Adventre Travel and Trekking Demystified

Choosing the right backpack for your hike

juan — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:58:29 +0000

Going on a trek does require that you are in excellent physical condition, however good and appropriate equipments will make or break your trip. Experience trekkers will tell you that the shoes and the bag are the two most important ones. Let’s have a look at the bags. Depending on the length of your trek you will have the choice among different sizes and features.

Your bag needs to hold every thing you require for the duration of your journey while providing comfort and balance for safe trekking. For short trip of a few hours to a day, a small backpack will suffice. You may even get away with a waist bag. The advantage of these bags is that they allow ease of movement. Since you require only a few provisions a day bag without any back support will do. When making your choice, pick one that is equipped with a balder. This little feature can be a real luxury on the trail. You will not have to fiddle with water bottles, or worry about accidently dropping them. In addition its connecting tube will leave your hands free for your trekking poles, hiking stick or your camera.

A weekend trek will require a mid size bag, or a light duty pack as it is sometimes called. Those backpacks have well padded shoulder straps and waist strap. The additional comfort is required as they have a holding capacity of up to 35 liters. Conversely to make your trip as enjoyable as possible, do not fall in the trap of carrying unnecessary stuffs just because you have the room for it.

The full size backpack also known as the expedition is for your long haul trekking. These heavy duty bags will hold up to 70 liters. Since a lot of gears will be carried these bags are designed with a number of straps to help distribute the weight. They also have a build in frame made of stiff plastic, light weight aluminum or carbon fibers. This rigid structure acts as stiffener that prevents the back pack from shifting thus causing you to loose your balance. The expedition bag is designed to be carried high, so as to prevent lower back strain. That position also allow for freer movement.

So here you have it, a quick rundown of the three main type of backpack. Pick one that fits your trekking needs. A water resist backpack is a must. Also when purchasing your pack, make sure you try it on. Ensure that all straps have adequately padded, that they can be adjusted to fit your body snuggly. A loose heavy back pack can have disastrous consequences. Stay with reputable brand. Do not be thrifty when make this king of purchase, money spent on a good bag is money well spent.

Spend the time looking for the right backpack that fits your need. Time and money spent will make for an enjoyable trekking experience

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Preparing for your first trek

juan — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:08:01 +0000

So you heard of trekking and want to give it a try. First let’s see what is trekking, shall we. Trekking is travelling slow and laboriously, usually on foot and on rough terrain. As such you will need to be able to meet the challenges you will encounter on your trip. So let’s get ready.

Foremost you need to be in the appropriate physical condition. If you’ve been spending your free time in front of the “tube” now is time to take up walking. Start with short distances and gradually increase it. Use a good stride and a steady pace. In the beginning, your goal is to be able to walk at least a mile at that pace without stopping. This will condition your legs and cardio vascular muscles.

Since you will be walking on rough uneven terrain, you will need to toughen your feet a little. A good practice will be to walk bare feet around the house, especially on had floor and outside as much as possible. If you are blessed to have a beach nearby, do some beach walk as much as possible and bare feet of course. This little change of venue will toughen your soles, remove dead skin and soften calluses if the last yards are done in the wet sand. It will also loosen up the muscles and ligaments of the feet. Beach walking will also increase you balance and strengthen you legs, thighs and gluts. Don’t be surprise if you start getting tired sooner and have some sore muscle that you did not even thought you had.

For an enjoyable hike, foot care is very important. Get into the habit of moisturizing you feet and ensure that they are dry, especially between the toes before you put on your shoes. If you have sweaty feet, foot powder and socks that will wick moisture away would be a must. You want to guar yourself against excessive moisture that may lead to dry, chafed soles and fungal infections. Have your toenails short but not too short. Any fugal problem on the skin and under the toenail should be addressed before the trip. A visit to your podiatrist may be a good idea as he may take care of calluses and corns that you may also have. While you are there ask for preventive measure to prevent blisters and the best way to treat them if you happen to get them. Hiking with blistered feet can be very uncomfortable experience.

