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Safety While Backpacking and Mountaineering

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

For many people the idea of heading out into the mountains or forests with the intent of staying out for a number of days sounds ridiculous. For others, the idea sounds like an adventure and they’d like nothing better. The ability to survive in the wilderness requires a bit of knowledge and for most people some specific pieces of gear.

If you are heading out into an area to go backpacking or mountaineering requires a good understanding of the area, terrain, weather patterns, survival equipment and the people you are with. Above all leave home with safety gear and know how to use it. Even if you have been on the trail before, bring a map. This bit of information can help you in the event of an accident or if you are lost for some unknown reason. Make sure you have waterproof matches, an emergency blanket, first aid kit, and a shelter with you suited to the conditions. plenty of food and a way to treat water is also important.

Knowing the weather patterns is also important. If you are from the area and have been watching the weather patterns for years you may think you know better than you do, the micro-climates of the area. Be sure to talk to rangers or others that can give you specifics about what to expect.

For certain know the terrain you are heading into as well as the capabilities of the group. It is easy to get into trouble when you are not prepared physically for the strenuous activity some trips require.

Few people should reasonably consider heading out on a backpacking trip alone, so if you are thinking about it and you are not sure, then it is probably safe to say that you are not one of those people. So, know the people you are with on the trip. Know their strengths and their weaknesses or injuries. Most of all communicate. Check in regularly and be honest with your companions about how you feel and what you think you are capable of doing that day. Be safe, have fun.

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Extreme Sports: Boarding

February 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In the world of Extreme sports there are number of different types of sports, one of these types is boarding. Boarding can create a great adrenaline rush as you skim the surface or ride down the mountain on your board. The follow is a list of the most well known types of boarding sports. Not everyone goes out to see how fast they can go,  there are plenty of cruisers out there, in the water and on the slopes.

  1. Surfing: The original boarding sport where the rider is on a board cruising the waves toward the shore. There are as many types surfing styles as there are people that ride them.
  2. Skateboarding: Created for surfers to have something to do when the waves were not active. Riders use a smaller board with trucks and wheels to navigate the streets and ride ramps, including half pipes.
  3. Windsurfing: In wind surfing a rider uses basically uses a surfboard that is specially designed and has a sail attached. Somewhere between sailing and surfboarding the user is propelled where ever the wind takes them not just following the waves.
  4. Kitesurfing: In this sport the rider uses a special board and a large kite. Like wind surfing the rider can go out on open water and is not limited to the direction of the waves.
  5. Snowboarding: Often used at ski resorts on open slopes after a hike to the top. Snowboarding is done with a board that is attached to the feet with bindings.
  6. Sandboarding: A user often uses a snowboard type board but instead of sliding on snow, sand is the surface. Some riders go without bindings to make the sport a little more thrilling.
  7. Riverboarding: In this sport, the rider uses a board like a boogie board to navigate the river. Going down down river flowing through the rapids.

Just a few of the many boarding sports.

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Learn to be Safe, And Then Try a New Stunt

February 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many people are excited about motorcycles or ATVs and they see the outrageous and crazy stunts on televisions or even out at the track. It is important to remember that most of those men and women you see out there have put extensive energy into being safe as they attempt their stunts. Safety requires a variety of awareness and there are a few steps to making sure you know what to pay attention to before and during your ride.

  1. Safety Class: If you have never ridden a bike before, don’t think that you will just know how as if it was your BMX bike. A motorcycle is a very different vehicle and incredibly more powerful than your pedals. With that in mind, take a class and learn how to ride. Whether you are going to ride on the street or not. Know what you are doing before you try anything.
  2. Know your bike: Do you understand how your motorcycle works. Do you know what it sounds or feels like when something is wrong with it. There are important checks to put in place to make sure you bike is properly maintained. Learn the checklist and don’t try jumps even small ones if you don’t know your bike or if it someone else’s bike. Fun is fun, but breaking your neck isn’t gonna be fun.
  3. Know the terrain: Before you ride off into that field and hit a jump, know what is on the other side of it. Too many accidents happen because of what you don’t know. What you don’t know will probably hurt you.
  4. Ride with others: Don’t take off by yourself, it’s that simple. Always ride with someone you trust and always have a way to contact help.

Be safe, this article is nowhere near enough research to start riding so stay smart and pay attention.

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