Beginning Hiking – A Guide

Beginning Hiking – A Guide

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
ABAnswers

Publish Article

0 && $ .browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($ .browser.version);
if(ie_version Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Outdoor Sports > Beginning Hiking – A Guide

Categories
AdvertisingArts & EntertainmentAutomotiveBeautyBusinessCareersComputersEducationFinanceFood and BeverageHealthHobbiesHome and FamilyHome ImprovementInternetLawMarketingNews and SocietyRelationshipsSelf ImprovementShoppingSpiritualitySports and FitnessTechnologyTravelWriting

]]>

Beginning Hiking – A Guide

By: Simply Hike
Posted: Apr 19, 2010

Hiking over mountains and trekking through thick forests may seem to be a tough and demanding sort of activity, but in fact all it takes is a good fitness level, some basic equipment and a sound understanding of a few key concepts. The key for those new to hiking, as with most other learning experiences, is to take things slowly.

So where should you start? An excellent idea to begin with would be to find a suitable location in your local area in which to practice; a park or an area of the nearest suburbs for example. By staying local to residential areas you are ensuring the terrain remains reasonably tame and that you are never too far from help if something should go wrong. Walking in a group with experienced hikers is always a good idea; it increases your own safety and that of the other members of the group and also allows you to ask questions if you are unsure about anything or would just like some extra guidance.

Anticipating weather conditions and equipping yourself accordingly is another important element of hiking and although you should only consider hiking in good conditions to begin with, it is still crucial that you remember to pack equipment and clothing for any outcome. Clothing is another element of paramount importance to a good hiker, with footwear being the most crucial attire of all. However, expensive hiking boots are by no means imperative; any footwear that is consistently comfortable and durable will be suitable for most hikes. It is vital, however, that you test a range of products and choose something most suitable to your own preferences. You should never wear a new pair of boots or shoes straight out of the box on a hike, instead wearing them for a few days in advance to allow yourself to properly adjust to them and ensuring that they are ‘broken in’ and will remain comfortable for the duration of the hike.

As with footwear, the rest of your clothing should be chosen primarily for the sake of comfort. Ideally, you should be wearing reasonably loose fitting clothes; they should not restrict your movement in any way, but should not be so lose as to become a hindrance. Weather conditions on your planned hike must also be taken into account and clothing that will maintain a constant and comfortable body temperature should be worn, with layering being the key here. Having chosen clothing to begin the hike in, you must also ensure you pack spares in case of changes in weather conditions; you should also never leave without a few extra pairs of socks!

Finally, there are a few items of basic equipment with which new hikers should familiarise themselves. The most important and potentially lifesaving of these are a good quality topographic map and compass. The ability to find your bearing and read a map accurately is the by far the most important skill for hikers. Other equipment to consider ranges from basics, such as sun lotion and sunglasses, through to potentially important items such as a first aid kit and water purifying tablets.

Simply Hike – About the Author:

Article by Simply Hike

Simply Hike are a UK-based online shop selling camping gear, hiking equipment and outdoor accessories. Stocking everything you need in preparation for the great outdoors.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/outdoor-sports-articles/beginning-hiking-a-guide-2178936.html

]]>

Increase your traffic today just by submitting articles with us, click here to get started.

Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it’s free and easy!

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
Print

0) {
ch_selected = Math.floor(Math.random()*ch_queries.length);
if(ch_selected == ch_queries.length) ch_selected–;
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected];
}
}catch(e){
ch_query = document.title;
}
]]>

Article Tags:
hiking, beginners, guide

Latest Outdoor Sports Articles
More from Simply Hike

Is Stability A Recipe For Sporting Success?

Reading the newspapers for the past few days, I’ve been interested to read what sporting experts have been saying about the issue of stability. As the latest Premier League football manager has been sacked, the news has been met with much shaking of heads.

By: Simon Barnett

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 26, 2011

Running A Junior Sports Club

Helping children to take part and enjoy sporting activities can be a great way to spend time, but it would be a mistake to think that it’s easy. In fact, most organisers of junior sports teams find that it’s something that takes up a considerable amount of time.

