“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.” – Anatole France

General

If you decide to do an activity such as going on an organized trek you will usually find that there are several different companies offering the activities. When you make your decision do not only decide based on price, there may be big differences in the quality of the equipment and the food and how much the local porters get paid. Ask for references from other travelers. Sometimes you find that even though you book with one company they pool their customers with customers from other companies in order to make more money. If this is a problem for you then ask before you book.

Make sure that you are physically prepared for the activities you plan to do, bring the right equipment or rent it locally. Make sure you have enough water and food and beware of the sun.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is a good way to get some adrenalin going. In most countries there are local climbing clubs that usually can assist you with advice on where to go. Or they might come along as climbing partners if you ask them. If you do not have proper training and do not know how to handle the equipment securely there are usually commercial companies offering guided tours on beginner routes.

If you end up climbing in areas rarely visited you might want to check when the area was last rebolted. Bolts are affected by the wear and tear of water, especially if they are close to the ocean.

Note that different crags have different rules of what protection to use. In some places chalk is forbidden too. Make sure to stick with the local climbing rules.

A good place to find route maps (topos) on the Internet is Wikitopo.

Personal Experience – The Mont Blanc Misery

I was in Chamonix and decided to climb Mont Blanc. As this was not part of our schedule we were in a rush to bring something to eat with us. We brought some cans of food but as we were pretty tired on our way down there was not enough time to stop to cook it. Sandwiches or energy bars would have been more convenient. Preparing alpine climbing is a must as the risk increases when you get tired and hungry.

Trekking

Trekking in the mountain gives you fresh air and builds your character at the same time. When you trek to higher altitudes the air pressure gets lower. At sea level the oxygen percentage is about 21% with an air pressure around 760 mmHg. As you climb higher the oxygen percentage remains the same but the air pressure gets lower. This means that your body gets less oxygen with each breath. You will lose your breath and get more tired than you perhaps anticipate.

At 6 000 ft (1 828 m) the air pressure is 609 mmHg. At 12 000 ft (3 658 m) the air pressure is 483 mmHg. At 18 000 ft (5 486 m) the air pressure is only 380 mmHg.

People are affected differently at high altitude. Already at 3 000 meters you can get a severe headache. It is important to listen to you body as you can get brain oedema and lung oedema if you keep on pushing on to higher altitudes.

The usual recommendation is modest altitude gains of not more than 300 meters per day above 3 000 meter and to spend 2 nights in the same place every 1 000 meters.

Another thing when you are at high altitude is that water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. You may therefore have to cook food for a longer period of time.

The temperature can change drastically during the day. It may be freezing cold in the morning, extremely hot during they day and cold at night again. If you change altitude it gets colder the higher you get, around 10 degrees Centigrade (=5,5 degrees Fahrenheit) per 1 000 meters. As an example, if you start out at 10 degrees Centigrade at sea level, this can mean a temperature of -20 degrees Centigrade at 3 000 meters. The chill factor from the wind can make it even colder.

Plan your trip accordingly and allow plenty of slack in your schedule to be able to get down before dark.

If there is snow it is important to wear alpine sun glasses to avoid getting snow blind (or a severe headache).

Scuba diving and snorkeling

Going under water gives you new perspectives of the world. If you intend to get your diving license abroad it makes sense to do some research beforehand. Try to go for the two big certificates: PADI or CMAS.

Renting equipment has it pros and cons. On the upside you do not have to carry your own heavy equipment all over the world. On the downside the rental equipment in many parts of the world is rather poor. Bring your own mask, snorkel and dive watch as a minimum if you intend do some serious diving.

The quality of dive companies and liveaboards also differ greatly. In Australia it is usually very well organized and the instructors show respect to the sea and its inhabitants. In other places dive masters start chasing fish or bend up corals just to show you something “extra”. Do not encourage this behavior. Other people want to see the stuff too!

In some places, such as the Red Sea, the snorkeling is almost as good as the scuba diving. Even though scuba diving increases the chances of seeing “big”animals.

Personal Experience – The Zanzibar Snorkeling Zest

I was staying on the east coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. I was going for a dive with a bunch of people, but before we got to the dive site we spotted some dolphins nearby. The boatman took us there and I was so eager to get into the water that I forgot my fins. Meanwhile the other people had entered the water and were swimming towards the dolphins. Back on the boat the driver said: “Do not worry. The dolphins have moved. I will take you there.” When I jumped into the water the second time I was all alone with 8 dolphins for a few minutes before the rest of the crowd came and scared them away for good. Magical.

Riding

Horseback riding is fun. And camel riding too. Being a novice is usually not a problem. If you are a skilled rider you might find rental horses non-responsive and pretty dull. This is what happens when hundreds of kids pull them in the ears all day.

If you are going on a longer tour, make sure that you get a proper inspection of the horses, camels or whatever you are going to ride.

Personal Experience – The Jaisalmer Jeopardy

In Jaisalmer, India we signed up for a 3-day camel tour out in the desert. We paid a bit extra to get “premium camel” and “premium food”. Well, it turn out my camel (nicknamed Ernst) were the slowest one in the Rajastan desert. And the special food – served every lunch and dinner – was Alu Gobi, which is a mix of potato and cauliflower. Probably the cheapest they could offer. So, it makes good sense to try to check what you are really getting if possible. Or talk to other backpackers or just browse the web.

Are you, your family, your friends, or your romantic partner planning to take a hiking adventure soon?  As you likely already know, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can be dangerous at the same time.  Of course, there are a number of different steps that you can take to protect yourself on your next hiking adventure and a few of those steps are outlined below.

