Hiking Gear You Need to Take on a Ramble Or Hike

OK so we are going to go hiking. Before you do you need to understand what hiking gear you will need to take with you. The camping stores are full of lots of hiking gear that they want to sell you and lets face it – you want to buy (just like me).
However some important things you will need with you and for you to consider when deciding what hiking gear you need.

1. Rucksack. Sounds obvious but you want a quality rucksack when hiking. There are different sizes of rucksack depending on the type of hiking you are planning. You also need to investigate how to pack a rucksack as this is also very important and has a big impact to your positive or not so positive hiking experience. This is really a subject of its own and this is just a quick note to guide you in the right direction. However you need to concentrate on packing the heavy items at the top with easy access to the things you may need first (such as waterproof clothing etc). Also I suggest you go to a camping store rather than buying on line unless you are confident on exactly what rucksack to buy. The camping store will guide you on a one to one basis as deal with all types of hiking gear.

2. Clothing and waterproof gear. You will need to take at least one pair of complete clothing depending on the number of days you are hiking for. Whilst your clothes can get wet they should be resistant to absorbing water (i.e not jeans) and it is better to take a number of thin jumpers than a thick jumper. Also please remember 80% of heat is lost through your head - so a hat to insulate your head from the cold is important. In addition most importantly buy some good quality waterproof gear. A good raincoat (not thin) and waterproof leggings is essential to keeping dry and safe on a hike – this is especially in England where I hike. This hiking gear is very important for a hike.

3. Hiking boots. Essential item to your hiking gear are hiking boots. You need strong boots for the tough trail ahead. Your boots should support your ankles as well as your feet. Make sure they are comfortable and fit well. Also make sure that you wear your hiking boots a number of times before you use them on the hike. This will help prevent blisters - not very nice. If there was one thing you had to concentrate your money on as part of your hiking gear I would say good quality hiking boots.

4. Map, Compass. It is obvious but you need to know where you are going and plan your route and have a map and compass. It is an essential aspect of your hiking gear. It is also very important you know how to use them

Go to my blog on links in this article for a free report on a compass

Get it here

You need to know how to read a map and how to set a map using your surroundings and a compass. Again important part of your hiking gear.
This is not a complete list of all the hiking gear you need to take on a hike however it is a start for the main essentials.

The above hiking gear will help you to prepare for a fantastic and memorable hike. Have a great time!

Hiking Equipment - Which of the Three Types of Hiking Stoves Are For You?

Overnight hiking is great fun but is does mean you need to take more hiking equipment and one of the extra pieces of hiking equipment you need will be a hiking stove. In fact you don’t need to be going overnight – a hot chocolate on a hike is very welcome even during the day. Therefore you will need a hiking stove as part of your hiking equipment.

So what hiking stoves are available and which ones do you need to take on a hike. I will recommend three types of hiking stove as part of your hiking equipment to go in your rucksack.

Firstly, liquid fuel hiking stoves. This type of hiking stoves will require quite a bit of effort to get going. The stove requires a pumping action (as a plunger primer) to ensure that the fuel tank is pressurised allowing a vapour to be ignited. However the positive point here is that these are more efficient and give out a lot of heat when they are in full flow. My suggestion is that liquid fuel hiking stoves are more for the seasoned and experienced hiker than a beginner hiker as part of your hiking equipment.

Secondly, taking a look at gas canister hiking stoves. These are very quick and easy and provide instant heat. These are more popular and used in most circumstances because they are easy to use for hiking equipment. The disadvantage is that once the canister has run out of gas then disposing of the old canister is not easy. My suggestion is that this is great for the beginner hiker and a good part of your hiking equipment. I guess the seasoned hiker will have a choice which stove to use.

Thirdly there is a combination of the above two types. They are called multi fuel stoves which is another consideration to your hiking equipment. These types of stove can run on either liquid fuel or gas canister. Again this is for the seasoned hiker. As there are different types of liquids and canister around the world this type of stove can be used anywhere in the world.

I will add a few safety tips here as well.

Never light your stove in a tent as stoves can easily be knocked over and tents can easily catch light to your tent and your hiking equipment.

Plan where you are going to place your stove. It should be located on flat ground and away from trees and other fire hazards.

Have a great hike and eat with hot food and drink with your hiking stove - an essential part of your hiking equipment

How to Choose a Campsite to Pitch Your Tents For Camping

You are planning to go out in the countryside and take the people that you know for camping, you know you are in for a really fantastic time. So you have you own process and bring your camping gear including your tents for camping.

Normally you would be OK if you are going to an organised camp with everything put on – water on tap, a designated area to pitch your tents for camping and a shower block.

However you may be in the middle of no-where and you need to decide where you are going to pitch your tents for camping.

So where do you pitch?

Firstly pitch your tents for camping in an area that looks flat. Years ago our Scout leader that had a strange sense of humour. He decided to pitch all tents on a 45 degree hill and nearly all the boys ended up rolling out the tents at night. This is one thing for boy scouts but not good for most people. So look for a flat area when deciding where to pitch your tents for camping.

You need to also make sure that the flat area you have chosen to pitch is not at the bottom of a hill. Why? This is where all the rain water collects. Of course all the obvious signs are any boggy parts around the area should be avoided.

