Ray K. Anderson's Blog, page 11
August 18, 2015
Hiking Safely #2
If you are planning to do much hiking, take a wilderness first aid course. Many hiking clubs offer such a course. You can also check out SOLO which offers wilderness first aid courses throughout the country. From everything I’ve seen and read, one good way to hike safely and avoid injury is to stay hydrated. Drink! Drink when you are […]
August 15, 2015
Hiking Tip-Improvise and save $
I go nuts in outdoor stores. Everything looks good, and I try to rationalize that items I don’t need may come in handy. Hiking Tip: Improvise and save $ Here are a couple of ways you can be frugal and get the job done. Sleeping warm I found that I became colder in my bag by morning. I was convinced dampness seeped […]
August 11, 2015
Hiking Safely
Hiking safely is a big subject worthy of many posts. For a start, here are some suggestions on this important topic. MAPS: No matter how short or how easy the hike is, don’t go anywhere without some type of map. If you get injured, and you raise help on […]
August 8, 2015
Peak-Bagging
Peak-bagging is hiker jargon for those who get satisfaction in summiting mountains. Peak-baggers will climb (bag) peaks usually in some type of organized quest. It’s how I developed a passion for hiking. Some years ago, I met a hiker in the White Mountains who said he was going to summit all the 4000 footers in New Hampshire. There are 48, and he was up […]
August 4, 2015
Hiking Tip–Sandals
What’s one of those items you keep forgetting to pack for a hike? Or, perhaps, you haven’t realized their versatility and don’t take them. I bet it might be sandals. Hiking Tip: Pack Sandals You come to a stream. It’s not very deep and it is fordable, but the water will fill up your shoes or boots and drench your socks. So, you think about going barefoot. But wait; isn’t that […]
August 1, 2015
Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes?
My old leather boots on the right in these pictures are more than twice as heavy as my trail shoes on the left. I had read somewhere that if your backpack weighs over forty pounds, you are better off with boots for ankle support. I also remember reading (and know from banged up […]
July 28, 2015
The Long Trail
The Long Trail, traversing the length of Vermont from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border, is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America. This 272 mile footpath is not a cakewalk. It may begin that way, but the climbs over 4000 footers like […]
July 25, 2015
Hiker Jargon
TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS: I have merged my “Take a Long Hike” blog into my new website at http://www.rayKanderson.com The way you receive blog posts should not be affected, and I will continue to post every Tuesday and Saturday. Please check out my new website. Thanks. Abbreviations of trails abound. But here are some other words and terms […]
July 21, 2015
Save Knees-use trekking poles
TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS: I have merged my “Take a Long Hike” blog into my new website at http://www.rayKanderson.com The way you receive blog posts should not be affected, and I will continue to post every Tuesday and Saturday. Please check out my new website. Thanks. Twenty-five years ago, hiker trekking poles were practically […]
July 18, 2015
Stoves–think small; think simple
The Esbit Pocket Stove continues to be a well-kept secret. I have no idea why hikers who try to shave every fraction of an ounce from their pack, ignore the mighty little Esbit. This dependable tiny stove, which can fit in your pocket, has been used around the world since WW II. TIP: To reduce pack weight and increase […]
