Hiking Boot Birdhouse Price: $28.95 This Hiking Boot is for the birds! Birdhouse includes ventilation and drainage holes, deep nesting chambers, clean-out doors and do not include predator perches. Made of hand painted resin, it can either be hung or wall mounted Brand: Outside Inside 
So what gifts for the hiking enthusiast are you going to give this Christmas. You want something they can remember throughout the year, is fun and will not break the bank.
Besides the traditional Christmas gifts of backpacks and clothing here are 7 Christmas gift suggestions for hiking friends and family:
· Book or DVD – a good book about a hiking or walking holiday destination or even on proper hiking planning. This is a fun book A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
· Customized water bottles by Original Wraps Inc.– are different, you can have any picture applied to this water bottles so the memory remains during future hiking expeditions
· Swiss army knifes – everyone needs one of these on the trail
· Socks – There are some really interesting hiking socks that will keep people comfortable on the trail
· Picture frames – I have several around my home with fond memories of the some of the hikes I completed on previous years
· Adventure hats – keep off the sun (rain too) with these wide brim hats
· GPS – you your hiking friends will not get lost along the trail. Some watches are amazing as well with special features for the hiker.
This year provide a gift that your avid hiker will remember for the rest of the year
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Dec 1st, 2009. Comment. 
The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu, 3rd: Includes the Vilcabamba Trek & Lima City Guide (Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu: Includes Santa Teresa Trek, ) Price: $13.57 Pages: 336, Edition: 3rd, Paperback, Trailblazer Publications
Long Distance hiking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Known as the Lost City of the Incas, Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911, guided to the site by a young Quechan boy. There were people living there at the time from the time it was abandoned by the Incas. And in 1960 the Inca Trail was discovered, it was part of more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas in South America.
The Inca Trail is perhaps the most popular long distance hiking trail in South America.
When you arrive in Cuzco take a few days to get used to the attitude. If arriving from Lima, the capital, you have gone from sea level to 11,000 feet within one hour. Walking up a set of stairs will leave you breathless, although you do get used to it.
Your 3-4 day hike to Machu Picchu is along an ancient path made of interlocking stones. On your guided tour porters will assist carrying the camp gear, food and more things.
Your hike can start at either Chillca (Kilometre 76 of the Cuzco-Machu Picchu Railway) or the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo with its Inca ruins (Kilometre 88) where you climb Dead Woman’s Pass, highest on the Inca Trail.
Along the way you will pass Inca ruins, the Pacaymayo Valley and Inti Punku, the gateway to the sun. GAP Adventures is a well respected tour operator with a number of packages along the trail. A great resource is The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu Trek Guide
The ruins of Machu Picchu are set on the side of a green mountain with a tributary of the mighty Amazon deep in the jungle below. Surrounding you as far as you can see are other mountains. What you might hear are some of the guides playing traditional Peruvian folk songs with a flute, El Condor Pasa is one made famous by Paul Simon (he added his own words). The scenery is truly beyond words. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Historic Sanctuary and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Although it is the most visited site in Peru, much is unknown, it is believed that Machu Picchu was built as a ceremonial center to worship the Sun God and as an observatory for the solstice sunrise.
You will return to Cuzco by train which is an interesting ride itself. Along the way local people will try to sell you goods as the train frequently stops a number of times along the way. The Peruvian villagers are famous for their hats and colourful clothing.
The Peruvian government has regulations regarding the number of hikers on the Inca Trail so reservations should be made well in advance.
Hike the Inca Trail for a once in a lifetime experience.
Filed under Hiking Trails, Hiking in South America by on Dec 4th, 2009. Comment.
Booking a guided walking holiday can be an exciting and fun way to plan your next hiking trip. Particularly in a foreign country where the culture is different than your own having someone else make arrangements can be benefical.
There are 7 benefits of booking guided walking holidays:
· Planning – the travel company making all the arrangements and has had the experience of walking the same trails throughout the season picking the best routes, see Classic Hikes of the World
· Guides – experienced guides to show you the way, explain local history and vegetation, advise on proper hiking techniques and assist you if you get in trouble
· Local transportation – your guided walking holidays the travel company arranges buses to get you to the start and finish of your hikes. On your own in some destinations this could involving local buses according to their schedule and connections.
· Accommodation – they have buying power and have blocks of rooms for the season at well located hotels they have checked out in advance. Some companies such as HF Holidays own their own country houses which gives them great control over the facilities such as a room for drying your boots. If travelling solo you can save money by sharing a room.
· Meals – fabulous meals featuring local cuisine are normally included and you have other hikers in the group to dine with
· Other Hikers – you will meet like minded people from all over the world with various skills
· Saving money – accommodation, local transportation and guides are all less expensive when arranged for a group
Some companies that offer guided walking holidays include GAP Adventures, HF Holidays, Ramblers, Explore, Exodus, the Wayfarers and Peregrine.
