www.harmonyhikes.com

Do you usually spend your weekends working in the yard or watching endless hours of Satellite TV? It’s time to break up the monotony with a short hikedon’t be intimidated! You don’t need much for a hike as short as 3-4 hourshere’s our essential packing list.
Band-Aids: You won’t think you’ll need them until you get to the top and realize you’ve got to go alllll the way back down with your blisters. BandAids help like you wouldn’t believe and they are great for preventative measures, too.
Provisions: No need to pack a whole picnic, a couple of protein bars or some granola and two canteens of water will do. If you’re going to short yourself on anything make it food, not agua just in case you get turned around and the hike turns into a long one.
A Cell Phone: It may not work all the way up but if trouble does come up (you’re lost, you break an ankle) you’ll eventually find a signal. Cells can get you out of potentially dangerous situations but be sure to note the rangers’ office number.

Hiking is a fun activity to partake in all year, but there are some challenges associated with cold weather hiking. Below are a few tips to make your chilly hike a better experience.

First of all, dress appropriately for your hike. Look at the weather forecast and plan for any foul weather which is predicted. Layering clothing is much better than just wearing one big garment. Heat stays between layers more easily than it does with (more…)

The health benefits that can result from hiking are impressive and numerous.
Hiking provides an excellent cardiovascular workout which strengthens and tones much of your body, including legs, arms, knees, abdominals, and hips. In addition to toning a variety of muscles, hiking is known to strengthen your heart and lungs which lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke, promote HDL (good cholesterol) levels, and lower blood pressure.
Other ways hiking can improve your health include: improving bone strength and density which helps prevent osteoporosis; relieving (more…)

Important Hiking Tips For First Time Hikers

Hiking is a wonderful opportunity that many enjoy on a daily basis. Hiking can be a sense of euphoria, as well as a spiritual journey for many. Although hiking may seem to be filled with simplicity, many do not realize that there are specific important hiking tips one must follow in order to become a successful hiker. Hiking can be something that one may not experience unless properly overturned. When becoming a first time hiker, (more…)

Hiking is an American pastime that not only is exciting and entertaining, but also requires physical activity that can help with your health. When going on a hiking trip, there is always the possibility of some kind of accident happening. Bringing the correct medical supplies will assure that you will be protected no matter what happens.

Band-aids and antiseptic are the most important supplies to bring. Hiking in rough terrain can lead you to many cuts and scrapes. To avoid infection and further complications, you should rinse them with antiseptic and cover with a band-aid. Putting an antibiotic cream on the cut will also help prevent infection. Be sure to have a large variety of bandage sizes.

A variety of over-the-country medicine is also important to bring. Acetaminophen, Aspirin and an anti-histamine should be included in all medical kits. Also, wrap bandages and knee and ankle braces would be beneficial to bring on a long hiking trip. Hand splints, syringe, gauze, moleskin and tubular bandages should also be included in the kit.

If you are hiking with someone that has severe allergies, an EpiPen is crucially important to bring. The EpiPen will help prevent serious health complications until medical attention is attainable. Bringing a tourniquet and EMT shears is something that you should do while hiking as well. In case of a real medical emergency, the tourniquet will prevent blood loss and the EMT shears will help prevent loss of limbs.

Tweezers, small scissors, feminine hygiene products and rubbing alcohol are all important to bring on a hiking trip as well. Hiking is supposed to be a fun and healthy pastime, but if you are not prepared for accidents that may occur, it could turn into a nightmare. Having all of these medical supplies will ensure that no unwanted medical problems occur.

Packing the right equipment and safety essentials is important for your hiking trip, but the snacks bring along are just as important. To take this long trip through the woods, mountains, or wherever you choose to hike, you need plenty of energy and hydration. To stay hydrated on this long adventure, you want to pack bottled water. There-s no sense and passing out mid-hike.

When it comes to bringing food along on your hike, you want to choose the snacks (more…)

You’re A Hiker And You Know It – Even When You Travel
If hiking is in your blood, no matter where you travel, there’s a perfect hiking spot to challenge your hiking skills. It may be the Appalachian Trail or the Cathedral Mountains in Hawaii. Packing hiking gear when you travel is a great idea. Those wonderfully supportive hiking boots take on miles of walking in regions punctuated by hills or inclines. When it’s time to explore serious hiking trails, unpack your hiking gear to make your (more…)

There are a lot of men and women alike all over the world who love to go hiking. Aside from the fact that it is perfect for those who love nature, it is also a good form of exercise to work all parts of the body. In the United States, there are a lot of hiking trails that you should try. I have gathered below a list of the best hiking trails in the United States (more…)

For an avid hiker, good, well-made boots are the most essential piece of equipment in your hiking gear collection. Hiking is inherently filled with the activities of walking, running and climbing. As such, hiking places a great deal of stress and strain on your feet. Keeping them protected is essential to your health and ability to enjoy the most rigorous of outdoor activities.

Selecting the proper hiking boots means identifying those which will protect from any and all potential problems. Boots with extra padding will protect your feet (more…)