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
Originally posted 2009-12-01 12:52:59.
Filed under Hiking gear by on . Comment. 
Your walking holiday may be planned by yourself or purchased from a tour company specializing in this type of vacation. A common question is which company to purchase your walking holiday with.
Consider the following 7 items when purchasing a walking holiday:
1. Destination – you will not only want a destination that you personally find exciting but you will need to consider any flight or train connections to get you there. Are you looking for something exotic like the Inca Trail in Peru or a more traditional walking holiday in the English Lake District.
2. Years in business – how long has the walking holiday tour company been in business. Companies that have been in business for years have the experience to plan great routes which have been over time by other hikers. This is considered green travel and many walkers are environmentally sensitive, what is the policy of the walking holiday tour company?
3. Variety of walking – consider the level of fitness required on the walking holiday. Some companies only offer one walk each day for everyone and as long as that fits your level of fitness that is fine. Other companies offer easy, immediate and advanced walking so that you are challenged at your own ability and will be walking with other hikers of the same fitness level.
4. Walking leaders – how experiences are the walk leaders and how large is the group size. Can they point out local vegetation or historic sites? Do they know the best lunch and snack spots? Can they find their way? Are they qualified to handle any emergency that may arise during the walk?
5. Accommodation – consider the rating of the accommodation. You may prefer a more rustic type of accommodation and some companies specialize in using basic local hotels while others use 4 or 5 star properties. Which do you prefer? And how close is the accommodation to where your will be walking? How is luggage handled if you are moving from destination to destination?
Many walking holiday tour operators offer a single share program so that if you are traveling alone you can save on the price by sharing with another guest.
6. Meals – which meals and snacks are included in the base price. Food can be expensive in destinations such as Switzerland. If not included be sure to visit a grocery store on arrival to stock up. In addition some walking holiday tour companies have a welcome or farewell cocktail or wine party and other extra inclusions.
7. Local transportation is transportation from the railway station or airport to your accommodation included or can it arranged easily. Also are local buses or chartered coaches used to take you to the start of the walk each day.
In addition some most companies will have requirements regarding the insurance coverage.
The cost of walking holidays to a similar destination will vary between walking holiday companies but is usually a result of the quality and inclusions of your walking holiday.
Originally posted 2009-09-15 17:36:59.
Filed under Guided Walking Holidays by on . 1 Comment.
One of the most interesting hiking trails in the world, the historic Chilkoot Trail is a challenging 53 kilometer (33 mile) long hike up 3,500 feet. The Chilkoot high mountain pass is located in the Coast Mountain range between Dyea, Alaska and Lake Bennett, British Columbia.
Originally this trail was used by the Tlingit natives for trade. On August 16, 1896 a gold nugget was discovered in Bonanza Creek in the Klondike and the rush was on. To get to the gold over 100,000 prospectors sailed to Skagway, Alaska and hiked loaded up one of two routes. The White Pass trail (nicknamed dead horse trail) is today a railway line.
In hiking up the Chilkoot Trail, the prospectors were required to carry sufficient supplies to support themselves for a year, generally 900 kg of food and equipment. At the top of the Chilkoot Pass the North West Mounted Police (forerunners of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) checked to ensure they had the required amount. It could take the prospectors over three months to move the supplies from cache to cache.
The goods carried included 350 pounds of flour, 150 lbs. of bacon and 100 lbs. each of beans and sugar, sleds, stoves, medicine, picks, shovels, etc. It was said that if you stepped out of line along the trail, it could take as long as half a day before someone would let you back in line. Along the sides of the trail, even today, are littered rusting equipment the prospectors left out of exhaustion. Of the 4,000 who actually discovered gold, only a few hundred ultimately emerged rich.
However today it is a rewarding experience for many hikers. You can plan the hike yourself and obtain the required hiking permits. There are also tour companies you can get the permits and handle the logistics.
The trail can be hiked in either direction, but almost every one chooses the west to east option, and for a good reason. Leaving from Skagway puts the steepest part of the trail, the Golden Stairs, on the uphill side. This is the quarter mile section where you climb over 1000 vertical feet. The weather on the Chilkoot can be seriously bad, by starting at the coast and working inland, most of the wind and rain rolling in off the Pacific will be at your back.
The character of the Chilkoot Trail changes along the way, first it climbs steeply from sea level at Skagway to the pass, and then descends only slightly over to 2,000 feet at Bennett Lake.
On the return you may continue your visit of Whitehorse and the Yukon or take the restored White Pass & Yukon narrow gauge railway down to Skagway. This railway was completed in 1901 and today is used mainly by cruise passengers for day trips. In fact it is the busiest tourist railroad in the world today.
People hike the Chilkoot Trail for the history and the natural beauty. Are you up for this challenging hike?
Chilkoot Trail: Heritage Route to the Klondike
Price: $18.96
Pages: 182, Paperback, Lost Moose
Originally posted 2010-02-02 17:40:59.
Filed under Walking Routes 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 Walking Routes 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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Always have travel insurance when leaving the country
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Report any medical situations immediately
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Always ensure you have a worldwide contact will advance funds if necessary
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Coverage should include at least medical and cancellation coverage
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Do not judge the coverage by price alone
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Check with the insurance company or travel agent regarding pre-existing conditions if applicable
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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
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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 Walking Holidays by on . Comment.