By: Simon Barnett

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 26, 2011

Scuba Dive Around the World

As a child, I spent my summers and eventually year round in pools and the ocean. Now as an adult, I spend many of my days and evenings year round Scuba Diving in Puget Sound. I’ve been Advanced Certified for almost two years. Shortly after taking up diving as a hobby, I purchased my first underwater camera: the Canon G10 PowerShot camera and Canon housing.

By: Drew Collins

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 26, 2011

What’s So Great About Clear Creek Rafting?

Clear Creek. A name like that brings to mind peaceful, placid waters prime for great fishing and a calm, restful place to spend some time relaxing in the sun and playing in the water. Nothing could be further from the truth.

By: Pruitt Holden

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 26, 2011

How Hunters Help Others

In this day and age hunters are a very misunderstood group of people. This article tries to shed some good light on the truth about hunters.

By: Rifle Scopes Pros

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 25, 2011

Which Hiking Socks Are Right For Me?

Those who spend their time walking and hiking in the great outdoors know that choosing the right pair of socks is just as important as choosing the right pair of walking boots. If you head off for a hike in your old nylon socks then you’ll soon be in for a nasty surprise. Not only will you have to deal with blisters, but your soggy sweaty smelly feet will be in a real state after just a short while.

By: Simply Hike

Sports and Fitness
Sep 14, 2010

What Hiking Equipment Do You Need As A Beginner?

As with all hobbies, there is some initial outlay required in getting started with hiking. The array of products on offer can appear bewildering to a beginner, so here is a list to help sift the essentials from the luxuries.

By: Simply Hike

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
Jul 28, 2010

What Are The Top Records In Hiking?

Every hike is an adventure, but some shatter all expectations. Determination and stamina go head to head with gruelling and deadly hikes to excite and inspire the world of hiking. To whet your appetite, here are some our favourite hiking world records.

By: Simply Hike

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
Jun 23, 2010

Could This Be The Most Ambitious Mountain Hike Ever

It has often been suggested that the most dangerous destination for mountain hiking in the world is the hike up to Mount Huashan in China. It starts with the Heavenly Stairs, a long, steep narrow series of concrete steps which are tolerable at best. However, only the most courageous trekker would venture across Canglong Ridge (also known as the Black Dragon Ridge), which is even steeper and narrower, with very sharp drops to the left and right.

By: Simply Hike

Sports and Fitness >
Outdoor Sports
May 05, 2010

Comments on this article [0]
Add new Comment

Related Videos

Leisure in California

My Adventure Space – Visit Winter Park, Colorado

Picking the Right Sneaker for You

Ask a question

Ask our experts your Outdoor Sports related questions here…

200 Characters left

]]>

Related Articles
Your First Hiking Backpack – Interesting Tips For Beginners
See a Hiking Nature Trail In a New Way
Combining Camping and Hiking into the Perfect Family Holiday
Why the Hiking Staff of a Hiking Park Should Play a Role in Choosing a Hiking Trail
Hiking and Camping: the Perfect Combination

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map
Mobile Version

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2011 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.


Article from articlesbase.com

Why Hiking is a Good Recreational Activity

Article by Joseph Kuyong

Are you interested in doing something fun and exciting on a day that you may have off from work or a weekend that you may have no plans? If you are and if you are like many other Americans, there is a good chance that you may be interested in doing something recreational. If you are, you have a number of different options. One of those options involves going on a hike.

Hiking is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States. While different individuals have different reasons for enjoying hiking, it is easy to see that hiking is loved by many. In the United States, most cities and towns have at least one hiking park or hiking trail and many have more than one. What does that mean for you? It means that whether you are looking to go hiking for a few hours or if you want to go hiking for a few days, it should be more than possible for you to do so.

One of the many reasons why hiking is such a popular recreational activity is because it is a challenge. Yes, playing a game of basketball or a game of baseball can be fun and exciting, but there isn’t much out there like hiking. Even if you choose to hike the same hiking trail multiple times a year, you will still likely find surprises and changes. That is what is nice about nature; nothing stays the same forever. Every time that you go on a hike, it will seem as if it is a completely new and exciting adventure.

Hiking is also popular because it can be done a number of different ways. For instance, hiking is a recreational activity that you can do alone or with a group of your friends or even with your family. Most hikers prefer hiking with someone that they know. If you would prefer to hike independently, that is okay, but you may want to take a few extra steps to ensure your safety. These extra steps involve letting someone know where you will be hiking and when you can be expected back, dressing properly, and brining your cell phone with you.

