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MORE MOJO FOR 6 LUCKY WINNERS

September 11, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

WOW!  Thanks to all those who participated in Walking The World’s Clif Mojo bar sweepstakes.  We were delighted with the number of people who showed interest in Clif Mojo bars.  To make this celebration even better, we have decided to pick six winners instead of the original five!

Congratulations to Jody Schmoll, Kate Endicott, Ikuko Groesbeck, Norm Levy, Leilani Connolly, and Tom Kilpatrick.  With help from Clif Bar our winners with benefit from increased Mojo, energy, and a never ending desire to hike!

Each winner will be sent five delicious Clif Mojo bars.  Flavors include, Chocolate Almond Coconut, Honey Roasted Peanut, Mixed nuts, Mountain Mix, Peanut Butter Pretzel, and White Chocolate Macadamia.

Clif Mojo Bars

Clif Mojo Bars

Clif bars are delicious as well as nutritious!  These little bundles of joy are 70% organic, have no Trans fats or processed sugars, and have low glycemic levels.  Every bar is packed full of 8-9 grams of protein to make your muscles happy.

Clif Mojo bars are the perfect blend of salty and sweet.  If you’re climbing mountains, or just climbing the stairs up to your office, Clif will give you the mojo to keep going all day long.  Contained inside the stylish, fun wrappers are chewy mixtures of whole nuts, pretzel pieces and other tasty tidbits.  I can honestly say that these bars are good for you and organically good for the planet.

Clif was founded in 1990 because Gary Erickson knew he could make a better energy bar.  Since then, Clif has come out with new products and new ways to keep people happy on the trail.  In 2002 Mojo bars came into being.

The company’s mission statement speaks for itself, “We are who we are…Clif Bar and Company started on a bike ride.  Our founder, Gary, took a bite of another energy bar and thought to himself:  I could make a better bar than this.”

Give in without giving up what you stand for.  Eat a bar that’s good for you and the planet.  Clif Mojo is that sweet and salty answer to your craving, all rolled up into one awesome bar.  The varying tastes and textures of the bar will leave your body satisfied and eager to explore the great outdoors.

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to participate in the Clif Mojo Bar Sweepstakes held by Walking The World.

Please leave a comment on your experiences with Clif Mojo Bars or other Clif favorites on Walking The World’s Facebook page.  And keep a lookout for our new 2013 worldwide trip schedule at http://www.walkingtheworld.com.

Want a FREE copy of Ward Luthi’s top-rated resource guide on adventure travel?  If so, “Like us” on Facebook, and you can download your free copy of The Dayhiker’s Guide to Adventure Travel.

We would love to see you, and if you still are looking for adventure in 2012, join us on our Trip to Nepal, October 18 to November 7!

Mojo Bars by Clif

Crazy for Clif. Manic for Mojo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In adventure,

Marketa Jancar

Walking The World
www.walkingtheworld.com
info@walkingtheworld.com

 

Filed Under: walking trips, Walking Vacations Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HIKING TRIP TO TWIN OWLS

September 3, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Have you ever set out on an adventure and got more than you bargained for, but in a good way?  That happened to me on our hiking trip to Twin Owls, a loop hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Ward and I left Fort Collins at eight in the morning and traveled to Estes Park, Colorado.  With smiles on our faces and moleskin on our heels we set out on what we thought was a long but moderate adventure.   Well ha, it turned out to be a challenging 15.1-mile hike.  Even though, I was well aware of a slight burn in my legs throughout most of the day the scenery was spectacular.  Tall, strong aspen groves, majestic ponderosa, and wild roses were some of the sights we were treated to on this nine hour hike.  The adventure was awesome; I have to share it with you.

Ward is co-authoring two pocket guidebooks of must-hike trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Naturally, The Twin Owls Loop was one of the trails that made the list.  There are two Trailheads to choose from.  We started at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, but if you go just a bit north you can also access the trail from McGraw Ranch Trailhead.

Our first stop along the way was Gem Lake.  The lake was clear, placid, and beautiful.  The sun glinted off the calm water, and everything was so peaceful.  I could have spent the whole day basking in the sun.

Walking Trip at Gem Lake

Walking Trip at Gem Lake

As we were huffing and puffing up the very vertical trail, Ward and I met a gentleman nicknamed El.  After we caught our breath and introductions were made, El told us he was from Omaha, Nebraska, and was staying in Estes Park so he could hike some trails in RMNP.  When Ward asked him his age he said, “I’m in my seventies, and I plan on doing this for another 10 years.”  Hearing that come from El was an inspiration.  El also talked about a few hikes on the top of his bucket list.  One he was most adamant about was the El Camino de Santiago in Spain.  He mentioned his son’s interest for this walk had increased since he had seen the movie, The Way.  We were happy to tell him that every September Walking The World travels to Spain and hosts this spectacular walking tour.

