Hiking - Nature's Stress Reliever

Hiking is a natural stress reliever in so many ways. The very word "hiking" infers heading out to a mountainous terrain or a thickly wooded river valley. Not only does going for a hike give you abundant physical exercise, but it also provides the psyche with a much needed escape into a more peaceful setting where one's senses are inundated by the soft scents, sights and sounds of nature.

Hiking is more than just going out for a walk or a jog. It entails strenuous trail trekking over hill and dell where the entire body is utilized in the activity. Serious hiking challenges the heart and the muscles more readily because of the constant change in land grade and the continuous maneuvering over, under and around obstacles. Getting away for a country hike is can be much more enjoyable than a fast-paced walk or a jog in the city for one very simple reason. Getting out to the country means filling your lungs and cells with fresher air and purer oxygen.

The family unit can also benefit a great deal by heading out for a hike together as long as your hike doesn't include dangerous terrain. It's a great activity that involves everyone, gets the kids out to use pent up energy and it provides the enjoyment of seeing a variety of birds, animals, plants and trees. These experiences can then be taken back home and talked about for days, weeks and years to come.

When planning a hiking trip it is essential to wear the proper clothing and carry the proper gear. Temperature and climate changes can and do occur so you will want to wear clothing that can be taken off when exertion produces sweat and then reapplied when you or the environment begins to cool down. Wearing zip off trousers are ideal for hiking as the legs can be removed when hot and put back on when things cool down. Also, carrying a light jacket in a lightweight backpack or fanny pack is a good idea.

Wearing a good pair of shoes designed for rugged terrain is essential as well as a thick pair of socks that not only keep your feet fresher but also stave off nasty blisters that come from maneuvering uneven ground. You will also want to carry a water bottle so that you can remain hydrated.

Also remember, you are in the wilderness, even if it is only a state park, and it is smart to carry a first aid kit in case you scrape a knee or get stung by an insect. Of course, today you can slip a cell phone into your pocket should you need to call for help in an unforeseen situation.

You might also want to take along a pedometer so that you can gauge just how much exercise you're getting. When hiking, it's easy to loose track of the effort you're exerting because your attention is grabbed by so many wonders around you. A pedometer will help you to feel good about your whole hiking experience. This is just one more benefit of a trip to the outdoors.

By choosing to offer a big selection of electronic fitness gear on his company's website, Darrin Tebbe of Bodytronics demonstrates his commitment to support active living. Check out out our pedometer selection or other products on our site or give us a call at Bodytronics today.

Lake Tahoe Hiking

Lake Tahoe is sprawling lake in the border between the US states of California and Nevada, which spans both the states. Situated in the valley of Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe basin is known for some of the best hiking spots in the United States. Even during the summer, the place is surrounded by the strange bedfellows of mist and bright sunshine, which provides a tailor-made environment for hiking. The river is surrounded by 74 acres of thick forest. Different varieties of bear species are abundant in this dense forest and a tourist is very likely to encounter some of the species. But almost all tourists will agree that hiking through Tahoe Rim Trail provide the best view of Lake Tahoe.

There are more than 135 trails and the best part is an 8-mile long trail that arches over Lake Tahoe between Kingsbury Grade and Star Lake. It is said that it will take several years for an incorrigible hiker to complete hiking in all the hiking trails in Lake Tahoe basin. Such is the number of hiking spots in Lake Tahoe basin that it can be safely declared that Lake Tahoe basin contains the most number of hiking spots per square kilometer in United States. The season begins from the second week of June. In the beginning of the season, the valley is particularly scenic, with wild flowers blooming in innocent abandon. But one should keep in mind that a wilderness permit from the state authorities should be obtained before embarking on a hiking trip.

Some of the must-hike hiking spots in the south shore of Lake Tahoe basin are Big Meadow and Frog & Winnemucca Lakes, each of which offers two miles of hiking stretch amidst a variety of flowers. In the east shore of the lake there is Marlette Lake, which offers five miles of hiking stretch and is filled with a variety of wild flowers. In the west shore, the 'flowery' hiking spots are Cascade Falls to Snow Lake, Eagle and Velma & Fontanillis Lakes, which are five miles long. In the north shore, one can hike through a sea of wild flowers in Donner Lake Area (two miles long), Donner Pass-Pacific Crest Trail, Mt. Rose (six miles long), and Squaw Valley (two miles long).

