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Hiking Las Vegas Blog
Ready to hit a popular trail? Hiking offers up a smorgasbord of sensory experiences that you can’t find in the city. The fresh air, the beautiful blue sky, and the calming tranquility of the mountains are here for you to enjoy. However, many people find the lack of stimulation during a hike a bit tedious. If you’re worried about boredom setting in on the trail, keep yourself entertained with these tips and tricks. Stave Off Boredom with Podcasts Is all that peace and quiet making you go crazy? Break out the headphones and listen to your favorite podcasts as you walk. If you don’t have a previously established go-to podcast, try out this collection of podcasts for hikers to learn more about your hobby and hear cool stories from other wayfarers. Of course, you may not want to listen to a podcast about hiking when you’re currently engaging in the activity. If this is the case, try out story podcasts or productions about places you want to visit or hobbies you want to get into. You can find major motivation to start a new project while on the trail, so don’t hesitate to dive into whatever interests you. Use Your Phone for Games Galore Before we get started on gaming, let’s preface it with a word of advice: it might not be a great idea to play games as you’re walking. After all, tripping and falling is something you want to avoid at all costs. However, all hikers need a rest sometimes—and if you’re camping out, you could use an activity to help you while away the evening. When you stop to take a water break, take your phone out as well. Play a quick game to distract your mind from the heat, the exhaustion, or whatever discomfort you’re feeling at the moment. It can be a blessed distraction, and it’s a great way to break up the time. This also holds true for overnight camping, especially if you’re going it alone. Taking part in some digital action will serve to make those solo evenings a bit more entertaining. If you’re interested in connecting with the dazzling city below you, playing some slots on your phone could be just the ticket. You’ll find a plethora of games at web-based venues, and you can actually use free coins from Heart of Vegas to play slots online without having to make a deposit. Whether you choose to play casino games or just a game of old-fashioned Tetris, you’ll find yourself glad you brought along your device. Especially if you have trouble getting to sleep or you’re feeling lonely, gaming is a great way to distract yourself. Identify Local Flora and Fauna to Pass the Time Maybe you’re going on a short hike for a few hours, or perhaps you’re setting yourself up for an action-packed hiking holiday spanning all of Red Rock and Lake Mead. Either way, it pays to be able to identify local plants and animals along the way. The Flora and Fauna of Nevada is worth seeing. If you’re not from around the Las Vegas area, you’ll be wowed by the extreme beauty and variety of life to be found in this rugged terrain. Far from a lifeless desert, Nevada holds treasures untold, so entertain yourself by keeping your eyes peeled for hidden gems amid the landscape.
You’ll find mesmerizing acres of low mesquite trees and charming cactuses waving their spindly arms at you from the desert floor, while sagebrush peppers the air with a delightful fragrance up above in the mountains. Joshua Trees, wildflowers, and all sorts of plants can be found here, and you can make a game out of identifying them all as you pass by. Likewise, identify specific animals native to the region such as Gila monsters or Sage Grouse and count how many of them you can spot darting through the brush. Keep track with a pen and paper, and try to catch sight of even more next time around. Make sure not to do anything to attract animals to the trail, as it’s best to let them alone and appreciate their beauty from a distance. Make sure to follow all the hiking safety tips, educating yourself on poisonous or dangerous animals, and never approaching or touching any animal at all. Ready to set off on your solo adventure through the hills of Las Vegas? No matter which hike you choose to do, it will help you out greatly to stay entertained during your trek. Now that you know these tips and tricks for having fun on the trail, it’s time to hit the road! Note: If you do hike alone, make sure it's on a popular trail and tell someone the name of the trail and what time you think you will be back. Hiking without a pair of good sunglasses in your pack is no fun. Trying to pick your way over treacherous terrain with the glare of the sun blinding you is dangerous and definitely not enjoyable.
