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If you are one of those people who can hear mountains calling to them, then this blog is a must-read for you. If you don’t go on a hike very often, this blog will still help you to make your tours comfortable. No matter where you go, your backpack remains a constant for you. Therefore, I’ve listed down five must-have things for your bag pack. These things are important because they are very practical. Hence, they give you the confidence to deal with any situation during your hike. Give the following list a read and find out what your bag pack is missing. High Carb FoodWhen you are on a hike, circumstances can change with a blink of an eye. In such unforeseeable circumstances, food should be least of your worries. People usually carry a lot of food but not the “RIGHT” food. Instead of overburdening yourself, pack high carb and high protein food. For example, canned beans, dry fruits of all kinds, etc. This kind of food gives an instant energy boost, which is required for tough work like hiking. A Reliable Device ChargerImagine being stuck in the mountains or in the jungle, and all your communication devices are dead. Horrible, right? Well, now you can cut device charging from your hiking worries. You can easily get hiking solar chargers from Amazon. Some of the solar charges can charge up to five devices at the same time. The best part about these chargers is that they are excellent power banks. Therefore, if the sun doesn’t rise for days, you are still good with power. First-Aid KitThis goes without saying that a first-aid is the most important of all. However, you’ve to be very careful about what to pack in your kit. If you are not alone, then I would advise you to ask people if they have any medical condition. Design your kid according to your requirements. A Multi-ToolA knife or a multi-tool is also very essential for a hiking trip. You may think that there is no place in your bag for a screwdriver, but you are wrong. These tools prove themselves more useful than you think. Therefore, not only should you make some room for a commando grade knife or a multi-tool, but you should also invest in them. Navigation ToolsThe last thing you want on a hike is to get lost. Therefore, do complete research about the place you are going to hike. I would advise you to talk to someone who has already been there. It will give you a clear idea about the real-time situation of the place. Moreover, never leave your camp without a map or a compass. This means that a navigation tool is also a must-have for your bag-pack.
Hiking is all fun and exciting as long as you are well prepared for it. Therefore, pack wisely if you want to enjoy your hike to its full potential. Happy hiking!  KUHL pants and shirt Kuhl recently sent me Silencer Convertible hiking pants and a stealth short sleeve shirt to review. I jumped at the chance to wear the pants and shirt when we did the famous Fence Post Peak hike at China Date Ranch.  The PantsI love these pants! They are good looking, extremely comfortable, and they allow plenty freedom of movement. Technical features:
Kuhl uses a new innovative softshell technology that creates more stretch without Spandex and will not sag or bag, so you look great in them. You can wear these pants around town! The pants feature a 4-way stretch so you can climb without any worries. They have a full fit through the thigh, knee and lower leg. The rip stop fabric helps resists rips. (The pants can rip if abused enough. ) No worries ripping the pants while hiking through brush, rock, especially limestone, is a different story and might cause rips. The pants have a whopping nine pockets to store tons of small items. Most pockets have zippers so your gear will be there when you need it. All of the buttons are metal buttons. No worries about losing a button out in the backcountry. You can easily zip off the bottoms; you now have 10" shorts with plenty of pockets!  The pants also have a zipper at the bottom hem to make it easier to take the pants off, even over hiking boots/shoes.  Sizes and ColorsWaist sizes are from 28 to 42 Inseam: 28 30 32 34 36 Colors: Khaki - Raven - Storm Khaki - Carbon For more information and to order  The Shirt I love this shirt also. It looks good and feels good. The shirt features wrinkle and order resistant with two chest pockets and there's even a hidden security pocket.  