How To Take A GREAT Day Hike

We've all been here. The TV weatherperson just called the upcoming weekend the "very best ever!" and the smiling sun graphic behind them has you wanting to get out, get in touch with nature, breathe in a bit of fresh air and nab some exercise while you're at it. If you're looking to hit every one of those points out of the park, get on out and take a day hike. If you follow a few simple steps, I'm sure you'll find that a day hike is simple, easy and TONS of fun.

Where do you want to go?

This is the most important question you can ask yourself before getting into the "meat" of your potential hike. Head to the internet and search your local state and national parks, or better yet read a review or two right here on the blog. If you haven't hiked much you may want to keep your hike short, seeking out 1-2 mile "loop" style trails, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to soak in the beauty of your surroundings. A loop trail will make a circle and upon completion should take you right back where you started, at the trail head.It is always best to find a topographic map as well, be sure to look at the elevation as every mile hiked up 1000 feet will feel like three miles hiked flat.

Wear the right clothes.

I like to wear loose fitting clothes, not so loose that they may get in my way in an attempt to trip me, but loose enough that they don't bind me or feel restrictive when I walk, climb or scramble over rocks and boulders. If you want your clothing to run double duty for you be sure to wear light colored clothing, to help avoid ticks. You may also want to spray your clothing down with an insect repellent that contains 20% DEET or make your own homemade bug repellent to keep nasty insects at bay as well, keep in mind, insect repellant doesn't last forever, you'll have to re-apply (usually after 2-3 hours). You may find some good deals on outdoor clothing online, I've found some good deals at The Clymb (you'll need to register though).

Wear the right shoes.

You don't have to wear hiking boots when hiking, in fact, I don't even own a pair. Personally, I prefer a pair of trail running shoes (or just regular tennis shoes), they are light, responsive and I've found that they grip the trail and rocks quite well. Just be sure that these shoes are comfortable and for the love of Pete, don't ever, ever, ever wear a brand spanking new pair of shoes or boots into the woods. You're begging for them to be ruined and get some wicked blisters as well, always be sure to "wear in" your shoes before really tackling any trail mileage.

Find some hiking buddies.

If you're able, grab a few friends and take them with you, bonus points are given (but not rewarded) for nabbing up pals that are experienced hikers. Better yet hop on the Local Treks facebook page and see if anyone else is interested in meeting up! For my fellow hikers that love to take to trail with friends of the hairy and four-legged design, pay special attention when researching your hike as not all state or national park areas allow for pets, even leashed. Let other folks know that you are leaving, even if you're heading out with a group, be sure to indicate where you are heading and what time you expect to be back.

But, I "Vant to be alone"...

Ok there Garbo, not everyone enjoys the outdoors with others. I know that some seek the solace and tranquility that can only truly be attained through absolute "aloneness" and from time to time I dig doing this myself. But before you leave, be sure to let friends and family know where you are going, what time you expect to return and tell them you'll call them once home. Should something happen to you while you're out hiking you'll thank your lucky stars you did this.

Pack smart and pack light.

Going on a day hike with a 25 pound pack on your back, most likely, isn't going to result in a "good time". No one is the same, so be sure to make a checklist of what you need to take with you. When I hit the trail I take a small backpack (the same type that kids truck their books to and from school with, a cheap old Jansport):

