| March 2009 | Page 1 Of 1 | |
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Spring Hike
Posted On 2009-03-28 , 9:05 PM
Spring Hike
My wife and I are planning a spring hike in Pennsylvania Memorial day weekend. We are heading off to a wedding and will finish it up with a Sunday spring hike. She received a new trekking cane for Christmas this last year, and is itching to break it in. Spring hikes can be challenging as the weather isn’t very stable yet and, you have to plan on starting out in the cooler temperatures and ending up a little warmer.
Spring hikes are the perfect time to practice layering your clothes. Start out with a good pair of silk or wicking underwear. This is important to keep chafing to a minimum. I like to layer with a pair of convertible pants. That way I don’t have to carry extra clothing, only the legs of the pants when I remove them. A nice wicking tee shirt covered with a comfortable shirt and maybe a hoody or thin jacket from North Face, depending on the temperature. I also like to start with a wicking pair of socks covered by a good quality wool sock. This keeps my feet dry and comfortable in the hiking shoes. Finish off the spring hike ensemble with a Vaporwick cap from North Face and I’m ready to roll.
My wife prepares somewhat the same for a spring hike. Active Briefs and a Champion Double Dry Action Shape Sports Bra for comfort, breath ability and support is the base layer. She opts for a fleece jacket from North Face over a micro fiber top. For spring hikes she prefers to carry a pair of lightweight shorts with her to change into. Her feet are sensitive and prone to blisters, so her socks are very important to her. There is always a spare pair of socks in her bag.
Since it will be a one-day spring hike, we will carry a lightweight daypack each. A couple of Nalgene water bottles and a cold lunch to sit and enjoy during a break will be enough to keep us going. I like to carry my sandals with me too, so that at lunchtime I can let my feet air out. You really need to take care of your feet when out for a spring hike. My wife will carry a small first aid kit, since she is the medical person, in case we need anything while we are out. I’ll have a flashlight and headlamp for safety also. That’s another thing you don’t want to get caught without. Anything can happen in the outdoors, so you need to be prepared.
Moleskin is the most used item in our hiking first-aid kit. My wife will put some on her normal hot spots prior to our spring hike as a precautionary measure, and will usually replace or add as needed during the day. This is a very inexpensive item that will allow you to be on your feet for long periods of time with out blisters. We always have a couple of extra packages in our equipment bin just in case we decide on a whim to head out. Taking care of your body and feet during the damp cool times can make a spring hike more enjoyable.
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Equipment Maintenance
Posted On 2009-03-09 , 6:57 PM
Equipment maintenance
One of the first things you should do when planning for any outing is to do equipment maintenance, to make sure all is in good working order. Nothing puts a damper on a hike, campout or water or bike outing than faulty equipment. Most of this can be avoided by inspecting your gear prior to heading out. By following the tips below, you can ensure that your equipment is ready to support your needs.
Setting up your tent to make sure there are no small tears in it and seal the seams as necessary is an easy equipment maintenance. This is an inexpensive way to prolong the life of your tent and keep from getting wet on an outing. Always dry and clean them after every trip. Make sure you have all of the parts for your tent including extra tent stakes. Inspect the poles for bent ones and that all shock cords are in shape. Place the footprint (ground cloth) in the tent bag if possible. That way you won’t have to dig in your for it and saves time. Keeping “duct type tape” is always a good idea for emergency repairs
If you are using flashlights or headlamps, equipment maintenance for these would be to install new batteries in them and make sure to have back ups and extra bulbs handy in your pack. Never store with the batteries in them. I always take steel wool and clean off the contacts before using them, this way I can remove any corrosion that may have built up.
No matter what type of stove you will be taking, it is always good to fire it up before leaving. The smaller MSR-made stoves have a tendency of failing due to fouled preheat tube assemblies. Through regular equipment maintenance, you can greatly reduce the risk of this happening. Make sure to carry replacement parts for your stove and a needle. Sometimes you can unclog the tube with it by reaming it around. The larger “Coleman” style stoves also need regular equipment maintenance to keep running efficiently too. Lanterns should have the same care given to them. New mantels before starting out and spares are always a must.
Inspecting clothing is also a form of equipment maintenance. Check the soles of your hiking shoes/boots for wear and separation. Since your feet take most of the beating when hiking, the last thing you want to do is blow out sole before ending your journey. Also check the arch support. This kind of footwear takes a lot of abuse, and won’t last forever no matter how much you paid for them. You need to re-water proof them periodically also. Inspect your rain gear also. You could have snagged part of it on a branch or rock the last time out and you didn’t realize it. With a regular equipment maintenance schedule, you can avoid trouble on the trail. If you have a designated set of hiking/camping clothes you probably don’t see them after cleaning them until you head out the next time. Make sure that there are no tears, rips, missing buttons or broken zippers on them.
Sleeping bags need to be checked in your equipment maintenance too. Tears, bad zippers or matted down filler will cause problems.
Last but not least, have regular doctor check ups to ensure your body is in good working order. Out in the wilderness is not the place to have a heart attack. Regular exercise and doctor visits will are one of the most important equipment maintenance schedules to keep.
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| March 2009 | Page 1 Of 1 | |