There's plenty of room to move as the shirt offers a wide back, for those with big lats. The fabric is ELUXURITE 100% Polyester - 80 GSM UPF 30 (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) Sizes and ColorsSizes: S M L XL XXL Colors: Blue Depth - Black/Koal - Alpine Lake - Oak Moss - Pesto - Midnight - Polar Blue - Rustic Sun - Seaweed   Are you looking for a good pair of Jogger pants? The Born Tough Core Fit Jogger is your answer. These high-quality joggers are made from Prestige fabric. They are made with 85% cotton and 12% polyester and 3% spandex. This allows them to be breathable and also have anti-microbial properties. Here's what I like about them: They are snug to your legs, instead of loose and baggy. The elastic ban around the ankle helps keep the jogger snug to your lower leg. If hiking in them, they are much less likely to snag on the rock or brush. The jogger looks nice, definitely not like sweatpants. The zippered pockets stops you from worrying about items falling out of your pockets and the pockets are deep enough for a cell phone or wallet. They stretch to allow for freedom of movement, which is very important when climbing. The jogger has an ergonomically designed leg gusset for maximum comfort and flexibility. No fear of ripping them when climbing. Colors: Available in Black, Off White, Gray and Clay. Sizes: small to XL Warranty: We stand behind all our product quality and design. If you experience any manufacturing defect on any of our items, you can contact us and return it for a replacement within 1 year of purchase.  Zipper pockets to keep your items secure.  Chafe-Pro®’s chafe guards have been designed specifically for the recreational boater who use smaller diameter lines (ropes). However, I have found an additional use for them: to protect handlines (ropes) that have been permanently placed in the mountains to assist hikers/climbers up difficult sections of rock. What happens is the rope becomes abraded as it rubs across the rock. Over time this can compromise the rope and it can become dangerous. Normally we replace the ropes when needed. By covering the rope with Chafe-Pro®’s chafe guards the rope will not become abraded thus keeping hikers and climbers safe. The chafe guards I have are 26 inches in length. They are closed along the length (all 26 inches) and on each end by heavy duty velcro. They are very thick and should protect the rope for years. Chafe guards are very flexible and can bend around the rock. To Use: As seen in the photos below a knot at the end of the rope will keep chafe guards secure to the rope. You do not want them sliding down the rope. For more information and to order go to: www.ChafePro.com  Knot keeps the chafe from sliding down the rope   Hiking with your dog can be some of the most fun you can have in the outdoors, but you should always make sure that you plan properly and take the right steps to train your dog for the trails. It is also important to find the right paths to take your dog on, some are canine friendly and others are not. Dogs can be excellent company in the outdoors, exploring with a four-legged friend can be a great bonding experience, but if you make a mistake on the trail you don’t want things to go wrong.
Things to Consider Before you take your dog out on a hiking trip, there are a few things you want to consider. It is important to determine if your pet is capable of making the trip. You’ll want to locate dog-friendly parks and wildlife areas. Your dog should be prepared physically. Don’t forget to learn properly trail techniques for dogs and their owners. It is important to keep in mind the most common dangers for dogs while hiking. Learning how to load a dog’s pack is key, and making sure they are comfortable can make all the difference. Best Breeds for Hiking Of course some dog breeds are better than others at hiking. After all, they were bred for different reasons and some were bred to travel on foot. Siberian Huskies were bred to pull sleds over long distances in harsh climates. They can endure on long hikes if you keep them entertained. Australian Shepherds are an intelligent and adventurous breed that is always ready to hike. German Shorthaired Pointers were developed as a hunting dog and still performs this way around the world. It makes them great for hiking. These are not the only dogs that are great for hiking, there are plenty more. Look into your dog’s breed to find out their hiking skills. Some are built for endurance and others, like pugs, boxers, and Boston terriers, are not. When is my Dog Old Enough to Hike? Not many dogs are too young to go hiking with you, but you should make sure your dog has their vaccinations, especially for rabies. If you aren’t sure whether your dog is up for it, start by taking them on a short hike to see how they fare. Once you see how your dog does on a hike for an hour or two, you will know how they will do on longer journeys. Trails to Take your Dog On When you’ve determined that your dog is capable of hiking with you, it will be time to think about location. Most trails and campsites requires dogs to be on leashes if they are welcome at all. Do your research ahead of time to find the best spot. According to the site MoneyPug, which is used for finding cheap holidays, most national parks don’t allow pets and