Has the holiday industry gone full circle?

 

Outdoor BlogInitially before the introduction of the Internet, which brought about information and detail which many of us could only dream of, the vast majority of us were happy to go camping, trekking and sampling nature in its raw beauty. Then came the world wide web which allowed us to pick and choose the areas we went to, plan accommodation and travel to the second and while in many ways this took away some of the concerns about a trip to nature, trekking and camping became very different. Has the holiday industry now gone full circle?

Return to nature

Over the last few years has been a significant increase in the number of backpackers looking to go to Australia, looking to sample the outback and basically returning to nature. There is definitely a growing trend towards “ad hoc” trekking and camping holidays with many enthusiasts preferring not to plan their holiday weeks and months in advance but doing their homework about services on the ground, accommodation and travel, leaving these to be booked at a later stage. Continue reading

Hiking Safety: Staying Safe on and off the Trail

Outdoor BlogHikers are a breed all their own. No hiker is alike and all hikers have their own special way of handling their next hiking adventure. Regardless of on or off trail hiking excursions, outdoor safety should always be the fundamental key. There are always the basics of safety that every hiker, beginner or advanced, should know. It is easy to become too comfortable, however, so these are some safety tips and advice that hikers should always keep in mind. The following are five of safety tips that could save the life of a hiker and the lives of any party members they take with them.

Plan the Trip

Planning the trip, for many hikers, may seem like a safety tip that takes the fun out of impromptu hiking trips. When you plan a trip you do not necessarily have to stick to a particular plan or plan out every second of the hiking excursion. Instead, stick to the basics. Pick a route that fits with your abilities. This means that if you don’t know how to use a topographical map and compass well, then you should stick to well signed trails instead of going off trail. Above all, make sure you select a hiking route that fits your own health and body limitations. Continue reading

Advice for a trip on the mountain

Mountain trails offers the opportunity to test your physical and mental limits. The silence surrounding the contemplation invite you, give you the opportunity to get your order in their thoughts and relax. Relaxing moments alternate with moments of concentration, which should be very careful where you step. If a path strewn with pieces of ice you recommend to be equipped with crampons and ice ax, because the best performing boots mountain shows its limits in these conditions. Physical fatigue accumulated along the way is your opponent. If your physical condition is not one of the best this will give you trouble during the journey.

Hike in the mountains is not an easy thing to do because it requires great effort, good physical condition and especially the will to continue when you feel beat fatigue. But all these aspects make mountain climbing (backpacking) ideal way to spend a weekend or a few days off actively in nature. In this wild and wonderful landscape soon forget your everyday problems and recharge your “batteries” with new resources.

If you climb the mountain with a group of friends, the whole experience can be a test of friendship (friendship building), as will be plenty of moments where you can find out who strikes you need help. Usually, lovers of hiking trails are people passed through various tests and know what a helping hand or advice when you are in a delicate situation.

Tips for a trip on the mountain:

Before starting off, you call the lodge to inquire about weather conditions and what is the recommended route in your choice;
Bring maps of routes available to get an overview of the area;
Do not climb the mountain alone. Get in the group of at least three persons having at least one person knowledgeable in the route group.
Notes and keep handy the phone number and Rescue hut, make sure you have the battery charged by phone before leaving home.
Interested yourself relief, fauna and flora of the area, possible hazards or areas worthy to see, take the opportunity to better know your country;
Keep untouched nature! Do not throw debris on the track objects, put them into my backpack and throw garbage in special places, the trash!. Nobody is obliged to collect or admire you left signs on the mountain!
Stop to admire nature and capture those unforgettable moments through photography.
When you feel tired, stop and relax. Hike in the mountains is a race against time and no one bet with friends.
Dress with a light, waterproof and warm because you sweat a lot because of physical exertion. Warning!: When you stop to relax, you will not make the cold and to cool down.
Do not separate from group. Maintain a steady pace and do not forget to enjoy the mountain air.