Winter Hikes Tips: Food For Winter Hikes

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Food For Winter Hikes
When on a hike, it’s best to bring food that has around 125% of the calories you normally eat in a day. On longer hikes in colder areas, you’ll need to have extra calories. Pack healthy snack foods like peanuts, raisins, chocolate, jerky, granola bars, and/or dried fruit. You’ll need a lot of carbohydrates and proteins. Be sure that the food you pack is hearty enough to nourish you, but also enough to be carried around for periods of time without needing refrigeration.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Where to Camp in Snow

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Where to Camp in Snow
Once you locate a clearing to set up a tent, pack down the snow. If you fail to do this, the heat of your body will melt a dent in the snow. Not very comfortable for sleeping! If conditions are windy, dig a hole a couple of feet and pitch your tent within it. This will reduce the amount of wind that hits your tent. In addition, getting in and out of your tent will be easier, as a sort of vestibule will be established.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Winter Hiking 101

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Winter Hiking 101
If you’re a fan of the cold weather, winter hikes can be a beautiful experience. Be sure, however, that you prepare properly. Even a short excursion in cold weather can be dangerous if you are not wearing the proper attire and warm hiking boots. Layering is most important, but avoid cotton clothing. When wet, cotton retains moisture and moisture can freeze once you cool down from your hike. Cover your head with a hat or balaclava to avoid losing heat. A balaclava can also double as a scarf. Bring several pairs of socks, but don’t wear more than two pairs at a time. Too many layers on your feet will result in slowed circulation.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Winter Hiking in Vermont

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Winter Hiking in Vermont
Did you know that the state of Vermont has 52 state parks? Even though many of these parks are closed for the winter, they are still open for hiking excursions and other winter fun. In fact, such winter parks as Thetford and Camel’s Hump have lovely trails for hiking. If your trip involved snowmobiling as well, check out the major routes maintained by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST). VAST trails can be found on both state forest and state park lands. Little River, Woodford, Coolidge, and Groton all have major snowmobile trails.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Pitching a Tent in the Snow

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Pitching a Tent in the Snow
Hiking trips in snowy weather don’t have to be a daunting experience. Pitching a tent in the snow is actually the best way to camp, since all the traces of your stay will melt as the thaw comes. To pitch an effective tent, attach about 4-6 feet of cord to each of your stake points and use rocks or logs for anchors if the ground is too frozen or snow is too soft. If you do not have snow stakes for your tent, use water-filled one-gallon jugs to anchor the edges of your tent.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Treating Frostbite

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Treating Frostbite
It’s easy to prevent frostbite on your hiking excusrions by wearing warm layers and staying mobile. Frostbite can be indicated by numbness in the affected area. Also, the area will be shiny and reddish in early stages. Do not break any blisters that may have formed. Slowly move the area, to get circulation going again. Dip the area in warm water. Do not use hot water, as this can do further damage to the skin by shocking it. Should the area turn blue, seek medical attention immediately.

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Winter Hikes Tips: Staying Warm on Your Hiking Trip

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Winter Hikes Tips

Winter Hikes Tips: Staying Warm on Your Hiking Trip
Staying toasty is vital on winter hikes. To keep your feet warm at night, make sure you have a spare pair of smartwool hiking socks. Before you go to bed at night, place a bottle of warm water at the foot of your sleeping bag. Be sure to seal it completely! You can also place a bottle of warm water in your boots to keep them from freezing over night. For added protection and warmth, place the boots and bottle in a stuff sack. Alternately, you can put the boots in a sack and place them between your sleeping bag and the sleeping pad underneath you.

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Overnight Hike Trips Tips: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Overnight Hike Trips Tips

Overnight Hike Trips Tips: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based, private nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This is a 250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to Georgia. Founded 80 years ago, the ATC was formerly known as the Appalachian Trail Conference. Benton MacKaye organized the very first Appalachian Trail conference in 1925. Today, the ATC maintains clubs that serve to engage the public in conserving this essential American resource.

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Overnight Hike Trips Tips: The Top 10 Family-friendly Hikes

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Overnight Hike Trips Tips

Overnight Hike Trips Tips: The Top 10 Family-friendly Hikes
The American Hiking Society voted on the nation’s top ten family-friendly hikes in June of 2005. Here’s a list of the top 10 trails: Boston: Lizzy’s Trail; Chicago: Illinois & Michigan Canal;
Cleveland: Ohio & Erie Canal Trail; New York: Long Path; Orlando: Florida Trail; Pittsburgh: Great
Allegheny Passage; Portland: Horsetail & Ponytail Falls; St. Louis: KATY Trail; San Francisco area:
Point Reyes; and Washington, DC: C&O Canal.

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Overnight Hike Trips Tips: Canyoneering in Zion National Park

November 7th, 2008 Shaka

Hiking Tips >> Overnight Hike Trips Tips

Overnight Hike Trips Tips: Canyoneering in Zion National Park
Utah’s Zion National Park is famous for its deep slot canyons, a popular place for canyoneering. One of these canyons, “The Narrows,” was ranked fifth on National Geographic’s 100 Best Adventures. But be prepared: Canyoneering in Zion involves swimming in icy water, climbing boulders, scaling rockfaces, and rappelling. Some tips for hikers: make sure you get a mountainers boot, like vasque hiking boots
, that are made specifically for rough and unpredictable climates. If you are new to canyoneering try a guided canyoneering adventure at Zion Ponderosa!

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