Some hiking stretches through the cliffs in Lake Tahoe basin are extremely difficult to engage in hiking. Such difficult trails in the south shore of Lake Tahoe include Moraine Trail (one mile long), Angora Lakes Trail (half mile), Tallac Historic Site (0.3 miles), Echo Lakes Trails (which provide a variety of trails of varying length), Glen Alpine Trail (two miles long), Clark Trail (1.6 miles long), and Mt. Tallac Trail (which provides strenuous hikes of varying lengths).

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about Lake Tahoe hiking [http://www.findingahikingguide.info/lake-tahoe-hiking], please visit Finding a Hiking Guide [http://www.findingahikingguide.info] for current articles and discussions.

Titanium Hiking Cookware

Because of the long trails and the range of elevation in Great Basin National Park this hiking gear is very important. Although there are advantages and disadvantages that are being cited in using this material we cannot avoid bringing this. This Backcountry hiking gear is the titanium hiking cookware. This is a more recent high-tech addition to traditional hiking cookware. But this is not advisable to be one of the cookware to be brought when hiking. Although this is very light it is not advisable and it is up to the backpackers if they are convenient in using this type of cookware.

There are advantages for this cookware namely: this is a tough camping cookware, its very light, heats quickly, and non-reactive when this is scratched it will oxidize at once when exposed to oxygen that creates a thin layer of titanium dioxide which protects the titanium underneath. There are also some disadvantages when it comes to cooking of foods because of its quick heating it can burn food more easily too. The Titanium hiking cookware such as titanium pots pans and/or skillets can also be a little bit expensive but it is easier to care than cast-iron and it is also durable. You must always be in look out when cooking with any titanium cookware and be sure to stir that pot and use less heat when cooking with this type of camping cookware. If not you will probably have a charcoal for fire.

Maybe with the places such as the Great Basin National Park, it is reasonable to use the titanium hiking cookware. Because it is lightweight it is very convenient to bring it with the backpack. You must only give attention while cooking to avoid spoilage of foods due to burning of the food. In using this material a tight fitting lid will help in cooking faster and to save fuel. You must also avoid using abrasive cleaners or metal utensils to prevent the titanium from scratch. This cooking gear is very important and must be brought and used with so much care especially when in areas that are higher in elevation. This metal cookware can attract lightning easily and must not be used in unfavorable weather conditions in highly elevated areas.

Because of its extreme lightweight we can probably figured out using the titanium hiking cookware especially if we don't mind stirring the kettle while heating or the possibility that you might scorch the food. Like the other cookware it depends upon the user's choice. And it is their responsibility to take extra safety precautions regarding the use of this cookware set. For backpackers with arthritis and weak wrists these light titanium cookware is very advisable to bring.

Amy Carpenter is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about titanium hiking cookware [http://hikingandcampinggear.info/titanium-hiking-cookware], please visit Hiking and camping Gear [http://hikingandcampinggear.info] for current articles and discussions.

Hiking for Fun

Hiking is a very enjoyable sport and one the entire family can enjoy together. Here are a few pointers for anyone interested in hiking:

JOIN A HIKING CLUB

This can make the hike much more interesting. The club usually has a leader of the hike who will point out interesting things along the way. If you are not familiar with the trails, it is always good to go with a group and a leader who is an experienced hiker.

ALL FAMILY MEMBERS CAN JOIN IN ON THE HIKE

Even your little children will love to go along on a hike, providing the walk is not too far for them. You can always start out on short hike - some clubs will have a one-mile hike, five-mile hike, ten-mile hike and even more. There are also different type of hikes - such as day hikes and moonlight hikes. As with anything else, you should ask your physician before starting any kind of exercise program.

EXPENSES

Hiking is very inexpensive. You might have to pay a hiking club a fee to be a member. On most hikes, people will take some snacks and something to drink during rest periods. You might want to carry a small "fanny pack" with you in order to be able to carry all your snacks, etc. The only other cost involved would probably be the gas to get you to the hiking starting point. If someone is interested in being a "professional hiker", there are much more sophisticated supplies, etc. you would need. Right now, we are just talking about hiking for fun.

