania’s natural wildlife, including wombats and Tasmanian devils. But be careful: always leave the wildlife alone, because you’re in their territory and should be respected. The best times to take on this hike is between October and the end of May. The hike is also open during the winter seasons, but it’s not a challenge that a casual hiker should take on.

#5: Franconia Ridge Loop

Last but not least is the Franconia Ridge Loop, which is roughly nine miles of trail located in New Hampshire. Along your journey, you’ll spot the White Mountains off in the distance as you take on this slightly challenging trail. It’s considered a rite of passage by many avid hikers, as it takes you high above the tree line, leaving you exposed to the elements, depending on the weather for that day. The steep, knife-edge trails are definitely a bit more challenging that a casual hike through the woods, but it could be exactly the trial you’re looking for to get your blood moving. The best times to go are in the middle of the week during the fall, when the number of hikers has dipped tremendously and the leaves are just starting to change colors.

So get your boots on, grab your gear, and add some excitement to your year with a hike at any of these wonderful trails. We can promise you that once you start hiking, you’ll never want to stop.