You need to be as near as possible to a water supply when are pitching your tents for camping. On a campsite this could be a simple tap – may even be a tap per pitch. However in a remote area this could be close to a nearby stream. Also make sure the stream is fast running giving you the best chance that the water is as pure as possible. When you collect the water it must not be in a stagnant part but a fast flowing small waterfall will be great! I drink mountain water all the time however check with the local authorities that there are no local issues using mountain water when pitching tents for camping.

Also try and make sure that you are protected by the wind as much as you can. I know wind can change – it’s a case of doing what you can at the time
So hopefully you have a better idea and set some useful points when starting a camp and pitching your tents for camping (especially in a remote area).

What to Wear When You Are Outdoor Hiking - From the Top Down

Well its great to go on an outdoor hiking experience. However like anything worthwhile there are problems to overcome. The problem I have seen many times is that people that are going on an outdoor hiking experience for the first time, do not wear the correct clothes. Or they just don’t know what to wear.

Wearing the right clothes does not mean you have to get the credit card out again every single time. However it is important for safety reasons and for comfort reasons for wearing the correct outdoor hiking gear. You just need to follow some simple steps. So I have out together something that I wish I had for the first time and I believe will be useful – what to wear on an outdoor hiking experience from the top down.

1. The top - your head. A lot of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a thick woolly hat to keep you warm.

2. Your torso. People believe they need a nice thick jumper when you are outdoor hiking. This is not the best idea. To insulate from the cold you need to wear a number of thin layers of tops. The reason for this is that you can have some form of heat control (take off or put on layers until you are at the right temperature).

Also and more importantly the air between the thin layers will act as a heat insulator and will keep you warmer when you are outdoor hiking. In summary a number of thin layers is better than 1 thick jumper.

3. Your trousers. Need to be light and strong and also need to be non absorbent in case they get wet from the rain or falling in a stream (not Corduroys or Jeans). I always wear army greens as they are very strong, dry very quickly and are light. In addition army greens have many pockets and handy to keep the small essential items when you are outdoor hiking. So look out for these at the camping stores. However jogging bottoms should be OK.

4. The bottom - your feet, most important. Of course you need good hiking boots but also 2 pairs of socks, one thick pair and one thin pair. This will help stop blisters as the socks rub together and not your skin. The thin pair should be worn first.

Of course make sure you have the right waterproof gear. So you need a waterproof top, trousers and gaiters for your feet. Also make sure this is very handy for the sudden downpour – not at the bottom of your rucksack when outdoor hiking

Finally when you are outdoor hiking make sure you have at least one change of extra clothing. If you are outdoor hiking for 2 days take clothes for 3 days and so on. You absolutely never know what Mother Nature has in store for you especially on the mountains which attracts the rain very easily and quickly

….. and - have a great outdoor hiking adventure.

How resolve a Kids hiking problem – mosquitoes

For those who love hiking - we of course want to pass this on to our kids and watch our kids hiking and get the buzz that we do. However before you do there are problems to resolve.

When you take kids hiking you sometimes need to tackle things in a different way to adults. One of these problems for kids hiking is mosquitoes.

During your hike you need to make sure your kids are fully protected by mosquito spray. I know I cannot trust my kids to put on the spray correctly themselves and fully so I always do this myself or I get an older child to do it for me.

So get them to stand still in their kids hiking gear, with their feet nicely apart and their arms stretched out to their sides. See the picture above to see the pose required.

Yes they would need to close their eyes. Now hold the spray about 12 inches from their body and spray all over - hands, arms and torso. Legs and feet are most important as this attracts the other bugs from the ground. Next you need to protect their necks and ears. So get your kids to put their hands out and spray into their cupped hands. You then need ask them to rub behind the ears and neck so that the solution in their hands are spread very well in these particular areas.

You have now given the best mosquito protection for kids hiking during the hiking day. Of course do not forget to spray yourselves as well – and other adults.

Once your hiking day is completed – you have come off the mountains and you are ready for camp you will need to ensure you are all protected during the night by a mosquito net. This is really important for all of your hiking team but especially for your kids hiking protection.

There are many types of net you can buy however I normally use a Dome or Self supporting net as I find these the best for camping for kids hiking.

One thing of consideration here is to consider the mesh size. This will depend on the where you are hiking in the whole and the size of mosquitoes in the area. So look this up to buy the correct net

So always protect you and your kids from mosquitoes by spraying correctly and using mosquito nets when taking your kids hiking

How To Determine And Use A Grid Reference On A Mountain Map

When you are using a mountain map there are a number of advantages to using grid references. They are great for pin pointing your location on a mountain map.

Think about it. You are stuck on a mountain and you look at your mountain map and find a grid reference for where you are and call the emergency services and they can rescue you directly because you have pin pointed you reference. So a very useful thing to learn and not really difficult.

There are mainly two types of grid reference, a four figure which gives you a square for your location and a six figure grid reference which gives you any exact location on your mountain map.

If you look at an ordinance survey mountain map you will see a full grid of squares on the actual mountain map. The actual grid squares are made of grid lines (normally light blue) that are labelled both as a vertical and horizontal. The vertical lines run from the top to the bottom of the map with each line being marked with a number 01, 02, 03 etc. This is as you would expect.