• A pocket knife: Conveniently placed, you guessed it, in my pocket...
• A lighter: I don't smoke, but should something go wrong I want to be able to start a fire, for signaling, warmth or cooking. Also conveniently placed in my pocket.
• A cell phone: Turned off and placed in my pocket. Nothings more annoying to you or other hikers than your ringtone of awesomeness over the sounds of nature.
• A compass: It's always comforting to have one of these with you, learn to use a compass and map (it's easy) correctly. Placed in my pocket.
• A printed map of the area: This is a must. Don't hike without a map of the area, it's that simple. If you get lost this could save your bacon. Maps usually have interesting sites and attractions marked as well, so it helps to keep an eye out for landmarks and potential, slightly off trail, sites. Folded and stuck in my pocket.
• Water: I've heard that 3 liters per hiker is adequate, I take a 2 liter Stanley vacuum bottle filled with ice water and another 1.5 liter stainless steel water bottle on my hikes and that is plenty of water for me. When hiking with the family, I'm the mule, although my wife will carry water as well. Please don't drink the water on your hike unfiltered, unless you absolutely dig diarrhea, and cramps, and pain, and possible death.
• Food/Snacks: I love peanut butter crackers. Love em. They make it into every single pack I take with me. I generally only pack food that can be consumed and safely carried at room temperature, so apples, beef jerky (mmmmm), trail mix, pears, oranges, fruit snacks, etc. However, just because you're eating a piece of fruit doesn't make you immune to "pack out what you pack in", keep those cores and peels until you can dispose of them properly in a trash can.
• A small, but effective first aid kit: Here's what I have in mine; Band-aids, a few Ibruprofen, antibacterial ointment, rain poncho (can double as a little shelter if absolutely needed), 10' of para-cord, gauze, and medical tape.
• A camera: It's simple. I don't hit a trail with out either my Nikon D3100 (and maybe a lens or two) or my little Canon point and shoot, depending on the length and difficulty of the hike.

Thank you for reading, hopefully this will help you the next time you decide to hit the trail.

Am I missing something? If you have any questions or comments or if you have something for me to add to the list above, just let us know, either here on the blog or on the Local Treks Facebook page.

Cheers!

More Information:
Map Compass 101 on YouTube by Packrat556
Leave No Trace - Wikipedia (Pack In, Pack Out)
The Clymb: A site to find good deals on outdoor products and clothing

Better Safe Than Swarmed: Homemade Bug Repellent

You're never truly alone outdoors, there are nearly always some flying friends ready to grab a bite with you...

As I was writing the blog on the Little Grand Canyon in Illinois, I couldn't help but revisit the hike in my mind. Seeing my wife and daughter enjoying the outdoors with me, hearing the gentle gurgling of the water as it flowed to the canyon floor slowly cutting through the sandstone and feeling the sting of the swarming mosquitoes, ravenous for my sweet, sweet blood!

Anyone who has been outdoors will tell you, bugs can make your excursion an absolute nightmare, even if your journey is only as far as your front porch to enjoy a sunset. Those same folks, particularly if they've been out in the woods with mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers, would most likely recommend a bug spray that contains DEET (short for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, say that five times fast...) which is some pretty powerful stuff. Developed following the jungle warfare of WWII, DEET is very effective at keeping bugs (especially mosquitoes and ticks) at bay during your outdoor fun. Unfortunately, DEET may also have many health side effects which may include: seizures, severe rashes, insomnia, impaired cognitive functions, mood disturbances and I've personally watched it melt rubber from a flashlight in my hands. But, I have to be honest, this is my "go to" insect spray for outside (albeit in concentrations no greater than 30%, which has been shown to give approximately 3-6 hours of protection from insects), but I thought, what if I could make a cheaper, safer, more environmentally friendly recipe?

There are a lot of good things about making your own bug repellent, for one, you know everything that is going into the batch, so if you have allergies or find that particular scents make you ill, you can easily change it up. You can also change how concentrated the repellent is by adding or removing water from the concoction and, you may even want to cackle maniacally as you fully enter your "mad scientist" mode as you mix, children LOVE this part (so practice your BWAAH, HA, HA's). My guiding principal, as I channel my inner Dr. Doofensmirtz, is to stick to ten to twenty drops of essential oil mixed with around two tablespoons of "carrier" oil or alcohol, and I do like it straight, no chaser, no water. But if you're looking to add water, substitute it for no more than half of the "carrier" oil or alcohol. Want an even cooler pro tip? Want to make all of your friends say "Oh, wow, you're so smart?" Well, just add some aloe vera gel to any recipe to make it into a lotion.

