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 Hiking by yourself or a group or family is always fun and exciting. It is the best way to explore unexplored destinations across the hills. Los Angeles has multiple gorgeous hiking locations that promise to offer a wonderful adventurous experience. Of course, safety is the topmost priority during a hike. But sometimes accidents can happen.
What if you got injured on guided hiking? If you think you are injured because of someone else’s mistake, then do you know what action you can take? You can hire personal injury attorneys to claim for the accident and get compensation. Each year thousands of people find that hiking and walking on Los Angeles Park trails are safe and fun. But you need to follow specific safety tips. And in case you get injured, you should know whether you will get compensation or not. Tours or expeditions Experience the fantastic hiking trails in Los Angeles is by signing up with a well-known tour or expedition group. Tour guides have a whole lot of information about the hiking area. They can guide you well on moving ahead with the adventure and the best sites to visit. The Hollywood sign overlooking Los Angeles from a hill in Griffith Park is the most visited hiking trail. More than 45 million visitors visit LA every year, of which 10 million reach Griffith Park. Traveling with a tour guide ensures that you are safe rather than traveling alone. However, do not forget that even tour guides can make mistakes sometimes. Imagine you get an injury during the hike because of the tour guide’s mistake. What will be the next step that you will take? Let me tell you that if the tour guide commits an error that led to your injury, then you have a choice to file a complaint against the group. Tour and travel companies owe a duty of care to the visitors. They have to face legal consequences for breaching the duty. Clients sign a waiver for the expedition companies stating they are not responsible for accidents on the hike. It can save them from personal injury claims but does not provide legal protection in case of negligence. National and State Park hike injuries Some of the finest hiking locations in Los Angeles are the National and State Parks. However, it is not necessary that the parks are safe for hiking. Unfortunately, many people sustain injuries during a hike in the state and national parks. Government entities are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of properties that include inspecting parks for potential risks. Earlier, sovereign immunity laws protected government bodies from premises liability, but now it is not the case. LA courts now permit filing a personal injury claim against the federal government. So, if you met with an accident in a government-owned park because of the owner's negligence, you can go for filing a claim. Hiring a well-versed personal injury lawyer will help you determine whether you have a claim or not. In addition, it will help you seek appropriate compensation and protect your rights. City trail injuries Sustaining an injury on city trails during a hike has similar rights to those injured in National or State Parks. You have the right to sue the city or person responsible for neglecting the maintenance of the city trail or property. For example, if you fall on a tool that the maintenance crew left in the trail's middle and sprain your ankle, then you have the right to claim for personal injury. City trail owners have an ethical and legal responsibility to protect the visitors from hazards on their property. Getting injured because of the owner or employee's negligence will help you take legal action. An experienced personal injury advocate will assist you in legal procedures and documentation. Property owners are held accountable for not keeping the hiking trail safe for the hikers. In that case, you have a valid legal claim against the trail owner. The lawyer will help you through the negotiation and settlement process. Conclusion Yes! You will get compensation for guided hiking on getting injured. If you think you are wounded because of a tour company or government, or city trail owner, you have the right to sue the parties. You need to hire a qualified lawyer who understands the situation and personal injury caused to you. It will guide you throughout the court trial.
