How to read a river. How to cross a river safely on foot

Crossing a river safely on foot, especially in cold water or strong currents, can be dangerous and challenging for even a very experienced hiker. There have been many people who have lost their lives while crossing a river. However, if you do find yourself needing to cross a river, there are some guidelines that can help you to read the river and be able to cross it safely. Before ever crossing a river, you should study it very carefully.

Some dangers that you want to look for in the water include:

The Benefits to Hiking

It’s easy to see that exercising is quickly becoming incorporated into many people’s lives. Gyms are commonly seen packed full of stressed out people trying to sneak in a small workout every day. What these people may not know is that using hiking as an alternative to running on a treadmill not only will benefit them physically but also reduce stress and many other mental health benefits. Hiking provides a countless number physical and mental benefits, ranging from preventing heart problems, controlling obesity and calming anxieties. Whether it’s a short walk around the neighborhood trail or taking a trip out to the mountains and hiking up the ridge, hiking is an enjoyable and very beneficial activity for the body and the mind.

One of the most appealing things about hiking to many people is that it doesn’t cost much. While the majority of sports games and activities require special equipment to get started, hiking simply requires a good pair of tennis shoes, a water bottle and any other features you want and you’re ready to go. Anyone that owns a pair of good shoes and can physically walk can enjoy the benefits of hiking. Hiking is appealing to such a large variety of people because it’s easily accessible. Nearly everyone has somewhere they can walk that’s close to their home, the scenery possibilities are endless. Cost efficiency is a huge plus when people are considering adapting new routines into their lives.

Tips For Hiking With Children

If you’re someone who loves the great outdoors, and especially hiking, then you know how much your favorite hobby can change once kids are in the picture. In many cases, hikers lose their passion for hiking once a baby is born. That said, the passion usually returns as a child gets older. While it’s still possible to hike – although not to the same extent – when you have a baby, we will focus on hiking with older kids (4-12 years old).

When it comes to hiking with children, there are many ways it can turn out. What many people don’t realize is that they have a lot of control over what that outcome will be. You can’t take your five year old to climb Mount Washington. This is obviously too much of a challenge for someone of that size, and would also be dangerous. That said, many areas have smaller peaks that are good for day hikes. Even if there are larger peaks, there are usually shorter routes you can plan. And if you don’t live near a peak, that’s not a problem, either. You don’t need a peak to hike. Some of the most beautiful hikes in the country are on flat land.

Tips for backpacking with a baby

For many nature enthusiasts, backpacking can be one of the best ways to experience the outdoors. However, when some people get married and start a family they think that backpacking is going to become a thing of the past. What a lot of people don’t know is that backing with a baby is very doable and there are plenty of people who do this each year. You just need to know the necessary steps in taking your child along for your wilderness exploration.

The first thing to remember while planning your trip is that you need to lower your expectations. Traveling with a heavy pack and a baby adds a lot more strenuous work on you so don’t expect to travel as far as you usually do. Cutting down to three miles a day is a lot more realistic if you’re in shape. Remember that this trip is about spending time with your family in the wilderness and not about proving yourself that you can still do and travel as far as before your baby.

Backpacking Safety in Deer Tick Country

Almost all beautiful, backcountry destinations in North America have two things in common: breathtaking scenery and the unfortunate potential to harbor some member of the tick family. One specific tick species, Ixodes pacificus, commonly known as the deer tick, has drawn much attention in recent years due to its role in introducing Lyme disease to the human population. While the potential for a close encounter with a deer tick should not be a deterrent to frequenting the wilderness areas of this beautiful country, some precautions will ensure as little exposure as possible to the ill effects of tick-borne diseases.

The ability to identify deer ticks and their preferred habitat is the first step in self-protection. An adult female deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed with a black and reddish brown body and legs. An adult male is dark brown and a little smaller. Younger, immature ticks at the egg and larva stages are very difficult to identify and are incapable of transmitting Lyme disease. Transmission is not effective until the nymph and reproductive adult phases when the ticks are also larger and easier to recognize.
Lyme disease tends to be prevalent in, or endemic to, specific geographical areas. Named after the town in Connecticut where it made its national debut in a group of young human hosts, Lyme disease has slowly spread to other parts of the country, although the majority of cases are still specific to the northeastern United States. Deer ticks prefer heavily wooded forests or areas of dense brush that are populated by their favorite hosts, deer and rodents. This ideal habitat is found throughout the eastern and central United States with some deer tick activity also being detected in the western states.
Before you head out to your backpacking or camping spot, a call to the Forest Service or the National Park that is closest to your destination will tell you whether or not deer ticks have been a known problem in that area. Regardless of whether their presence has been established, however, it is advisable to take some further steps to avoid contact with ticks of any kind that may share the wilderness with you.