Another reason why hiking is such a popular activity is because it is a workout. There are many individuals who enjoy hiking, well just because, but then there are others who like to go hiking as a form of exercise. Hiking trials are known for their vast array of landscaping. When going hiking, you could walk up steps, climb over small rocks, climb down hilly slopes, and much more. The varied landscape is perfect for workouts, as it really tests your body and its strength. If you are interested in hiking as a part of a routine workout, you may want to examine local parks that offer membership plans or discounts to regular hikers.

As previously stated, there are some individuals who like to go hiking just because. Although hiking is referred to as a recreational activity, there are many individuals who use hiking as a way to relax or escape from their everyday life. That is what is amazing about hiking; this recreational activity can offer you and provide you with so much, including a fun and exciting time.

If you would like to go hiking, you should give it a try. As a reminder, most cities and towns in the United States have hiking trials or hiking parks; therefore, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a hiking trail to get started on.

About the Author

Born in 1957 in North Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia). A graduate with B.Econ (Hons) and MBA. A Part-Time Academician.

Glacier National Park Hiking – Hiking Report And Trail Descriptions

Article by Aurelita

Glacier National Park Hiking – Hiking in Glacier National Park is a very favoured activity by visitors. And it’s no wonder. Glacier National Park has more than 700 miles of hiking trails, most of which are highly picturesque and have incredible views.

The hiking trails in Glacier National Park variety in difficulty level. Many trailed that guide to scenic vistas are easy hikes and short. Other hikes gain relevant amounts of vertical and head deep into the back country of Glacier Park. Whatever type of hike you are looking for, a trail subsists in Glacier National Park to meet your needs.

Hikers need to adopt individual responsibility for planning their trips and hiking safely. Before setting out on your hike, stop by a park visitor center to obtain needed warnings and recommendations. You will increase your probability of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to park wildlife, and lessen cumulative damage to resources.

Self-guided walks to interpret trailside characteristics with brochures and signs. The Trail of the Cedars, Forest and Fire, Hidden Lake, Sun Point, Running Eagle Falls, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails exhort hikers to experience Glacier National Park at their own pace. The Trail of the Cedars and Running Eagle Falls are wheelchair obtainable.

The weather in Glacier is highly changeable. The continental divide splits Glacier National Park into two very separate halves. The eastern side of the park, where Two Medicines, St. Mary and Many Glaciers are located, tends to be warm andwindy in the summer and cold andwindy the rest of the year. Since the continental divide takes away much of the wetness, the east side of the park also is significantly drier and sunnier.

>>See more Glacier National Park Hiking Photos<<

Thewestern side of Glacier National Park has a lowerelevation than theeastern side of the park. Due to the lowerelevation, hikes beginning on thewestern side of the park will generally have more of a vertical elevation gain than trails in theeastern side of the park, although trails such as the Avalanche Lake Trail have very gentle vertical gains.

Glacier National Park is one of only a handful of places in the lower 48 States where grizzly bears to look after a foothold. More than 300 grizzlies (and another 500 black bears) live in the park, and several of the most popular trails to cross prime grizzly habitat. When bears are `in residence’ along a trail the park service shuts the area, but otherwise it’s up to visitors to watch out for bears and deal with any close encounters. All this might give the awareness that traveling in Glacier is a nerve-wracking lottery, but in fact, unless you’ve spent so much time in Canada or Alaska that you’re completely bored by bears, catching sight of them is an unforgettable experience.

It is important to be truthful with yourself before heading out on a trail in Glacier. A trail that has 2000 vertical feet of elevation earnings is not an easy trail. It may be nearly impossible for those out of shape or who is not used to hike. You’ll have a much better time hiking in Glacier National Park by sticking to trail that are within your difficulty level. There are many easy, scenic hikes in Glacier Park that are not much more difficult that walking down the block, so there is no reason to kill yourself by pushing beyond your physical abilities.

About the Author

>>See more Glacier National Park Hiking Photos<<

See a guy filming himself walking on the scariest trail ever!! Amazing!!!
Video Rating: 4 / 5