Hiking Camping Vacation

One of the hikers' worse enemies is dehydration. Dehydration can lead to serious and fatal cases. If you are dehydrated, you have to remember that heatstroke is just around the corner. Read on to know the symptoms and the remedy for dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration

When the body loses about 2% of its fluid, one will experience mild dehydration. The symptoms include thirst, drying of skin and mouth, skin flushing, fatigue and weakness among others. For the loss of 5% body fluid, one can experience muscle cramps, headaches, increased body temperature, and decreased urination. Severe dehydration's symptoms include muscle spasms, vomiting, shriveled skin, seizures, and even unconsciousness. Dehydration needs immediate attention. You have to be aware of the symptoms of dehydration in order for you to give first aid to someone suffering from it.

Treatment for dehydration

When a person is dehydrated, he or she loses electrolytes. In order to rehydrate the body, one has to replenish the lost electrolytes. Sipping water is a remedy. You can also take replenishing drinks such as gatorade. After drinking, you have to eat salty snacks for these contain electrolytes. Do not replace water with soda and sweetened juice drinks. If the dehydration is severe, you have to call an ambulance immediately.

This might be a cliche, but I must still say that prevention is better than cure. This is why you have to prevent getting dehydrated as much as possible. You must drink enough water everyday. Drinking eight glasses a day can help you avoid getting dehydrated especially now that summer is fast approaching.

The US is one of the favorite vacation destinations of many tourists, especially of hikers. It is not really surprising given the various interesting and beautiful places in the US. Read on to know some of the wonderful and amazing natural wonders in the United States.

Hiking at the Great Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona. The Grand Canyon is found in the Grand canyon National Park, which is one of the first national parks in the US. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 4 to 18 miles wide. This place is a wonder with the multi-colored rock surfaces, towering rock formation, and amazing ravines. The Grand Canyon is a very panoramic spot. One who sees it in person would be awed by the overwhelming natural structures. Without a doubt, the Grand Canyon is one of the world's best hiking destinations.

Hiking at Yellowstone

The Yellowstone National Park is located in the state of Wyoming. It is the first national park in the world. The place abounds in wildlife. One of the most famous features of the park is the Old Faithful Geyser. The geyser ejecting water is a majestic sight to behold. The park is also blessed with amazing geographic features, majestic plateaus, and verdant plainsand meadows are found in the place. The panoramic Yellowstone is a great place for hiking.

If you are a hiking enthusiast, you should not miss these two places for the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park

Camping is one of the best ways to spend your holiday vacation. To enjoy camping the most, you have to bring your friends or your family with you. Camping can be a very fun activity, but it can be quite dangerous as well. Before you go, you should read these camping tips to prepare yourself for the worst that could happen while camping.

Camping guide: what to and what not to bring

You need to know the things that you should carry along with you and those that you should leave behind. For the list of the things that you should bring, don't forget your tent, blanket, and other stuff that could keep you warm through the night. You also need to have a pocket knife and a flashlight. Matches are also necessary for lighting the bonfire. Another important thing you should pack carefully is your food. Make sure that the food you bring won't be spoiled easily. Canned goods are common chouces. You must not also forget to bring a first aid kit. For the list of stuff you can leave behind, exclude items that are too bulky and too heavy and food items that require refrigeration.

Camping safety: What to avoid

When camping, you must avoid areas with abundant bushes for they can be infested with snakes and other animals that could bite you. As much as possible, choose the camping sites recommended by the authority, knowing that these places are safer than the others. Another thing you have to avoid while on camping is drinking alcoholic drinks. When outside, your senses should be alert for most of the time and drinking alcohol would have the opposite effect.

Bear these tips in mind for a safe and enjoyable camping with your whole family or bunch of friends.

A child’s safety is always a parent’s primary concern while travelling as a family. Before going on that camping trip, talk to your children about the safety they need to practice. Guide them through the campsite’s safety rules and what dangers that lie ahead of them. They should understand the importance of these rules before you leave.