sometimes require that dogs stay on paved trails. Take some time to get to know the rules of the area you are thinking about going to and familiarize yourself with the wildlife you may encounter. It is also important to look for places that will be easy on your dog’s paws. Shady trails with soft, leaf-covered terrain and avoid paths with sharp rocks, off-trail routes with steep drops, and any surface that gets too hot. Training your Dog Of course it is very important to keep control of your dog at all times, whether they are on a leash or not. You will need to work up to hiking without a leash, but when you do it is very fun and rewarding. Your dog should always be within sight and close enough to hear commands. Dogs can even learn the rules of the trail. When you are out there with your dog, it is important to take into account trail etiquette with a dog. Always clean up after your dog and keep them trained to adhere to your calls and commands to wait for you or let other hikes pass. If you take the steps to do your research, learn what trails are good for dogs, and understand your pet’s capabilities, you will open up a world of possibilities and have tons of fun with your best friend. Ryan Beitler is a journalist, writer, and travel blogger. He has written for Paste Magazine, New Noise Magazine, The Slovenia Times, Deadline News, OC Weekly, and many more.  You have joined the 52 Peak Club and wondering what is the best strategy to earn the cards. There are a lot of factors, but I will try and generalize so anyone can benefit from my suggestions. There are three hiking areas that have peaks where you earn a card when you hike to those peaks with the 52 Peak Club. They are Mt. Charleston, Red Rock and Lake Mead. Mt Charleston Peaks/Cards: There are 14 Mt. Charleston Peaks where you earn cards. These peaks are normally only offered in the summer. It's way too cold and too much snow in late autumn, winter, and early spring. Strategy: Do all the Charleston Peaks in the summer. If you don't, you will have to wait until next summer. If you join the 52 Peak Club in the summer, do as many Charleston Peaks as you can. Charleston Peaks are tougher overall due to the elevation and the length. If you see McFarland Peak on the schedule, sign up for it. This hike is not posted often. Start with the easier Charleston Peaks, like Bonanza Peak, Fletcher Peak and Mack's Peak. Do not wear good rock scrambling shoes; the rock will ruin them.  Red Rock Peaks/Cards: There are 34 Red Rock cards, the most of the three hiking areas. If you a new to rock scrambling, start with the lower value cards: Kraft Mtn (2H), Calico Tank Peak (2C), White Rock Springs Peak (3H) and Gray Cap (3C). Red Rock hiking season begins in mid-September and goes through mid May normally. There are times during the winter that we do not hike in Red Rock because of snow and ice. Strategy: Sign up for the following hikes: First Creek Peak, Global Peak, Holiday Peak, Terrace Canyon Peak, and Lost Creek Peak. These hikes are not posted often. Also to become more comfortable on class 4 rock, start rock climbing. Good approach shoes are a must. Work on your balance.  Lake Mead Peaks/Cards:
There are only four Lake Mead Peaks that you earn a card. These peaks are the easiest peaks due to lower elevation and minimal scrambling (Exception is Frenchman Mtn which does have class 3 scrambling.) Lake Mead hikes are posted during the winter months. They are not posted in the summer - too hot! Note: Hamblin Mtn and Anniversary Narrows Peak are the same card. Do not wear good rock scrambling shoes; the rock will ruin them. Other Strategies: Get to know the hike leaders. If you have a 4WD vehicle, offer to drive. Some trailheads need a 4WD to drive to them. Don't do too many hikes in a row. This can burn you out and you are more likely to get injured. Download the Meetup app on your phone and as soon as you get a notification about a hike, sign up if you can do the hike and need the card. If you hike once a week, you will do all the peaks (52) in one year. Helpful Links: List of all the peaks. FAQs To join the 52 Peak Club  After many years of being closed, Anniversary Narrows is opened again. This is one of the most magnificent hikes around Las Vegas. This blog will describe how to find and hike through the Narrows. Tips to hike to Anniversary Narrows Peak are also included. Driving Directions:From the intersection of Lake Mead Blvd and Northshore Road go north (left) on Northshore Road, drive 13.0 miles to mile marker 16 and make a left onto the signed, gravel Callville Wash North Road (94). Drive less than .01 of mile and make a 180 degree turn and go down a steep grade. (You might need a 4WD vehicle to get up this grade.) Drive east two-tenths of a mile where the road divides. Take gravel road 94A (signed) and follow it about 1.8 miles to an unsigned parking area on the left side of the road. This is just before the road drops down into Anniversary Narrows Wash. For longtime hikers of Anniversary Narrows this is the same road we have always taken and it is in better shape now.  