Now that your feet are ready you need to build up your endurance and strength. Start with small hike in your area; pick small well mark trail, hill or hilly road. Stay with a couple of hours at the beginning and build up. Once you feel that you are ready for the long one, start trekking with a full back pack. You might see yourself a as beginner again. Take your map and compass with you, even on well mark trial, that will horn your navigation skill. Also bring a little note pad which you will use to record you water consumption. This exercise will help you figure out how much water you need.

As with any endeavor preparation is the key. Once you follow those simple tips you will be physically and mentally prepared for the long and exhaustive days you’ve been waiting for. Do not get discourage take small steps and with enough preplanning you will have the adventure of your lifetime.

Good trekking! Don’t forget you camera and post a picture of your adventure here.

Article by Juan d’Argent

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Eco-Friendly Hiking and Trekking in Morocco

juan — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:28:26 +0000

Early explorers once counted Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains the best in Africa. Today, tourist numbers are up and on the climb (pun intended). Although as trekkers and hikers in one very unique location, we all must be of one environmental mind. This is to say, as more and more people travel to Morocco to trek and hike in the High Atlas Mountains, there must be a ubiquitous consciousness within visitors to minimize eco-, economic-, and cultural-impacts.
Unfortunately, hikers and trekkers to Morocco must take the first step to preserve Morocco’s best hiking and trekking destinations, namely those in the High Atlas Mountains surrounding Jbel Toubkal, the Ait Bougmez Valley and M’Goun National park, along with the Sirwa and Jbel Sahro regions.
Morocco travel companies are also responsible, then, for spreading the news so as to minimize negative impact accompanied by unintentional or belligerent defacement of Morocco’s natural beauty.
Environmental Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco
1. Minimize group sizes: The smaller the group, the less impact. It may not be wise to hike entirely alone, especially if you’re a lone woman (sorry).
2. Minimize supplies: Don’t bring more than you need. So much is available on the way, especially up Mt. Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains.
3. Bring water filter devices: With pumps, filters, chemicals and UV rays available, minimize bottled water waste by bringing filtration devices.
4. Remove packaging from products before hitting the trails.
5. Relive those over-used bowels and bladders at least 70 feet (20 m) downhill from campsites and water sources. Dig as deep a hole as possible. If not, cover the waste with leaves, dirt and sticks.
6. Clean up waste along the way: If you see packaging or plastics, pick them up and transport them out of the park. Someone may have unintentionally dropped it.
7. Use biodegradable soaps and shampoos for washing.
8. Stay on the trail and avoid smashing plants or breaking branches.
Economic Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco:
1. Employ local muleteers and guides in the area. If you use a locally based Morocco tour operator, then they know the best way to take advantage of the areas resources.
2. It’s nice to camp sometimes. However, staying in local gites, houses or hotels is a great way to give back to the community in which you are moving through.
3. Buy locally. You can make up some nice Trail Mix from Marrakech. Buy dried fruits from the medina and mix with the varieties of nuts and you’ve got natural, local energy for days on end.
4. Don’t pay to little or pay too much. This creates an inflation cycle and dependency. An open display of giving too much could make others in the local community envious.
5. Maintain good relations. Bargaining is part of the culture, everywhere in Morocco. Tips are expected and generally given. Ten percent is the usual courtesy nowadays. A bit more is not considered excessive, especially if you’ve used guides for days on end.
6. Cultural Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco:
7. Ask before you take photos.
8. Send them the photo once you’ve gotten home. The mail delivery system works well in Morocco (mostly).
9. Respect holy places. Your path will often cross with those locals visiting holy places. Be sensitive and respectful in the ways you know how.
10. Don’t give gifts or money to children.
11. Try not to play doctor. If someone must be helped, then do your best but be forewarned. If you make them worse, you will be the one to blame.
12. Give excess medical supplies to a local in a higher position to distribute things as s/he sees necessary.
13. If they ask about the west, don’t make it seem like the paradise it isn’t. Be sure to paint a realistic, cross-cultural picture, describing the goods and positives of their and your home.
With these three sets of well-rounded travel hints, your Morocco trekking or hiking adventure will be one of the best trips in your life. The friendly people, interesting customs, and alluring landscape make travel in this part of North Africa as special as anywhere on the planet - so, enjoy!
Article by Terry Hollowell Article Source

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