Joseph's Tips - Page 18

Hikenhunter · 10-24-2012, 11:50 PM

Tip#23 10/25/12---- When hiking either for the day or for several days carry a hiking stick or use a pair of hiking/ski poles. I prefer my 5 foot hiking stick to the ski poles but to each his own. On long walks you can set your pace to a rythm using the stick or poles. This helps you move along smoothly and conserves energy vs. stumbling and bumbling along the trail. The stick serves as a third leg to help you gain ground moving uphill and it serves as a brake when going downhill. It can help maintain your balance when crossing streams. There are many other uses for a hiking stick but I will end my tip with these. One thing I like to do is I have collected hiking staff medallions from many of the trails i have hiked and decorated my stick with them. They are great reminders of the places I've hiked and camped and of the small accomplishments that are dear to my heart.

ponderosa · 10-25-2012, 01:35 AM

Be sure to unbuckle your waist belt before beginning any water crossing over about a foot deep, no matter how benign the crossing appears. You want to be able to get out of the pack should you fall in, so it doesn't become an anchor dragging you under. You can always try to retrieve your pack downstream, after you are safely out of the water. Falling in a fast current, strapped into a pack, is an excellent way to drown.

Pathfinder1 · 10-25-2012, 08:37 AM

Hi...

A survival DINNER NOTE:

A handful of roasted, large grasshoppers has nearly the same number of calories and protein as a hamburger...!!

Grandpa · 10-25-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinder1

Hi...

A survival DINNER NOTE:

A handful of roasted, large grasshoppers has nearly the same number of calories and protein as a hamburger...!!

On a cub scout hike, one of the little urchins was grabbing and eating all the grasshoppers he could, raw. He claimed they were quite tasty and quite filling. I took his word for it.

He must have gotten quite a few because he only ate one hotdog at the campfire. I later apologized to his mother about letting him and checked to see if he was okay. She said he was fine and he did that all the time.

Grandpa · 10-25-2012, 09:50 AM

Oct 25 The Chia Seed is an amazing food. For centuries many have used the seeds for a host of different reasons. Native Americans would take a pouch of seeds and a gourd of water on their trips. The seeds were their food source and taken with the water they would hydrate their bodies for endurance. When you hydrate the seeds in water the seeds shell opens up and absorbs up to nine times its volume in water. This then forms a gel, which is called Chia Seed Gel. The gel helps keep your body hydrated. The gel is also 90% soluble fiber, which is beneficial for your digestive track. People use the seeds when they are involved in sports or physical activities for endurance.

I have tried chia seeds at home, with a couple of tsp full in a pint of water and it does seem filling and I don't seem to lack for energy, (well, no more than normal

zzzzzzzz) but as yet have chickened out on depending on them for an extended hike.

Pathfinder1 · 10-25-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa

On a cub scout hike, one of the little urchins was grabbing and eating all the grasshoppers he could, raw. He claimed they were quite tasty and quite filling. I took his word for it.

He must have gotten quite a few because he only ate one hotdog at the campfire. I later apologized to his mother about letting him and checked to see if he was okay. She said he was fine and he did that all the time.

Hi...

Thanks for my pee em chuckle, Grandpa. I wouldn't eat them raw, though, as you never can tell where their tiny, little hands have been...!!

(I was referring to the grasshoppers)...!!

Hikenhunter · 10-26-2012, 01:24 AM

Tip #24 10/26/12----When planning a hike you need to know the limitations of your partners. Use this info. to plan each day. REMEMBER The slowest hiker in your group is working the hardest of everyone .

Grandpa · 10-26-2012, 09:27 AM

Oct 26 And my last tip this month. Off to a bowling tournament for the weekend, then going directly to a camp out for a week.

Don't discount those little 99 cent ponchos that are smaller than a deck of cards. They will work if needed and they make a great pack cover in camp. Just slide the poncho over the pack backwards, then the face opening in the hood matches the hanging loop so the pack can be hung. Low elevation summer rains may be refreshing but above 9000 feet, they are downright chilly. So an ounce or so for two of these means leaving my 22 oz rainsuit home during those summer months when rain is not expected.

Pathfinder1 · 10-26-2012, 09:31 AM

Hi...

Today's tip:

What are some uses for Mil-type canvas straps of varying lengths?

1) Can be used to fasten items to the outside of your pack...items like your sleeping bag, water bottles, etc.

2) Longer ones can be used as a tump line, for example.

3) Can be used to 'tie' together the top of branches of your emergency A-frame shelter.

4) Can be used as a temporary tourniquet (the Military is experimenting with tourniquets built into their battle uniforms).

charley · 10-26-2012, 03:03 PM

Fall is upon us. That means colder water. If you are going to be in any kind of boat, canoe, raft, whatever: make sure you wear a life vest (PFD). If you do end up in the water this can save your life. Remember that pulling your knees to your chest, if alone, or huddling in a group helps conserve heat as well. That colder water can be a killer.