Northwest Hiking

In July of last year, a man was attacked by a bear while sleeping in his tent.  During the attack, both hands were bitten, multiple puncture wounds were inflicted, and a hand bone was broken.  The story, which originally appeared on Fox News, illustrates one of the reasons many people have come to fear forms of wildlife and the havoc they can potentially wreak on “innocent” recreationists.  However, it is important to remember that in many cases, it is humans that have originally provoked the cause of attack by the animals.  It is this reason that hikers need to hike “green” by being respectful of nature and wildlife.

The various ways to respect nature are not fairly easy to follow, and include the basic common sense that many hear voiced from park rangers and guides:

• Don’t feed or get closed to the animals.
• Don’t leave litter lying around.
• Don’t disturb animals in their natural habitat or provoke them to aggressive habits.
• Stay on designated trails if instructed to do so in a particular region.

The list goes on and on, but the same rule applies: be safe and hike smart in a way that reduces human “footprints” on the environment as much as possible.  The impacts humans leave on the environment can and do alter the ways the nature we hike in.

In the above case, the bear attack was clearly the result of an animal that had grown accustomed to human, their food, and their company.  This is why it showed little fear of the man sleeping in the tent and subsequently attacked it in its search for food.  Remember to hike smart, be safe, and reduce human presence footprints.

Wind can be a significant problem when you are out hiking and enjoying the outdoors.  Whether you are in moist air or not, and whether the temperature is warm or cold, hypothermia is always an inherent risk associated with wind.  The reason is because of the wind chill factor that causes cooling on objects in weather that would normally be cooler.  This is great for a summer’s day, but bad in the spring and fall when usually warm temperatures can become bone-chilling in a matter of minutes.  It is thus vital that one is prepared for wind and the various situations it brings in order to be safe and warm when the situation warrants it.

The most significant ways to deal with wind are shelter and clothing.  Both play a vital role in the ability to resist cold air around the skin and stay dry against the elements.  For hikers, a wind-breaking jacket is vital.  Something that is waterproof/resistant, yet still warm.  The key to use it as the outer shell, and then wear a warmer coat or sweater underneath.  This “breaks” the wind hitting your body by preventing it from flowing through fabric layers; instead, repelling the air with the plastic-like material of the jacket.

Shelters are another important way to stay warm and keep dry.  Craggy rocks make great sheltered areas, and may contain a place to crawl under to stay dry, too.  Remember to watch out where you choose a location, however, since lower areas may fill with water and are susceptible to flash floods.

Wind can be a great thing to hike in, with the smells and fresh flowing air sweeping past your face.  It can also turn a trip into a miserable nightmare.  In any situation, remember there is no treatment like prevention.  Stay safe and have fun!

As you prepare to hike this spring, don’t forget to grab good deals on the shelves while they’re going hot.  It’s getting to be that time of year where buying your granola bars and energy bars is a good idea since they will save through the summer without a problem.  Besides that, also consider stocking up on other things, like dried fruit, energy drink mixes (I mean the good kind, like Gatorade), and candy bars for fast fuel.

There is nothing like being stuck without enough provisions, and I have definitely experienced my fair share of hard times without ample water and electrolytes.  As a rule, plan to take a gallon of water per day, and enough drink mix to add to half of that.  Also take an even balance of energy bars and dried fruit, the former having a tendency to “gum things up” without enough fluid, etc.  As spring approaches, preparation for the hiking season is definitely in order, and I am greatly anticipating the arrival of good weather!

Bargain Deals:

Price: $14.37

Price: $5.99 (treats 2 1/2 gallons)

Wow, things have been slow here at NW Hiking.  Many readers have probably noticed the almost non-existent posting that has happened over the last month.  January is always the hardest to get through for the recreational enthusiast.  Too much snow, too cold, and too few cleared trails.

Luckily, spring is around the corner, and it is exciting to be able to announce that the design, logo, and focus of Northwest Hiking will change a bit as spring rolls around.  First off, winter walks (or the lack thereof) will be dropped off the post list for summer, and regular hiking areas will resume.  Also, like our sister site, Northwest Recreation, we will be implementing a much better theme and overall cleaner look.

As far as today goes, we would like to introduce a training method to get yourself ready for a truly extreme summer.  Between firefighting and posting, our editor will be busy this summer providing new and fun hikes, tips, and guides to hiking in the northwest.  Here are some things to do to keep up:

• Start Training Now:  Get a jump on training now so you will be ready when the big hikes start piling in come April-May.
• Start Slow: Don’t over do it and start slow.  Walking a mile is perfectly acceptable to start with.  Try that once per day, and work up.
• Increment Consistently:  Best results are achieved when you work up on a consistent basis.  Increase distance by 1/4 mile every two days, decrease time per mile by 1 minute every 3-4 days.
• Rest a Day:  Take a day to do nothing at all and give your muscles regenerative time.
• Step It Up:  Try a weight vest to simulate a backpack.

Keep on the training program until hiking begins.  You will be ready for the biggest hikes in a couple months if you stick with it and train diligently.  For weighted vests, try something like this one:

Keep looking up for that good ol’ blue sky!