El was kind enough to let us take a picture of him.  If you didn’t know that’s me on the left and El on the right.

Walking Trip with Marketa and El

Walking Trip with Marketa and El

After Gem Lake the trail was gentle and took us through a gorgeous forest interspersed here and there with patches of meadow.  There was so much to see!  Stunning aspen groves, huge golden ponderosa pine trees, wild roses, raspberries, and much to my surprise, two snakes!

When we reached the trailhead for Bridal Veil Falls, which is a side trail from the main Twin Owls Loop we took a rest in the shade, ate, and drank plenty of water. The secret to staying happy on the trail is to Eat Eat Eat and Drink Drink Drink. I went further and coined the new phrase Eat Eat Eat, Drink Drink Drink, and Walk Walk Walk.  Readers – remember this phrase when I become rich and famous!

You can read more about drinking (water that is) in Ward’s free e-book, The Dayhiker’s Guide to Adventure Travel. We would like you to have a copy of Ward’s free e-book.  Simply visit our website at www.walkingtheworld.com, click on the Facebook link, and “like us.”  You will be able to download it instantly.

So, back to Bridal Veil Falls.  Ward and I decided to stow our packs and only take our water bottles up to the top of the falls.  The hike was only 1.2 miles up to the falls for a round trip of 2.4 miles.  The trail was very steep, and I tried to keep up with Ward’s long legs.  The higher we went the more smiling faces we saw.  Everyone remarked on the beauty of the falls and that it was, “well worth the hike.”  Panting and red faced, I clung to these words of encouragement.

Hiking Trip to Bridal Veil Falls

Hiking Trip to Bridal Veil Falls

As we came closer to our goal I could not help but enjoy my gorgeous surroundings!  The vegetation was incredibly dense and the trees grew impossibly close.  A bubbling crick made me pause; I longed to rip off my boots and submerge my feet!  I kept pushing on, and was rewarded at the top with a fabulous view of water gushing over a rocky ledge.

Bridal Veil falls impressed me.  As I stood in awe of the falls, cool mist rolled off and stuck to my skin.  I have a small fear of heights, but with a little encouragement, Ward got me to ascend another twenty or so feet.  I was rewarded with a view of Rocky Mountain National Park that would just not stop.  All I could see for ages was wilderness “untrammeled” by man.

Back at the trail junction of Bridal Veil Falls, we made the decision to finish the loop rather than return the way we came.

The next section of the trail showcased beautifully old aspen huddled together in the dark forest by the trail.  The trail was suitably named Dark Mountain Trail.  This 1.7 stretch was the most challenging section of The Twin Owls Loop.   It was incredibly uphill with little downhill reprieve.  The quiet that surrounded us was like a thick wool blanket.  If we stopped, nothing could be heard except for our own heavy breathing.  At the crest of one hill, the sight of a doe and her fawn pleasantly surprised us.

Thankfully, the rest of the trail was downhill from there!  The remaining 3.8 miles, now called the Black Canyon Trail, were either downhill or flat.  At this point my feet were beyond hurting.  This section offered a rolling landscape and some sprawling private property (lucky them).

The rock formation that surprisingly enough looked like Twin Owls rose out of the rock on the left side of the trail.   With these two sentinels by our side, we finished the last half-mile of the trail.  Ward caught his second wind, and I chose to trail ten feet behind him.

As we walked toward the car I drug my feet like my boots were made of iron.  I gratefully tugged off my boots and sat back basking in self-accomplishment.  I had just hiked 15.1 miles – I was pretty dang proud of myself!  In the end the adventure was great, and the bargain was well worth the effort.

Marketa Jancar

Walking The World

www.WalkingTheWorld.com

Marketa Jancar has been interning with Walking The World since July 2012.  She attended college at Colorado State University, and loves hiking and swimming.

Filed Under: Hiking Tours, Uncategorized, Walking The World, walking trips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

WHY PUSHING IS NECESSARY FOR AN ENJOYABLE WALKING VACATION

July 29, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

WHY PUSHING IS NECESSARY FOR AN ENJOYABLE WALKING VACATION

If you want to trek your way to Machu Picchu in Peru, explore the rainforests in Costa Rica, raft the Colorado River or trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, you need to start pushing, right now.

And you need to continue pushing for as long as you can.

What?

If you fall into the 50+ category, each year you lose a bit of muscle mass and a bit of strength.  You do that is if you don’t do some type of cardiovascular exercise and some type of resistance training on a regular basis.  Lose enough muscle mass and enough strength and you’ll start to lose the ability to have the adventures you’ve always dreamed of.

At Walking The World we want you to have as many adventures as you can for as long as you can.  That’s why we’ve put together the 100 Day Walking Challenge.

Walking will help build and maintain general fitness and endurance.  But to fully enjoy your adventures you need to maintain strength as well.  In the 100 Day Walking Challenge we invite you to walk every day for 100 Days.  Now, to help build your functional fitness, we’re challenging you to do three bodyweight exercises every day during the Challenge.