WHY IS HIKING FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY?

First of all, it gives everyone a chance to be together. You have something in common to talking about. When you take your rest breaks, you can all get a chance to discuss the hike or any subject you want to bring up. You might even want to play a couple of word games while relaxing during the break.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Walking is often the recommended exercise choice by physicians. If you had a stressful week at work, what better way to relax then to take a hike with your family and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Hiking Backpack - Watch the Weight!

All hiking backpacks are not the same; they are designed for different uses. It is important to give some thought to how, and where, you are going to use your new hiking backpack. After all, you will have to carry it up and down hills, jumping streams, scrambling over rocks, and still have enough energy to enjoy your hike!

Your full pack should not weigh more than about 25% to 30% of your body weight. Carrying a lighter load will make the hike easier, and also help prevent accidents caused by fatigue and unbalanced backpacks.

The size of your hiking backpack depends on what type of hiking you usually do. If you only go on day hikes, with an occasional overnight, then you should opt for a day backpack. If you mainly go on week long trips, you should get one of the mid to larger backpacks.

The larger hiking backpacks have padded shoulder straps, and I would recommend them also for day packs. You may not be carrying as much weight, but there is no reason to be uncomfortable, and sore shoulders can ruin even a day hike.

Waist belts are a must for larger hiking backpacks. Not only do they transfer most of the weight to your hips, but also ensure a more stable and balanced load, which prevents accidents when climbing over rocks and moving over rough terrain. Most backpacks also have smaller straps, which fasten across your chest, for even more stability.

Another feature of most hiking backpacks is external pockets. Use them to store items you want quick access to, like water bottles, medical kits and other small items. Large zippers in the lower part of a backpack make it easy to reach stuff packed at the bottom.

You do not need a clean set of clothing for every day. Get quick drying hiking shirts, and wear one while the other dries. One pair of boots is enough, but pack about 4 pairs of socks. Carrying enough drinking water, and food, is much more important than an extra pair of pants.

Size your new hiking backpack to accommodate everything you need to take with you, without stuffing it to capacity. An overloaded bag will usually be very uncomfortable, and can be dangerously unbalanced. Rather select one a bit larger, and resist the temptation to fill it just because there may be some space left.

Stick to your weight limit and enjoy your hiking trip.

Hiking the Waterfall Trail in the White Tank Mountains in Phoenix ...

White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Waddell Arizona USA, offers many family activities. You'll be overwhelmed by opportunities for hiking and biking, the nature trails, camping, horse back riding, mountains, cactus, rocks, desert shrubs, hieroglyphics, birds, dry waterfall canyon, children's playgrounds, picnic ramadas, handicap trails, trees, washes, Indian artifacts, and interesting rock formations. White Tank Mountain Regional Park at over 29,000 acres is the largest of the Maricopa County regional parks. White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers approximately 22 miles of excellent shared-use trails. The hiking trails range from easy to difficult. There are handicapped accessible trails available in the park which makes the park all the more user friendly.

Mountains

The range, often referred to as simply the White Tanks, is a moderate sized mountain range whose peaks rise to an elevation of around 4,000 feet (1,219 m). The Park has both mountain and desert environments and includes most of the White Tank Mountain range. Two handicapped accessible trails at White Tank Mountain Regional Park allow visitors in wheelchairs to take in the splendors of the area as well as visit Petroglyph Plaza. During seasonal heavy rainfall, accumulated water tends to rush rapidly through the steep canyons, over time scouring out a number of depressions or "tanks" in the white granite near the base of the mountains. These white "tanks" are the source of the mountains' name.

Trails

Waterfall Trail is in the White Tank Mountain Regional Park and is a popular place for family hiking. The trail will take you past Petroglyph Plaza, where you will find some 1,000-year-old pictures on giant boulders, symbols left behind by the Hohokam Indians who inhabited the mountains until about 1100.

The range, deeply serrated with ridges and canyons, rises sharply from its base to peak at over 4,000 feet and provides wonderful opportunities for hiking on established trails and includes facilities for picnicking throughout the park. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, nature trails, 35 regular campsites, picnic facilities and special programs throughout the year. There are about 22 miles of hiking and biking trails at all levels of difficulty. The White Tank Mountains Park does not have a trail to the top, and they discourage people from 'visiting the towers' with mild threats that it is patrolled by law enforcement. Horseback and mountain bike riders are welcomed, although caution is stressed as some of the trails may be extremely difficult.