A guided walking holiday may be the way to go on your next hiking trip.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Dec 10th, 2009. Comment.
To self publish a book and easily save your hiking memories you will need a journal and digital camera. Here are the three steps:
Step 1
Write a hiking journal during your walk as you can quickly forget the details particularly if you go hiking frequently. Record who is on the hike; accommodation details; great restaurants, pubs, tea rooms. Also note the distance you hike each day; significant landmarks; elevation; the weather and anything else interesting along the way including people you meet and waterfalls. Hiking, The Hiker’s Journal
Your hiking journal should be a small book wrapped in plastic to protect it from the weather. All this information will provide a resource when preparing your self published book. All Weather Travel Journal
Step 2
Take plenty of digital hiking pictures during the walk. Remember the idea is to create a story so take both close ups and long distance pictures of the trails, landmarks and people in your group. Canon PowerShot
Step 3
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When you return home from your walking holiday head over to your computer and download the self publishing software. I have found blurb to be particularly good for self publishing (use the text and picture layouts).
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Download the hiking pictures to your computer and add them to your page layouts
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Using your hiking journal add comments to each picture
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Order the book on line
Your family, friends and work colleagues will be surprised at the quality and assume the book is from a book store until you show them your name as the author. People are more likely to look through a book than a huge collection of pictures online.
Your self published hiking book is your souvenir of the trip. You can even produce additional copies for other people you were hiking with if you wish. Even better, it is less expensive than having your pictures developed at a photo shop.
A walking holiday, particularly in an area away from home and you will want a souvenir of your trip. You now have tabletop self published book of your hiking experiences.
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS 10 Megapixel Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom, 3 LCD, Face Detection, Optical Image Stabilizer
Price: $179.95
The Latest Triumph of the A Series. Inside its sleek, pared down design, this top-of-the-line PowerShot A2000 IS is packed with easy-to-use features. You’ve got a 10.0-megapixel resolution and a 6x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer for big, beautiful prints and superb stability. To keep subjects looking their best, the DIGIC III Image Processor with Canon Face Detection handles the technical details – automatically. An Easy Mode allows you to concentrate on your scene, while Easy Playback lets you screen your images on a super-sized 3.0-inch LCD.
Brand: Canon – For Buy.com
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Dec 14th, 2009. Comment.
There are several methods of navigation while hiking: easiest is to just follow the trail blazes or signs; follow the sun; a compass or use a hiking GPS. Yes, you can also leave bread crumbs along the trail but if the birds have their say you will not have a return trail to found.
If you are not following a marked trail you should carry either a compass or hiking GPS. A secondary reason for a hiking GPS is that it can provide information regarding your distance travelled and the elevations you have climbed.
GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning system that can be useful to navigate when hiking in an unfamiliar area. The hiking GPS is really a satellite receiver with signals from approximately 8-10 satellites providing your location on a map display. It is still recommended that you carry a trail map or guidebook as a backup and to have an overall view of where you are heading.
Some of the features you should look for in a hiking GPS:
- Durability – it is essential you use a handheld hiking GPS of rugged construction, shockproof, compact and lightweight. It needs to be waterproof should as you as sure to be hike in the rain at some point. A GPS designed for auto use is not suitable for hiking
- Map Screen – your hiking GPS needs a screen that can be easily read in all light conditions including direct sunlight.
- Routes – ability to store at least 20 hiking routes and provide a bearing to the next waypoint. For example the Garmin Dakota can store up to 50 routes and 1,000 waypoints. A thick forest canopy has caused issues for hikers in the past with earlier GPS models however newer models no longer this problem.
- Maps – ability to upload topographic maps are a good option such as is found on the Garmin 60 CSC model to indicate the terrain contours, roads, etc. Fortunately most GPS units have a USB connection to enable you to download maps from your computer for your destination.
- Batteries – do carry spare batteries but it is best to use common batteries such as AA size that can be purchased during your walking holiday. Also long battery life is essential; some two battery models have a longer life than the models with four batteries.
- Ease of use – you need a hiking GPS that you can learn to use quickly and easily. Many models offer touch screens
There are many models of hiking GPS and new versions seem to arrive constantly. Many people consider the Garmin Oregon 550 with built in camera to be the best, and the Garmin Colorado is also a premium model, while the Dakota is an excellent entry level choice. The DeLorme Earthmate Handheld GPS
The handheld hiking GPS gives you the confidence to hike anyway and not lose your way.
Garmin Oregon 550 Touch-Screen Handheld GPS Receiver with Integrated Camera
Price: $549.99
The navigator with the photographic memory Garmin Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable. Also new is the addition of the 3-axis tilt-compensated com
Brand: Garmin
Filed under Hiking gear by on Dec 21st, 2009. Comment.