The three bodyweight exercises are:
1)Push Ups for upper body strength,
2) Squats for leg strength, and
3) All Fours for core fitness.

We’ll post a video for each of these exercises, starting today with Push Ups.

So, finally, we get to what I meant when I said “Pushing” is necessary for an enjoyable walking vacation!

Why Push-Ups?  Many reasons.  First, you can do them anywhere and don’t need any special equipment.  Push-Ups tone and strengthen your upper body and build lean muscle mass, and because you’re building muscle, increase your metabolism.  A higher metabolism helps burn more calories – and of course that helps balance the calories from those delectable desserts you’ll be enjoying while on a walking trip in Tuscany!

When doing Push-Ups you’re working your chest muscles, triceps, shoulders, abs, upper back and forearms.

With all of the bodyweight exercises we’re demonstrating, start with a few reps on day one and increase the number of repetitions as you’re able.  Try to do a minimum number of each every day.

After a few weeks, you’ll be on your way to a better level of functional fitness.

AND you’ll be helping to ensure that you can have the adventures you’ve always dreamed about for as long as possible.

Start Today!

GOOD WALKING!

Ward Luthi and Marketa Jancar
Walking The World
info@walkingtheworld.com

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Walking The World, walking trips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Walking Trips and a 100 Day Walking Challenge

July 23, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Adventure Travel is listed as one of the top three life goals for those who are retired or near retired.  If you’re in that category or just love to travel, I invite you to take Walking The World’s 100 Day Walking Challenge – #2.

First, why walk?  Biomechanically, we’re made to walk.  Walking is easier for us physically than sitting down.  Actually, there are a thousand good reasons to walk, but mostly it’s fun, you’ll feel better the moment you take that first step, you get up close and personal with the world you live in and you’ll start to smile for no reason at all.

Second, if you want to enjoyably experience the rainforests of Costa Rica, the hidden slot canyons of Southeastern Utah, the fall colors of Maine or the hillside towns of Tuscany, you’ll need to be in good enough physical condition to enjoy all that those areas offer.

As an example, the food and wine in Italy are truly some of the best in the world.  You don’t want to join one of our trips to Tuscany and then have to refuse a glass of smooth, scrumptious red wine from Montalcino or a freshly baked croissant for breakfast simply because you weren’t prepared physically.  Participating in our 100 Day Walking Challenge will help you develop the endurance and strength to handle those decadently good Italian wines and desserts!

In October of 2011 we initiated our first 100 Day Walking Challenge and numerous readers have asked us to offer it again.  So, join us and let’s get started!

Taking a walking trip, walking tour or walking vacation, whatever your preferred name for a chance to explore on foot the magical destinations this world offers, requires that you be in reasonably good physical condition.  Our 100 Day Walking Challenge will prepare you for your coming walking vacations in several ways.  Walking each day for 100 Days will help build your stamina and endurance.  Completing a series of bodyweight exercises each day will help build upper body strength, leg strength and core strength.

In this year’s 100 Day Walking Challenge, we’re asking you to walk every day for 100 days.  We’re also inviting you to set a minimum daily goal that you’ll commit to.  As an example, you might set a goal of walking AT LEAST one mile each day for 100 Days.  If you prefer walking for time, you might do that, or you might enjoy walking for a minimum number of steps, possibly measuring your steps with a pedometer.

If you have a heart rate monitor with a GPS it will be easy to track your time, distance, calories burned and pace.  One nice aspect of having GPS is that you don’t have to worry about measuring distance on a set course and then walking that same course every day.  Having GPS allows you to walk wherever you choose while the GPS tracks your course and distance and records it all on your watch style receiver.

If you prefer to walk for time, I recommend walking a known distance, say one mile, and recording the number of minutes it takes.  Do this several times to get an average.  Once you have an average time to walk a mile, say 20 minutes, you can head out for a 20 minute walk and know generally that you’ve just done one mile.

Equipment and clothing you’ll need.  Walking is easy.  Almost anyone can do it.  You can do it anywhere and you don’t need a lot of clothing and equipment.  You will need a good pair of walking/running shoes, a good pair of sunglasses (they should block UVA and UVB rays and be Polarized), plenty of sunscreen – and don’t forget your lips when applying sun protection, a good hat and PLENTY OF WATER.

Water and walking trips.  Staying hydrated during your 100 Day Walking Challenge is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy and happy.  You should drink before your walk, during your walk and after your walk.  You must be adequately hydrated in order for your body, and mind, to function at optimal levels.  And yes, if you drink a lot of water, you’re going to have to pee more.  Just how it works!