Camping essentials

Make sure that your camp site has enough child-proof and child-friendly items. Choose a camping site with a curfew period, playground areas, bathroom facilities, and electric or water sources. Don’t forget to bring bandages, sun block, pain medication, antibacterial liquid, allergy medication, cold or flu medicine, and antibiotic cream for critical cuts or burns.

Safety camping tips for kids

Before letting your kids explore and play around, clear the area of any sharp objects or large plants they could trip over. During long hikes, always have a kid between two adults to ensure they do not get lost. Always keep them away from any high points like ledges, drop-offs, and deep water bodies.

First-aid tips for kids when camping

Visit your kids’ doctor before the camping trip. This way you can note any plants they could possibly be allergic to. Keep the first aid kit by your side wherever you go and never leave your child alone.

Backpack travelling is an exciting way to explore the outdoors. By visiting nature only with your bare essentials, you’ll be able to appreciate the simple life and the wonders of Mother Nature.

Backpacking essentials

If you’re not sure if you need something, it’s most likely you won’t need it during the trip. Only pack your basic needs and the emergency essentials. For instance, don’t bring an extra heavy flashlight but bring a second set of batteries. You can make your backpack lighter by bringing primarily dehydrated meals and bringing calorie dense food. Make sure you have enough to supply you salt, carbohydrates, and protein.

Safety gear for backpacking

A first aid kit will ensure your safety during the trip. Pack all essentials that can remedy any kind of injury, especially those that are commonly encountered during hiking. Have enough water and food, and pack a stash for emergency purposes.

Travel documents for a backpack trip

Always have a copy of your airplane tickets, passport, Eurail pass, and credit card numbers. Give a copy of these to a friend or family member at home. Should something happen to you or your documents during the trip, at least their copies are still safe with someone you trust.

Spanning over 760 m is the Spanish Meseta, whose central slopes reach a series of rivers along Portugal’s border. The “dorsal” spine of the Meseta Central is the Sistema Central, forming a division between its northern and southern regions.

All about the Spanish Meseta as hiking spot

Hikers will be thrilled as they climb the Meseta. From the Sistema Central, located along the rims of Madrid to the west that reaches Portugal, the sweeping mountains will take you farther than a tour around Spain’s cities. A view of snow-capped mountains is available during most months in the Meseta’s highest peaks.

Tips when hiking through the Spanish Meseta

Before your hike, be sure to check the weather. Hiking through rough weather is never advisable and is never worth the risk. Always hire a guide to ensure your safety. Bring a companion. Not only will this make the trip safer, but it will also make your journey more meaningful.

How to go to hiking destination Spanish Meseta when from the US

Look for cheap flight discounts to Spain from the US. A lot of online booking agencies offer really good deals.

Why are we too paranoid about wild animals attacking us ferociously or about a poison ivy causing an irritating itch? We, humans, are the ultimate weapons of our own destruction! We put people in danger with our mindless wreck and reckless mischief. Yet, ironically, our body can also be our ultimate tool for defense. An experienced hiker should know his body as much as, or even more than, the hiking trail.

Listen to what your own sensitive body has to say; it makes sense more than your silly brain. You might be a little cold or hot, or you're just about to pass out because of dehydration or perhaps starvation. But before any of these happen, respond to your body and its needs. Take good care of your feet, 'coz they lead you to the best scenery and places. Protect them with socks and hiking boots and pamper them with powder and other stress-alleviating solutions.

Aside from your body, take full responsibility for your hiking buddy! In the wild, your group is one big family. Don't lose companions out of your sight and like what scouts use to say, "Always be ready!" Be a cool lifesaver; wear hats, sunglasses, lip balms, and sunblock. But when it's chilling, you'll find gloves, scarfs, and beanies as good clothing add-ons for your hiking get-up.