With so many amenities, this is a park that receives many visitors in the cooler times of the year. You'll find people of all ages on the hiking trails and many of them will have their family pets along for the day. As with any hiking in the desert Southwest regions of the U.S. you must be careful to drink plenty of water. The air is so dry that you don't even notice that your body is loosing moisture at a rate that is much faster than usual. Be sure to bring drinking water in containers that you can carry along with you as you explore this beautiful mountainous park.

Jere Moline has been a life long traveler and has enjoyed the cultures of many countries throughout the world. He has experienced several different types of travel both on his own and on planned excursions. He has recently built a web site where travelers can ask questions about the next places they plan to visit and get information on budget travels and vacations. Be sure to stop by http://www.discounttraveltoday.com/ and claim your copy of "The Best Kept Secrets of DiscountTravel."

Hiking - A Few Exercises For The Novice Hiker

If you're thinking about taking up hiking, but have spent the past few months taking little or no exercise, then the first thing you'll need to do before you set off on your first hike is to get into shape.

Hiking is clearly going to use your legs and you might think that this is really the only part of your body that needs to be 'conditioned'. However, you might be surprised to learn that hiking will involve just about every muscle group in the body and will also require very good cardiovascular support and a good lung capacity, meaning that you really need to look at your whole body when it comes to getting yourself fit.

Here are a few easy exercises to get you ready for hiking over those hills and streams.

Before you start any exercise routine you should take a few minutes to warm up and do some gentle stretching. Easy stretches of the torso left and right, moderate pulling on the hamstrings and calves and a little light jogging on the spot are all great ways to warm up.

Okay, let's start with the legs. Walking any great distances and walking for long periods of time requires the two major muscle groups of the legs and the joints be in top working condition.

Simple squats are an excellent start. Extend your arms out to the sides, keep your heels close together and ensure that your weight is balanced. Squat down a comfortable distance so that you maintain your balance and then push yourself back up again. Repeat this at least 10 times each day to start with and gradually work up to 20, 30, 40 and finally 50 repetitions as you gain strength.

Lunges are also an excellent exercise. Put one foot about 18 inches in front of the other and kneel down slightly. Hold this position for a few seconds before standing up again. Change legs and do the same thing again. Once more start with about 10 repetitions and gradually increase this each day.

Next on the agenda is a good 10 minute jog. Start with no more than about a mile (less if you're really out of shape) and work yourself up to longer distances jogging for 20 minutes, 30 minutes and so on up to a maximum of about an hour. If you start jogging for mare than an hour then it'll be more a case of getting ready to run a marathon rather than getting fit for hiking. Remember, the idea here is to simply build up your cardiovascular system and lung capacity and also to continue exercising those legs.

Strong back muscles are also essential for hiking and good back muscles will help to keep your posture good, which is important for fighting off fatigue, especially if you are carrying a backpack.

Sit ups are useful, as are 'lat' exercises. The 'lats' (latissimus dorsi) are the large muscles running down each side of your upper body and, together with your back muscles, are the muscles you need to build up in order to keep you going on long hikes.

One of the best ways to get those back muscles in shape is to do some moderate weightlifting. Any good multi-station gym machine will have several options available and seated lifts, rope pulls and other similar exercises are all great.

A rowing machine also works both the major muscle groups of the legs (hamstrings, quadriceps and calves) as well as the back muscles. It's also a good form of cardiovascular exercise. Start with just a few minutes of rowing and work up to this one slowly as, if you're not used to it, a rowing machine can leave you feeling quite sore if you overdo it.

There are literally hundreds of exercises that you can do to get yourself into shape for hiking and the staff at your local gym will normally be more than happy to give you advice. Just remember, take things slowly and don't give up too easily. The best way to see long-term results is to make exercise part of your daily routine.

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Hiking For Beginners

Hiking is a wonderful sport and a great way to spend time with your friends and loved ones. If you haven't already tried it, you should definitely check it out. You may be nervous though, hiking is a new adventure and there is a great deal to know about it before you get started. With some basic knowledge, you will be well on your way to having a great time.