Water bottles or a hydration system like Camelbak, Platypus, MSR or Geigerrig allow you to carry adequate water for your walks.  I invite you to check out the new Geigerrig at www.geigerrig.com to see how this innovative hydration system works.  Basically, the Geigerrig is a pressurized system that allows you to drink water, share water with friends or pets, or wash off wounds or dirt without needing to share your bite valve with others.  You simply squeeze the mouth piece and water flows freely to you, your pet, your friend or anywhere else you might need to supply life sustaining water.

Buddies are great for helping one stay committed to a 100 Day Walking Challenge.  So, find one, or more, of your friends or family members who will join you and you’ll both have more fun and gain some endurance and strength in the process.

Oh, and did I mention that after walking every day for 100 Days, you’ll also look better too?!  Depending on how fast and how far you walk and how much up and downs you include in your walks, you may or not lose a lot of weight.  You will though take off some inches, which can be just as positive as losing a few pounds.

So, again, I invite you to join us in our 100 Day Walking Challenge.  Let us know if you have any questions we can help with – AND – tell us how you’re doing.

Oh, and if you’d enjoy some practical information on how to prepare for your walking vacations, I invite you to download my FREE eBook, THE DAYHIKER’S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE TRAVEL.  I’ve put together more than 100 pages of information on clothing, equipment and trail techniques to help make sure your walking trips are safe and enjoyable.  Simply “Like” us on our Walking The World Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/WalkingTheWorld, and enter your email to immediately download your FREE copy.

So TAKE THE CHALLENGE and GET UP! GO WILD! GIVE BACK!

GOOD WALKING!

Ward Luthi and Marketa Jancar
Walking The World
www.walkingtheworld.com
info@walkingtheworld.com

 

 

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Hydration Systems, Walking The World, Walking Tours, walking trips, Walking Vacations Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AMERICA’S TOP 50 DAY HIKES! WHAT ARE THEY?

February 26, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

AMERICA’S TOP 50 DAY HIKES!  WHAT ARE THEY? Travel Tips Denver

Well, that’s what I’m heading out to discover. AND I’m hoping you’ll help by sending me your favorite trail suggestions.

In less than two weeks from now, I’m heading out to hike the top 1-3 day hikes in all 50 states.

America's Top Day Hikes

America's Top Day Hikes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why?  I suppose that gets to the question of why adventure travel is such a powerful influence in my life – and hopefully yours.

Why do I need to wander and to have adventures on a regular basis?  Because I think it’s who we are at our most elemental level.  I believe we were born to wander.  To test ourselves in the great outdoors.  To be inspired by beauty.  To be challenged.  And sometimes, just to see what’s around the next bend in the trail.

On my travels, I’ll walk and hike, yes.  But, when possible, I’ll also canoe, raft, bike, and maybe get in some snowshoeing when there’s enough snow.

What's Your Favorite Day Hike?

What's Your Favorite Day Hike?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My itinerary will start in Southern California in the Anza-Borrego Desert, with a possible jaunt up to Joshua Tree National Monument, before heading to hidden trails under giant Saguaro Cactus in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.  After that I’ll return to my home base in Colorado for a short resupply before heading to our more southern states to catch the best hiking weather.

My goal is to have this project be an interactive one, meaning I hope you’ll get in touch and tell me about your favorite hikes, swimming holes, restaurants, brew pubs, wineries, and any neat and unique individuals you think I might enjoy meeting and sharing some adventures with.

As an example, a friend just told me of a small place in New Mexico where they think they’ve found the world’s best burrito.  I hope so, because I’m going there to see if it’s true.  I’ll let you know what I find.  Or maybe you know of a small mountain lake that would lend itself to a cooling dip on a warm day.  Or possibly you know someone with a melodic voice who just loves to croon some tunes while sitting around a campfire at night.  I would love to hear your suggestions!

Everything's an Adventure!

Everything's an Adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WANT TO BE IN MY BOOK?

I’ll be compiling all the best hikes, unique adventures, and places to eat, drink and overnight, in a book called – well, I don’t know yet.  I’m hoping you’ll help me find just the right title.   If you send me a suggestion for a place to hike, eat, drink or stay, and I use it in the book, you’ll be listed as a contributor, hopefully accompanied by a stunning photo of your smiling face.

I’ll be posting about my adventures on my blog at www.walkingtheworld.com as well as on Walking The World’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WalkingTheWorld.

IT'S ALL BOO-TIFUL!

IT'S ALL BOO-TIFUL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE OUTDOOR GEAR AND CLOTHING!

Yes!  It’s true!  In one of my next posts I’ll let you know how you can win some fabulous gear and clothing from some of the world’s top brands.  There will be a wee bit of effort involved on your part, but if your name is drawn from those who enter, I think you’ll be delighted.  Stay tuned.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WARD?  Okay, a HINT.  One way you can win some great outdoor gear and clothing is to correctly identify WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WARD?, in other words the location of a photo I post from one of my hikes.  It will be a challenge, but doable.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WARD?

