Hiking Tips

With the winter months and the snow comes to opportunity to get out and do some winter hiking and/or snowshoeing. One thing that I enjoy about winter hiking when compared to hiking during the other seasons is experiencing the quiet and serenity of snow-covered landscapes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you venture out on a snowshoeing excursions:

• Check your gear before you head out. This is good advice year round, but especially important in the winter when the temperatures are cold and the environment is harsh.
• Take frequent breaks and remember to hydrate. In the winter you typically aren't aware of the obvious signs of perspiring, but you still need to take time and replace your fluids.
• If snowshoeing with others, take turns breaking the trail as this is the most tiring part of snowshoeing. If you happen to have a person that is extra energetic and wants to hike fast, let them take the lead. But also keep in mind the slowest person hiking with you and remember to stop frequently and allow them to catch up.

Some hikers never venture out on the trail without trekking poles, while other hikers think they are a waste of money. Personally I feel that trekking poles are an essential piece of hiking gear, especially on longer, multi-day hikes. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your trekking poles.

• Adjust to you - When gripping the poles, your forearms should be parallel with the ground, with your elbow making a 90 degree angle.
• Adjust for the terrain - If you are on a steep incline, shorten the poles and plant them the same time you take a step. For downhills, lengthen the poles and plant them just prior to your foot hitting the ground.
• Check your adjustments - As you hike, especially across softer ground, you may find your poles shrinking on you as the sections loosen. You should stop and tighten your poles, if needed, about once an hour while hiking.

I was asked recently if I had any tips to pass along on using a hammock while hiking. I use a Hennessy Hammock, but these few tips could be used for any hammock.

• Use SnakeSkins - These are designed for Hennessy Hammocks but could be used with other hammocks as well. The SnakeSkins are two long tubes that act as stuff sacks. Put them on before you hang your hammock, and then simply pull the SnakeSkins over the hammock when you are ready to take it down. Your hammock is now in a stuff sack and it is a lot easier to handle, plus it keeps the hammock dry and clean for storage.
• Ultralight tent stakes - Most hammocks have guy lines and to keep with the ultralight ideology, rocks and logs are suggested for tiedowns. However I find ultralight titanium tent stakes provide versatility, are more secure, and weigh next to nothing. You won’t need to carry more than 4 tent stakes for a typical hammock.
• Start up high - When hanging your hammock for the first time, secure the ends of the hammock as high up on the trees as you can. The cord used to hang the hammock will stretch at first and if you don’t hang your hammock high enough you’ll find yourself either a few inches above the ground or touching it. With time the cord will stop stretching, usually after 6 to 12 hangings.

Clean water is a must when hiking, especially in the back country or on overnight hikes. Ideally you would bring along water from home, but water is heavy and it’s not a smart idea to carry 4 days worth of water with you when doing an overnight back packing trip.

In most cases a water filter will work well with water sources found on the hike. However, filtration will only work on two of the three water contaminants: protoza and bacteria. Filtering water does not eliminate viruses. In this case you will need to purify your water with either chlorine or iodine. Water purification also kills protoza and bacteria, but will give an off flavor to the water.

When hiking in the United States, filtering of water from mountain streams will most likely be adequate. But if you find yourself hiking in other countries you may want to consider pruifying your water as well. It is also a good idea to carry along some iodine tablets, just in case your filter breaks or clogs.

I have learned through experience that a properly fit backpack makes a world of difference when you are hiking. A pack that is too short for your torso, or a waistbelt that is too loose will cause undo fatigue and in some cases chafing on your shoulders or hips. A couple things to keep in mind before heading out on your next overnight expedition.

• Make sure the pack is properly adjusted to your body size. You will want to make sure the pack matches your torso length.
• Pack light items, such as sleeping bags and clothes, towards the bottom of the pack, with heavier items such as the tent higher and closer to your body.
• Keep the waistbelt tight. If it becomes too loose during a backpacking trip, use a piece of clothing to fill the gap. Readjust the tightness of the belt often.
• When putting on your pack, first tighten the hip belt while leaning slightly forward. Then stand-up straight and snug up the shoulder straps. To reduce the swaying of the pack, you may have to adjust the load-lifters and hip stabilizers. Finally, make sure the shoulder straps aren’t so tight that you can’t shrug your shoulders.