Your knees will thank you for bringing trekking poles along on your next hiking, especially if a steep descent is involved. By absorbing the shock with your arms and upper body rather than your knees, you're able to move more quickly and comfortably with much less fatigue. When descending, ...
you should always bring extra socks and these should ideally be a good wool blend. If you are hiking in the Olympic mountains, you should ideally use hiking (trekking) poles. Hiking poles can help with balance and have been shown to ...
I always use trekking poles on long hikes with substantial vertical gain and loss. See “The Best Trekking Poles,”“How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “The 10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles.” Planning your next big adventure? See “America’s Top 10 Best Backpacking Tri...
Terrain, weather and infrastructure determine everything, from what to pack to how easy or hard it’s going to be physically and mentally. To give you an idea of what I brought on a largely unsupported 5-day trek through northern Sweden, first, check out my video – and then read on t...
Trekking poles are the fancy, adjustable, modern version of the walking sticks of yore. If you are lucky enough to be using one on a long hike, make sure that you are using it properly! This video will teach you how to adjust your trekking pole to the proper height, ensuring that it...
who will show you the way but won’t carry your stuff. Also consider the quality of accommodation, as this will affect what you need to carry to stay warm overnight. If you leave home without something, you should be able to pick it up in Thamel (Kathmandu's main tourist district) be...
Find out what trekking equipment you need and how much they cost. You can pick up hiking boots, down jackets and sleeping bags for real cheap in Thamel, but our advice is not to compromise on the quality. Weather and terrain conditions can be challenging in the Himalayas, and carrying robu...
choose to take something from caches you find. Trekking poles, if you don't normally take them, are worth considering to aid you in poking into dark cache-hiding places. Finally, because not all caches include a functioning pen or pencil, bring one along to be sure you can sign logbooks...
If you’re concerned about your knees or ankles, consider getting a pair of trekking poles. They aren’t just for newbies or older hikers: Poles help anyone keep their balance on very rocky or uneven terrain. They give you an extra two “limbs” to hold yourself up while you navigating ...
you can get. Your reward is a pristine alpine lake at 10,900 feet, cradled by sheer cliffs. Time your hike for late September, when the aspen groves turn gold and crisp air begins to thin summer crowds. Bring layers and trekking poles, and prepare for conditions from baking sun to snow...