Whether you are out in the sticks, or boating in the pacific, emergency situations can arise out of no where.  Being prepared is always your best bet, and there is no medicine like prevention.  A while ago I was able to obtain a copy of this book as a gift, and have read it completely through in my own fascination with wilderness survival.  I have trusted its information and believe it is a valuable asset to anyone who desires to be prepared for any situation in the out-of-doors.  Here are some quick facts:

Covers:

• Arctic
• Jungle
• Rain Forest
• Water Survival
• and more….!

Contains:

• Extremely detailed information regarding each survival situation, including shelters, food, water, and environmental hazards.

Overall:

• An excellent book for anyone who feels like thy should be prepared in any situation regardles

Pets can be an awesome companion on the trail, with their infectious personality and need to explore the world around them.  For hikers, a dog can make a trip better and worth the while to get out for some exercise.  Some of the best memories can be made when hiking or backpacking with an ever faithful dog.  There are some things to remember out of courtesy to others, however.

When taking a pet out on the trail, remember that there are appropriate trails and areas to take an animal on.  These should be marked, but always check beforehand to avoid disappointment and to be respectful of other hikers.

Also remember that animals make messes, and these are the obligation of the owner to clean up and pack out.  Many recreational areas and regions even have stringent laws on the picking up of animal feces on the trail.  Take plastic bags or a doggy scooper to solve this problem.

Also remember that an animal must be leashed when on a trail unless otherwise stated.  This is not only wise, but it will also save a lost pet and keep one from wandering off.  Remember, be safe and have fun with your pet on the trail!

When you’re out in the forest and you need a good rope, you sometimes realize at that moment that it is one of the items you should have taken along with you.  That’s okay, though.  For years people made rope out of improvised methods, and the lack of rope serves the golden opportunity to try out your own rope making skills.  The easiest method is as follows:

1. Gather lots of thin strips of bark, grass, thin green vines, or other natural fibrous material.
2. Braid or weave it, then weave those smaller ropes again into a larger rope.
3. Always make sure the rope is bound tight and test at a low height for breaking strength.

Remember that in order to be successful, the best way to make rope is to start small and work your way up.  Depending on what you are doing with it, you can easily braid a small rope for tying things in a few minutes.  Remember to always be safe and have fun out there!

 Resources

Remember that when you are out hiking, there are plenty of ticks out there with you on the trail.  For those in colder regions, this isn’t a problem, but warmer areas can have ticks year-round.  This presents a considerable problem while out in nature.  Here are some important tips to consider and remember when you are outside:

• Where a Hat:  Always where a hat while hiking if you are going to be in trees, brush, or other dense cover.  This will help keep ticks from climbing into your hair.
• Use Repellent: Whether you use a DEET spray or not, make sure it is rated to repel ticks.
• Check Your Head and Clothing:  After a hike or outdoor activity, always check your head, body, and clothing for ticks.

Remember to be safe out there and have fun!

Although camping can be fun and enjoyable, it can also be a wonderful opportunity to try out some skills in crafting and using your own weapons.  Although a gun or knife while camping is an excellent way to protect yourself, there are also other camp crafts that allow you to have fun and enjoy your own weapons and hunting implements.

I remember the first time I made a spear to experiment with.  It was rather repudiated by those who saw it, but it brought a satisfaction few can truly know.  Handmade items tend to do that to a person, and it is this that brings many to learn the trade.  Our primary goal in creating a handmade weapon or device is for either hunting or protection, or for leisure time.

The first is the spear, and it excellent for use when you are finding time inching by.  A spear is useful for both protection and hunting, but is also fun to target practice with.  For practical purposes though, we’ll consider ours for  target practice.  The most important thing to remember when building a spear is weight distribution and arrowhead use.  These will affect the way your spear flies from stick diameter and weight, arrowhead size, and holding point.  Each should be considered when you are choosing one, but remember that it is going to be your own preference that is most important when selecting the size of your spear.

. . .Ready tomorrow’s blog as we continue with more information about a hiking and camping spear!

As a final to the series, I would like to take time to discuss in a little more depth the benefits of using different kinds of fire starter.  A variety of fire starting implements are available on the market, but in most cases, they are specific to only a few applications out in the great outdoors.  Here are some options for fire starting and their general uses.

• Matches:  The good ol’ fashioned way.  Get strike anywhere or hurricane matches.  They burn longer and will work almost anywhere.  Try to use matches only in dry weather and remember that they are always in limited supply.
• Magnesium Sticks:  Forever a personal favorite, this will start anywhere, in any weather, at any time.  Use these like a breath mint — no matter what you’re doing, it will always be good to have.
• Lighters:  Perfect for on the go.  Again, these will start any place, but they only have a limited amount of fuel, so use very wisely.   Wet or dry conditions are perfectly appropriately for this.

Some might suggest that all three is overkill, but my only suggestion is this: better to be caught with a backpack full of untouched survival gear than not found at all.  Safe hiking and stay warm, dry, and enjoying that campfire!