Looks can be deceiving and we always fall prey to this adage! Little do we imagine that the most innocent-looking creature can suddenly be a venomous enemy. It can strike us when we least expect it and we are left unaware and unprepared for the next step. Plants are not just ornamental sights in hiking. They can be deadly serious in posing threats to your recreational activity.

Yes, plants can be silent but deadly. Poison oaks and stinging nettles -- they can offer you the worst hiking nightmare. But the fault of every hiker is how he turns oblivious to it all. All eyes should be open wide when entering an unknown turf. Remember that plant life dominates most of the wildnerness. So before you go hiking or camping, acquaint yourself with the enemy. Know where they hide, what they can do, and how you can fight back against their ill wills.

We always toy with danger and get caught with our defenses down. Plants have their tricks, too; it's not easy to distinguish between an amiable and insidious kind. So if I were you, I'll take it easy with the vegetation. Some plants you've been feasting your eyes on can be toxic and poisionous. Don't flirt with them nor fanstasize about eating one. Pack your own food supply if you want to have another day for adventure.

When you're off the road to trek on the wild, give your family a peck on their cheeks and please, do check with the weatherman. He can be your lifesaver and a good person to give you the best advice. Believe me, you don't want to toy around with weather. It can be a friend or a foe but most of the time, it'll betray you when you least expect it. Is it going to rain? Or will it be bright and warm? A wise hiker knows how to weather the storms and shine right up even with a blistering sun. Don't take your chances on a hiking and camping trip!

What can be the worst case weather scenario? My friend, John, who'd recently been to Mt. Gorgonio, had the scariest hiking tale of his life. He was trapped in a hale storm near the summit and all he's wearing were shorts, t-shirt, and light windbreaker! Thank God that he lived to warn his hiking buddies of his personal near-death experience. I definitely won't be caught dead with my knickers on. However, the sun can also smirk at you and play a sinister role in hiking. I remember one time when there's too much heat on high elevation and there's not enough water. Man, weather can really play its tricks.

A mother can do some spanking on naughty boys, but Mother Nature can be ruthless to hikers who don't heed her calls. Like a good son, a wise hiker consults with Mother Nature. He takes note of the weather condition, altitude, and the actual hiking trail. When he leaves the comfort of concrete pavements and modern living in the city, he can only expect a wild experience. So if I were you, I won't dare wish to be on the next headline of the 6 o' clock TV news. I'll cherish life with the right clothing, gear equipment, and ample amount of fluid to rejuvenate my energy. Hiking can be fun, if you'll live to enjoy it!

I choose the LOWA Tibet GTX sepia over the black one because I like to traipse over the Hawaiian valley of Kaaawa. My relatives would take me there whenever I ask for suggestions on my next hiking destination. The last place I've backpacked to was in Norway. Even during summer, the countryside can be so chilly and muddy that I had to wear something resembling real soil. That's when I decided the LOWA Tibet would do the trick.

In Kaaawa, Honolulu, you could at least stop by some open-air Italian restaurants an hour after you've hiked the nasty trails. I am usually fascinated with some weird tropical trees and end up removing my LOWA hiking boots so I could climb to pick the fruits. That was when I was backpacking without a tour guide. Also, riding on horseback could be exhilarating sometimes. But I really choose hiking because it lets me explore more.

When buying hiking boots, you should consider seriously the weight of your backpack. Your boots should be able to bear them. The only thing I didn't like about my LOWA Tibet boots is that they come with so many lace holes that I end up confused when I'm tying them up. Overall though, they pass the hardiness test. When I used them back in Norway, they were impermeable to snow. The rubber soles were so thick. I can't remember the last time I've been comfortable while hiking.

When you think of dangers lurking in the wild, I know you'd be quick to assume that those are wild boars, big bears, slithering snakes, and ferocious lions. That's what we get from watching Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz! The truth is, these creatures rarely cross our path. They're not big fans of humans, who can be obnoxious and downright nasty! So stop obsessing a scene with the Lion King. Chances are, you won't even meet in person. But beware of those we hardly ever see. They can be more dangerous than they ought to be.

