When your fingers and toes become frosty after trekking through a day of sloshy, snow-covered ground, nothing sounds better than digging into a hot meal next to a toasty campfire. Yet, winter conditions often make it problematic for making a fire. That soggy kindling just isn’t going to fuel a fire. Your next best option? Pitch the tent before the evening light fades to darkness and snuggle up with a piping-hot pouch of soup! Chase that soup with a side of hot cocoa or apple cider, and your spirits will soar. Here are a few reasons why soup makes the […]
Health
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Several factors can cause the hands to swell when hiking, but the most common causes are gravity and how the body distributes heat during exercise. As the core muscles heat up when hiking, the vascular system cools the body by releasing more fluid to our fingers, hands, and feet. When blood reaches the skin to dissipate the heat, fluids leak out of the vessels, causing swelling of the limbs. Medically known as exercise-induced peripheral edema, the problem is not serious and will disappear soon after you stop hiking. On a recent backpacking trip in the California Marble Mountains, I noticed […]
No one ever wants to be sick, especially during a backpacking trip. With a myriad of viruses out there, here are a few tips for keeping your immune system going strong so you are less likely to fall ill while on the trail. Keep a Healthy DietThe overall function of the immune system is to prevent or reduce infection. Modern medicine can battle disease directly, but true health can only be attained by maintaining a healthy and properly functioning immune system. Your digestive tract is closely tied to your immune system. A healthy immune system is dependent on consistent nourishment. […]
We’re bombarded with information telling us what to do to live a long and healthy life — often from companies trying to sell a product. Here’s a small set of habits that we’ve been doing for years and cost little to nothing to implement. Try one out and see what a difference it makes in your energy and outlook. 1. Transport Yourself by Human Power In North America, most people consider cycling, walking, and running as only for recreation or professional sport. Ironically, we drive to the gym to pedal a stationary bike or drive to a park to go […]