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WARD?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WANT TO JOIN ME ON A HIKE?  Discovering America’s best day hikes is going to be fun, no question.  I can’t wait to get started.  BUT if you have a favorite hike you think I just have to see and you’re willing to join me, drop me a note.   And if you’re a photographer or videographer and want to showcase your talents in my blog and/or book, let me know so we can arrange a hike together.

REFLECTIONS

REFLECTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  If you like our Facebook page at Walking The World, http://www.facebook.com/WalkingTheWorld, I invite you to give us a “thumbs up” and say hi!

In Adventure,
Ward Luthi
Walking The World

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Hydration Systems, Outdoor Gear, Walking, Walking The World, walking trips, Ward Luthi Tagged With: , , , , ,

SPRING BREAK IN THE ARCTIC

February 16, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

 

When most people think of spring break they conjure up images of white sand beaches, suntan lotion and Mai Tai’s.

There there’s Paul Hubner, CEO of Baffin, Canada’s largest brand of polar boots and apparel.  In a few short weeks, Paul and his three sons, Mark, 24, Brent, 21, and Ryan, 16, will trek across Baffin Island for two weeks.  While these four hardy souls may indeed see white, it will be the white of snow, ice, glaciers, Arctic Fox and Polar Bears.

Baffin Island in the Winter

Baffin Island in the Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual temperatures in Baffin come in at 18 degrees F, reaching a high of 48 degrees F in July and a low of -27 degrees F in February.  While March is one of the driest months in Baffin, it’s also one of the coldest, not to mention a lack of sunlight suitable for tanning.  Trekking across Baffin Island in March, when temperatures can drop well below zero, offers a different challenge than Spring Break at Daytona Beach.

Arctic Comfort

Arctic Comfort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I met Paul Hubner a few weeks ago at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He’s a strong, made-for-the outdoors kind of guy, with a goal of making the best gear for extreme conditions.  While most of their current gear is designed for the extreme conditions in polar regions, Baffin is committed to making the best gear for all extreme conditions.

My company, Walking The World, operates small group adventures around the world for those 50 years of age and better.  While most of us won’t be trekking across the Arctic in wintertime, we can always use high quality cold weather gear.  Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., and there are plenty of times when I’ve been out in Colorado’s mountains in cold weather conditions.  The soft shell jacket and base layers, made by Baffin, I tried on at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show in January, 2012, were not only of exceptionally high quality but the design and fit made me want to take the items home with me right then and there.  I’m looking forward to my own tests of Baffin’s polar gear.

Can’t seem to keep your feet warm in cold weather months?  Try a pair of Baffin footwear.  The layering system in their boots does a great job of wicking moisture from one’s feet outward to keep feet dry and warm.  Paul Hubner tests Baffin gear in the harshest conditions, probably a wee bit colder than what most of us will encounter in our adventures.  So you know their gear will do the job.

Okay, a few interesting facts about Baffin.

1.  Most of Baffin Island is above the Arctic Circle.
2. 11,000 people live on Baffin Island – based on 2007 figures.
3. Baffin is the world’s 5th largest island.
4. Highest point on Baffin is 7,044 feet.
5. If you like Base Jumping, spread your wings in Baffin.  One side of Baffin’s Mount Thor sports a vertical cliff face of 4,100 feet, one of the largest in the world. 
6. Baffin was named after the English explorer William Baffin

Now, you might be thinking that a winter trek across Baffin, with freezing temperatures and low light levels, might not offer much beyond a physical test.  Not so.  While doing some research on Baffin Island I came across the website of another polar explorer, famous in his own right, George Kourounis, and his photos taken during one expedition in March of 2009.  George is, in his own words, an “Explorer/Adventurer and Storm Chaser” and his TV series, ANGRY PLANET, airs worldwide.  If you visit his site, you’ll be as amazed as I was at the variety and magnitude of his adventures.  And his photos will make you want to head out the door today!

George Kourounis - Adventurer/Explorer

George Kourounis - Adventurer/Explorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2009, during a ten-day polar expedition survival training program on Baffin Island, George captured in photos some of the unmatched raw beauty of the Arctic in winter.  George has graciously allowed me to include some of his photos in this story.  Interestingly, Paul Huber and his son Ryan, soon to trek across Baffin Island, were also on the same polar expedition survival training program.

Winter Beauty in the Arctic

Winter Beauty in the Arctic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Paul Hubner and his three sons will be trekking across Baffin Island this March, 2012, George will be embarking on an epic journey he calls the “Coast to Coast to Coast Road Trip” across the breadth and width of Canada.  The goal:  document winter’s worst weather.  Sounds like a serious, challenging and rewarding adventure.

Just Another Day on the Trail

Just Another Day on the Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very special thanks to George Kourounis for allowing me to use photos from his Arctic Adventures.  All photos in this blog are coutesy of George.  George is right now documenting some of the worst winter weather in Canada on his Coast to Coast to Coast Road Trip.