Planning ahead and knowing what you are getting yourself into is one of the most important aspects of hiking. There are a few ways to prepare yourself for your upcoming adventure. The best way to begin is by deciding on where you want to hike. If you would like to start with a fairly easy hike (one day) you will probably want to find a trail somewhat near your house. You can go to the library or check the internet for close by parks and trails. You can also go to local sporting goods stores to find books on the location you will be hike in. These books and websites will give you a great start as to what you will find on your hike, what you will need and what the terrain will be like. Most of these books will include maps and their authors have already been on these hikes numerous times and are very experienced.

Check in with yourself. By this, I mean that you will need to evaluate your physical fitness level and figure out how much strenuous exercise you can handle. Don't try to be a hero, there is nothing worse then getting out on the trail and realizing that you have taken on too much. You should have a hiking backpack to store your stuff. Make sure that it is not filled with anything unnecessary, it will get heavy and you don't want to carry any more weight than necessary. A first aid kit is a necessity, don't leave home without it. Having a good pair of hiking boots will make your trip a great deal easier, if you can't afford hiking boots yet or don't want the expense until you know if you like it, a good pair of walking shoes or sneakers will do for beginner hikes.

When you plan your trip make sure you tell someone where you are going. You can check in with the park ranger or leave a specific location for your family. This way if something happens, they can find you. Another important thing to remember, until you are very experienced, do not hike alone. It is important to hike with other people, preferably ones with some experience.

Be prepared and have a great time! Hiking is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy nature.

Hiking Boots - Parts And Construction

When shopping for a pair of hiking boots, it is important to know how they are made. No, you don't need to know how to make your own, but you have to understand what goes into them and how it affects the comfort and durability - the overall quality - of the hiking boots. In this article I will describe the parts of a hiking boot, what they are made of, and how they come together to form the ideal hiking boot for you.

Like any shoe, a hiking boot consists of an upper and a sole joined together by a welt and with an inlet at the front covered by a tongue, and the whole is lined with various pads and cushions. I will discuss each of those parts in detail, in terms of what they are made of and what to look for in various types of hiking boots.

Sole and Welt

Let's start at the bottom. The soul of the hiking boot is the sole.

Soles are usually made of synthetic rubber in varying degrees of hardness. A harder sole will last longer, but generally will have poorer traction on hard surfaces (such as bare rock) and will provide less cushioning. A softer sole gives you the cushioning you need for long hikes and the traction you need on rough ground, but it will wear out faster.

Manufacturers have made their trade-offs in choosing the materials to make their boots out of. The final choice is up to you when you choose which boot to buy. If you expect to do most of your hiking on soft surfaces, such as desert sand or bare soil, you might lean more toward harder soles. But most of us hike on fairly rugged trails with a good deal of bare rock, and we need the traction of a softer sole.

Inside the sole is a shank. It is a stiffening structure, either fiberglass or steel, that prevents the sole of the boot from twisting and that provides arch support. Shanks may be only three-quarter or half-length. Hiking shoes generally have no shank at all, deriving all their stiffness from the molded rubber sole. Good day-hiking boots may have a full-length fiberglass shank. High-quality backpacking boots will give you the choice of fiberglass or steel. It will depend on how strong you need your hiking boots to be, and how heavy.

Look for deep, knobby tread. Deep cuts in the sole allow water and mud to flow out so you can get traction. "Fake" hiking boots, designed to look like hiking boots but not to perform like them, may have thinner soles and shallow tread. Working boots also may have shallow tread, and they generally have harder soles than hiking boots have.

The welt is the connection between the sole and the upper. Virtually all hiking boots these days are glued together rather than sewn. If you are buying a very expensive pair of backpacking boots, give preference to a sewn welt. Boots with a sewn welt will be easier to resole when the original sole wears out. For hiking shoes or day-hiking boots, when the sole wears out, the upper is not worth salvaging, either, so a glued welt is just fine.

Upper

The upper of the hiking boot provides warmth, protects the sides of your feet from rocks and brush, and repels water. It must also allow your feet to "breathe," so that moisture from perspiration will not build up inside the boots and cause blisters.

