On May 18, 2010 Gerald Marois was walking in the woods alone in southern Ontario (Canada) when he was attacked by a bear. Although he was a local resident this is a region where many people including this author hike as well.
Gerald heard the bear first before he saw it, which was 50 feet away. He immediately started to climb a nearby oak tree as the bear charged and then followed him up the tree. The bear bite him on the leg and pulled off boot before knocking him to the ground. Staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources belief that as he was bending over and wearing hip waders the bear may have thought he was prey, we don’t know. And to date they have been unable to trap the suspect bear.
Although he was not hiking there are some important lessons to learn about safety from this event:
Bear Spray
Mobile (cell) phone – after he was knocked to the ground he called his wife for help. When hiking alone always carry a mobile phone in case of any emergency.
GPS receiver for hiking
In this situation an air ambulance flew him to a hospital in Toronto where stitches to his face and plastic surgery on his leg will be required.
While there are a number of things you should do when hiking in bear country consider at least carrying the above three for a safe hike. Other suggestions may be found in book highly rated in Amazon, Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country
Filed under Hike Safety by on . Comment. 
All of these long distance hiking trails provide a challenging adventure. You want to do your research before tackling any of them. Some such as the Inca, Chilkoot and West Coast trails can only handle a limited number of hikers at one time requiring a level of experience. These three hikes must be hiked in their entirety each taking about a week. Others such as the Pacific Crest, Appalachian and Trans Canada are generally hiked in sections although there are thru hikers.
Appalachian Trail
This very famous long distance trail, first created in 1923, is about 2,165 miles (3,505 km) long from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine along the Appalachian Mountains. Over 96 percent of the route is on government owned land. There are also over 250 shelters along the trail for the convenience of thru hikers. An excellent resource is How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek
Pacific Crest Trail
More rugged than the Appalachian and at higher attitudes this 2,655 miles (4,272 km) long distance trail runs from Canada to Mexico crossing the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. It avoids civilization preferring instead scenic and pristine mountainous terrain with few roads. There are sections of unbroken wilderness and other desert sections in the Mojave with no water sources.
West Coast Trail
First established in 1907 the trail follows the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island. Although the trail is only 46 miles (75 km) in length you will require 5 – 7 days to hike the distance. Along the way you will be hiking across sandy beaches, caves, tidal pools, waterfalls and a coastal rainforest.
Inca Trail
The The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu Inca Trail follows a route in Peru in the Andres mountains to the lost city of Machu Picchu. On arrival in Cuzco you will require about two days to get acclimatized to the high elevation before embarking on your four day hike. Breathtaking, the ruins of this hillside city overlook the rainforest and a tributary of the Amazon. Some of the guides use a flute to play traditional songs at Machu Picchu adding to the scene.
Trans Canada Trail
With a variety of terrain and at a length of 13,359 miles (21,500 km), the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest recreational trail. This long distance hiking trail visits all ten Canadian provinces and all three territories running from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It is about 70% complete.
Continental Divide Trail
This long distance hiking trail follows the crest of the Continental divide for 3,100 miles (5,000 km) from Canada to Mexico. It is about 70% complete.
Chilkoot Trail
In the late 1890’s gold was discovered and the Klondike Gold Rush sent thousands of people north to the new found riches of the Yukon. The North West Mounted Policy required everyone carry one year’s provisions so they hiked heavily loaded up the trail from Skagway, Alaska to Lake Bennett, Yukon Territory. Today this historic route provides a challenging although not lengthy hiking experience. For fascinating information on this trail read Chilkoot Pass: The Most Famous Trail in the North
These seven hikes offer history and wilderness and can be considered the best long distance hikes in the Americas.
Inov-8 Roclite 390 Gortex Hiking Boot – FREE socks
Price: $144.0
Waterproof and breathable ultra light paragliding boot. Durable protective upper features built in ankle protection. The roclite 390 GTX is also ideal for lightweight hill walking and Trail running. The patent pending Fascia-band aids propulsion efficiency of the running and walking cycle.\n\n*Inov-8 says: Runs true to size
Originally posted 2009-11-25 12:34:59.