 Lights up the terrain like daylight from 50+ feet. Fenix TK16 This flashlight turns the darkness into daylight. I descended 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 was not descending a trail, but a route which is far more difficult to follow. The flashlight also has lower intensity modes to use around the house or in the garage. The strobe feature can easily blind an intruder at night. The flashlight features a tungsten steel alloy bezel that can be used in self defense situations and to break glass if you leave your keys in your car. What's in the Box? You get the TK 16 flashlight, a carry case with a loop so you can put it on your belt, a battery, a USB cord to charge the battery, a laggard, and instructions. How to Use: The main on/off switch is at the rear of the flashlight. Click it once. There's a smaller round button near the main on/off switch. Each time you press it the intensity of the light increases. By pressing and holding only the small button the strobe mode is activated.  Charging the battery How to charge: Remove the battery by unscrewing the back end of the flashlight. Plug the supplied USB cord into the battery and the other end of the cord into an USB port on your computer. The tip of the battery will turn red. Once charged it will turn blue. It can take several hours to charge. Specs: Led Bulb lifespan 50,000 hours 5 Modes of Operation Turbo: 3100 Lumens, 2 hr. 40 min., 380 meters High: 1000 Lumens, 2 hr. 50 min., 220 meters Mid: 350 Lumens, 8 hr. 20 min., 125 meters Low: 150 Lumens, 19 hr. 10 min., 80 meters Eco: 30 Lumens, 43 hr. 20 min., 40 meters Strobe: 3100 Lumens Length: 5.6 inches Weight: 6.5 ounces (with battery) Powersource: rechargeable Li-ion battery (included) Anti roll slip body design Comes with a 5 year warranty Note: At max intensity the flashlight can get hot after a few minutes. Do not point the flashlight into someone's eyes, unless you want to disable them. Conclusion: This is an impressive flashlight. It's lightweight, easy to use, waterproof (up to 2 meters) 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  Info chart  Bruce Small, a leader for the 52 Peak Club, is the first hiker in the history of the 52 Peak Club to become a Quin 53er. I asked him questions about what motivates him and his background. Below are Bruce's answers. When did you join the 52 Peak Club? 1st hike was April 15th, 2017 with James Fuentes to Oak Creek Overlook in Red Rock Canyon. Your current age? 64 When did you become a 53er (first time)? March 25, 2018....delayed 5 weeks because of my heart attack on January 10th, 2018, while hiking for my 48th card. When and why did you become a leader for the 52 Peak Club? WHEN.... I remember September of 2017 but I didn't lead my first, solo leader hike, until February 20, 2018, the 2nd chance hike back to Fortification Hill after my heart attack. I hiked a lot with Branch, Oz and Rob to learn routes after I became a leader. So, actual leading my first hike was in February 2018. WHY...I was asked by several members to approach Branch about becoming a leader. In my career of 25 years, I was a manager for most of those years. I have always been one to encourage and teach those that want to learn. It is a great feeling when you see the smiling faces of hikers after they accomplish something they thought they would never be able to do. With a little encouragement, guidance, confidence building and willingness to learn from the person, most everyone can get there. What is your motivation to become the first 5x 53er? Motivation?....it's a lifestyle for me. While I am helping people to achieve their goal of becoming the next 53er, they are helping me to attain my goals too.....keep active and healthy while doing what I love and helping others to do the same. The cards and decks help me to organize my goals. What advice for those hikers who want to become a double or more 53er? The journey doesn't end at one deck. The mountains don't disappear after that prize. The routes are numerous...try them all. Use the cards as a measurement of how you are doing in staying active and healthy. Why is climbing peaks so alluring to you? I'm realizing that no matter how you phrase a question about my hiking, it comes back to one common thing....health, happiness, fun, friendships...goals. The benefit of the peak being there....it gives me a goal. The difficulty of the route boosts the accomplishments of the journey to the peak. What life lessons have you learned since being a member of the 52 Peak Club? Being healthy is number one. I truly believe that if I was still the corporate, sedentary, behind the desk man and eating things that I couldn't pronounce when I had my heart attack, I probably would not have survived. We are only given so many years to enjoy ourselves and I am embarrassed at times that I spent too many of them thinking that when I retire, I will get out and do all the exciting, fun, outdoor, healthy things. Well, like I said, if I would have followed that thought process, I may not be here today to experience the happiness, fun, friendships and goals that I have. The hiking community is nothing like any other kind of club that I have been associated with in the past. The common thing that I hear from so many hikers, is that when they are hiking there is not a worry in the world that they need to deal with. All the stresses of their everyday life disappear and there is a calmness that comes about them. The laughs, commonality and friendships create nirvana. Try it! You'll like it!  March 25, 2018  This is Kathy's review of Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream. She liked that the cream is organic and has all natural ingredients. Her face looked brighter and more radiant after the first time she applied the cream. It also moisturized her skin. She lives in Las Vegas where the climate is very dry. Kathy has sensitive skin. Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream did not aggravate her skin like other face creams. The face cream last a long time. After using it for one month, Kathy still has 60% left in her jar. It's very economical. Kathy recommends Springtime Gold face cream and will continue to use it.  Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream is made for people who like the outdoors; however, sun, wind and weather can make your skin look dry and damaged.
