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Games of Knowledge | Sports and Exercise

Games of Knowledge and Games of Sport

Planning For A Hiking Trip

| November 21, 2011

We live in a country that offers many lovely places to travel to and explore! Hiking in South Africa mightbe one of the most exciting ways to discover the beauty that mother nature provides. One of the advantages of hiking is that it can be enjoyed with 1 or 2 pals, or in a group of people, all sharing exactly the same passion.

Before you can go hiking in South Africa, there are a variety of precautions that you should take and stuffthat you need to take into account. In the following paragraphs we will examine a handful of these factors:

Although many people loveto plan trips at the spur of the moment, youshould realizethat going walking without prior organizing can lead to amassive tragedy. Even the most seasoned walkers will agree that it is really not as simple as grabbing a backpack, hiking footwear and enough water. Make sure that you plan your hiking trip well in advance to ensure that you are properly prepared for the unanticipated.

It is a wisedecision to be fairly fit before you go hiking in South Africa. I am not saying that you have to be a Comrades sportsman before you can think about a hiking trip, but it is essential that you will at least be able to walk without passing out after the first 5 minutes. The healthier you are, the less strain you put on your body and system and the smaller your chances of medical issues and injuries. Make an effort to go for shorter walks (even if it’s around your block a couple of times) before tackling achallenging hiking route.

Proper hiking equipment is very important! Some of the most important items include a high quality backpack, proper hiking shoes and camping out equipment if you are planning on staying overnight. Remember that new hiking footwear can eventually lead to blisters and very aching feet, so ensure that you wear new shoes in and around the house before packing it in your backpack.

Take a look at theweather conditions for your proposed trip. Keep in mind that some terrains can be very dangerous when it’s misty or raining, therefore you need to make sure that you are planning your trip for the correct time of the year. Way too many fatalities occur due to the fact that novice backpackers are caught in adverse conditions and then put their own lives as well as the lives of other hikers at risk.

When hiking in South Africa you have to make certain that you have enough water! Don’t assume that you will be able to drink plenty of water from dams or streams on route – you never know how safe these water sources are! Lack of fluids on such a hike can be very hazardous – always take as much water as you possibly can carry!

Hiking in South Africa is an excellent experience! With a bit of preparing, the appropriate gear, enough water and a first aid kit, you should ultimately have a great time!

Explore The Mountains Safely & Easily With The Right GPS System

| November 5, 2011

If you want to go exploring in mountainous terrain, you might want to consider getting one of those sports GPS systems. These systems will allow you to determine your location at any given time, and you can use it to find destinations no matter where you happen to be. So the next time you’re in the mountains or any other unfamiliar terrain, you will want to choose a GPS system that can handle that type of situation.

Wireless Service

With many GPS systems these days, such as the Garmin Oregon 400t, you are able to access information wirelessly. You can find waypoints, tracks, routes and more just by typing the queries into your device’s touch screen. Some GPS devices even let you speak your directions into the device. These are going to be a little more expensive, however.

Once you have accessed the necessary information you would be able to share it with your hiking companions and that will serve to make the exploration you are all enjoying a lot safer and virtually worry-free.

Know Just What Your Location Is

Knowing your precise location in a mountainous region or any region with which you are not familiar is very important. Whether you are under the cover of trees or concealed by a cavern, some GPS units like the Garmin Oregon 400t will be able to provide you with your precise coordinates when you need them.

In-Built Maps

Another great aspect of most GPS systems is that they come with many maps already built in. That means that, in most cases, you can find your way to any destination right out of the packaging. However, you may find that some maps have been updated since you purchased your device or that new maps have been created. These can be downloaded later on to make sure that your Garmin Oregon 400t or other GPS device has the most up to date maps possible.

3-D Maps

For mountainous exploration the 3-D maps on some GPS devices are very useful. These units allow you to view the terrain you will soon encounter using full-color topography maps. This will greatly assist your navigation of the roughest terrain because you will already know what is coming. Obviously this feature would also be useful in avoiding any areas that would be difficult or impossible to navigate, allowing you to find an alternate course.

Devices like the Garmin Oregon 400t is ideal for anyone who enjoys hiking in mountainous areas. Your hiking experience will be far more enjoyable if you have taken the proper steps to ensure your safety. The usefulness of a GPS device simply cannot be overstated.