We used to stamp on them but once we enter their turf, it's payback time! Time to get even from people who belittle their life and power because they're weak and small. When hiking, you should watch your back or bees may feast on you and leave you with gritting in pain from their sting. Ants and ticks on the other hand may flock on your flesh and sip blood out of you. And do you know that mosquitoes can leave you with a deadly virus and infection such as Dengue Fever or Malaria? There is no refugee camp and your only antidote from these menacing creatures is safety.

Don't underestimate your hiking nemesis. Arm yourself with protective gears and bug repellents. To ward off the threats of the wild, have a keen eye and prepare well. Ignorance is never an excuse while knowledge can always come as handy weapon. If you think ants and bees can turn life to hell, think of microorganisms in the water such as Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium. They can make you feel really sick to your stomach and make you suffer from unexplainable ill experiences. So never drink unfamiliar water even if it looks pure and clean. Drink only from treated water because looks can be truly deceiving.

By reading the newspaper, I get a daily dose of the recent happening in the city. And lately, I usually find lots of hikers on the headlines but there's nothing to be proud of. They haven't set a new world record nor conquered the stupendous Everest or Great Wall of China. Instead, they have fallen off the cliff and injured themselves badly. Some are lucky to be rescued while others are like pin in a haystack, lost and never to be found. There are many wonderful experiences that hiking has to offer but you certainly don't have to risk your own life in indulging in such recreational activity. What all hikers need is a mindset for safety without compromising the actual thrill and adventure.

What could possibly go wrong when you have a comprehensive map of the hiking trail? A lot! Remember, you're not in the city. There are no conspicuous towers or landmark, no stoplights and pedestrian lanes and you're not walking on a concrete pavement. The map specifies the location but not the actual route conditions. You have to be cautious of the weather, the land, the soil, in short, the whole surrounding. You're in the wild and your foremost survival kit is not your trekking pole and hiking gears, it's your own instincts and intuition. You are invading nature's territory so pay respect and navigate safely.

One step can make a big difference, you'll either slip or make a giant leap. So always have the benefit of your own consciousness because you're not walking on the street, you're trudging on the wild. Look at potential hazards glaring right at you. A rock, dirt or even a tree branch can be harmful especially when you're reckless, tired and mindless of your path. They can be treacherous at times when you least expect to stub your toe and get stuck with your foot. Most of the time, hikers can be in a hurry to reach the next trail but it doesn't mean that they should always trust the shortcuts for the longer route may be a lot safer.

When you hike, it's almost as if you want your footsteps to be a part of the splendid hiking trail. But when you hike on the Great Wall of China, you become a part of history. Once, there was even a myth that says the Great Wall of China is visible in the the moon, and from there you can see people from Earth as tiny as pebbles or stones. That's what my mama used to say. Though I'm all grown up to know that it's not true. My dream never fades away. I promised myself that one day, I can take my flight up through the walls and I'll glance down, overlooking the world the way my mom used to say. It's one great dream for one great wall of ancient artistry.

No wonder, China will soon dominate the world not only with the booming population but with its civilization and ancient customs. From green tea to Jet Li, they're everywhere. And the Great Wall of China? It is reminiscent of their cunning skills and culture as a nation. Over 6,000 kilometers long and your journey will start from Beijing going east and into the China Sea. Preserved historic sites and enchanting scenery, this is a hiking trek you'll never forget.

Fifteen days for a walk of your lifetime. From the Beijing section to the China Sea, you'll discover the real beauty of China uninhibited with scenic views and captivating spots. You will visit the preserved historic sites such as WuTian, BaDaling, JiuMenKou, JinShaling, ShanHaiGuan and JiaShan. But besides these dainty spots, you could also tour the remote areas rarely visited by other tourists. Someday, my Great Wall dream will come true. I'll climb atop the momentous Chinese structure and savor every minute of the exhilarating experience.