If you have yet to choose your hiking trail, you will want to do so soon.  The sooner that you choose your hiking trail, the easier it will be to familiarize yourself with where you will be hiking. When choosing a hiking trail, it is advised that you take the difficulty level into consideration. For instance, you can find hiking trails in the United States that are designed for beginners, as well as those that have advanced hiking experience.

Once you have decided which hiking trial, you will want to take the time to fully familiarize yourself with the trail.  If you are able to acquire a map of the hiking trial in question, you will want to closely examine it.  You will want to know exactly where you are at all times, as well as how to get out of the area, in the event of an emergency.  If you do acquire a map of the hiking trial, you will want to make sure that you bring a copy of the map with you.  This will also assist you in the event of an emergency.

You will want to think about familiarizing yourself with the security of the hiking trial or park in question; get their contact information so you can contact them in the event of an emergency.  Speaking of contacting security guards, you will want to make sure that you bring a cell phone with you. A cell phone will allow you to call for help if you or someone in your hiking party has an accident or wanders off the trail.  If you do not own a cell phone, you may want to think about buying a cheap prepaid one or borrowing the cell phone of someone that you know.

Although it is important that you bring a cell phone with you on your next hiking adventure , a cell phone is not all that you will want to bring.  Even if you are only planning on hiking for a day or two, you will want to make sure that you have enough food and drinks, just in case something went wrong.  Many hikers are urged to prepare for the worst, just in case.  For that reason, you may want to think about packing a number of extra snacks and drinks.

Another great way that you can stay safe on your next hiking adventure is by making sure that you have all of the right hiking equipment or hiking supplies.  In this aspect, you will want to make sure that you are dressed for the hike.  Hiking should involve sneakers at the least, but you may want to think about buying a set of hiking boots.  You will also want to review the weather before leaving.  Even if it will be bright and sunny, you may still want to think about bringing a light coat with you, in case of rain or in case you become stranded on the hiking trail overnight.

Perhaps, the best way that you can go about staying safe on your next hiking adventure is by letting your friends and family members know where you are going, when you will be leaving, and when you will return. Should you not return on time, those that you know should be able to find you, or at least have a general idea of where you are.  You may also want to think about writing down the same information and leaving it at a safe place at home.

The above outlined hiking safety tips are just a few of the many that you may want to think about practicing. As a reminder, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous as well. Remember to book your next hiking adventure at myroadtotravel.com. For more information on Hiking and Camping, click here or visit the American Hiking Society website.

Are you interested in going on a fun filled hiking adventure? If you are, you are definitely not alone. In the United States, a large number of individuals enjoy hiking, often whenever they get the chance to do so.

Although there is a good chance that you may have gone hiking before, there is also a chance that this hiking adventure may be your first one. If that is the case, you may be wondering what you should bring along with you. If you are, you will want to continue reading on, as some common hiking gear pieces and hiking supplies are outlined below for your convenience.

Before examining some of the common pieces of hiking gear that you should bring with you on your hiking adventure, as well as other hiking supplies, it is important that you take the length of your adventure into consideration. If you are planning on camping overnight on a hiking trail or in a hiking park, you will need to have some additional supplies, like a camping tent, sleeping bag, and so forth. The above mentioned items can serve as a great starting point for you, but you may also want to think about creating your own hiking adventure checklist.

When it comes to hiking gear, one of the most important pieces of gear that you will come across are hiking boots or hiking shoes. Many individuals do not know that they should actually go hiking in boots or shoes that are designed for hiking. Unfortunately, many individuals set out on a hike in traditional sneakers or even sandals. Hiking shoes are not only comfortable, as they are designed for hiking trail terrain, but they can also be used as a safety tool. With strong support for your feet and your ankles, hiking shoes and boots can help reduce your risk of injury in the event of a slip or a small fall.

A hiking stick is another piece of hiking gear that you may want to think about buying or brining along with you. Hiking sticks can be purchased from sport stores, but hiking sticks can also be found by scavenging through your backyard. Hiking sticks are not only nice because they look neat, but they can also help you keep your balance. Also, in the event that you fall or have a hiking accident, your hiking stick can be used to bang against rocks or something else to help get the attention of rescue workers or passerby’s.

As for the clothing that you will want to wear on your next hiking adventure, it will depend where you are going hiking, for how long, and what the weather will be like. You are advised to thoroughly examine the weather forecast before leaving for your hiking trip. Even if the weather is expected to be nice, you may still want to bring a few warm clothes with you, as you should also be prepared for the unexpected. An extra change of clothes is also advised. If you are concerned with space, you may want to think about look into buying some of those space saving bags, which are perfect for hiking.

You will also want to make sure that you bring a selection of food, snacks, and drinks with you on your next hiking adventure. As for drinks, you will find that water is the best. As for the snacks, you will want to make sure that you bring snacks that are easy to eat, like small bags of trail mix, pretzels, or other easy to eat and transport snacks. If you will be hiking and camping at the same time, you want to make sure that you bring more than just snacks; you will also want to bring real food. You may want to think about making yourself a few sandwiches, as well as bringing along a few pieces of fruit.

Additional items that you will want to bring along with you on your next hiking adventure include a map of the hiking park or hiking trail in question, a compass, a cell phone, and a first aid kit. Of course, these items, in most cases, are optional, but they are items may make your next hiking adventure enjoyable, as well as safe.