Me?  I’ll be doing a lot of walking trips by exploring the top day hikes in all 50 states in the U.S.  I can’t say I’ll encounter the same harsh conditions as these accomplished explorers, but I’m looking forward to discovering more magical corners of this great planet right here in the U.S.

Stay tuned.

In Adventure,

Ward Luthi
Walking The World
www.walkingtheworld.com

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Outdoor Gear, Walking The World, walking trips, Ward Luthi, Winter Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

NO MORE SUCKING WATER! HOW TO STAY HYDRATED ON THE TRAIL

February 10, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

 

Geigerrig!  Sounds like a rallying cry, like Blitzkreig or Tally Ho!

In reality it’s the name given to one of the most advanced and creative designs for a hydration system to hit the market.

Twice a year, winter and summer, nearly a thousand makers and suppliers of outdoor gear, clothing and related  products, meet to show their lines at the Outdoor Retailer Show.  Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, every January and August, it has to be one of the most interesting and anticipated events of the year for outdoor enthusiasts.

As chief blogger for Walking The World, I was roaming the aisles looking for interesting new products when I noticed a handsome gentlemen passionately talking about his new product, the Geigerrig Hydration Pack.  The gentleman happened to be Bob Geiger, VP of Operations for Geigerrig.

What mesmerized me at first was that Bob appeared to be inflating the hydration bladder, the plastic compartment that stores the water, with a hand pump much like what we’d use to inflate a blood pressure cuff.  (Actually, there’s a plastic sheet just under the bladder that inflates.)

Pumping air into the extra sheet of plastic pressurizes the bladder so, guess what, we no longer have to suck on a plastic tube to get a drink of water.  Simply apply a gentle pressure to the bite valve and water gushes forth.

Geigerrig Hydration System

Geigerrig Hydration System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People often ask if they can inflate the Geigerrig too much!  Actually, no.  In the above photo, you can see that even when wildly overinflated, the Geigerrig doesn’t burst.

From my perspective as a guide, it’s not only easier for me to get a drink but I can now share water with a friend, or friendly canine, without having to worry about what my friends or dog might have shared back with me on my bite valve.

Not only that but get this.  Say you run out of water on the trail and still have a long way to travel before getting back to the trailhead?  In this day and age, drinking from a stream or lake without a filter can lead to some unwanted visitors to your intestinal tract.  So what does one do?  With Geigerrig, you simply remove the tube from the bladder, insert a small (1 inch by 5.5 inch) in-line filter, scoop up some water and carry on down the trail.  The filter takes out 99.9% of any Cryptospordium and Giardia.  Pretty cool, huh?!

Are there more benefits?  Yep!  You can use the pressurized spray of a Geigerrig to spray down a fellow hiker who’s overheated, water a thirsty plant along the trail, fill up a water bottle, rinse dirt or food from your hands or anything a garden hose might do if you happened to have one along.

The Geigerrig won Best of Show at the Outdoor Winter Retailer this January, 2012, and rightly so.  It’s a big step forward in the world of hydration systems.

I’m including a link to a video of Bob Geiger demonstrating the Geigerrig.  He’s a natural at sharing all the benefits of owning a Geigerrig.

We’v all tried our best to find the perfect way to carry and drink water while engaged in our favorite outdoor sport.  The Geigerrig is setting the standard for now.

HAPPY TRAILS!

Ward Luthi
Walking The World
info@walkingtheworld.com

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Hydration Systems, Outdoor Gear, Product Testing, Uncategorized, Walking The World, Walking Tours, walking trips, Walking Vacations, Ward Luthi Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

SAVING BIRDS FROM WINDOW CRASHES

February 4, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Crash!  Thump!  I always hate it when I hear those sounds because my first guess is that a bird has flown into a window.  And, unfortunately, I’m usually right.

On our October, 2011, trip to Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks in Utah, there was a stunned bird sprawled on the pavement just outside the entrance to our hotel.  It had obviously hit the hotel’s front window.  What does one do?  I’ve never really known.

Until now that is.  I just came across an article that describes what happens to birds when they hit a window and what you can do to help.  I’m including a link to the article in the hopes that it might help when you next hear a Crash! And thump! And you’re wondering what to do.  I’m hoping as well that the bird recovers and you feel better because you helped.

Thanks for caring!

Ward Luthi

Walking The World

www.walkingtheworld.com

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Walking The World, walking trips, Ward Luthi, wildlife Tagged With: , , , , ,

Walking On a Snowy Day

February 3, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

It’s snowing here in Colorado and has been since last night.

For most of this winter, our snowfall has been light and our snowpack far below normal for this time of year.  Today though, the snow is swirling down in big flakes and sticking.  So – it’s time to go out for some winter fun.  While tomorrow I may head to the hills for some snowshoeing, today I’m heading out for a walk.