Filed under Best Walking Holidays, Hiking in the North America by on . Comment.
There are numerous possibilities for hiking in the Swiss Alps. Two of the best are in the Bernese Oberland and Matterhorn regions.
To hike in the Bernese Oberland start your journey by taking the mountain train from Interlaken to Grindelwald. When you arrive there is an array of hotels, restaurants and trails awaiting you here. This is a popular destination so make reservations in advance. Another popular option is Switzerland’s Mountain Inns: A Walking Vacation in a World Apart
Trail 1 First, Bernese Oberland
I strongly recommend you take a 35 minute ride on the cable car to First. From the café at the top you have a sweeping view of the mountains and there are a numbered of well signed trails. A favourite option is to hike to Bachalpsee which takes about one hour and then you continue down into the valley. Or you can start immediately down the hill which takes about 2 ½ hours to reach Grindelwald.
Trail 2 Mannlichen and the Eiger, Bernese Oberland
For a second hike hike up the mountain which takes about four hours. You can also take the cable car to the restaurant at the top. From the top ridge you are able to see the mountains in all four directions, absolutely awesome.
Continue along the 1 ½ hour hiking trail from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg located on the north face of the Eiger, the most popular trail in the area. Then from Kleine Scheidegg you can hike part way up the Eiger Mountain. To return simply walk down the mountain or as most people do take the train.
Trail 3 Gornergrat, Zermatt
The Matterhorn is perhaps the most famous mountain in the Swiss Alps, To get there take the mountain train from Brig for the 1 ½ hour ride up to Zermatt. The helpful tourist information office is located in the train station. Leaving the train station you must either walk or take one of the electric carts to your accommodation as no cars are permitted in town.
For accommodation options visit Switzerland’s Mountain Inns: A Walking Vacation in a World Apart
You have plenty of hiking options as there are 36 mountains over 4,000 meters. One of the best is to take the Gornergrat mountain railway on the valley opposite the Matterhorn and using one of several trails hike to the Sunnegga Funicular for the rid back to Zermatt.
Trail 4 The Matterhorn, Zermatt
Many hikers chose to take the cable cars to Klein Matterhorn, on top of Europe, with sweeping views of the Swiss Alps. From nearby Schwarzsee is an easy, but long seven hour walk back down the mountain to Zermatt.
If you have a Swiss rail pass you can get discounts from the various mountain railways and cable car operators. Evenings are interesting in Zermatt as everyone is a hiker or mountain biker and they are all walking this scenic village with backpacks before locating a restaurant for dinner after a full day of outdoor hiking.
Hiking in the Swiss Alps is the ultimate experience.
Walking Easy: in the Swiss and Austrian Alps
Price: $17.05
Pages: 223, Edition: 0, Paperback, iUniverse, Inc.
Originally posted 2010-01-21 12:17:59.
Filed under Hiking in Europe by on . Comment.
A walking holiday may take you to a different country. While hiking is a safe activity situations can happen and it is essential you protect yourself with travel insurance.
While on a walking holiday in Zermatt, Switzerland last year, I had a minor accident hurting my ankle to the extent where I could barely walk. I saw a doctor and paid the bill for the X-rays and the small cast. I had travel insurance and was reimbursed by the insurance company upon my return.
Travel Insurance coverage you need:
-
Medical coverage – when hiking outside your home country and have an accident medical costs can add up. It is important that you have a plan with a worldwide emergency contact which can advance funds to pay upfront if necessary. Most travel insurance plans require you to call the insurance company immediately if you have an accident.
-
Baggage coverage – some of your hiking gear can be expensive and if lost while traveling can ruin your walking holiday. Baggage coverage, although usually limited can help.
-
Cancellation coverage – While in Germany in September 2001 our group had our flights unexpectedly delayed for four days and incurred hotel, train, meal and phone call bills. Our insurance plan covered 50% of the cost upon presentation of receipts.
