Northwest Hiking

When most people think about hiking, they think about a hiker standing in front of a serene view, on top of a majestic mountain.  In his hand, a trusty walking stick offers a kind of guidance and balance that can only come from such a piece of wood.  This item, the walking stick, is fairly important when hiking.  Some prefer to use synthetic ones, while others go all natural.  The latter of the two is the topic of today’s article.  Here are some things to remember when getting a natural walking stick:

•  A walking stick provides balance.  Remember to get one that is strong and durable.  Hardwoods, such as Oak, work well.  Softer woods, like fir, can give you a more flexible and more resilient stick, however.
• Keep it splinter free!  Whether that entails removing them with a knife, or finding a new stick, make sure you aren’t going to injure yourself trying to do something that can potentially help you.
• Get the right length.  As a rule, a foot shorter than you works well, so try to follow that.  If needed, go another extra foot shorter, but not much.

A walking stick is a good aide in hiking, one of immeasurable value in some cases.  Picking a good one out can be a huge benefit to you while hiking.  Have fun out there, and happy hiking!

The last type of shelter I would like to examine is that of a synthetic shelter.  These are especially useful when something lightweight yet reliable is needed.  The need for such shelters may arise in a variety of occasions, the most likely of which will be one of survival.  It is pivotal, if not paramount, that you choose a good synthetic shelter for your use.  Here are a few that you can consider when searching for a good synthetic shelter:

• Survival Bag:  These are usually orange, garbage bag looking sacks that you can crawl into.  They perform extremely well at keeping out rain and other unwanted elements, keeping you dry and warmer.  The perspiration that you release can build up, so remember to somehow vent your breath through the opening.
• Tarp:  Tarps make amazing shelters and are easy to build with. They are also highly visible if you obtain the right colors, so try to get orange or any other color that stands out against nature.
• Tents:  A no-brainer, you would be surprised how many people don’t think about tents in survival situations.  If you can, definitely pack a small tent to use if you get stranded.  It’s extra weight, but if you are gone for several days, you might as well use it every night, anyway.

Looking further at the various types of shelters to be found in survival situations, we find another type of shelter that is equally important as natural shelters.  These are the hand built shelters, which can be made either with the use of natural materials, or by altering natural materials for a suitable shelter.  Here are a few examples of such shelters:

• Debris Shelters:  These are made from whatever debris is available and serve as the most universal and easily built shelters.  They can be constructed with limited supplies and can be done well enough to create a nearly waterproof shelter from the wind and rain.  Here is an example.
• Fallen Tree Shelter:  Fallen trees make exceptionally good frames for a shelter and are easy to use to build off of.  Here is an example of trees you can use.
• Brush Shelters:  Again, fast and easy to build, wonderful durability, and good protection.  These are made by piling brush on top of a frame or support structure to make it water resistant and protective.  An example can be found here.

Most likely, you don’t want to have to build one of these shelters for survival situations, rest assured though, through practice and experience, you can be ready for whatever the wild throws at you!

Survival Shelters Part II:  Natural Shelters

Shelter in a survival situation may come in many forms.  For some, it’s a plastic survival bag meant to curl up in to stay warm and dry in snowy or rainy conditions.  For other, it may be a stick built shelter such as a raised platform and corresponding roof.  Still others may find refuge in a cave or other natural shelter.  The latter of these is the topic to be discussed.

The most important shelters that should be considered when seeking a way out of the elements are in fact natural shelters.  They don’t require a lot of work, can be found with some relative ease, and are usually a good way to stay out of the rain and wind.   Here is a list of some simple natural shelters:

• Caves:  Good ways to stay out of the rain, but somewhat risky depending on stability and location, so be careful for cave ins and water.
• Underneath Rocky Ledges:  These are great to avoid the rain, but you’ll need to watch for wind and the stability of the rocky ceilings that form your roof.
• Large Trees:  If you have a low hanging tree with thick branches, these will provide you with wind and rain protection.  By staying close to the trunk, you’ll be dry and warm with the use of a blanket or think coat.
• Fall Trees:   A large fallen tree makes a good way to get protection from the rain and elements.  Better yet, a large tree with a partially uprooted root system can also provide a good shelter from the elements.

The main problem that natural shelters can cause is the lack of visibility to search and rescue.  It is thus vital to mark your shelter with something visible from above.  An orange string or canvas is a great way to do this.