Similarly the horizontal lines run from the left hand side to the right hand side of the mountain map and are labelled on both sides in the same way 01, 02, 03 etc.
When you use a 4 figure grid reference on a mountain map you will simply reference a square in the grid as mentioned above. This is determined by the horizontal reference (lets say 06) first and then the vertical reference (lets say 10). It is always in this order. How is a good way to remember this?

A good way to remember this I have found is the words "along the corridor (horizontal) and up the stairs (vertical)" - on our mountain map. So in this example for these numbers the 4 figure grid reference (which is a grid square on the map) is 0610.

However to pinpoint this location on a mountain map a more accurate 6 figure grid reference is used. We actually still use the 4 figure grid reference with another 2 figures or numbers. This will pin point the location within the square of the 4 figure reference.

Firstly take the Horizontal grid line 06 and look at the next horizontal line 07. You should imagine the space between 06 and 07 as split into 10 more grid lines and set an estimated figure from 1-10. So horizontally if you believe the location is a quarter way between 06 and 07 then the horizontal ref is 062. If you believe the location is a third from 06 to 07 you could say the horizontal ref is 063 etc. Let us say that it is 063 on our mountain map.

Next you do exactly the same on the vertical grid lines. The vertical ref is going to be between 10 and 11 in our example. You should imagine 10 small grid lines between 10 and 11 and allocate a number where your location is vertically 1-10. Let us say you think it is about 4. So our vertical grid ref is 104. Now put the 2 grid refs together - again "along the corridor (horizontal) and up the stairs (vertical)". So our 6 figure ref on our mountain map is 063104

By using a 6 figure reference we can accurately pin point where a location is on the mountain map.

Again the benefits are vast. For less dramatic example you can use this to start and finishes of hikes. Scout hike patrols are given a 6 figure reference to start and finish. They then make their own route between these 2 references. It is a great exercise.

Have a great mountain hike with your mountain map.

Hiking Camp Organisation and Pitching Hiking Tents on Bad Surfaces

So hopefully you are planning a hike over the next few days of weeks. You may be hiking as a group and so at least one of you will be carrying your hiking tents – for a maximum group of 4.

After a long day of hiking you have progress off the mountains into the valley and are ready to set up camp for the evening. No doubt the group will be quite and hungry and ready to settle for the night.

You may be tempted at the time to start chilling out and slowly end the day – however this is the very time to continue to work as a group and get yourself organised. It is most important at this time for the group leader to set some tasks for some individuals to cook the evening meal and others to put up the hiking tents. The reason for this is that you may be getting cold as you have stopped and you want to chill out slowly. Also you need food as quickly as possible – do not delay these activities.

Other group members can be collecting water etc. You always need a group leader and it is ideal to take it in turns to be group leader. Its good for the group morale to change your leadership and of course the individuals

Practise at home putting up your hiking tents and therefore you will know how to do this without reading the instructions on the hike. You can also make this fun by putting up your hiking tents blind folded or in the dark - either way it is great practise for putting up hiking tents.

However you may find that the surfaces you are putting up your hiking tents may vary from camp to camp as it will not always be the same type of soil when you are hiking. For surfaces that are hard you will need to use Needle tent pegs. These are strong, light in weight and very thin. They are ideal for staking in very hard and rocky ground.

However for surfaces that are very soft then an Angled tent peg is needed for putting up hiking tents. These type of tent pegs have V shaped ridges that help grip the ground for a much better grip in soft conditions. However for either hard or soft surfaces if you are really stuck and you just do not have the correct hiking tent peg (for the surface required) you can do other things and here is an example.

What you can do to support your guy line is use a big rock or boulder. Also you can tie the guy line to a tree or anything solid connected to the ground. There are always many ways to secure your hiking tents

So work as a team when you stop for camp by sharing out the tasks but make sure you have a group leader and change this person over the hike. When putting up your hiking tents make sure you know how to put it up and take different types of tent pegs for different pitching surfaces. Above all have a great hike and a relaxing camp at each night stop.

How to Pack Your Backpack Gear

Now you have all of your backback gear all ready to pack. All you want to do is to get out to the countryside and start hiking. The only thing left is to pack your backpack gear. What do you need to consider? How do you do this? What things do you need to look out for?

Initially this can look quite confusing. However when you pack your backpack gear it is relatively simple and please don’t be blinded with science by all the so called experts on some internet sites.

So just before you start packing, lay all of your gear on the floor or table so you know how much to pack – the same way you pack the trunk (boot) of your car. You can see the scope in front of you that you need to pack.

So you need to make sure that your backpack gear is kept dry. To do this I still put a large plastic bag (or rubbish bag) in my backpack and pack everything in this. I have done this for years and have found that this keeps everything in the plastic bag dry. This is simple and if you get your rubbish bags free then this is free as well.

Also you need to ensure there is as little air as possible in your backpack after it is packed. This is to ensure you get the most packed in the space you have available. I recommend using fold dry bags. These are great as they are small bags where you can pack individual items and then easily draw the air out. Of course you can get these bags from any camping store or even online, Your backpack gear then consists of pre-packed dry bags. This also helps to keep your gear dry. Also these fold dry bags enable you to keep things organised, dry and pack well as your backpack gear. Believe me these are very useful.

Another important point is how you distribute weight when packing backpack gear. I go against the grain a little and put the heavier items nearer your body (i.e. spine) and nearer the top of the backpack. I find this helps to keep the weight to your centre of gravity. Other so called experts say that you should have heavy items at the bottom. I would hate to do this to my back! I also make sure that I keep the backpack balanced so the backpack and backpack gear is not pulling you on one side.

