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Best Hikes With Children
The best hikes with children are short, interesting hikes that keep the children interested and make them want to come back outdoors again. Remember, you should gear the hike to your youngest child's abilities. A child aged 2 to 4 can only hike about 1/2 mile to a mile or two, so don't expect them to hike for hours.
Kids like to stop every few minutes to rest and explore, plan for breaks about every 15 to 20 minutes. Pick easy, flat trails, especially in the beginning, and leave the strenuous trails for their older years.
Another way to keep the children's interest is to take self-guided nature hikes, where they follow a map and find different locations on the map. This keeps them interested, and they'll learn about the natural world at the same time. The best hikes with children are the hikes that make them want to go back and do it again!
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Day Hiking Recipes
When you day hike, you have a lot more versatility in the foods you can carry and enjoy. Most foods will last at least a few hours on the trail, so you can whip up some day hiking recipes at home, seal them in plastic bags, and hit the trail with a decent meal.
Carry along fresh fruit for a quick snack along the trail or a healthy dessert.
Create a healthy sandwich with pita bread, cheese, and lettuce, and tomatoes. If you place it in the refrigerator overnight, it should be just the right temperature when you eat lunch. Avoid meats and mayo on your sandwich if you're going to be on the trail more than a couple of hours.
Boiled eggs will last until lunch on a day hike, so bring some along for a snack, or make egg salad without the mayo for a sandwich.
Use your imagination for special day hiking recipes. If you want to plan a gourmet lunch, carry a bottle of wine, some dry pasta, and pasta sauce. Heat up some water when you arrive at your lunch spot, cook the pasta and warm the sauce, add some French bread, and you have a hearty and special lunch!
Cook a meal at home, such as chicken in sauce, or steaks with mushroom gravy, and carry in an insulated container to keep them warm. Then, just heat up some rice or noodles, and you'll have another gourmet lunch.
Carry food in a small insulated container and you can take just about anything with you on your day hike.
Use your imagination, carry a few extra tools, and you can enjoy some great day hiking recipes on a short day hike!
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Determining How Much your Pack Should Weigh
Most experienced hikers would never recommend trying to carry more than 1/3 of your weight. However, this assumes that you are in excellent physical condition and that the weight is distributed properly on a pack that fits you correctly. If you are 150 pounds, this means that you are carrying 50 pounds if you are carrying the maximum FSO. To truly enjoy your hike and to avoid exhaustion and injury, don't carry more than 25% of your body weight (38 pounds for a 150 pound person) or lower around 20% of your body weight. Also, you need to take into account your physical condition and your readiness for the terrain you will be traversing.
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Leave No Trace
If you plan to take an overnight hike trip, one of the main principles of camping is the concept of "Leave No Trace." That is, your campground should look exactly as it did before you arrived. Check your campsite and rest areas for trash. Bury solid human waste in holes dug at least 6 to 8 inches deep and least 200 feet from water, camp areas, and trails. Cover the hole with leaves or rocks. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from any river, stream or lake. Use only biodegradable soap.
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Beating Blisters
Blisters are the bane of any hiker's existence. They can be avoided, however. Blisters are caused by moisture, heat, and friction against your skin. Wear boots or hiking shoes that fit properly. If you are hiking for an extended period of time, bring a change of socks. Switch pairs about halfway through your hike (or sooner, if your feet get wet during your trip). If you consciously decide to get wet during the trip -- by cooling off in a stream, for example -- be absolutely sure you thoroughly dry your feet before replacing your socks and boots.
Some suggestions for buying the right shoes to avoid blisters:
- If you find a comfortable pair of running shoes, you can wear them on your hike, providing it's a short hike on flat terrain.
- Find retail brands that make shoes and boots, like montrail hiking boots, which provide options for men and women.
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Getting in Shape For Hiking
No one wants to be injured during a hike. That's why pre-hike training is vital. One way to get your hips and shoulders prepared for hiking is to start carrying a backpack whenever you can, beginning 2 or 3 weeks before a hike. Over the weeks, increase the load in the back pack as well as the time you spend carrying it. Challenge yourself by making small treks on different terrains, using a hiking pole if necessary. This will get your skin used to the pressure points of the backpack and your muscles strengthened for the load.
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Hiking With Pets 101
When hiking with pets, be sure to take the following guidelines into consideration: Be sure the physical condition of your pet is adequate for your intended hike. We all want to think Fluffy is up for a long trek, but older pets in particular may not be able to make the full trip. You don't want to be left carrying him/her and a backpack! Bring enough water for both you and your pet. Pack first aid supplies for your pet. Nothing is worse than seeing your pet in pain and not being able to assist. A little planning keeps your hike safe and fun for you and your animal companions.
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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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