No Pain, No Maine? Long-distance hiking or thru-hiking is challenging both mentally and physically. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or another long-distance trail, the continuous step-by-step motion from dusk to dawn, repeated day after day, requires considerable effort and determination. This routine can feel monotonous, and it may involve pain and discomfort. Thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) understand that the 2,168-mile journey from Georgia to Maine will not be free of aches and pains. This is reflected in the common exchange among AT backpackers: “No Pain, No Maine.” However, this doesn’t mean that a thru-hike is a painful or […]
Life
21 posts
Looking for a new place to hike, run, or cycle? Here’s a list of our favorite sites and apps to direct you to nearby wilderness trails.
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. […]
No matter where you live, disaster and severe weather can strike, resulting in blackouts and contaminated drinking water. After hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods, hygiene needs are a primary concern. Blackouts can be a real annoyance, but hopefully, a few days without electricity is all you’ll have to deal with. Here are a few things to make it easier to manage during a disaster at home–without generators and other expensive equipment. Equipment for Disasters and Power Outages First, if you have an electric stove at home, have an alternative option for cooking. If you have a gas-operated stove, remember you […]