I love walking outside on snowy days.  When I headed out today, it was late afternoon, the snow was coming down in bunches and it was a bit cold.  However, there is a quietness when it’s snowing that one rarely experiences outside of rural or wilderness areas.  With the snow covering everything, sounds are dampened, muffled.  Everything has a soft, quiet feel to it.  There were a few birds singing out their greetings once in a while but other than that it was pure quiet.  Walking on snowy days is a kind of mediation.  A walk on a snowy day is certainly good for my soul.

A few thoughts if you like walking outside on cold, snowy days.

1.  Warm-up before heading out for your walk.  Do some easy warm-up exercises indoors first to get your blood flowing before heading out into the cold.  That way you can start moving as soon as you step out the door.

2. Drink plenty of water.  Staying hydrated is just is important in cold weather as it is in warm.  Every time you breathe in cold air, you have to heat it to body temperature and bring that cold air up to the moisture content of your body.  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking because it’s cold you don’t need to drink.  DRINK!  DRINK!  DRINK!

3. Frozen Lungs.  Won’t happen.  There’s a myth that if you breathe cold air, you can freeze your lungs.  By the time air gets to your lungs, it’s has to be heated to body temperature.  It may still FEEL like your lungs are freezing but you should live to breathe another day. So it’s not really necessary to wear a scarf unless it’s to protect your face.   Unlike your lungs, your skin can be affected by the cold.

4. Protect your extremities.  I love walking when it’s snowing outside. It’s fun.  It’s like a romantic adventure, like walking in the footsteps of polar explorers – except I can turn around and go back any time I want.  All that being said, I wear my lightweight hiking boots on days like today.  My New Balance running shoes are not waterproof and are heavy on the mesh so today my feet would be soaked in short order.  My lightweight hikers are waterproof and heavier so they keep my feet dry and warm as long as I continue moving.

5. Ok, here’s another myth – that we lose up to 40% of our body heat through our head. Not true. A number of studies show heat loss through any exposed skin on the human body is about the same as any other area of exposed skin.   From the scalp, heat loss tends to level off at about 7% except at the beginning of heavy exercise when the heat loss increases due to more blood flowing to your brain.  However, as you continue to exercise and start to sweat, blood flow to the brain decreases and so does heat loss from the scalp.  Still, wearing a hat and gloves, even lightweight models, helps reduce loss of body heat at all times.  On my walk today, there was a moderate wind and the snow was a wet snow.  In most cases I would recommend a waterproof and windproof lightweight glove for comfort.  Unless it’s really cold you should be fine.  Most importantly, always have a lightweight hat and gloves along during any exercise in the cold, just in case!

6. Sunglasses. Snow reflects light, so give your eyes some protection by taking sunglasses with you on a walk when snow is on the ground or in the air.  True, falling snow may be a problem (where are the windshield wipers for sunglasses?) but like hats and gloves, it’s always good to have your sunglasses available should you need them.

7. Protect your lips.  Cold days, whether it’s snowing or not, can be rough on the lips.  A good chapstick can help.  Apply liberally before heading out and keep applying as you walk.

8. Non-slip soles on your footwear.  If the surface you’re walking on is dry and clear of all ice, non-slip soles are not crucial.  However, if there’s even the hint of slick spots where you’re walking, make sure your footwear has soles that provide good traction.  In really icy terrain, try more robust non-slip soles like Kahtoola’s MICROspikes that I wrote about in an earlier post.

9. Always remember that life is to be lived fully.  So don’t limit your walking to days when the weather and temperatures are perfect.  Keep repeating the following mantra:  GO NOW, GO OFTEN AND HAVE FUN – TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

I’m off for a walk toward the North Pole – well, a short distance towards the North Pole at least!  I encourage you to head out on some walking trips of your own!   Talk to you soon!

Ward Luthi
Walking The World
www.walkingtheworld.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Walking, Walking The World, Ward Luthi, Winter Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Walking on Water with Kahtoola’s MTN Snowshoes!

January 7, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Walking on Water with Kahtoola’s MTN Snowshoes!

When I stepped outside this morning, I could feel the warmth in the air.  Even though it’s January in Colorado, the temperatures were supposed to climb into the 60’s in my hometown of Ft. Collins, Colorado.  And with the forecast calling for relatively light winds, I figured it was a good day for an adventure in one of my favorite local destinations, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Of course, since it IS winter in Colorado, I’ll need to practice my techniques for walking on water – or as some call it – snowshoeing.  Now I know I’m taking a bit of liberty here with the definition of walking on water, but technically, since snow and ice are forms of water, I AM walking on water.  I suppose one could call my winter excursions “walking trips on water”.

Kahtoola, an innovative winter product company based in Flagstaff, Arizona, had earlier provided me with a pair of their MTN snowshoes to test.  You might also recognize some of Kahtoola’s other standout products:  MICROspikes, KTS crampons and the RNR Lightweight Running Snowshoe.

I figured this was a good day to see how the MTN Snowshoes performed on trails that were snow packed and in off-trail situations that were a mixture of windblown and loose snow.

