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MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB

Any physically fit person can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.. No climbing experience is necessary to get you to the top of Africa’s highest mountain 5,895M (19,340FT) with its magnificent gleaming glaciers, Flora and Fauna.

Weather

Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there are two rainy seasons – late March to mid June and November. The best months are December, January to March and July to October usually dry and minimum clouds.

8 DAYS MT. KILIMANJARO- MARANGU ROUTE

Day 1: Arrival – Arusha

Travel from Nairobi to Arusha on board a Shuttle bus or pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport – transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay  

 Day 2: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m)

Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 12 km’s  | Habitat: Montane forest

The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest.  The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)

Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Day 3: Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m)

Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Moorland

From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel  (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.   

Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) – Acclimatisation day

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.  

Day 5: Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m)

Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. 

 The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.  

There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m)

Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo | Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent  | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit  

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.    

From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.  

Day 7: Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)

Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 27 km’s

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a budget hotel.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule/travel back to Nairobi on board a shuttle bus.    

What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A
pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is
solidly built. You don’t need more than a three-inch blade, but
it needs to be strong enough that it won’t snap on you when you
hit a knot in the wood. A locking blade is a good idea too, if
you value your fingers.

What type of wood should you use? Any type you want, but be
aware of the differences. Many people like hardwood hiking
sticks because they can be very beautiful once polished up.
That’s fine if you don’t mind the extra work it takes to carve
hardwoods. Also be aware that they are heavy, better suited for
decorating the cabin than for using on long hikes.

One of my favorite trees for carved hiking sticks is poplar.
It’s light, and one of the easiest woods to work with. Young
poplars often grow in over-crowded stands, so cutting a few out
won’t hurt the forest. If you cut it in the spring or early
summer, you can almost peel the bark off by hand.

Northern White Cedar is a much tougher wood to carve, but it is
beautiful, straight, and one of the lightest. In a cedar swamp,
you can find many dead young cedars that have not begun to rot.
Cedar lasts forever, it seems, even when used untreated as fence
posts.

Making Your Carved Hiking Stick

What if you don’t know your trees? Find a straight young tree in
any area that could use thinning, and cut it. A short saw is the
easiest way to cut your stick. Otherwise, you can use your
knife, by cutting deeper and deeper in a circle around the tree
until you can snap it off. Cut the piece a bit longer than you
want your finished hiking stick to be.

How long should it be? A general rule is to have the hiking
stick come up to just below your armpit. This is a personal
thing though. If you want a fancy seven-foot staff, go for it.

Cut away from yourself, removing all the bark. Narrow down the
bottom end, but not to a sharp point. You can leave the top
flat, round it off, or even carve a spiral design into it. Use
you imagination. Almost any piece of sandpaper can be used to
smooth it, and you can apply stain or a poly acrylic finish if
you want, or just leave it natural.

If you start with green wood, it is best to let it dry for at
least a few weeks. Carving it while green can be easier, but it
will often twist or bend then as it dries. You might prevent
this by tying it to something straight to dry. Each wood is a
little different in how it cuts and drys.

I wrap the bottom end with leather (with a small nail to hold
it) to keep the stick from splitting. I also usually put a
handgrip on it. This can be a piece of cloth or leather. Glue it
on or glue and staple it. You can also drill a hole throught the
stick near the top, to add a wrist strap.

Get creative. Use a wood burner to add designs to your hiking
stick. Drill a hole in the top and glue a glass ball in it. Mark
inches on it, so you can measure with it. Some of my best
sellers had pewter animals nailed to them. Experimenting is one
of the best parts about making your own carved hiking stick.

Is lightweight hiking and backpacking viable in cold weather? I think so. Last Fall I was in four feet of snow at 13,000 feet – in my running shoes and with just 11 pounds on my back for an overnighter. Crazy? I don’t think so. Anyhow, I have been going lightweight for too many years to want to go back to a heavy pack and hiking boots.

Heading For Crestone Peak

It was September 2006. I was in the Sangre De Christo Mountains in Colorado, hiking up the trail to South Colony Lakes. I just surprised a large buck, who snorted and ran off. I started to see more patches of snow as I went higher. I poked at the frozen puddles with my walking stick.