The next important point is to ensure you have easy access to the items you need in a hurry. For example when it is raining you need to have easy access your rain gear so you can change into this gear quickly when it starts to rain. Your rain gear needs to be packed to the top or a side pocket again easy access.

So some important points to consider when packing backpack gear. So hopefully you can see that it is not a complete science

So when your backpack is fully packed and you are ready to go - have a great hike!

How To You Improve Your Climbing Fitness

I normally go hiking and rambling and I am currently planning my next mountain hike. The thing is that I have put on a few pounds and will be ensuring I am fit enough for the hike.

However recently a friend of mine took me rock climbing but before he did he said to me that I needed to improve my climbing fitness. He advised me that rock climbing is a very strenuous activity and you obviously need to be fit and obtain climbing fitness. He then taught me the best ways to improve my climbing fitness. These points really helped me and I thought I would right an article so that we could all share this information. So here we go

Rock climbing whether it is indoors or outdoors requires:

1. Upper Body Strenght: Your upper body strength and pulling power in order to use your arms to pull you to the next position on the rock face. You can perform any pulling exercise in the gym to improve your upper body strength and so to increase your climbing fitness. A good example of one for climbing is what is called “pole pulling exercises”. For this exercise you need to hold on to a pole or beam in the gym and keep pulling your whole body up and down. This will increase your pulling power for climbing fitness.

2. Flexibility: You need good flexibility to ensure that you are able to reach the next handhold which could be quite a stretch away which happens many times I can tell you from experience. Also you may need to stretch your leg very high for the next foothold. So you need to be able to get into all sorts of difficult positions on the rock face. So all stretching exercises either in or out the gym are great for climbing fitness. So stretch and then hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds to ensure you are stretching beyond your comfort zone.

3. Stability: Hip and ankle stability is important for your balance on the rock face. A great exercise is where you stand on one leg and bend your leg so your body bends down to your foot. You can also use a dumb bell for better and greater intensity when you improve with this exercise. This will help train your stability and balance.

Of course going climbing itself is one of the best forms of improving your climbing fitness. This means that you may want to train in an indoor climbing wall using various climbing routes which is good when the weather is bad. This will be good training and climbing fitness for the actual climbing at a later date. This will ensure that you use all the techniques required.

Some great training for the kids in the gym is climbing up a rope that has knots at various heights. This makes the exercise fun (i.e being Tarzan) and helps the child to enhance their climbing muscles and co-ordination on the rock face due to kids climbing fitness.

This of course is not the full list of climbing fitness exercises but a sample of some which will be useful

Have a great climb but please be fit and prepare your climbing fitness.

6 Main Problems and Solutions to Deal With When Trekking India

If you were to visit any trekking India website and you are confronted with great views and even better hiking treks.

India is a country located in South Asia and is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. India is 30% the size of the USA with a population of 1,173,108. However the famous trekking India locations are of course in the Himalayan mountains in the North. This is where you will find your locations for great trekking India hiking and rambling routes

However with all the wonderful things that come from trekking India there are also the challenges come with it – as always. The challenge of the Indian Mountains needs to be met with caution. It is very easy to take for granted the comforts that we enjoy in our own world and assume this is repeated in India – not true. There are problems that need to be resolved and when and before trekking India. So if you plan a trekking India trip, the following health problems need to be considered and planned for. Some are obvious and some not so obvious

1. You will be weak from your incoming flight. Your flight into India is likely to leave you tired and weak which has the potential to be a problem. So you will need to gain some strength. So climatise before you start trekking India and taking your challenge to the mountains.

2. There is the highest risk that the natural waters you encounter whilst being nice trekking India are not safe at all to drink. Again this is a problem and includes everywhere that water exists - the lakes, streams and rivers. However both snow and boiled water are safe. So during your trekking India be aware, and know what water is safe and take plenty of water with you. So a few solutions to get over this problem

3. Diarrhoea can be a real problem you can experience when you are trekking India. The best solution here is to drink large amounts of water and also bring from home some diarrhoea medication that can be prescribed by a doctor in your country.

4. The Khumbu Cough. This is caused by breathing excess quantities of dry cold air causing problems to your chest area. One thing that can help are throatlozenges that will help with this problem. So take plenty with you while trekking India.

5. Leeches reside in the Indian forests. They are known to get through socks and gaps in your hiking boots. So to remove those leaches use a butter knife to ease the leech off your skin. Ignore what you see on the films when trekking India which is burning leeches off your skin. The butter knife is the best.

6. Also consider altitude sickness. This I have written a specific article just on this alone which you can find here
So again I have tried to look at some health problems and provide solutions when trekking India. Once these solutions are in place - have a great hiking and trekking experience. Also please let me know how you got on.

Yosemite Hiking Up Half Dome Mountain - The Yosemite Hiking Challenges and how Prepare For them

Yosemite National Park is situated within the central Sierra Nevada of California. The Yosemite Valley is a large glacial area and is about 8 miles (13km) long and up to 8,000 feet (2,400 m) deep and forms a great hiking venue. Yosemite hiking is an adventurous pastime however one of the more adventurous and most exhausting and of course rewarding is the climb up Half Dome Mountain.

