Hiking

Nothing beats the great outdoors like adventuring out into the wilderness for a hike. The fresh air, the cool breeze, the fresh scent of pine are all things people look forward to when retreating from smog permeated, noise filled bedlam of a city. For the most part, venturing into the wild for a day or two is virtually free of charge. So pack up a sleeping bag, strap up your hiking boots and make sure you bring an adequate amount of water in food; unless, of course, you wish to live off of the land.

Hiking has a lot of perks to it. Come to think of it, there are actually few downsides attributed to the activity.. As I aforementioned, it is cost efficient. Only things you should invest in buying are supplies that will last you throughout the duration of your stay. The most important benefits that come from the activity are health related. Hiking is one of the best exercises you can perform in order to improve your health. You burn plenty of calories, and additionally, you also gain muscle mass and strengthen your bone marrow. However, you must always remember to stay hydrated while you are hiking. One of the biggest dangers is becoming dehydrated and falling out.

While you’re on your hike you should take a chance to enjoy nature and your surrounding wildlife. Be cautious if you come across snakes, bears, mountain lions and other deadly predators. Falling victim to an animal attack or even the simplest bite can be life threatening, especially when you are far away from civilization. You should always carry a first aid kit with you in case of emergency. Anti-venom snake kits can be lifesavers if you are bitten by a poisonous snake.

When you are planning a hike devise some activities for you, your friends, family or whoever decides to join you on your hike. You might even want to take a break and do some hunting or fishing. If killing animals isn’t your thing, you could have a scavenger hunt. Search for different plants and animals. You could even make a game out of it with your kids.

The hike should be a fun and memorable experience as long as the weather permits. However, mother nature has a tendency to rain on someone’s parade, literally. So make sure you do a thorough check of the weather you will be embracing or trying to avoid. Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable and rain will pour out of nowhere. That is why you should bring the necessary weather gear in the event bad weather occurs.

Overall, this is defintely one of the most healthy, fun and even relaxing getaways you can partake in. For those who believe hiking is too boring; you should plan some activities to avoid that problem. It is more so about becoming and/or staying fit. Take time out of your busy city schedule and take a trip out into the wilderness and enjoy everything that nature has to offer.