And what a glorious day it was.  The temperature gage at the Bear Lake Ranger Station in RMNP showed 40 degrees.  With clear, sunny skies it was a great day to be cruising through the snow beneath stately pines.

Kahtoola's MTN Snowshoes

Kahtoola's MTN Snowshoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kahtoola’s MTN snowshoes are an ingenuous two part design that combines an 8-point crampon with a lightweight snowshoe.  As a system, I can now carry “one integrated piece” rather than a separate set of full crampons as well as snowshoes.  So I save weight and space in my pack.

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kahtoola’s MTN snowshoes have a patented width adjustment system that allows one pair of snowshoes to be worn comfortably by anyone from those with small feet, think a size six women’s running shoe, to a size14 insulated men’s boot.  As anyone who has worked with footwear can attest, developing a lightweight workable product that fits this wide a range of feet is remarkable in itself.

The Trail Crampon

The trail crampons are basically like the front-half of a full set of crampons, with 8 teeth that are longer and wider than the teeth found on Kahtoola’s MICROspikes but smaller than the spikes on most regular crampons.

The back two teeth of the trail crampon are serrated and the two teeth that lock into the spring system on the snowshoe are notched.

To step into the trail crampon with your boot, first adjust the width of the crampon to your boot.  The directions for doing this come with the MTN snowshoe and should be done at home rather than on the trail.  Because some of the parts needed to adjust the trail crampon are quite small and require a wee bit of dexterity, you should adjust the width at home.  Trying this on the trail in cold weather over loose snow is not a good option although it can be done.

Adjusting the strapping on the trail crampons is relatively easy to do and Kahtoola has provided a stretch band on the front of the crampon to lock down any excess strapping and a plastic clip on the back of the crampon for excess heel strapping.

The only part that is sometimes challenging on a cold day is making sure the rear strap that goes around your heel locks into the cleat on the metal buckle used to tighten the straps around your heel.

To click the trail crampon into the snowshoe deck, first make sure that the bars in the deck are visible.  If they are not, you won’t be able to click in.  This is simply a matter of remembering to reset the bars.  This can easily be done by pulling the “reset” tab.  Then it’s a simple matter of lining up the notched teeth in the trail crampon and clicking in to the snowshoe deck.  The first photo below shows no bars, the second photo shows the bars.

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

No bars showing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

Bars are showing here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To click your trail crampons out of the snowshoe deck, simply pull the “t-handle” and step out.  Voila!

In the photo below you can see the T-handle on the left, for releasing the trail crampon from the snowshoe deck.  The reset pull can be seen on the right of the photo just across from the T-handle.

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

T-handle and Reset pull

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts:

Having adjustable wings on the trail crampon allowed me to fairly precisely fit my boot into the trail crampon, making the crampon feel like it was built into my boots.  I liked the lightweight feel of the trail crampons and when clicked into the snowshoe deck, it was one of the most comfortable fits of any pair of snowshoes I’ve worn.

The lightweight and streamlined design of the snowshoes allowed me to walk quickly and easily on most surfaces, including the frozen lakes I crossed.

Clicking the trail crampons into the snowshoe deck was an easy process and made switching from trail crampon to snowshoe a breeze.

The MTN snowshoe does not include a heel lift bar for steep sections of trail or teeth along the bottom sides of the snowshoe for more secure travel on slopes.  However, overall the system worked well.  I had my ice axe so if I needed extra support on the slopes or going uphill I had it.

When using the Trail Crampon by itself, you’ll want to keep in mind that it’s basically only the front half of a regular crampon.  You’ll have no base and no teeth on the bottom back half of your boot.  Going downhill or traversing slopes will require more care than with a traditional crampon.  Overall, for most situations though, I felt secure.

I do a lot of walking whether it’s winter or not and I liked the ease of movement I had with the MSN Snowshoes.  Regardless of the terrain, I was able to move easily and quickly without feeling like my equipment was hindering me or without that “sluggish” feeling of some systems.

Being able to easily and quickly switch from trail crampon to snowshoe was a definite plus.

Conclusion:  An excellent system I would highly recommend.

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

Kahtoola MTN Snowshoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowshoeing is a great winter activity.  Buy or rent a pair of snowshoes and hit the trail.  Head out on your own or with friends or join a guided walking tour that includes trying out a variety of snowshoe brands.  You’ll love the beauty of winter and the quiet of a snow covered landscape.

Go now, Go Often, Have Fun and Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

GOOD WALKING!

Ward Luthi
Walking The World
www.walkingtheworld.com

Kahtoola, Inc.
431 River Run Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Toll-free: 866.330.8030
info@kahtoola.com
www.kahtoola.com

 

Filed Under: Adventure Travel, Outdoor Gear, Product Testing, Snowshoes, Uncategorized, Walking, Walking Tours, walking trips, Ward Luthi, Winter Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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