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Hikings Resources and Tips January 26, 2016 |
January 2016: A Note From Diane
Hello dear hiker! A new year beckons us onto new trails.
Do you ever wonder if hiking a long trail is something you should - or could - do? Do you wonder if you have the best hiking boots on your feet? And have you ever pondered whether handling female hiking hygiene issues on the trail can ever get easier? Well, you're in luck. This month's newsletter will answer all of those questions, and more. Married To The Trail: Book ReviewI'm not a long trail hiker, nor do I play one on TV. But that doesn't mean I don't like to read about the type of hiking that involves day after day after day of walking through unknown terrain. Married To The Trail is the newest book to highlight "long trail" life through the eyes of a woman who tackled the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), one of the toughest long trails in the United States. My review details who should, and who should not, read this book. Read the review here. Long Trail Hiking: Is It For You?Hiking brings many physical and mental benefits to the hiker, but don't take my word for it. Here's a recent email I received that might tempt you into trying something new this year: "So, to let you know, I had been corresponding with you regarding your online classes and was planning a hike in August on the OCT (Oregon Coast Trail.) I completed the hike! The experience was life changing. Not that I’m a completely different person on the outside (although I lost about 7 pounds) but internally, the sense of freedom and connection, the strength, trust in my self and inner “knowing”, along with fearlessness that unfolded, were qualities that bubbled up and out that I didn’t anticipate. And while hiking purists don’t view this trail as a “thru-hike”- for reasons that I completely understand- it was THE hike I needed at exactly THIS time in my life. My husband’s observation has been, “Every time you came off the trail you were energized- more energized coming off than going in. Even after having hiked 10 or 15 or 12 miles.” Approximately 380 miles in 32 actual hiking days (not including rest days.) Pretty amazing. I’m now considering hiking the Superior Hiking Trail, which is closer to home and more of a genuine thru-hike experience. Just wanted to say hi and let you know that this 55-year-old, first-time-doing-a-long distance hiker DID IT! Happy New Year and much gratitude to you for the plethora of information you give away," Patti Correll-Syring So what are we waiting for?? Lace up those boots and go for it this year! And thanks to Patti for taking the time to share her exuberance for the trail. It came through loud and clear, didn't it? Read about the Superior Trail here. Ultimate Guide On Choosing Hiking BootsI am not a hiking boots expert, nor do I play one on TV. But I know one when I see one (an expert, a boot, or both!) That's why I'm pleased to share with you some expert hiking boots selection tips that include how your feet are different from men's feet, when to choose boots over other trail footwear, what to look for in a quality pair of boots, and how to get a perfect fit. If you're even the tiniest bit curious about whether your current hiking boots are the right pair for your feet, read the Ultimate Guide On Choosing Hiking Boots. If new hiking boots (or any other trail gear) are in your future, you just might find them in the REI outlet. Big savings have been scored, trust me on that one! The down side? You never know what will be featured so don't expect your perfect pair of boots to pop up. You'll have to hunt a bit on the REI site. Also, check out their deal of the day. Hike Like A Lady?Feminine hygiene issues on the trail are something we've all had to deal with. I've explained how I deal already. But here's a fresh approach: squat free "pee panties" beneath a colorful lightweight breathable quick-dry hiking dress. If this sounds like something you'd like to explore, why not sign up to be an ambassador for Ladyhike and try out this new hiking clothing for free? How To Handle Too Much HFH InformationAlong with inspiring emails like the one I just shared, I also get despairing notes from hikers who say it's tough to keep up with the latest resources and tips on the Hiking For Her website. Guilty as charged! I love churning out new pages, and now I've harnessed the power of RSS feeds to help you stay current. Think of RSS as a delivery service that you sign up for, free of charge, and can read at your leisure. If you'd like to receive links to the HFH pages that are brand new, or revised, it's easy to sign up. On the left hand side of any page, drop down below the newsletter sign up box (which you've already used, and thank you very much). Then click the small orange square to the right of "Most Recent Hiking Tips", and you'll see various options. There's also a new search box on every page except the home page. Just pop in the word(s) you're looking for, hit go, and you will see a list of every page on the HFH site that contains what you seek. A third way to sort out all of the info on the website is to use
Hike With Me UpdateNeed a trail buddy for your ambitious 2016 hiking plans? I introduced my newest service called Hike With Me in last month's newsletter. There are lots of eager hikers waiting for you to become a trail buddy, so get all of the info
Thanks for reading all the way through this little newsletter. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated! If you've got an inspiring story like Patti's to share, please send it my way so you can encourage all of our virtual hiking buddies. Best wishes for making, and sharing, big hiking plans and adventures in the months to come. Happy Trails always, Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker diane@hiking-for-her.com Or stop by for a little hiking inspiration: HFH FaceBook |
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