A Hiking Blog…

Hiking and trekking are becoming increasingly popular by the day amongst exercise freaks as a major catalyst effectively contributing to weight loss. In contrary to resorting to aerobics and other strenuous exercises at a gym, hiking is simply walking along path or climbing past a mountainous ridge or trail. One of the simplest and best form of exercises available, hiking helps in keeping the body in perfect shape while contributing to a whole lot of health benefits.

Top 10 health benefits of hiking

1.    Hiking helps in decreasing the level of insulin in our bodies thereby preventing the degenerative effects of diabetes. Thus, it aids in controlling diabetes.

2.    Hectic life results in stressful situations. Hiking provides a relaxing opportunity to escape the drudgeries of busy life and seek solace in the solitude of natural surroundings. It refreshes the mind and heals the body thus acting as an ultimate stress buster with a constructive appeal.

3.    Hiking contributes to losing extra pounds by burning about 300 to 500 calories per hour. Based on the path and effort put to hiking on a smooth, rough or mountainous trail, the level of calorie burning varies. Regular hiking expeditions supplemented by a healthy balanced diet make the process of weight loss faster and easy.

4.    Arthritis patients and those with joint problems may resort to low terrain hiking trails for a minimal level of stress on the joints that helps in strengthening the muscles of the leg to take of pressure from the knee joints.

5.    A hiking trip with a friend or a complete troop contributes to building new acquaintances or strengthening old friendships. Hence, it leads to socialization and broadens our horizon of the mind as we develop a sense of appreciation for the likings and dislikes of other people around us.

6.    Hiking helps in checking diseases of the bone such as arthritis and

 osteoporosis. It promotes to raise the strength and density of the bones while reducing the level of calcium loss. Thus, it makes the bones stronger and reduces the chances of undue breakage.

7.    Hiking requires only a few necessary items like gears, a pair of boots, some necessary equipments and water. Therefore, it is not much of an expensive sport and can be afforded by anyone willing to go for a one-day hiking trip.

8.    Hiking contributes to cardiovascular benefits. Hiking generates movements within the body that lead to expansion of the arteries facilitating the reduction in the level of blood pressure thereby taking off some stress from the heart. Hiking further brings about an increase in the level of good cholesterol HDL while assisting to get rid of the bad cholesterol LDL. It thus leads to improvement of health including the heart health, though a person who has already suffered a heart attack needs to avail the doctor’s consent before trying out uphill hikes.

9.    Unlike the boring exercises of the gym with weights and treadmill, hiking provides the chance of relaxing and exercising amidst natural settings. It thus offers a much-needed break from the routine monotony of life.

10.    Hiking provides the strength and stamina of the body helps gain natural resistance towards fatigue. While uphill hikes firms the gluts and calves moving down the hill helps in toning the quadriceps. It thus contributes to building the flexibility of muscles.

Having known the whole range of health benefits associated with hiking, what are you waiting for still? Just backpack your materials and move on a hiking trip.

Being accompanied by a dog on your hiking trip adds to your pleasures while ensuring safety and proves a treat even for your canine friend. Apart from contributing to physical fitness and mental relaxation, hiking helps in building a bond of friendliness between you and your pet.

Important considerations

A dog needs to be trained for hiking depending on its ability and the land terrain. Trainings range from taking dogs on short walks to neighborhood parks or off leash areas that act as playful places for other dogs as well. Going on short hikes at the initial stage and gradually increasing the mileage with the booties on is a good way to train your dogs while caring for their feet.

Altitude acclimation is also an important consideration when hiking at a terrain of higher elevation. Adjusting to higher altitudes requires you to drink much water during the initial days.

Consult a trail map to locate the presence of streams and lakes along your hiking trail. Presence of water sources allows your dog to take a wet plunge and feel refreshed after an exhaustive day at hiking. Should you not want to suffer from Giardia, carry excess fresh water.

Carry enough of nutrient rich dog food to ensure that the dog remains active throughout the trip. Your dog can carry its own backpack containing food and water on long trips.

Since many places do not allow dogs on trail, check beforehand to avoid later complications.

It is better to keep a dog in leash and have a watchful eye on it while outside, to prevent it from being attacked by other wild animals.

Prior to hiking on an unexplored trail, consider the various nuances like depth, length and pathway of the trail to ascertain your pet’s ability to cross over it without much risk.

Let your dog learn and subscribe to proper etiquettes while hiking outside.

Keep a check on your dog’s health to know if it is fit enough to accompany you on your trip.

Holistic hiking for dogs

Holistic hiking involves treating your pet to the most caring services to make it feel special and good from inside.

Feed your dog a wholesome balanced diet preferably an organic meat and vegetable based diet avoiding carbohydrates, artificial flavoring, coloring, preservatives and by-products. Ingredients like corn, corn gluten meal, beet pulp, rice gluten, rice bran, soybean meal and sorghum should better be avoided.

Vitamin, mineral and Salmon Oil supplements increases activity among dogs while bringing a natural glow to their skin and preventing arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin ensure strength and wellness to the joints of dogs. While anti-oxidants resist organ degeneration and cancer and Coenzyme Q 10 is good for heart function of animals.

Giving a massage to your dog post a hiking trip not only relaxes its muscles but has a therapeutic effect on you as well.

Include a first aid kit in your backpack to have a ready remedy at your easy reach for untoward diseases and injuries.

You could also go through a few books on hiking with pets for more suggestions prior to the hiking trip.

Having known all about the joy of hiking with your dog now let your loyal friend accompany you on your next hiking trip to make it more memorable.

Though you may like to go out on a hiking trip all by yourself yet joining a hiking club provides lots of opportunities to have wholesome entertainment. A hiking club consists of a group of like-minded people who share the common interest of hiking. Among the many hiking clubs available in your locality, choose the one according to your requirement after considering their meeting schedules, dues and areas they hike.

Hiking clubs offer the privilege of collaboration and planning the hiking trip together to people who are interested in hiking but lack partners to accompany them on their hiking expeditions. Apart from this, hiking clubs also raise the necessary funds for hiking and ensures your safety on the trip. Thus, you have fewer chances of encountering dangers or accidental situations and have more help by your side in case of need.

How to locate a hiking club

You can find the details of various hiking clubs by searching the web or consulting the telephone directory. Tour agencies also provide valuable data on hiking parks. You may also enquire about the same from managers or park rangers of state parks to satisfy your inquisition.

Types of hiking clubs

Hiking clubs ranges from basic to join for free clubs and others like organizations with small groups that charge money for holding weekly meetings or going on long monthly trips.

The structures of each hiking club also various greatly. While some may gather funds by taking part in different activities, others might subscribe to a pay-as-things-come type of policy.

Benefits of joining a hiking club

Since the costs accrued on the hiking trip are distributed amongst members participating in the hiking trip, each member is benefited as the share of each decline.

Hiking clubs helps in socializing by building new friendships and valuable connections for posterity. Some hiking clubs are organized purpose to build friendships and even romantic connections like the singles hiking clubs.

Joining a good hiking club gives you the scope to explore new and exciting places while increasing your know-how on things you would have never known otherwise.

Hiking is a healthy activity and joining a hiking club helps you to keep in touch with hiking on a regular basis.

Hiking clubs have experienced hikers who could act as great guides to beginners providing interesting facts about the surrounding wildlife and unexplored terrain.

They contribute to safety and security of the hikers in a group while in a distant and explored land.

Thus, a hiking club is a great option to provide an added boost to your hiking trips.