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How Ramblers Benefit by Joining a Rambling Club

If you have ever been hiking or rambling or simply just gentle walking then you will know the joys that ramblers have. You will know how great it is to get outdoors, to challenge yourself to either height or distance and immerse yourself in nature. Also of course it is a great way to exercise.

However ramblers need to organise there hike. If you do this on your own you will need to work out where you want to go, what route you wish to take, where you wish to stay and who will go with you.

So why not join a Ramblers Club. There are so many benefits. When you first join a Ramblers club they usually allow you to ramble with them to ensure you are happy with the club before joining. It does not matter how fit you are or what pace you need to take. A Ramblers Club will take this into account. You will also be with like minded people who love the great outdoors. Rambler Clubs are usually well organised, will have a list of great routes and do most of the organisation.

Looking at the favourite search engines there are many clubs that ramblers use which are very localised to each area. Some Rambling Clubs consist of just a handful of members whilst others are greater in number and who meet regularly for walks, talks and socialising.

The way that clubs are organised is that they have different grades of hikes or walks. It is up to the individual which walk they wish to join. The decision will depend on your level of fitness compared to the difficulty and length of the hike.

Of course you can be a rambler on your own and many people enjoy hiking in their own groups. After all hiking can be enjoyed however it is organised. However if you do not have a like minded group of friends and want to join other Ramblers then a Rambling Club could be a great way to enjoy this excellent pastime.

Hiking Gear You Need to Take on a Ramble Or Hike

So you want to go hiking and therefore you need to understand what hiking gear you will need to take with you. The stores are full of lots of hiking gear that they want to sell you.

However here are the main things you need to consider when deciding what hiking gear you need.

1. Rucksack. Sounds obvious but you want a quality rucksack when hiking. There are different sizes of rucksack depending on the type of hiking you are planning. You also need to investigate how to pack a rucksack as this is also very important. This is really a subject of its own. However you need to concentrate on packing the heavy items at the top with easy access to the things you may need first (such as waterproof clothing etc).

2. Clothing and waterproof gear. Take at least one pair of complete clothing depending on the number of days you are hiking for. Your clothes should be resistant to absorbing water (i.e not jeans) and it is better to take a number of thin jumpers than a thick jumper. Also please remember 80% of heat is lost through your head – so a hat is a must. In addition most importantly buy some good quality waterproof gear. A good raincoat (not thin) and waterproof leggings is essential to keeping dry and safe on a hike. This hiking gear is very important for a hike.

3. Hiking boots. Another essential item to your hiking gear are hiking boots. You need strong boots for the tough trail ahead. Your boots should support your ankles as well as your feet. Make sure they are comfortable and fit well. Also make sure that you wear your hiking boots a number of times before you use them on the hike. This will help prevent blisters – not nice.

4. Map, Compass. It is obvious but you need to know where you are going and plan your route and have a map and compass. It is an essential aspect of your hiking gear. Also ensure you know how to use them. How to read a map. How to set a map using your surroundings and a compass.

This is not a complete list of all the hiking gear you need to take on a hike however it is a start for the main essentials.

The above hiking gear will help you to prepare for a fantastic and memorable hike. Have a great time!

How to Resolve the Backpacking Tent Problem – The Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking Tent

For those people like me who love to go backpacking, it is great to do this over a number of days. This way you get the time to really get into the countryside and away from all the stresses and strains of life. So a 2 or 3 day backpack is great for the sole and also great to develop even deeper friendships with the people you are going with.

However if you are going over several days you will need a backpacking tent. The problem some people find is that by taking a tent the extra weight in your backpack increases too much. This can cause back problems if not slow you down on a hike. This is not a good way to treat your body.

So what is the solution around this? Well, quite simply it is to buy a lighter tent. There are many light backpacking tents on the market. The 2 types which are the most popular is a Lightweight or Ultralight backpacking tent.

An Ultralight backpacking tent is the backpackers favourite choice in general. The reason for this is they are lighter than Lightweight tents. The maximum weight is 2kg for an Ultralight tent.

Lightweight tents are slightly more heavier but are still up to the job for backpacking and still a good choice. These tents generally will have more space which may be a consideration when buying backpacking tents.

Both style of tent uses the most up to date technology advanced techniques to make the tent both light and strong. The other advantage is that by obtaining a lighter tent, this will enable you to travel at a faster speed. Therefore covering more ground.

Of course it is your choice which of the backpacking tents to go for. Either style will be fine and great for backpacking. So please make sure you have a light but strong backpacking tent to save any aching pains. In addition have a great and memorable hike wherever this maybe.