It's a natural face moisturizer, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to restore skin that has been damaged from being outside. With peptides to support collagen production and reduce wrinkles. To purchase Springtime Gold face cream go to this page: https://coloradoaromatics.com/product/face-care/springtide-gold/ Learn more about Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream and all their products at their website: https://coloradoaromatics.com/ It’s hard to separate sport from competition yet some of the most popular activities in the United States continue to resist anything more structured than personal goal-setting. Hiking, as ancient a challenge as there can be, is perhaps the best example of these gentle sports. After all, why would you run anywhere when you can walk? Competitive hiking, then, sounds like a contradiction in terms. The Middle GroundDefining the sport of competitive hiking is tricky. Completing routes at pace is far more likely to fall under the trail-running, marathon or ‘fastpacking’ umbrellas, while race walking, in which one of the competitor’s feet must be in contact with the ground at all times, has been an Olympic staple for more than a century of Games. Competitive hiking would therefore have to occupy a nebulous middle ground between these offshoots.  Local challenges do serve as a form of competition within the hiking niche. The Las Vegas Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge takes hikers up Mount Charleston and Mummy Mountain, among others, while similar events include routes up five to 52 peaks in Nevada. Fun, almost definitely, but these self-paced events are perhaps not something that major sporting bodies or the bookmakers will ever take seriously. Time InvestmentStill, unlikely sports are as numerous as traditional ones. Many bookmaker comparison sites list eSports (video gaming) as an up-and-comer in sports betting and TV broadcasting, and Statista forecasts growth in the industry to £1.6bn by 2024. Gaming site Betway also offers markets on niche sports such as martial arts, futsal, Gaelic football and floorball, suggesting that hiking’s lack of prime-time TV slots isn’t necessarily a turn-off for fans. The time investment required for hiking challenges is significant – yet easily overcome with a multi-day format that either challenges hikers to cover the most ground in a certain amount of time (like in the 24hrs of Le Mans vehicle race) or sets a target peak as a per-day destination. Self- and leisurely-pacing is possible in both scenarios but the elimination aspect in the latter example encourages participants to challenge themselves. Career HikersLas Vegas is well placed to champion competitive hiking. There is a wealth of trails in the metro area, including Fire Wave and White Domes in the Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Hills and Ice Box Canyon, and the city has already produced plenty of sporting icons, like Andre Agassi and NASCAR’s Bruton Smith. Vegas also hosts around 42.5m tourists per year, many of whom head into the hills and canyons of Nevada alongside the locals.  Of course, the question remains whether career hikers would have any interest in upping the pace or competing in a structured way. Regarded more as a vacation than a race to the finish, hiking can be a rare escape from work challenges and the day-to-day stress of living in Vegas. Even as a contradiction though, competitive hiking does present an opportunity both for the growth of the activity and for anybody who prefers a brisk pace.  This anti-water bottle is really a cool, foldable and extremely light water bottle. You can freeze it, attach it to your daypack via a carabiner that comes with it, and it's reusable. It holds 34 oz. of water. There is a large size that holds 50 oz. of water. I used it when I hiked to the summit of Kraft Mtn in Red Rock Canyon. It kept my water cold during my hike. Even though this was my first time drinking from it, there was no bad or plastic taste. It appears well made and it did not leak. It's very easy to fill; you just twist off the top cap to fill it with your favorite beverage. The bottle has a good grip and will not slip out of your hands. It is also dishwater safe. You can also customize your bottle with an image and text.  