A good trail if you want a nice stroll with nothing too hard involved, this is a good trail for you.  Beginning hikers, joggers, road bikers, and walkers will all find this a fun and easy way to enjoy some scenery.  The trail is paved for a good distance, and has good access for handicapped wheelchairs.  The trail runs from Rooks Park to the east of Walla Walla, into town at Walla Walla.  The path is not accessible at that point for all people, particularly disabled, since the paved section is only just over a mile long.  It does offer a nice view and a relaxing hike/run if you like easy terrain, though.  Here are some stats:

Terrain:  Paved until 1.2 miles from Rooks Park, then dirt and gravel.
Distance:  Connects with 20 miles of trails, so you choose!
Time:  Again, depends on how many trails you go off on, but in general, you can sight-see in under an hour.
Difficulty:  Easy

Directions:  Follow Hwy 12 east and turn right on Mill Creek Road, then follow signs for Rooks Park.

As supplies are depleted, remember to restock your first-aid kits for the next year packed with hiking and outdoor excursions.  The biggest problem hikers will face involving first-aid kits and supplies will actually be the lack thereof from not restocking their kits.  It is essential that you restock with supplies as soon as possible, and that any perishable or expired items are replaced at least once per year.  Here are some of the things that you’ll want to look for the most:

• Band-aids
• Gauze
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Anti-itch Cream
• Meds and Prescriptions

Those are just a few of the things that you’ll want to look for, but are some of the most important.  Again, I can’t stress enough that expired items must be replaced and checked often.  See you out there on the trails!

As colder weather comes, remember that it is vital to change the essentials in your survival kit,  This may include many different items, but one factor remains the same, and that’s weather.  If the weather is sour or cold, then you’ll need different gear than when it was warm and sunny.  This will have to reflect in your survival kit for the fall if you go hiking a lot in the autumn months and perhaps go winter camping.

A few things that you will want to look at will include a survival manual suitable for winter survival.  One was just reviewed here, so remember to look at that as a possible option.  Other things you’ll want to consider include the fire starters you have, signaling devices, and cold weather protection (such as shelter aides and emergency/thermal blankets).

Although winter brings cold weather, some of the most fun times of my hiking experience has been in the snow.  It’s an inviting feeling to be out in the cold weather surrounded by a winter wonderland.  Just remember to be prepared and be wise when hiking in cold weather!

When considering a survival situation, it is important to remember that shelter is going to be your protection from the elements.  Although not many people fully realize it, survival is going to pivot around your ability to find adequate shelter.  Sometimes, it’s crude, and other times you may build something more extravagant as time allows (you don’t usually don’t have a whole lot to do when stranded, anyway).  The goal is to be rescued quickly, so many factors come into play when choosing a shelter or building your own.

The most important factors are going to be protection, visibility, and size respectively.  The last of these is the least important, but nonetheless, something to consider.  More information will be posted on details of specific shelters, so stay tuned!  Happy hiking!

Hiking takes a huge toll on people.  After a long day, it’s not uncommon to feel that dreaded pain and aching in your hamstrings.  Although it’s not exactly the best feeling in the world, treatment is easy and can aide in quick recovery.  Here are some quick tips to remember when you get sore hamstrings on the trail:

• Liniment:  An article was already posted on using liniment, and it is strongly suggested that you use liniment as soon as possible to aide healing blood flow to the area.
• Cool the Muscles:  As soon as you stop, cool your muscles in a stream or river to help prevent soreness from developing.  If your muscles are sore, a cool down can still do wonders for your aching and sore muscles.
• Anti-inflammatory Meds: Ibuprofen is a good thing to have to help reduce swelling and kill pain.  It’s definitely something I suggest you always take with you.

As always, I say that prevention is the best remedy.  Don’t overkill on the trail, remember to cool down your muscles, and stay well hydrated.  This will aide in the prevention of soreness.

As far as survival manuals go, not many can provide an all-around-the-world coverage, insight into survival structures, and an in-depth look at survival as a whole.  Furthermore, not many will give readers something they can read many times over and still glean more from the book.  Not many, except for the SAS Survival Handbook.  Not only does it cover areas found all around the world–such as arctic, tropical, beach, mountainous, and forested settings–it also provides readers with enough information to keep them intently focused for months.

Every time readers pick up this book, they will be amazed by the wave of practical survival information that seems to teem from the pages, bringing a whole new light to the topic of survival.  It can be said without a doubt that the SAS Survival Handbook is a must for any hiker or survivalist (”wannabe’s” included) who need more information about the world around him or her, and practical ways to use that to an advantage.

See more information here.