Firstly lets talk about the rewards first. To put it simply the climb is fantastic and has every hiking element you can expect to experience when you are Yosemite Hiking including great waterfalls and steeping climbs than you can probably walk. However without getting too carried away there are some problems and some challenges that you will need to prepare for to complete this epic journey.

This actual climb involves a 5000ft climb and takes over 16 hours to complete – so maybe an overnight stop is in order. You start in the Yosemite Valley. There is more than one route up but the recommendation is to hike the John Muir trail.

One of the reasons this hike is so great is that it takes you through great mountainous views over the Yosemite Valley. This Yosemite hiking trip takes you past a vast waterfall that could quite literary be out of this world. The final stages of the hike is bare rock and appears to be a 90 degree climb (it is not - but steep). However the climb up the rock does require man made steel cables to use as hand rails to pull yourself up. Many hikers have stated that this Yosemite hiking experience up Half Dome Mountain is a once in a lifetime hike.

Well that’s the glossy “lets do this bit” Now the problem areas you need to take notice of and prepare for.

1. It is a long strong hike and going to take at least 16 hours. So you should be aware how fit you are and act accordingly (i.e get hiking fit). Make sure you are fit so you do not put yourself and others at risk. Apart from normal fitness one of the best ways is to measure yourself on smaller hikes. It is only going on hikes you can really measure yourself as youuse difference muscles in your body and they need to be exercised.

2. Take lots of food especially when going Yosemite hiking. This is true for any hike in the Yosemite valley. This will of course keep you hydrated and keep energy levels up

3. Make sure you have adequate footwear and clothing. Ensure your boots are supported by an ankle support with a sewn in tongue.

4. The cables on the last stretch can be a problem for hand blisters. So take some gloves to prevent hand blisters

5. There is sometimes a problem at high season around the cables getting congested with long waits to get on them. So maybe Yosemite hiking up half dome should be tackled at off peak times.

6. Another big problem is that the natural water from the mountain contains Giardia, which will cause diarrhoea so take a water filter pump and sterilising tablets or just boil the water on this Yosemite hiking trip.

So hiking the Yosemite Valley and up Half Dome Mountain is a real lifetime experience filled with wonders of nature. However be prepared and use the 6 steps above to ensure your Yosemite Hiking experience is fantastic and safe.

How To Discover and Plan Eastern Europe Walking

I love hiking and rambling and walking. Right now I am currently planning my next trip with a twist. There is so much in the natural world to view and so much great scenery to take in and really discover.

I have been hiking and researching the usual places like the Lake District in the UK, Grand Canyon and many walks in the USA (you may have seen my blog posts) and the many walks in Europe etc including the Alps in Austria etc.

I have been looking on various websites and hiking discussion forums on the internet and I have found that there is a lot more than the usual famous places. So I am looking now at Eastern Europe Walking. Is it not exciting to discover somewhere new.

I did not realise that the countries around this part of the world are so beautiful. Yes it is true that I have not yet actually been to these countries however they are now definitely on my life planner from now.

The countries for East Europe walking I have looked at are Bosnia (Sutieska), Montenegro (Durmitor), Romania and Bulgaria.

Let us take a look at Romania as a starting point. It appears that Sibiu, Sighisoara and possibly Timisoara are a great base for East Europe walking. Sibiu looks great as I am told it is a Saxon city with great beauty. As for hiking areas, the Fagaras, Retezat or Bucegi mountains look very impressive however the research will continue. As for accommodation it appears the best overnight stays are mountain huts. In Retezat the mountain huts are very basic but are very large and homely. The largest is a Pietrele hut and very impressive

Another country for East Europe walking is Bulgaria. I am told that the great walks are in Rila, Pirin or Rodopi mountain ranges.

East Europe walking costs change between countries. Croatia seems the most expensive. This is closely followed by Montenegro. Bulgaria is a bit cheaper and I am researching Romania and will update content on this later.

Again this is a short report to what I think is a great place for East Europe Walking. I am really on a discovery mission to learn a lot more and will be discussing this in various hiking forums.

However have a great hike. If it happens to be in East Europe I would be particularly interested to hear your story.

Knowing your rights of way when planning walks Britain Activities

I am amongst of the many hikers and walkers that I love to go on many walks Britain activities. Now is the time of year to get out in the sunshine and go on walks Britain. The good thing is that there are a number of footpaths that can be used all around Britain that can be used for walking. These footpaths the council have deemed "rights of way" that are made for this very purpose.

I am sure you are aware however Great Britain is a European country that is a collection of 5 separate countries England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are many paths that link throughout these 5 countries and offer some excellent walks and hikes. You can be hiking in the mountains of Scotland, Wales and the Lake District or having a gentle walk on the Devonshire or Yorkshire moors (some may not be so gentle). All of these add up for some pleasurable walks Britain activities.

However there is a problem. I have seen on a few hiking forums that people are not fully aware of their rights and don’t know where to walk. It is very important to know your rights to enjoy your walks Britain time.

So here are some questions and answers that may help.

1. So what could be a right of way?
A right of way is a footpath that has been deemed as a public right of way.

2. What are my rights on a particular public right of way?
Your right is to walk, rest or run or anything legal on a public right of way. However remember this is only on the path deemed as a public right of way. As soon as you move off the path you may not have right of way which is not good. So keep to the path during all your walks Britain activities.