Uppers of hiking boots are usually at least partially made of leather. High-quality backpacking boots are often made of full-grain leather (leather that has not been split). Lighter boots may be made of split-grain leather (leather that has been split or sueded on one side), or a combination of split-grain leather with various fabrics.

Fabrics that are combined with leather are usually some type of nylon. Heavy nylon wears nearly as well as leather, and it is much lighter and cheaper than leather.

In any hiking boot, especially those made of combinations of leather and fabric, there will be seams. Seams are bad. Seams are points of failure. Seams are points of wear, as one panel of the boot rubs against another. Seams are penetrations that are difficult to waterproof.

The uppers of backpacking boots are sometimes made of a single piece of full-grain leather with only one seam at the back. This is good, for all the reasons that seams are bad, but it is expensive.

You're going to have to deal with seams. But as you shop for hiking boots, look for customer reviews that mention failure or undue wearing of the seams, and avoid those brands.

Inlet and Tongue

There are two things to look for in the inlet and the tongue:

1. How the laces are attached and adjusted

2. How the tongue is attached to the sides of the inlet

The inlet may be provided with eyelets, D-rings, hooks, and webbing, alone or in combination. They each have these advantages and disadvantages:

* Eyelets: Simplest and most durable way to lace a boot. Not so easily adjusted.

* D-rings: Easier to adjust than eyelets, more durable than hooks. More failure-prone than eyelets. (They can break, and they can tear out of the leather.)

* Hooks: Easiest to adjust of all lace attachments. Subject to getting hooked on brush, or bent or broken in impacts with boulders, main cause of breakage of laces.

* Webbing: Cause less chafing of laces, slightly easier to adjust than eyelets, slightly more durable than D-rings. More failure-prone than eyelets.

The most common lace attachment of any hiking boot is eyelets below ankle-level and hooks above. You may see eyelets all the way up, as in classic military-style combat boots, or a combination of either D-rings or webbing with hooks.

The attachment of the tongue is a critical factor in how waterproof the hiking boots are. Provided the leather and/or fabric and seams of the upper are waterproof, water will not get into the boots until it gets higher than the attachment point of the tongue.

Most hiking shoes and day-hiking boots have the tongue attached all the way to the top. If the tongue is not fully attached, consider carefully whether you will need that extra inch or two of waterproofing.

High-rise backpacking boots have the tongue attached only partway up, but that still reaches higher than most day-hiking boots. It's difficult to get the boot on and off if the tongue is attached very high.

Linings and Pads

There are many pieces that go into the lining and padding of a hiking boot, but two in particular you need to pay attention to:

1. The sole lining

2. The scree collar

The sole lining must be appropriately cushioned. You want a firm, durable surface in immediate contact with your socks, but enough cushioning below that to absorb impact.

The scree collar is a cushion around the top of most hiking boots. It enables you to pull the boots tight enough to keep out loose rocks ("scree") but without chafing against your ankle and Achilles tendon. This is the thickest and softest cushion in the whole hiking boot. It must be soft enough to conform to your ankle and Achilles tendon as they move, and still keep close enough contact with your leg to keep the rocks out.

Very high hiking boots, such as military-style combat boots, may have no scree collar at all. The height of the boot is what keeps the rocks out.

Throughout, the lining and padding of the hiking boots must be thick enough to provide warmth, durable enough to last, and smooth enough that it will not cause chafing and blisters.

Conclusion

So, these are the things you need to pay attention to when choosing a pair of hiking boots. Be prepared to compromise, and pay attention to which features are really important to the style of hiking you intend to do.

Hiking Socks - What You Need to Know

When it's time to go hiking, one of the most critical pieces of gear that is most often overlooked is that of hiking socks. It may be hard to believe, but it's true; good hiking socks are every bit as important as good hiking boots. Overlooking the 'lowly sock' could be highly detrimental to the enjoyment of your hike, whether it be a day hike or a multi-day trek. Everything else may be just right and the best gear, but if your feet are miserable, you will be miserable, it's as simple as that.

Because there are a number of different types of hiking socks from which you can choose, it's important that you select the right one for your needs. If you've made the wise choice to invest in socks specifically for hiking, it would be a real shame to get the wrong kind of hiking sock!

