Hiking & Trekking

Be it as an addition to your holiday destination, or as a regular hobby, it is something that everybody should do, at least once in a while. There is so much good in hiking, starting with the beauty and scenery only nature can provide. Taking in the nature on a walk or hike can do so much to revive your spirit and refresh a tired and fatigued mind.
The stresses of life can become such massive worries as we allow ourselves to magnify their importance and impact on our lives. A good hiking trail can put things in perspective for you. Getting out and away can remind you that all of your problems are actually very small.

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Other Hiking related subjects, Menu on your right

For your Safety

As unnecessarily as some of the following items might seem, the issue is to rather be safe than sorry. Consider taking these precautions and items, they will give you more confidence and comfort on your hike:
Always notify someone where you going and what time you plan to be back. This way people will at least know in which direction to look for you if you don't get there.
Cell phone: If there is cell phone-coverage where you are hiking, do take your phone with you. You can leave it switched off, but at least you have it on you and to make an emergency call if so required.
If you leave friends or family behind in camp, you might want to consider a Two-way Radio to stay in contact. (They may want to get hold of you?) These items are now designed to be small, compact and can communicate over long distances. All this comes with a price tag that is really affordable.
Map & Compass: If the area is totally unfamiliar to you, ask for a trail-map and take along a compass. Many trails are not clearly marked out and you might come to a point where you start wondering if you are actually on the trail. Grass and vegetation grows, trees fall and the trail is not clearly visible any longer. This often leads people to stray away, looking for another path, only to get lost. If you haven't got any pointers (direction of sun, or a landmark) that will help you to keep your direction, then a small pocketsize compass can help you a lot.
GPS can be used as an alternative to map & compass, or rather it is a digital version of map and compass. Most handheld GPS (global positioning system) come in size and shape similar to a cell phone and can be carried in your pocket.
First Aid Kit is recommend by the pros. How well and with what contents you stock such kit, will very much depend on your individual needs and also into what terrain you will be going. You simply can't carry a hospital with you. Buy a small, pre-stocked kit and add to it items that you consider to be important for your needs.
      Be safe and enjoy your hike

Check out the fantastic offers for all your Hiking Gear, Camping Gear, Outdoor Clothing and so much more at Altrec.com. Here you'll find also your GPS, Compass, First Aid Kit, etc. as mentioned above. Oh, you need decent hiking boots and a backpack too! You can view all items in detail and read reviews when you shop in confidence online at Altrec Outdoors.

Just Imagine this: No more hauling of heavy water bottles in your backpack. Sip water from a creek when your'e hiking ... - Safely - through a litle "straw" that fits into your pocket. It can filter up to 500 liters of water ... now imagine this: * 500 liters of water = at least 700 plastic bottles! * 500 liters of water, use 2 liters every day and it will last for 9 month! * 500 liters of bottled water = $500. This gadget will cost you a less than a tenth! * In the USA alone, 50 billion plastic water-bottles are used per year  = approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil to make these bottles  = enough oil to run 100,000 cars for a whole year!   Transporting these bottles burns even more oil. Do your share for the environment and get an Aqua-Safe-Straw here. The water from it might also be more pure than bottled water you purchase   - stay healthy on your hike.