3. How do I know if the path is a public right of way or not?
The way to do this is to go to your local surveying authority and ask for a "definitive map". The definitive map shows you the official public rights of way. However be aware that some paths are "rights of way" but not shown on the definitive map. This is because the official application has not been raised yet however is likely to be shortly. However not all footpaths are public rights of way so be careful.

4. What person or group is responsible to make a path a public right of way?
In England the county councils and local district councils together with top government (i.e. Secretary of State) are responsible for making a particular path a public right of way for all walks Britain paths

My suggestion is that when you are planning any walks in Britain then go to your local surveying authority and ask for that "definitive map". You are then in a strong position to know where to walk and therefore be comfortable planning for your particular route.

Have a really great walk!

Where to Backpack in America and on a Low Budget

I am a keen hiker and rambler together with writing articles on the subject. I love the great outdoors, the countryside and really great scenery. I also realise I am no "spring chicken" - heading toward my fifties – but not totally past it yet and still enjoy the odd hike.

However what really lights my candle is when I read about kids that have barely left high school but planning to backpack America. I suppose it is a important and difficult time in their lives where they are discovering what they want to do with their young lives. I would be proud if my kids wanted to do this around Europe or Backpack America. I think it is great that these young people are so adventurous and ambitious.

These young people (I like to call them young people rather than kids) come across 2 problems when they backpacker America. The first is money (no prizes for guessing this one) and the second is where to go. So I have been using a little experience and by surfing the internet I have been looking for answers to these all important issues and hopefully this will help when young people backpack America.

When you backpack America you are probably on a low budget. Therefore you will obviously need to stay in cheap accommodation. Hostels are the most likely and are all round and varied and more importantly cheap. So really it is not that difficult to find one at a reasonable price, at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. The other option is a tree under the stars which is completely free (although check out the safety risks first).

The buses services are quite good for travelling between locations. In particular the Greyhound is a good point to get prices especially booking a few weeks – say 2 to 3weeks in advance. For example can can find some really cheap rides from Los Angeles to San Francisco via a Chinatown bus for a relative cheap price when you backpack America.

Where are the good places to visit when you backpack America? Some suggestions for you:

1. The West side is good. This side of the country is good to Backpack America. Try and Start in Vancouver for example and get a bus down to San Francisco then via Yosemite National Park. Take a bus down to Los Angelos then through the red rocks - desert and onto the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is not far from Las Vegas however take my advice and stay clear of Las Vegas unless you want to lose your money. In my view Las Vegas is a place for spending cash and is not a place to backpack America on a budget.

2. The other option I have seen is Florida. South Beach in Miami is a lovely place especially if you like to meet some famous people. It is also great in Tampa Bay and Orlando when you backpack America.

3. The other favourite is backpacking in South America. I would recommend that a good place to start is Quito (capital of Equator). From Quito travel the gringo trail (as the route through Central and South America is known). There are la number of places to visit and lots to view whether you are doing the Caribbean beaches in the North or trekking and hiking in the Patagonian wilderness in the South.

So where ever you go backpacking I take my hat off to the young kids that want to adventure and discover themselves. Have a super journey, do not lose your shirt in Las Vegas and return home safely when you backpack America.

How to Select a Childrens Backpack and Encouraging Them to Hike

I have enjoyed hiking and rambling since I was a young boy. However now I am a Dad and I of course I have brought up my two boys to also love hiking. I was looking forward to buying my kids their hiking gear and in particular - a childrens backpack. However I had a problem of encouraging them to get off their computer games and go on a ramble or hike carrying a heavy Childrens Backpack, being very tired and having aching feet? – the spoils of a hike.

However I wanted my kids to want a Childrens Backpack rather than just giving it to them and selling the positive points of hiking . I did a bit of promoting by suggesting hiking was fantastic fun. You had to be grown up to hike and wear a childrens backpack. Also it was the BIG boys that like to carry the backpack. Not only did I try to verbally encourage them but also what also helped was to be a great example and hike myself. I took them on small local hikes in the area (although it was flat). I found that planning small hikes is the key to ensuring your kids grow with the pastime.

The reason I am writing this is because I have seen so many times on hiking forums that encouraging your kids to hike and wear a Childrens Backpack is a problem for the best hikers I know.

I also made sure they were involved with outside groups like scouting for boys. My eldest is 10 years old and has just finished a 12 mile local hike with the local scouts. He loved it

I found that by putting all the above into action we not only bought a childrens backpack for him but he cannot put it down and nearly went to bed wearing it – which was funny. Now of course I am being pestered by my youngest to buy a childrens backpack as well.

Also last year I took my kids up the Ben Nevis mountain which is the highest point in the UK. They achieved this being at the ages of 9 and 5 and yes with a childrens backpack. This year we travelled to the Lake District and climbed Scafell Pike and we loved ever moment of it

So if you want to get your children involved and enjoying hiking I suggest

1. Positively encourage your children,
2. show by example and get them involved slowly.
3. This will lead onto more adventurous things

Very quickly you will be proud to buy them a childrens backpack and being as proud as I am. Have a great Hike!

4 major points to consider when buying women's rucksacks

It does not matter if you are a man or women we all love hiking and rambling and getting out in the fresh air and getting amongst some great scenery. However whether you are a man or a woman we all need the same type of gear but there is a problem that can be gender based. Are their different types of gear required?