My Verdict: This is a no-brainer. If you need a water bottle this is one to get. It's so lightweight you will not notice the weight in your pack and it folds up to conserve space once it's empty. It's only $11.99 and comes in different colors. Get one here   I received a pair of Samsox Merino Wool Hiking socks to test. For my test I hiked to the summit of Northshore Peak in the Lake Mead area. This is a relatively easy hike: four miles with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain. It's a cross country hike mainly on rock. I purposely wore an old pair of approach shoes with thinning soles. I wanted to see if the socks cushioned my feet as I hiked on the rock. They did! Are socks important? Damn right they are important. It's your feet that get you to your destination and back to your car. Good hiking shoes and socks are a must. My review: First thing you will notice as you put on these socks is they have an amazing feel. They feel supportive and they fit great. The supportive feel comes from the material they are made from: 68% Merino Wool, 30% Nylon, and 2% Lycra Spandex. The great fit comes from the socks being seamless which reduces bulk so the socks do not bunch up under your toes. The bottom of the sock is cushioned so you don't feel the rock as you hike or scramble. Even though the main fabric is Merino Wool, the socks do not itch and again they are extremely comfortable. One of the best features of the socks are they really wick moisture away from your feet. Your feet will feel better and when you take off your socks there's no bad odor! My socks and feet were dry after my hike! Also, these socks are made in the USA! That means more jobs for Americans. Bottom line: These are the best socks I have ever worn. I have been hiking for 25 years and gone through dozens of different socks.  How to Care for Your Socks Machine or hand wash inside out in cold or warm water (not hot) and air dry for best results. Cost: $29.99 for two pair of socks To purchase: Click here The sock come in black, grey, and oatmeal   Amy with her card In, twenty, or thirty years from now, we will have moments in our life’s stories that include the phrase, “2020 happened”. We will all nod our heads with a collective agreement about the events of this historic year. When 2020 happened we quarantined, one of my former fifth grade students took his life, my 13 year career as a classroom teacher morphed into distance learning, my husband lost employment when the CEO of the company was arrested for fraud*, and my father passed away a month before my visit for a birthday/end of chemotherapy celebration. The challenges of the past year forced me to rediscover myself and evaluate my life’s purpose. I had conversations that were strikingly intimate, forgiving, and vulnerable. I didn’t want to become defined by circumstances but made stronger from them. My relationships with colleagues, friends, students, parents, and family were deepened. I learned who to lean on and who to let go because we couldn’t get past a surface-level connection. I rediscovered a confidence and determination I never realized had dwindled over the years. I cannot say any of these realizations would have happened for me without (1) the help of an amazing, qualified therapist and (2) The 52 Peak Club. When 2020 happened, we recognized the need for trained mental health professionals during the mad rush for toilet paper, the volatile political climate, and The Tiger King. I want to show appreciation for the dark horse of my story...The 52 Peak Club.  Amy scrambling I was recommended to The 52 Peak Club by a close friend because I loved to hike. Nature is my happy place. We agreed to join together, but my friend backed out. I would tease him a bit more about here, but his decision allowed me to develop new relationships with other club members.
I thought I was a competent hiker before the club. I quickly realized, near the top of Kraft Mountain in Red Rock, climbing peaks in Vegas was more challenging than I laughably assumed. I wore the wrong shoes for scrambling rocks (rookie mistake), huffed and puffed over boulders, was drenched in sweat, and became completely hooked after earning my first card that day. Scrambling encourages the use of physical and mental strength to problem solve while practicing mindfulness of yourself and surroundings at the same time. Unlike the gym, conquering a peak rewards you with an amazing sense of accomplishment and spectacular view. I was more capable than I had been giving myself credit, and it took marching off into the wilderness with strangers to realize that. The 52 Peak Club is as much about the members and leaders as the goal to finish a deck. It still amazes that this encouraging and validating support system helped me recover my internal strength and confidence when I needed it most. I listened to other remarkable stories, laughed at jokes, posed for peak and ledge pics, and discovered the best buffets in Vegas are at the top. We were all at different levels, but we were a team and everyone’s accomplishment mattered. I am halfway through my deck and holding each card brings memories and feelings of every accomplishment. They remind me how important it is to challenge the thoughts and assumptions I make out of fear or doubt. As I started to challenge myself, my life’s new purpose opened up and fell rather naturally into place. This month, I was accepted to the Educational Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. A peak that I might not have wanted to conquer before this club. So now, my 52 Peak Club goal has a time-based goal attached. My hope is to finish my deck before my first semester. However, I know that I will still keep climbing peaks, challenging my thoughts and beliefs, and never forget the determination my father saw as inherently... This is a quicker and more efficient way to White Pinnacle Gully. Follow First Creek Trail passing the turnoff for First Creek Waterfall. Continue on the trail as it turns into a path and spiderwebs. Stay near the wash, but do not cross it. Soon the path ducks under the branches of a large tree: Landmark 1 Shortly you will see a ~3 foot high tree stump to the left of the trail: Landmark 2 Finally, you will see the reddish boulder in the photo below: Landmark 3  Small reddish boulder with a striped boulder to the right Cross the wash here. See the photo below.  