So, how are you going to go about selecting the best sock for you? Let's take a look at a few variables.

There are a number of different materials used to make good quality hiking socks (or other outdoor activity socks, whether it be hiking, skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing). The first thing to keep in mind is that you do NOT want to get 100% cotton socks for these activities.

Cotton, while very comfortable for day to day wear, is not good for active wear as a sock right up against your skin. The reason for this is that it is not good at 'wicking'. Wicking is the the act of pulling moisture (sweat) away from your skin and to the outer layers of the fabric. By doing this your skin stays dry and comfortable and the moisture is more easily evaporated. Another downside of cotton is that it dries very slowly when it gets wet.

Another fabric that is much better for a hiking sock is wool. Like cotton, wool is a natural fiber, but it has more cushion to it, it is able to wick moisture keeping your feet dry, and it has wonderful thermal properties in that it can help keep your feet warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather. One of the downsides of wool is that it can be itchy against the skin. Also, once it does get wet, while it doesn't lose it's insulating properties, it does take a rather long time to dry.

Synthetic materials are a third option. They usually have the same positive traits as natural wool, but they are far less itchy and they are able to dry a whole lot faster than wool.

Finally you have silk. Silk is extremely soft and lightweight and has very good wicking qualities, however it is far less resistant to wear and tear than a synthetic wool material. Because of this, silk hiking socks are often used as liners; against the skin and under heavier weight, more durable wool or wool/synthetic socks. Having this extra layer can also help protect the feet against the formation of blisters.

Tips For Enjoying The Great Outdoors

With the seemingly endless choices of indoor entertainment around these days, it appears as though we often ignore the great outdoors. Quite a few of us spend the day on our laptops, and then we go home and sit in front of the boob tube, or jump on another computer and surf the Internet. This is really kind of weird if you give it some thought. Why do we choose to stay inside so much? Have we become that addicted to passive forms of entertainment like video games and motion pictures? Where is that in and will imagination that we had when we were children? There is a whole world out there just waiting for a, literally.

I recall when I was a kid growing up, which only seems like 100 years ago, I spent as much time as I could outside. I couldn't get home from school fast enough so I could fly out the door and hop on my bicycle - pure freedom. Sure, we had our share of games, but it wasn't nearly as fun as playing in the great outdoors was. Outdoors we could do anything and be anything, with plenty of room to do it. However, after looking at much of today's society, you would think that America has lost it's interest in the great outdoors.

I think we may have lost our imagination. We are bombarded by all these different modern-day amenities that vie for our time and attention. Children especially seemed to be overexpose to all of the electronic stimuli that is now available. Their imaginations seem to be fading. What a horrible thing that is. They need to get out, run and jump. The Internet is a great resource for planning outdoor activities. Yes I know is saying, more inside activities being an Internet, but hey you have to start somewhere. If you need help coming up outdoor activities, or are on the lookout for a great place to hike or camp, the Internet will aid you.

It is a good idea to get your kids interested in some outdoor activities. America has a horrible problem with obesity. The great outdoors offers a plentiful exercise-encouraging universe. That kind of outdoor activity is absolutely essential for our kids. If you're interested in planning a big camping trip in the great outdoors, you can easily find a great number of quality destinations. Since you're already indoors, jump on the net and find research activities you can do just outside your door. This way you will be prepared for the great outdoors and what it has to offer. Are too many of us spend our time locked away inside, but it doesn't have to be that way. Use your precious time to explore the great outdoors. At that you'll fall in love.

I have a daughter of my own, who has experienced many outdoor activities and loves them. She spends every waking moment that she can outside. I absolutely love the fact that she prefers a day outside, just as I did. So that's the information I have on that subject. I hope it was helpful and you were able to get something out of it. With the abundance of information and supplies at your fingertips, there's no conceivable reason why you can't take advantage of the great outdoors today.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of sports and fitness. You can get interesting and informative information by visiting The Great Outdoors [http://www.sportsfitnesshome.com/sports--fitness/sports--fitness/the-great-outdoors.html]

Live Sound Mixing Outdoors

Live Sound Problem Areas

Some of the problems of live sound mixing inside are reflections and the standing waves created by the dimensions and shape of the rooms and the position of the stage in the room. This changes with an outdoor venue. There may be few or no reflections with an outdoor stage. If there are reflections, there is usually a much longer delay before they return to the stage. Sometimes specific frequencies will reflect from some surface but other frequencies will not be reflected to the same extent.