Important lessons regarding travel insurance when on a walking holiday:
-
Always have travel insurance when leaving the country
-
Report any medical situations immediately
-
Always ensure you have a worldwide contact will advance funds if necessary
-
Coverage should include at least medical and cancellation coverage
-
Do not judge the coverage by price alone
-
Check with the insurance company or travel agent regarding pre-existing conditions if applicable
-
Nondisclosure of medical information can void your coverage even if the non-disclosed conditions or symptoms have nothing to do with the conditions causing your claim
-
Carry the policy number and contact information with you during your holiday
A lot of people when traveling assume they are covered office plans or their credit card plans. Review these carefully as there may be limitations and exclusions on the coverage.
Interesting reading on hiking safety is The Worst Case Scenario Almanac: The Great Outdoors
The best benefit of travel insurance when hiking is the peace of mind it provides, knowing that you are protected if something unforeseen does happen.
Crescent Moon Trekking Poles
Price: $71.95
Recommended for hikers, snowshoers, and even backcountry skiers between 4’6″ and 6’4″ tall. The3 section poles collapse to 24″ long and make them ideal to store or toput in a backpack. The spring loaded mechanism inside the pole can betwist adjusted to absorb shock or not, making it ideal for climbing(shock off) or descending (shock on) and all terrain. Carbide tungstentips, removable rubber tip covers, 2 baskets for both winter and summerand a sweat-resistant polyurethane handle-grip and strap are alsofeatured. The trekking poles are an excellent value and makesnowshoeing or hiking more enjoyable improving balance and reducingfatigue. Lightweight, durable, replaceable baskets for all season use.
Brand: Crescent Moon
Originally posted 2009-11-20 12:54:59.
Filed under Hike Safety by on . Comment.
If you’re outdoors in the warmer months there are some important things you need to know about hiking safety concerning ticks. In the United States the tick is even more common than the mosquito and a leading disease carrier in humans.
Ticks are tiny arthropods that live in grasslands, trees, leaf litter, hayfields, swamp and marshlands which is where most people will be hiking. They may also be found on some animals and birds. They cannot fly or jump instead as you rub against the bushes, plants and grass, the tick attaches you. For reasons of hiking safety many wear long pants and long sleeve shirts to help protect themselves.
Ticks may move slowly on your skin for up to one hour before biting you. Ticks move warm and moist locations as your head, neck, armpits, ankles, or groin. A tick once attached to a hiker, will burrow into the skin without detection and feed its by biting you and drawing blood.
There are different types of ticks with the soft-bodied ticks usually have their fill after a few hours but the hard-bodied ticks may stay on the host’s skin for up to 2 weeks.
Have fun and hike safely. A majority of tick bites are harmless, however some can lead to diseases so if you discover a tick attached to the skin, remove it immediately. Lyme disease is what most hikers are concerned about from ticks. Typically the symptoms include an oval rash that gets larger over several days and can develop a clear spot in the middle, but not everyone reaction is the same and some people do not get a rash.
Other signs range from body aches and fever to much more serious ones like temporary paralysis, fatigue, weakness and joint swelling. For some people there is a Lyme disease itching symptom, but others report no itchy sensations. These symptoms can emerge anytime between one day and thirty days following the tick bite, depending upon the infection passed on by the tick.
There are two steps involved in tick bite treatment:
· Firstly the tick must be removed without it regurgitating its contents into the wound. It is not necessarily the actual bite that causes the problem, more the transfer of saliva and bacteria from the tick through the skin of the host.
Often when removing a tick a portion of the head remains in the skin as it has a barbed mouth to help secure it while feeding. So the tick must be pulled using tweezers and pulled out straight and not twisted. Use a sterilized needle to remove the head if necessary. Remember a tick has infectious saliva on it so once removed dispose of it carefully.
· Secondly the remaining crater type wound cleaned and disinfected.
As a further reference see Everything You Need to Know About Lyme Disease
Ticks and What You Can Do about Them
Price: $5.99
Learn how to avoid and remove ticks. This book describes the biology and distribution of important North American ticks and the symptoms of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-carried diseases.
Brand: Wilderness Press
Originally posted 2009-08-27 11:54:59.
Filed under Hike Safety by on . Comment.