In particular are there different types of rucksacks required between a women and a man? If so what is the reason and in particular (in the case of a rucksack) what do women need to consider when purchasing woman's rucksacks. This is the particular question I will be covered for Women’s rucksacks

I have heard some people say that Women buy more than men and therefore all women's products including women's rucksacks are geared toward a woman's market. I disagree with this and believe that Women's rucksacks are needed for physical reasons and are different from men's rucksacks. It’s a matter of opinion
So here are differences and the areas to look for when buying women's rucksacks.

1. The shoulder straps are actually on narrower women’s rucksacks to ensure a comfortable fit however are curved to allow for the bust area.

2. The back of the women’s rucksack are generally shorter. Although just because Women's rucksacks are shorter this does not mean a women has to buy this type of rucksack. Some Women have longer backs and should look at a obtaining a man's rucksack for best fitting. It really is a personal thing

3. Women's rucksacks are built with a wider waist belt. Getting a little technical - the waist belt should ideally have a conical shape to it. This conical form is achieved by angling the belt diagonally upwards and by curving the waist belt wings. You can get women's rucksacks that contain a frontal adjuster system. This will simplify the waist fitting procedure and will add some value.

4. The rucksack frame is shorter on a Women's rucksack than a man's. When choosing a rucksack (for anybody) I suggest going to a recommended hiking and rambling shop and getting yourself measured for the right women’s rucksack.
So there are the main four points. Of course this is no way clear cut. A man could buy a man's rucksack and a woman could buy a women's rucksack and be very uncomfortable. They could swap and everything could fit nicely. There is no sure thing. However the above main 4 points are the points to consider when buying women’s rucksacks.

So I hope you buy the right rucksack whatever your gender. More importantly hope you have a really great hike and ramble wherever this may be

Some Really Lovely Ullswater Walks in the Lake District, UK

The Lake District in the UK really has some great walks. I go there quite regularly as it has some great views and super scenery. Lots of hikers and ramblers climb the highest mountains. However some people get just as much enjoyment from a nice leisurely walk in some more lowland areas. Some great lowland walks are Ullswater walks. These are nice walks which have the Ullswater Lake and the Helvellyn mountain range for super scenery

Now a bit about Ullswater to show why is offer great Ullswater walks. Ullswater Lake is the second largest lake in the Lake District with the first being of course Lake Windermere. Ullswater Lake and can offer some lovely lowland walks. So why not stay around Ullswater and I have provided 6 of the best Ullswater walks listed below.

1. Glenridding to Howtown.
In my view the top lowland Ullswater walk as its the most beautiful of the Ullswater walks with stunning views of the Ullswater Valley and Helvellyn range. It is 7 miles long and will take you about 3-4 hours to complete. This particular Ullswater walk has a wavy path and is a bit hilly but is a nice one to do. I would say the difficulty is moderate to easy. Have a go!

2. Aira force circular walk
This is a short walk and was actually developed in Victorian times. This walk quite woody and leads to a wonderful waterfall. This is the sort of place you can walk for a picnic at lunchtime. This is a walk to take your mum as its only 1 mile long and only takes an hour. Nice and easy.

3. Howtown to Pooley bridge Walk
This has great views across the Ullswater lake and is moderately easy but a longer 6 miles long and will take you 3 hours to complete – again taking it nice and easy. Some parts are a little more uphill and you need to watch out for boggy areas so take some good hiking or waterproof boots. One of the nicer Ullswater Walks

4. Lantys Tarn circular walk
This again is a nice short walk with great views of the Ullswater Valley. It is a 3 mile easy walk taking 1-2 hours. Also this one includes a boat trip which is an added extra in my book!

5. Hallin Fell Circular Walk
This one is very similar in format to Lantys Tarn. This one is a very nice rewarding walk with great Ullswater Lake views and is 3 miles long with a 2 hour timeline. This may take a little longer if you want to climb and visit the local churches.

6. Howtown to Glenridding
This is another lovely walk with great views of the Ullswater Valley and Helvellyn range. This is 7 miles taking roughly 4 hours in total. This walk has up and down hill stretches and some slightly rocky parts – again walking boots recommended on this one.

So some lovely gentle Ullswater walks. You can easily search them on the Internet for the finer details of parking and step by step routes etc. So why not travel to the Lake District, head over to Ullswater and enjoy some lovely Ullswater Walks.

What type of travel rucksack should you buy?

OK so you need to buy a travel rucksack but there are some considerations when buying a travel rucksack. The important point is the question - what are you going to use it for? At this point it can get detailed and it is nice not to get bogged down in this sort of detail and therefore I have some tips in this article. Hope it is useful

Your travel rucksack needs to be fit for purpose. Is it going to be used for hiking and rambling or travelling? You need to know as you need to understand how waterproof and strong it needs to be especially if you are going hiking with your travel rucksack. Taking a travel rucksack on holidays and just using it for travelling is not so much an issue

Make sure that the travel rucksack is nice and comfortable. Nowadays most travel rucksacks are very comfortable compared to rucksacks years ago. The good travel rucksacks now have a breathing system to allow some air to your back and help to stop you sweating. In addition the straps are now adjustable to fit not only your shoulders but adjustable so you can wear the travel rucksack high or low on your back. This is quite useful.