Often there will be less problems with feedback on an open outdoor stage. If there is a roof it is usually higher than in a club stage situation. Also there may be no walls or just a back wall to reflect sounds back to the microphones. Inside stages with close walls and ceiling can reflect sound back to the microphones whereas outside this is often not a problem.

There are likely to be cancellation and reinforced areas that are dependent on speaker location. These will be more predictable with outdoor sound. If you use a stack on either side of the stage including subs there will be strong low end in the center of the venue but there will also be cancellation points off center on each side, usually between the center-line and the stacks. From a position directly in front of either stack you may hear the actual balance of the mix.

What is needed for Outdoor Shows

Depending on the style of music and the volume desired a sound system may require more power and more speakers for an outdoor show. You may also need to mike some things that are not needed in a club venue. Outdoor stages are often bigger than the stages in clubs, so you will not have as much bleed into the vocal mikes and other live mikes on stage. If you have the proper equipment it is easier to mix outdoors because you are not fighting the sound problems inherit in a room.

You may need to have an input from each instrument as well as your vocal mikes. You may also find benefit when working out doors to put up overhead mikes on the drum kit. Cymbals may bleed into vocal mikes on a club stage but may be lost on an outdoor stage. Also miking each individual drum will give you more control if you have the mikes and channels available. Guitars and keyboards may need to be in the mix for balance and dispersion. Many guitar cabinets tend to be beamy and the sound can drop off axis often dependent on frequency.

The monitor system may also need to be stronger for a large outdoor stage. Musicians may need more things in their monitors for timing. More monitor mixes are also desirable for outdoor venues. Usually for events other than concerts four mixes will work well. A stage right, center stage, stage left, and drum mix will allow you to give the musicians what they need to hear in most cases.

Have a Good Show

I have heard many people say that they think outdoor gigs are hard. The real secret is to have enough PA for the gig and venue. I much prefer to mix outdoors, but I have the necessary level of equipment available for the jobs that I take. A live stereo recording of an outdoor gig with enough mikes and equipment can be very good.

Wink Longnecker is the owner and operator of a small sound reinforcement company. He has been a professional in the audio field for over 40 years and in the live sound reinforcement business for about 25 years. His website, http://www.mixinglivesound.com/ is an attempt to pass on some of his experience in the field of live sound production. He has just added a blog to the site titled Live Sound Mixing Tips as a new resource on the site.

Posing Outdoors

Outdoors is great to pose in, because it affords so much more variety. You can choose by night or by day, or damn or dusk, and all kinds of locales and settings. When you have a model ready to go and you're looking for some places to pose them, here's a few ideas for interesting environments and backgrounds:

A Graffiti-Covered Wall This is traditional when you want to lend an urban, hardcore street aspect to your work. Don't think that it's all tagging and gang signs - some graffiti artists are very talented and paint elaborate murals.

Desert Rock If the canyons and hills of Arizona, USA, ever look familiar to you, that's because they're the most filmed area in the world. Countless western-themed movies have been shot here, for cowboy-and-indian play of all kinds. The desert is also a great place to pose a sexy model, perhaps perched on a boulder with a rugged wind-carved canyon wall behind them.

The Beach It's such a cliche, we have to include it. When photographing at the beach, always point the lens along the coastline. Never point it out to sea or in to shore. You'll usually have your model strolling towards you and looking out to the water. This is everyones favorite for girls posing outdoors. Have you noticed that most beach shots tend to have the water on the right and the land on the left? Why is that? Anyway, the beach is not the place for rampant, wild experimentation, so just go "by the book". If you wanted to be daring and original, you wouldn't be shooting at the beach in the first place.

The Woods You'll want a clearing, a sunny day, plenty of leaf canopy making dappled shadows all over everything, and your model slouched up against a tree. Medieval costume with fierce-looking weapon optional.

A Park Bench Great for those interview poses, or the kind of shots which make for dust-jacket author photos. A well-designed bench makes a good prop for black-and-white photography as well, if you're especially artistically inclined.

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