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

Going On A Treasure Hunt: Geocaching!

Adding a geocache search, or two, or three can
add even more excitement to your hike!

While I was typing up the paragraph on our search for the geocache on the Peewah Trail in Trail of Tears State Park, I was reminded of just how much fun we have, as a family, searching for these little bits of hidden treasure. I'll admit, even as a supposedly full-grown adult, my eyes light up just as much as my daughter's each time we find a geocache, and I'm always anxious to see what is inside! My daughter enjoys trading out one of her trinkets for one of those contained within the cache, while my wife and I most enjoy looking through the log, noting where all those who found the container before us are from while we marvel at just how wide this community has become. Since our family enjoys searching for these hidden gems and we love to see the community get a bit larger and the logs contained within the caches grow and grow, I figured that I should write up a little bit more than a simple paragraph on what geocaching is and how you can get in on the fun too!

So, I guess I should start with the basics. Geocaching is, for the lack of a better description, a world-wide treasure hunt, where you navigate to specific GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates in order to find hidden containers that may be as small as a pill bottle to larger containers the size of a metal ammunition box. Now, if you're like me, that GPS coordinates line is staring you in the face... It's saying, "Hey bub, this is complicated, you need to have expensive GPS equipment if you want ANY chance of finding a geocache." But here's the deal, that smart phone you carry, the one that has the GPS chip built in, can get you within 10-20 yards (or closer) of any GPS coordinates out there, and better yet, you didn't have to spend an extra dime! In addition to your GPS device or phone, you'll need to have a pen (for autographing the log) and maybe a trinket of some type to trade. Now, on to apps for the smartphone crowd.

For Android users the best I've seen available (remember this is all personal opinion) is CacheSense, which is available in a 30 day demo form at CacheSense Demo, now, there are others available just hit up Google and search for something along the line of "best apps for geocaching" followed by what type of phone or mobile operating system you use. For iPhone (and android operating system) I found the Geocaching by Groundspeak to be very beginner friendly and fairly easy to operate, but again, there are many out there, so don't take my word for it. One big minus for me on the whole Geocaching app by Groundspeak is that it's nearly $10 for the app, that seems pretty steep, but it integrates seamlessly with their site. I would just suggest that whatever app you use have an "offline" mode, so that you won't lose your geocache just because you lost your signal. Then it is a simple as either manually plugging in the coordinates of the geocache or downloading a file from a website such as Geocaching.com. If you use Geocaching.com to get your information from you will need to make an account, it only takes a second and its free.

So, while you're on Geocaching.com simply move your mouse cursor over the "Play" button on the menu bar, then select "Hide & Seek a Cache". The page there is pretty darn self explanatory, type in an address, a zip code, state or other area and click on the "Go" button. When we first began, we only did caches that were easy, and we started on a public trail near our home so the walking was easy. So once you've picked out your first geocache target, find the coordinates for your anticipated treasure hunt and enter them into your GPS device or app! All that's left now is for you to get on out there and find that cache.

Once you've found the cache (congratulations by the way!) be sure to sign the log book or log sheet and take a second to look at the names and locations of the fine geocachers that have found the cache before you. If you'd like to trade out for an item that is contained in the cache, well, I hope you brought something along with you, because the rules are, whatever you exchange should be of equal or greater value that that which you take. We really dig taking a few of the little figures you find in the $0.50 machines in supermarkets and such, we've also found that these are taken pretty darn quick, especially zombies for some reason. So, once you've signed the log and traded for a bit of something, or maybe just took a picture of the contents, you may want to log the your geocache find online at Geocache.com. Here is a short video on how to log a geocache once you've found it:



I hope all this helps and I'm sure that adding a geocache or two on your next hike will pay back in TONS of fun, just be remember to bring a pen and perhaps a trinket to trade with you. Let me know if you have any questions or want any additional information and, as always, thanks for reading and happy trails!

More Information:
Geocache.com - A great source information of all things relating to geocaching, a must hit for anyone looking to start!
Top Five Android Geocaching Apps - You don't have to take my word for it
Top 6 Android Geocaching Apps - In case you don't want to take my word or the link above's word...
Top 5 iPhone Apps For Geocaching - for the iPhone folks

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