Nepal Trekking, Prevention and Dealing With Altitude Sickness

Trekking in Nepal is a very popular and famous pastime, however there are dangers:

Nepal is situated very high up in South Asia. The mountains that are situated near Nepal peak at over 20,000 feet. In fact the eight highest mountains in the world (including of course Mount Everest) are situated north of Nepal. Nepal itself is over 15,000 feet above sea level.

Altitude sickness strikes at heights of over 8000ft. It should be no surprise then that people suffer with Altitude sickness when they endeavour to go trekking in Nepal.

Also, as you trek higher and higher the amount of oxygen remains the same but the air pressure falls preventing the right levels of oxygen to the body. This causes altitude sickness which is mainly a feeling of being unstable, headaches, feeling very tired and sick. If this gets bad the body can even fall into a coma. So you really need to watch yourself when you are trekking in Nepal.

Here are the following actions you can take either to prevent or deal with altitude sickness

1. Make sure you are physically fit before you go Nepal Trekking.

2. You can help to prevent the sickness by taking acetazolamide before you go. However you will need to consult a doctor to determine the amount to take and to ensure this is medically right for you.

3. Make sure you are fully hydrated before and during trekking in Nepal.

4. Ascend slowly to avoid these problems

5. Reduce your food intake if you start getting the symptoms

6. Painkillers will help

7. If you feel sick try and descend to lower levels of the mountain.

Of course if you do fall sick and need to exit the mountains then Nepal itself is a great place to be. Whilst Nepal is very spiritual (being the birthplace of Buddha) there are also a number of activities you can do. You could either catch one of the many festivals or take a flight over the mountains or enjoy a cycling trip.

So the rewards for Nepal Trekking can be out of this world, however so can the dangers. So enjoy your trek but also be aware of the many dangers including altitude sickness.

Hiking Equipment – Which of the Three Types of Hiking Stoves Are For You?

When you are overnight hiking one of the important pieces of hiking equipment you will need is a hiking stove. So what stoves are available and which ones do you need to take on a hike. I will recommend three types of hiking stove as part of your hiking equipment.

Firstly, liquid fuel hiking stoves. This type of stove requires some effort to get going. They require a pumping action to ensure that the fuel tank is pressurised allowing a vapour to be ignited. These are more efficient and give out a lot of heat when they are in full flow. My suggestion is that liquid fuel hiking stoves are more for the seasoned hiker than a beginner hiker as part of your hiking equipment.

Liquid Stove for Hiking Equipment

Secondly, gas canister hiking stoves. These are very quick and easy and provide instant heat. The disadvantage is that once the canister has run out of gas then disposing of the old canister is not easy. My suggestion is that this is great for the beginner hiker and a good part of your hiking equipment.

Thirdly a combination of the above two types – multi fuel stoves which is another consideration to your hiking equipment. This type of stove can run on either liquid fuel or gas canister. Again this is for the seasoned hiker. As there are different types of liquids and canister around the world this type of stove can be used anywhere in the world.

I will add a few safety tips as well here. Never light your stove in a tent as stoves can easily be knocked over and tents can easily catch light. Plan where you are going to place your stove. It should be located on flat ground and away from trees and other fire hazards. Have a great hike and eat well with your hiking stove – an essential part of your hiking equipment

The benefits of taking a guided walking holiday

I am scheduled this summer to go on a walking holiday to the Lake District and of course I can not wait. This type of vacation I am familiar with and I simply can not get enough of it.

You maybe in the position where a walking holiday is something you really want to do but you may have some problems or challenges. Maybe you are holidaying on your own and would rather go with a group of like minded people. Or maybe this is something you have never done before and the prospect appears scary.

If this is the case then maybe a guided walking holiday is for you. The benefits of this type of holiday are

1. Meet other people with similar loves and desires that you have. The chances are you will get to feel very welcome and very at home with the type people you meet.

2. The worry is taken out of the equation. Your guide will be responsible and give you the quality time in the areas they believe will be best for you. They will want you back next year.

3. You will be shown what you need to take and prepare for prior to arriving. Again the worry is taken out of this type of holiday.

I have to say this will need to be balanced with the extra cost of a guided walking holiday. The prices vary of course depending on whether you just require a guide or it is a complete package of accommodation etc. You can pick up a guide in the UK for say £100-£200 per day. Self package guided holidays I have seen for over £1000. However it is a personal view as to whether paying for piece of mind is worth the cost.