Steep Grade - it's steeper than it looks in the photo  Park here. Do NOT drive down into the wash. You can't. There's a big drop off. The Hike to the NarrowsFollow the gravel road in the above photo 75 yards down into Anniversary Narrows wash. Head north (right) in the wash. The wind and rain have created fantastic sculptures into the sides of the wash. As the wash curves to the left you can see remnants of Anniversary Mine (1922-1928) on the right bank. Do NOT enter the mines. In about 100 yards beyond the tunnels, the wash narrows and you’ll enter the locally named “Anniversary Narrows” section of the wash.  Start of the Narrows It’s unbelievable that thousands of years of wind and rain created the Narrows. At times the walls are only five feet apart. There are now three Class 3 climbs in the Narrows. They are all very short. Hikers can assist each other if needed. Watch for slippery boulders. The are numerous photo opportunities as you walk through the Narrows. The light in the Narrows is different depending on the time of the day. See the below photos. After 150 yards the walls recede and the wash widens again.  Photo taken in the afternoon  Photo taken in the morning Anniversary Narrows Peak Hikers at Anniversary Narrows Peak Since you can again drive almost to Anniversary Narrows Wash, the best way to do this hike is an up and back. This has two advantages: You avoid the loose junk the old descent route has and you hike through the Narrows again. The light will be different. Follow the original ascent route. It is very well cairned. Once on the summit ridge go around to the left side following cairns. Once back on the ridge, continue on the ridge to the peak. Do not drop off to the left side again. The only class 3 climbs are in the Narrows. There is a sign in book at the summit. Descent TipsSince this is now an "up and back" hike, here are a few tips to get back to the Narrows. Retrace your steps down the ridgeline to the saddle. From the saddle you can see a green patch of landscape. You want to head to the left of this and look for cairns that mark the wash you need to cross.  Once out of the wash you cross, look for the ridge circled in the photo below. Head to the right of it as indicated by the arrow. You will drop into a minor wash that leads to the main wash. Go left in this wash about one mile back to the Narrows! That's it. Have fun.  Hiking boots are important for your comfort and performance on the scene! And by scene, we mean the harsh, rocky surfaces of mountains or soggy mud. The tread is towards the lighter materials that still offer descent levels of support. Not to forget the waterproof properties that are the most popular by far! But these are just elements to consider. Do the best boots of 2019 have them all? Let’s check it out.
Scarpa Zodiac Plus For a trek on the harsh terrain of Peru, you know what to get for your feet! Go for Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus – a boot that lets you climb over rock and boulders without losing your stability. The fun thing about it is that the hiking boots are actually really light. They weigh around 9 ounces or less for a pair and they are a bit more flexible compared to other boots. Feel free to get it for you. It’s available in unisex versions! The price of this pair of boots might discourage you for sure. It is being sold at $235. But don’t just go on the price tag. It has loads to offer as well. Users of this great hiking boot find it extremely comfortable. It’s well built and can handle any kinds of terrain. If you don’t want the ultimate levels of stability and prefer light weighted materials, then this might be of your fancy! Grenson Hiking Boots Whether it is the classic boots or the Grenson Nanette boots, it goes pretty well with a winter look. Yes, you guessed that right. The Hiking Boots fit winter outfits and can be used along with casual wears. That’s one pair of boots that do not go outside the closet only to face the dire situations of hiking. You might get them for around £270 in the UK and in various colours to fit your taste. They are light. They are fancy. They are Grenson Hiking Boots! Vasque St. Elias GTX Appearances tend to be deceiving with the Vasque St. Elias. It kind of looks like Hiking boots that has leather on it with heels of rubber. But that’s actually the impressive thing about it. With a heavy pack on, the EVA midsole and TPU shank offer enough stability and cushioning for putting on serious miles. After years of leaving the designs of their boots the same, Vasque has revamped the popular model in this release of 2019! Ladies and Gents, you can have it for your size! Let’s get ready to go hiking since, with these hiking boots, you might feel more comfortable about your movements. Of course, it’s nearly wintertime and you may be looking for alternatives to combat the cold weather and not leave behind your spirit of hiking. Try hike onto the virtual Himalayas on Himalayas Roof Of The World Slot. Feel free to try the mobile slots at Magical Vegas Casino along with this entertaining creation of Novomatic. Don’t forget to tell us how it looks like to be at the top of features on the game!  