I had hoped to climb Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle earlier in the month, but was rained out. Then it snowed heavily in the high country on September 18. I started checking the online forums to see if anyone was still climbing these “fourteeners” (mountains higher than 14,000 feet). Someone did mentioned climbing Crestone through the snow – which I didn’t want to do.

However, by the 28th there had been several warm days, so maybe the snow melted. It had where I parked the car. But by the time I hiked to South Colony Lakes a few hours later, I was almost knee-deep in it. Then, up above the lakes and beyond the last of the trees, the snow was even deeper.

My shoes and socks were soaked, but the sun and the climb kept me warm. I continued because it really looked like there was bare rock up near the peaks. Eventually I adjusted my goal to just getting to Broken-Hand Pass, where I could look down into the San Luis Valley. I made it to within 100 yards.

It was so steep and the snow so deep, that I slid back at least as far as I stepped each time. Then I slipped and needed to self-arrest with my walking stick to keep from sliding down a few hundred feet. It was clear that I was under-equipped for climbing any further.

Lightweight Backpacking

Hiking down was worse (it often is). I sunk into the snow and hit my shins against rocks hidden there. I walked on top of the snow crust at times, until I suddenly broke through – which I did when I stopped to look at some bobcat tracks. At least I didn’t have much weight on my back.

I had 11 pounds, to be exact. The pack itself weighed a pound or so. My down sleeping bag weighed 17 ounces, and the tarp 16 ounces. I also had food and water and dry socks. Going lightweight meant I hardly even noticed the pack – even after 13 miles of hiking.

Back down near the lakes it was time to put my lightweight hiking and backpacking skills and equipment to the test. It would be about 24 degrees Fahrenheit that night.

I found a nice grassy area where the snow had melted away. The sun was still bright and warm, so I laid out my wet socks and shoes to dry on a large log while I ate mixed nuts, wrote some notes, and then took a nap. Several deer walked by an hour later. I woke up gripping my walking stick like a weapon.

Everything was dry, so I put on my shoes and got busy. It took about 20 minutes to collect dry grass and old thistle stalks to make a thick mattress. This was for comfort as well as for insulation to keep me warm. I set a piece of plastic over this, and strung the tarp overhead. Then I laid out the sleeping bag to fluff it up.

I collected some dry wood and tinder and laid a fire, just in case I needed it later (I never did). I covered this with a few pieces of bark to keep frost, snow or rain off of it. I ate some wild currants and rose hips. I saved my corn chips for a bedtime meal. The fat would heat me up as it digested. I used my walking stick to lift the bag with the rest of the food up to a high branch where it would hang for the night.

I put on my thermal underwear, hat and gloves. I used my shoes with the backpack on top of them for a pillow. The wind started blowing, so I lowered one side of the tarp before going to sleep.

The frost was heavy and the ice was thick on the puddles in the morning, but I had managed to sleep well. I packed up, scattered the mattress materials so they wouldn’t smother the plants underneath, and I ate some crackers. The sun was just rising as I hit the trail.

I probably had just 9 pounds total on my back by now. That may seem very lightweight for backpacking, but I had everything I needed. I even had a camera with me. I stopped hiking long enough to take a photo of Crestone Needle in the morning sun. I’ll be on top of it this summer.

There are great places to hike all over the world. My personal preference is in cooler, wetter climates; I am not a big fan of deserts or super hot and humid climates. I find it easier to get warm than it is to get cool – to each their own. Anyways, earlier this year I took a hiking vacation in Iceland. I am not sure how aware most Americans are of this tiny island nation. But, the bottom line is, if you haven’t been there, you should go. It really is a hiker’s paradise.

First, a little about Iceland. I recommend going there in late spring through the summer months for the best chance of decent weather. I was there in early May and the weather was surprisingly good, with little rain and warmish weather. Even in the warmer months though, you want to bring lots of layers and good waterproof clothes and equipment.

I found a tour company online that offered a good selection of multi-day hiking and trekking tours. I chose a four day backpacking tour that started in one of Iceland’s national parks, called Skaftafell. This is a real gem of a location and it is situated near the bottom of a beautiful glacier. Our hike began in a place nearby called Nupsstadarskógar valley. This is a beautiful location with lots of arctic birch. That first day we hiked along this valley passing waterfalls and lovely sculpted canyons, some as high as 200 meters. That first night we made camp near a lava field.