Cross the normally dry wash here. Note: the trees will have leaves on them in the spring, summer and early fall. You will ascend a very small hill after crossing the wash. Head NW about 50 yards where you will pick up a faint path. Follow this path the best you can. Although there are numerous paths, the direction of travel is now obvious: head for the slope that lies below White Pinnacle Gully
Being a renter rarely allows you to truly make your home nice and cozy and of all the things new homeowners can look forward to, making their home uniquely theirs is the most exciting! After all, isn’t that part of having a space of your own to do with as you’d like?
If you’re struggling with design ideas because you’ve never owned your own home and don’t know where to start, fear not! We asked some of the top real estate agents in Las Vegas what are the hottest current interior design trends they’re seeing in Sin City. Here are a few of their top picks. 1. Making the home scream, “I have personality!” Perhaps the biggest trend homeowners are embracing is adding as much personality and charm they possibly can. Well, without going overboard of course! People are displaying their collections and favorite pieces of art throughout the home. They’re accessorizing with items that show off their personality - no matter how eclectic that may be. A good rule of thumb to follow when doing this is to pick and choose your items so the space doesn’t look overwhelming and like there’s no thought put into it. 2. Bye-bye boring neutrals - hello broody and bold colors We can’t count how many times home improvement shows proudly give homeowners a boring neutral palette. Sure, they may think it looks nice (and it does, don’t get us wrong), but there’s something about an all grey, white, and off white home that just feels so… Sterile and lacking personality. Homeowners are embracing bold (and dark) colors. Deep shades of blue, grey, and even wallpaper with darker patterns are popping up everywhere - the walls, cabinets, floor tiles, furniture and the like. If you’re worried about the dark colors going to make your space feel like a cave, you can always brighten things up with light colored furniture, drapes, accessories, and fixtures. Oh, and open up all of the windows for plenty of natural sunlight! 3. Different takes on the kitchen island The kitchen island has been a big ticket item for homeowners across the country, but Las Vegans are especially into islands that go beyond the usual. For example, some folks love the look of a waterfall island where the sides are the same as the countertop. Others like the two-tiered island or the double island to add some entertaining space as well as visual interest. 4. Appliance hideaways for a sleek and uncluttered look If you look in your kitchen, how many small appliances are taking up valuable space on your kitchen counters? We aren’t just talking about the toaster and coffee maker! The number of small appliances we have in our kitchens increased exponentially and the clutter is real. Homeowners are vying for custom cabinets with plugs in the back so you can pull the device out whenever you need to without worrying about searching for a plug. Then once you’re done using it, you can hide it away until the next time. 5. Supporting local small businesses The global pandemic that continues to ravage the country has put millions of small businesses out of business across the country. In an effort to help keep as many artisans and black-owned businesses operating, many homeowners are skipping the big box stores in favor of shopping locally. Although this isn’t necessarily a design trend, it is a socially conscious trend that affects everyone to some degree. So, instead of buying that overpriced, poorly made bookshelf from a discount store, consider looking for a handmade piece from someone nearby. You could even look for items from small businesses online, on Etsy and even social media. Trends tend to come and go, but if there’s anything you should keep in mind when decorating your home, it’s to do whatever makes you happy. So what if you want a neon green bathroom? Who cares if you want a leopard area rug in a white bedroom? This is your home and trends are just meant to give you inspiration! |
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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