Most travel rucksacks which are large (not a day sack) now come with the all important belt. Your hips should take more of the weight instead of your shoulders as this is the strongest part of your body. So make sure that a belt is included. Take a look at the picture here

Get a good waterproof travel rucksack. A good feature is a rain cover complete with a zip away bag cover. So that when it does start to rain (which you need to be prepared for) then you unzip your rucksack rain cover and cover the rucksack for rain protection. Again a useful feature. However some hikers do say that a handy top pocket is wasted by the rain cover. I suppose it is a personal trade off – pocket or cover? What is your choice?

What I do is keep my contents of the travel rucksack dry by using a plastic bag in the travel rucksack. Therefore I use this for waterproofing and shy away from the waterproof cover. However some people like it so I have included it.
Another great feature is a unique movable bio system which means as you bend or twist, the pack remains upright. This means that the centre of gravity remains the same reducing the risk of falling or loosing your balance – good feature.

I personally like a large number of pockets. Pockets make it easy to store and retrieve the smaller but things like map, compass, emergency whistle, pocket knife etc.

Have a great hike or travel well and enjoy your travel rucksack as its all part of the fun.

Which Route to Choose to Climb Mountain Snowdon

Mountain Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales with a height of 1085m (3560ft) is. I live in the UK am a keen hiker and rambler I have climbed Mountain Snowdon a number of times. Each time has been great as Snowdon offers superb dramatic views.

Now there is a problem when you climb up Mountain Snowdon. The problem is that there are a number of routes up Mountain Snowdon and the question is always is which route is the best to take? The right answer for you depends on your personal circumstances and hiking experience. However to help you find the right route for you here are a few routes listed and the hiking suitability up Mountain Snowdon

Route 1. The 5 mile Llanberis path. The path follows a lot of the railway going up Mountain Snowdon. This route is the flattest but longest route with a slow but steady climb. So this maybe for the beginner hiker and could be the route for you. However being a beginner hiker, do not forget to learn what gear to take and wear etc especially navigational aids such as map and compass.

Route 2. The Crib Goch ridge route. This is the most challenging and to be honest dangerous route. Crib Goch is a peak next to Mountain Snowdon and has very sharp rocky sections across to the Snowdon peak with very steep drops either side. This route is for the thrill seeker and not for the faint hearted or beginner hiker. I have travelled this once and once only. Be careful on this one!

Route 3. The Miners Pyg track route. This route starts at Pen-Y-Pass. This route is quite flat until you get to some sharp and steeper sections later on. The route is really the best compromise between a challenging and starter route (between route 1 and route 3)

Route 4. The Mountain Snowdon Train ride. Yes - the option for the people who do not want to hike but still want to get some scenary in. There may be some hikers who don’t approve but I cant not see the problem by taking the train. For the mechanically minded the train however is quite an impressive piece of engineering.

In terms of safety there is a local mountain rescue team close by.
So Mountain Snowdon has a lot to offer with a lot of choice. Snowdonia is a very impressive area. By choosing the right routes will suite your needs (including the train option) it is possible to reach the summit and have a great time doing it but at your pace and with your preferred route.

5 Great Ways To Avoid Blisters On Ramblers Holidays

You can really do some great hiking on ramblers holidays. You know the positive points are that it is great you feel the sun on your cheek, out of the city you can feel the fresh air flowing through your lungs, you can see the wonderful scenery.

Trouble is your feet are aching like mad because of a painful horrid blister. Blisters that help spoil ramblers holidays!

OK so the good news is that this can and should be avoided. You can actually enjoy ramblers holidays and hike for miles without that blister problem by following a few simple steps.

The first thing to remember is the importance of your footwear - walking boots and socks. If you are going to spend lots of cash make sure that you have the quality walking boots and socks you can take away on ramblers holidays. I may sound like an old man but modern day hiking boots and socks are much better quality than they were some 10-20 years ago due to the modern advances – I am impressed.
However if you have read my articles before you will know that I advise that it is not always wise to buy directly on-line. You need to go to a store and ask for really expert advice and even try your hiking gear (boots and socks) on so you can make sure your boots and socks are comfortable and fit well. All good preparation for ramblers holidays

The second point is not to wear brand new hiking boots before you go on ramblers holidays. Your new walking boots will need to mould to your foot. The best way that you can do this is to wear your walking boots a number of times before going on ramblers holidays. This way your feet will be a great mould for your walking boots and therefore help restrict movement in the boot and prevent blisters on ramblers holidays.

The third point is that you must look after your feet whilst you are hiking with ramblers holidays. When I first started hiking I made it a rule not to look at my feet. Very wrong. Make sure your feet are dry and have sufficient some air. You know when a blister is about to form when you feel a slight pain or irritation when you are walking on ramblers holidays. The best thing here is to tell your team you need a stop and give your feet some air by removing your hiking boots for a minute or two. So don’t by shy. Other people will be doing the same.

The fourth point is don’t get your feet wet. Thick socks will keep your feet wet and after a while you will have a blister. You can buy some hiking gaiters. These are great and will keep you feet dry.
The fifth point is wear 2 pairs of socks that will rub together when walking rather than your bare feet. One pair should be thin and be worn first. The second should be thick and should be your outer hiking sock on Ramblers Holidays

So enjoy your hike. Enjoy each element. However avoid any blisters and have a fantastic hike during ramblers holidays.