The second day included more hill climbing through glacial valleys. About midway through the second day we ascended the Eggjar hill which has stunning views of a glacier lagoon with clear blue-green water and floating icebergs. We mad camp later at the north end of this large lagoon. Our campsite had views of the huge glacier that enters into this lagoon. That night was quite magical with the sounds of the glacier and soft winds.

Day three we got a chance to hike on the Skeidararjökull glacier, from Graenafjall Mountain to the Nordurdalur valley, an area surrounded by ice and high mountain ridges. It took us almost an entire day to cross about 9 miles of ice. By the time we crossed this glacier we were officially on the farthest outskirts of the national parks boundary. That night we camped in another beautiful spot with views over several glacier lakes with floating icebergs and a background of colored rhyolite mountains.

On the final day of our tour, we got to climb up a narrow mountain ridge. From the top we stopped to admire the panoramic view over the yellowish rhyolite valley. We also had a spectacular view of Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland’s highest mountain. As we descended into the next valley, the vegetation became progressively more abundant with more arctic birch and other foliage that I can’t name. By days end our group was back at the Skaftafell national park where we spent one more night before heading back to Reykjavik.

Words cannot express the experience of this journey. It was physically demanding but each night I slept well and awoke ready for more exploration. The views were stunning and I could see for miles because there’s so little pollution in Iceland.

I have been on other hiking vacations but this one topped them all. Next time I think I will look into some Iceland mountain hiking tours or maybe some Icelandic pony trekking. – David Brooks

If you enjoy hiking then there can be no better setting for a day’s hiking than the many wonderful national parks of the United States.

At one extreme you have the Badlands of South Dakota and the Petrified National Forest in Arizona and at the other you have the lush green scenery of Crater Lake in Oregon or the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Then, in between, you have the thick forests, icy lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Park in Montana or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, whose 14,000 foot peaks offer some truly exciting hiking.

Of course if you are looking for something truly spectacular then there is nothing quite as stunning as the Grand Canyon in Arizona which many people quite rightly refer to as the eighth wonder of the world. This gash which Mother Nature has gouged out of the earth runs for nearly 300 miles, is 18 miles wide at its widest point and is a breathtaking one mile in depth.

Nature truly provides some wonderful settings for the hiker and another is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which boasts several different ecosystems and allows you hike across black lava sands one day and through dense rainforest the next.

And speaking of volcanoes, is there any more spectacular experience than standing right beside Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park when it sends its pillar of spray high into the air. Yellowstone provides some excellent hiking trails as does the nearby Grand Teton National Park which, in the opinion of many people, is simply one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

For nature lovers a hike through Crater Lake in Oregon is also a must where the giant lake is surrounded by high and densely forested mountains which are home to both bears and soaring hawks. If you enjoy fishing then you will find that Crater Lake has an abundant supply of trout.

Although everyone has their own favorite national park (mine is unquestionably Great Teton) for many millions of people the prize goes to Yosemite.

Yosemite National Park offers many spectacular views including that of El Capitan which is the largest granite outcrop on the planet and whose 3,000 foot sheer face attracts climbers from all over the world. There are also of course Yosemite’s many magnificent waterfalls, of which Yosemite Falls itself is the best known, which splash their way down the mountain sides through dense forest which is crisscrossed by hundreds of hiking trails.

Yosemite is also home to some of the most spectacular sequoia trees to be seen anywhere in the world and no visit to Yosemite would be complete without a hike through Mariposa Grove and the lesser know, but no less spectacular, Merced Grove and Tuolumne Grove.

The list of national parks and their memorable attractions could go on and on and for those living in the United States they fortunately provide more than a lifetime worth of incredible hiking experiences.

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If you’re an outdoors kind of person, and a dog owner, you may have considered bringing your dog along with you on a hike this summer. Humans have been hiking and trailing the various landscapes of the Earth with dogs as companions and guides for thousands and thousands of years. This symbiotic relationship between man and canine can be observed in a very popular children’s movie that came out a few years ago known as Ice Age. In the movie, the early humans carried supplies with them to keep their dogs well-fed and occupied on the long journeys.