I am reviewing the Capstone 32 Liter Thule daypack for men. This is a daypack suitable for long day hikes. It is especially good if you have a lot of equipment to carry. There are two large compartments to haul your gear. One compartment is open so you get items very fast. Storage: Beside the two large compartments the pack has a smaller compartment near the top that can hold smaller items such as: flashlight, headlamp, gloves, food etc. This compartment has a key holder, so your keys are secure. There's also a side compartment on the waistbelt that holds smaller items. The other side of the waistbelt has a holder for hiking poles. It's called a VersaClick. Note: This holder would be good for trail hikes, not scrambling hikes. The poles would hit the rock. There are two angled mesh pockets for water bottles. The angle makes it very easy to grab the water bottles. The Fit: These daypacks are customizable using the MicroAdjust suspension system. The pack actually adjust to your height! This ensures a good fit. It also has a tension mesh back panel that allows air to flow between the pack and your body. This helps keep you cool, which in turn, means you will not need to drink as much water. Extras: The pack comes with a highly visible raincover that will keep the pack and contents dry and can double as a visible signal for Search N Rescue. The top handle is separated into three sections. The main handle is used to pick up the pack and the two side handles can have equipment attach to them such as a carabiner and a lanyard (keep hats from blowing away).  Daypack full of gear These daypacks do not come with a bladder, but they have a sleeve for a bladder and a hole marked by a blue icon where the hose goes through. The chest strap is height adjustable. All the zippers have bright yellow pull tabs, which makes it very easy to find and use the zippers. Wish List: I wish the pack had a few more small compartments to help arrange gear. The shoulder straps could be padded a bit more and the zippers could be beefier. STATS: Volumn: 32 L Dimensions: 10.2 x 13 x 22.8 Weight: 2.55 lbs Model number: 224101 Conclusion:
This is a good pack for longer hikes and hikes you need to carry a lot of equipment (ropes etc.). The Micro adjustment guarantees a good fit, there's lots of room for equipment, the mesh back panel keeps you cool and the built-in raincover will keep the pack and equipment dry. If you are looking for a large daypack, this is one to consider. Click here to go to their website. This is a very powerful flashlight, yet small and lightweight. It's main feature is the illuminating 1000 Lumens light it emits. See the photo below. It tells the story. The poles are 25 yards away the mountain is over 50 yards away!  The light turns night into daylight. This the first light I would be comfortable descending class 2 and 3 rock in the dark! Not only could I see terrain in front of me, I could see landmarks in the distance, which is very important for finding my way down. I am not talking about a trail, but a route which is far more difficult to follow. The PD35 has six modes including a strobe mode for emergencies. This could literally save your life! Each mode increases the light intensity. What's in the Box? You get the PD 35 flashlight, a carry case with a loop so you can put it on your belt, batteries, a lagard, and a metal clip (not sure how to attach that). How to Use: The main on/off switch is at the rear of the flashlight. Click it once. There's a round button near the front of the flashlight. Each time you press it the intensity of the light increase. Strobe Mode: Press and hold the round button at the front of the flashlight to engage the strobe mode. Easy. Specs: Led Bulb lifespan 50,000 hours Length: 5.3 inches Weight: 3.1 ounces Powersource: rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A batteries (included) Anti roll slip body design Conclusion: This is an impressive flashlight. It's lightweight, easy to use and durable. The light is so bright it's like daylight. I will always have this in my daypack. For more information and to buy |
AuthorBranch Whitney is the author of Hiking Las Vegas and creator of the 52 Peak Club where members hike to the best 52 Peaks around Las Vegas, NV Archives
January 2020
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