You can easily find these types of holidays on the internet. You can use some key search terms such as:

“guided walking holidays” Greece

…If Greece is where you want to visit.

So a guided walking holiday may be for you particularly if you are on your own or want to take the worry out of what could go wrong

Either way have a great walking holiday.

Camping stores: not always the best place to get camping gear

If you are anything like me walking into camping stores is just like walking into a sweet shop when you were a child. You could end up buying the store! However you do need the right gear whether it be hiking or camping. Whilst hiking or camping is not really an expensive pastime compared to others, it is easy to get carried away and spend many dollars in camping stores. Of course you will be paying the top prices in general and therefore this can be a problem.

Cheap Tent I puirchased from the Internet not Camping Stores

There are a number of ways you can get cheaper deals elsewhere.

Firstly consider department stores selling camping equipment at the end of the season. They need to get clear of their stock to make way for the new season gear. This therefore presents opportunities for deals on camping gear working out cheaper than camping stores.

Buying camping gear online will be cheaper, however be careful here. Gear you need to try on and get expert advice is not for the internet. Especially items like rucksacks and in particular hiking boots I would never buy online. Choosing these items is a whole separate subject however I strongly suggest you buy these items from camping stores. Buying all other item types online is great.

Of course some gear you can borrow such as a tent or stove. Other equipment you can even hire if you are not going to be hiking or camping again. I have even heard of people holding private parties for camping gear. These options may not be the common ways of buying camping gear but certainly cheaper than camping stores.

So in summary you just need to be sensible when buying camping gear. Some items you need to buy from camping stores however you can reduce the cost by simply using other methods mentioned above.

Have a great hike or camp.

Choosing a Campsite to Pitch Your Tents For Camping

When you decide to get out in the countryside and take your family or a group of friends camping, you know you are in for a great time. You bring your trailer with all the camping gear including your tents for camping.

Sometimes however you may be camping in an area where it is not so obvious where to pitch your tent. If you are camping in a camp site where everything is laid on (camp area etc) then this is fine. However you may be in the middle of no-where and you need to decide where you are going to pitch your tents for camping.

So where do you pitch?

Firstly look for an area that is flat. When I was in the Scouts we have a Scout leader that had a strange sense of humour. He decided to pitch all tents on a 45 degree hill and lots of boys ended up rolling out the tents at night. So look for a flat area when deciding where to pitch your tents for camping.

Make sure also that the flat area you have chosen to pitch is not at the bottom of a hill. This is where all the rain water collects. The obvious signs are any boggy parts around the area should be avoided.

Try and make sure that you are near as possible to a water supply when are pitching your tents for camping. On a campsite this could be a simple tap. However in a remote area this could be close to a nearby stream. Also make sure the stream is fast running giving you the best chance that the water is as pure as possible. I drink mountain water all the time however check with the local authorities that there are no local issues using mountain water when pitching tents for camping.

Lastly, try and make sure that you are protected by the wind as much as you can.

So here are some useful points when starting a camp and pitching your tents for camping (especially in a remote area). This will ensure your camping experience is great and memorable.

What to Wear When You Are Outdoor Hiking – From the Top Down

Going on a hike is great fun with lots of anticipation of the route ahead. The problem I have seen many times is that people that are going on an outdoor hiking experience for the first time, do not wear the correct clothes. Wearing the right clothes does not mean you have to get the credit card out again. You just need to follow some simple steps. So here it is what to wear from the top down.

1. The top – your head. 80% of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a woolly hat to keep in the warm.

2. Your torso. A lot of people believe you should wear a thick jumper when you are outdoor hiking. This is not the best idea. If it is cold you need to wear thin layers of tops. This is so that you can have some form of heat control (take off layers until you are at the right temperature). Also and more importantly the air between the thin layers will act as a heat insulator and therefore keep you warmer when you are outdoor hiking.

3. Your trousers. Need to be light and strong and non absorbent (not Corduroys or Jeans). I always wear army greens as they are very strong, dry very quickly and are light. In addition army greens have many pockets and handy to keep small essential items when you are outdoor hiking.

4. The bottom – your feet, most important. Of course you need good hiking boots but also 2 pairs of socks, one thick pair and one thin pair. This will help stop blisters.

Of course make sure you have the right waterproof gear. So you need a waterproof top, trousers and gaiters for your feet.

Finally when you are outdoor hiking make sure you have at least one change of extra clothing. If you are outdoor hiking for 2 days take clothes for 3 days. You absolutely never know what Mother Nature has in store for you.

Of course above all – have a great outdoor hike.