The first of the dog supplies that you need to have in your hiking inventory are the essentials to preserving the life of your dog. You need to pack plenty of food and water for him or her, and make sure that you pack enough in case of an emergency (such as getting lost in the woods and not being able to find your way back to civilization for several days or weeks). I wouldn’t buy the dog food that comes in bags that you find at the grocery store. Instead, I would get the canned dog food that almost looks like liquid beef when you pour it out of the can. This will save you a lot of time and energy, as you won’t need to lug around several bags of dog food. It’s also a lot less expensive to get a couple boxes of Alpo instead of seven or eight bags of Kibbles & Bits.

Next, you need to make sure your dog has a powerful leash that you can easily get your hand around and hold onto tightly. I’ve heard countless stories of people hiking in the woods with their dogs (without a leash mind you), and the dog will see a rabbit or a squirrel and run off to chase it. A lot of people have lost their dogs this way, so make sure you get a sturdy leash from a store that specializes in pet-related merchandise such as PetSmart. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab a chew toy or two for your dog in case he or she gets bored while on the hike. I would also recommend picking up some treats.

Lastly, you need to have some type of first-aid kit specifically designed for your dog. Dogs may believe they’re invincible, but you and I know that they can get hurt just like us while experiencing the great outdoors. Snake bites, bug bites, broken limbs, and overheating are all very real and dangerous things that could happen to your dog. Your dog’s first-aid kit should be made to handle any situation, whether it’s a scrape or an entire limb being severed.

Going on hikes with your dog can be a very rewarding and beneficial experience for not only you, but for your dog as well. If you’re mindful of where you’re going, and you take every precaution necessary to ensure your dog’s safety and overall well-being, your hikes should be very wonderful memories that you and your dog will never forget. Hiking with your dog is truly an amazing bonding experience that no dog owner should pass up.

Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best activities to rejuvenate your mind that gets jaded due to the mundane mores of daily routine. Unarguably, ecstasy fills your mind when your hiking shoes aid you to climb rugged terrains with ease. But, definitely, it is highly vexing if you need frequent replacement of your hiking footwear. Such frequent alteration nullifies the chances of enjoying the benefits of your for a prolonged period.

One can get a wide variety of hiking shoes available in the market for all ages catered to the needs of the modern man with well equipped features. Buying a good pair of footwear is not at all enough but you should also take adequate care to maintain their quality. Care and cleaning of this footwear encompasses mainly four aspects; cleaning, drying, conditioning and waterproofing.

Cleaning

Whenever you return from your trip, never forget to remove the dirt and mud that remain stuck to the bottom of your foot. First try to wash them with soap and water. If the mud is not fully removed, scrub the shoes with a soft brush.

Drying

You should always dry the hiking shoes immediately after you completed washing them, as wet footwear will be heavy in weight and thus makes your trip difficult. Never dry them near a heat source (even if you want to dry the shoes quickly) as it will substantially damage their quality. Dry them naturally by storing them in a warm, dry area. To increase the speed of drying, you can use newspaper. Replace the newspapers frequently to obtain best results.

Conditioning

It is necessary to condition your shoes to prevent leather from becoming dry and stiff. Conditioning is even idle to prevent cracking of leather. It is best to use conditioners that are available in paste form. You should apply paste with your fingers and make sure that the paste soaks into the leather.

Waterproofing Treatment

To maintain water repellant nature of your hiking shoes, it is highly essential to use waterproofing treatment for them. For leather footwear, use wax based waterproofing product while for synthetic footwear, use of silicon based waterproofing product is recommended. Always apply two layers of waterproofing product instead of one thick layer to get best results. Never use oil (like mink oil) to waterproof your leather hiking shoes as it softens the leather and reduces its longevity.

Try to avoid using defective Hiking Shoes, replace them immediately. They should be replaced when soles are damaged and no longer provide good grip. You can also replace them when the lining becomes worn out and the seams begin to split. To avoid shoe odor, you can use baking soda. Finally, do not store the footwear in an extremely cold or hot place for a prolonged period. Store them in a place where the temperature is moderate. Following all these steps will definitely enable you to increase the lifespan of your hiking shoes.