Buying the right pair of sunglasses from somewhere like EyeBuyDirect.com will do far more than just protect your eyes from damaging UV light. They will also help to keep dust and grit out of your eyes and make it possible for you to see the track even when the sun is blindingly bright. But, you do need to take your time, do a bit of research and be willing to spend a little extra money to ensure that you get your hands on the right pair. Here are the things you need to bear in mind when buying sunglasses for hiking. Make Sure You Get the Fit Right Buying a pair that fits you properly is essential. The last thing you need is to be constantly pushing them up the bridge of your nose because they are too big and keep sliding off. If you buy a pair like that they are unlikely to provide the right level of protection. A significant percentage of the time they will not be sitting close enough to your face to stop the UV light from reaching your eyes. Think About the Conditions You Will be Hiking In If you like to hike in the winter, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t need sunglasses. You will definitely need them if you are planning to walk in a snowy area. Without sunglasses, the glare will be uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that you can do a surprising amount of damage to your eyes by not wearing sunglasses in these conditions. It is possible to temporarily blind yourself by not wearing the right eyewear when walking through a snowy landscape. You can find out what snow blindness is here, as well as how to choose the right eyewear to prevent yourself from developing this very painful condition. You should also consider wearing them on cloudy days regardless of the conditions you will be hiking in. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s advice is that everyone wears sunglasses whenever they are outside. Choosing the Right Type of Lens The type of lens is also important. For a hiker, it is rarely a good idea to buy a pair that have really dark lenses. You want to be able to see the trail ahead clearly, at all times. The rougher the terrain, the more important a consideration this is. Polarized lenses are usually a good choice. They filter out more of the light and tend to be better at reducing glare. Plus, many people say that things look better when they are wearing polarized lenses. This is likely true because they are designed to make colors look richer and to provide a good level of visual depth. They are an especially good choice if you are likely to be hiking near water or in the snow. The Right Frames As I mentioned above, the fit is important. But, also to some extent is the materials that the frames are made from. Frames that are made using a combination of nylon and plastic will not become brittle over time. So, if you drop them they will not shatter. Nor will they get too hot as some metal frames can. Everyone loves a vacation. Escaping from normality, getting fresh air and experiencing new cultures, we return from vacations feeling refreshed, relaxed and energized (for cancellations, click here).
Whilst many people might consider a vacation time to do a whole lot of doing nothing, a hiking holiday can be a welcome and exciting challenge. By taking to the countryside we burn calories, learn new skills and see stunning views. But, for someone who’s never hiked, the idea might feel a little daunting. So, why should you go on a hiking holiday? Views A hiking holiday always involves amazing views. Fact. In comparison to a beach holiday, you’ll see for miles and miles, crossing varied terrains and watching the landscape change as you move. Sunsets and sunrises come in buckets. Hikes such as Fern Canyon in Las Vegas are notoriously beautiful and photogenic so, if you’re a keen photographer, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Just make sure your phone has plenty of battery life! Physical health We all know that exercise is great for our health. Hiking can be a powerful workout that lowers our risk of heart disease, strengthens the core and boosts bone density. Plus, you’ll work on your balance and coordination. Whether you power walk or take a slow and steady approach, breathing in the fresh air, moving your body and working up a sweat will make you feel wonderful. You’ll be amazed by the benefits. Mental health Hiking can also be excellent for our mental health. We can easily get bogged down by the stress of life, especially when we have office jobs that prevent us from getting sufficient fresh air. Taking a hiking holiday will make you appreciate the little things in life; the way your body moves, the smell of fresh grass, the simple beauty of the skyline. Plus, hiking gives you the time to fully be at one with your thoughts. You can set a lot of things straight with a trail and your hiking boots. Skills When you go on a hiking holiday, you also develop a bunch of new skills. Hiking requires a lot of organization, as you’ll need to make sure that you’ve packed for all weather conditions and brought plenty of snacks. You might need to learn how to put up a tent, light a fire or forage for food. You’ll follow maps, cross varied terrains and meet fellow hikers. Many people find that hiking changes them, and they learn a lot about themselves whilst out in nature. Tranquility At the end of the day, a vacation should provide tranquility. Our lives are often busy, stressful and overwhelming, and we seek the opposite of this when we go away. A hiking holiday provides the best kind of tranquility because you can escape others completely. You’ll struggle to find an empty beach in a holiday resort, but after hiking for an hour you can reach an area of land that feels completely isolated and therefore, somehow, yours. |
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
October 2023
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