Not even our buddy "Hypno-Toad" could have eaten all the mosquitoes, but I'm sure he enjoyed the buffet!
Plus carrying a toad in your pocket is strange... or some I'm told.

My Macho Mosquito Mix

• 2 tablespoons of Vodka (bring out the cheap stuff for this)
• 15-20 drops of Cinnamon Oil

Mix the two ingredients together in a small spray bottle, shake vigorously (not stirred...) and apply. Good for about an hour of protection and you can drink the leftovers! "Spray for you, spray for me..."

Don't feel like spraying it directly into your mouth? You can substitute or even combine other essential oils such as citronella oil (great for mosquitoes and easily found), rose geranium (found to be pretty effective against ticks) or even some eucalyptus oil (repels ticks, mosquitoes and lice). A further list is available below in the next recipe.

Are you looking to "get off the sauce", don't want the kids spraying your macho concoction into their mouths or fear a contact buzz coming on? You can substitute soybean oil (shown to be an insect repellant in its own right), any other cooking oil (olive and sunflower are recommended), rubbing alcohol or witch hazel (see below) for the vodka.

World Wide Witch Hazel Blend

• 2 tablespoons of Witch Hazel
• 2 tablespoons of water (if you want to dilute the mixture)
• 10-20 Drops of any one of the following or make your own concoction:
• Eucalyptus Oil (ticks, mosquitoes & lice)
• Cinnamon Oil (mosquitoes)
• Citronella Oil (mosquitoes & biting flies)
• Orange Oil (fleas)
• Rose Geranium (ticks & lice)
• Vanilla Extract (biting flies & gnats)
• Cat Nip (stir a teaspoon or so in to combat mosquitoes)

Just mix the ingredients above in a small spray bottle, then shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture and apply. It should be good for about an hour of protection. Now, I can't officially vouch for this recipe, as I haven't yet tried it, but this (or multiple variations) recipe is red hot on my Facebook feed and the internet boards, so I figured I'd hop on the train. The recipe above will differ from many of the other online versions as I included a list of some essential oils and the insects they most effectively repel. I do not claim any responsibility for any warts that may appear on your nose, the sudden turning of your skin to green or any overwhelming desires to cruise about the skies on a broom resulting from the use of pure witch hazel.

Gnarly Gnat Gnabber Blend

This has been the year of the gnat in Southeast Missouri. Buffalo gnats have made any foray, even a simple expedition to the mailbox, a mix of flailing arms and muffled curses. After my local store ran out of a miracle mixture called "Buggins", I had to take to the internet and unleash my inner chemist for this quick and easy recipe, it's a very hard recipe to remember, so take notes... Ready?

• Pure vanilla extract

That's it... It rubs the extract on its skin or else the gnats return again (horrible, horrible reference) or you can place it in a spray bottle and spritz away. It will work fantastically for about 30 minutes of pure gnatless bliss, before you'll need to reapply. For an added punch, add a bit of citronella oil (1 part citronella to 3 parts vanilla extract) to keep mosquitoes at bay too.

Where To Find Ingredients

As for where to find essential oils, look at your local Wal-Mart (they carry some), Hobby Lobby, or local craft store. Many of these are used in soap making or loaded into those scent warmers you see in nearly everyone's home. If you still can't find any, well, you obviously have the worlds largest shopping mall at your fingertips... Type in Essential Oils for sale into Google and BOOM! To lazy to type? Then click HERE...

Please Share Your Results, Recipes And Thoughts With Us

Please let me know if you have any secret family recipes you may be willing to share or let me know if these concoctions work for you. Of course, be sure to test the essential oils on a small patch of your skin, you may have an allergy you aren't even aware of, so check before spraying this stuff all over your nether regions and beyond! Finally, when using these homemade remedies, keep one thing in mind, they will not work as well as that Deep Woods Off! with the 25% DEET in it, but they will work and most likely, better than you think!

Thanks for reading!