Hiking is a mini-adventure. It lets you take a break from your normal routine without the time and expense involved in “real” vacations. You can see new things, have new experiences, and, if you want, challenge yourself physically. If you live in Colorado, you never lack for Colorado hiking opportunities. The State has an abundance of world-class hiking trails, far enough to give that remote feeling yet still relatively nearby.

Like any other activity, Colorado hiking is a great way to enjoy yourself and just have fun. However, if you want to get the most out of it and have the best experience over it, safety comes first. Below are some tips to help you remain safe and secure even while Colorado hiking:

Be Prepared!

It’s a scout’s motto, but even for Colorado hikers, it’s a good motto to adopt. Wilderness activities like Colorado hiking involve many risks. But most of these risks can be easily avoided or at least mitigated if you keep in mind your basic knowledge about outdoors survival and preparation.

The first thing you need to do is to know what risks you’ll likely be facing. The thought of being in the Colorado mountain wild areas evokes all sorts of horror and adventure stories of potential calamities when in reality the most prevalent risk anyone faces is pretty mundane: getting wet and cold.

As with most hiking trips, Colorado hiking requires that you lighten your load as much as you can. That alone is not much trouble, if only you knew exactly what you’re going to encounter on a hike. Your lack knowledge is never more emphasized when it’s your first time being in that area. So chances are you are going to end up loading your backpack with all sorts of “emergency” essentials, when the only equipment you really need are things that can help you cope with rain storms, rapid drops in temperature, heavy winds, injuries, fatigue, getting lost, and animal encounters.

It gets easier if you follow the following sensible practices when you go Colorado hiking:
- Avoid hiking alone. Even a minor injury or mishap can turn into a potential major problem if there is no one nearby to assist you.
- Before you hike out from a trailhead, make sure that you leave some sort of information about what trail you are going to follow, what time you left, etc. That way, if you fail to return after an awfully long time, someone will know where to find you. However, be careful about leaving any specific information as not every person has good intentions.
- Let an acquaintance in town know where you are going and when you intend to be back. If you don’t make it back, they can notify the authorities.
- Take along a cellphone if you have one in case of an emergency that requires help. In many cases in the wilderness, you will not be able to get a cellphone connection due to mountainous terrain, being in a canyon, or distance. However, even if you cannot initially connect through, you or someone else can climb to a ridgeline or summit and have a better chance for a connection from there.

Is a Colorado hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains on your horizon? If so, then try these tips to increase your enjoyment.

Plan A Route

A Colorado hiking trip begins with plans for where you will be going. When choosing a trail it is important to take into consideration the altitude change and how many miles will be hiked. When looking at the altitude change it is important to realize that the same distance with even a moderate change in altitude will feel much more difficult and take more time than the same distance without much of an altitude change. When determining how many miles to hike, always allow for the slowest person in the party, and err on the side of fewer miles, rather than too many.

Document Your Route

Once you have planned a route for your Colorado hiking trip, make sure you write it down. Include dates and times of estimated departure for the trailhead and estimated times of return. Once you have this information written out you can leave it with a friend or family member so that if there is a problem and you do not return on time they can send help out.

Dress For The Weather

Colorado hiking is known for its wonderful scenery. It is also known for its dramatic changes in weather, especially at higher altitudes. This means that layered clothing is the best option; where if the day starts out warm shorts and a tee shirt can be worn, but if the day cools off quickly a pair of long pants, a jacket, and a fleece hat can be added. Another good idea is to carry along a rain jacket.

Bring Snacks And Drinks

Bringing food is important even if going on a very short hike, and essential if going on a long one. This can be calorie-rich snack foods such as nuts or a candy bar. Even more vital to a safe and enjoyable trip is hydration. This can take the form of water, juice, or sports drinks. Whichever option is chosen make sure that enough is taken so that when thirst kicks in it can be promptly quenched.

Don’t Forget To Slow Down And Enjoy

Colorado hiking has much to recommend it, including a great variety of plant and animal life. The best way to enjoy these are to take frequent breaks, look around, and see why the Colorado Rocky Mountains are a favorite escape. Bringing a camera and binoculars are fun ways to enjoy the plentiful nature and scenery that is offered.

Colorado hiking trips are great ways to enjoy the best the state has to offer when it comes to nature and wildlife. Following the above tips can help to make wonderful memories and ultimate enjoyment more likely.