Romantic Hiking

Hiking is an EASY to-do Romantic activity. Hiking can quickly get you away from the crowds and into the beauty of Nature. Keep you eye open for private and peaceful spots to take a break. Once you’re off the trail the Romantic possibilities are endless.

Hiking Footwear

Using the correct shoes or boots when hiking is crucial. When walking several miles there is an opportunity for your feet to develop a blister. If you get a bad blister you will NOT want to walk anywhere! I’ve got more blister information in the Outdoor Safety section.

The BEST way to avoid discomfort is by wearing the proper socks and footwear. Here are a few basic factors to consider when looking for good-fitting hiking shoes and boots:

• Ankle Support: In many cases heavier high-cut boots provide the best ankle support and overall durability.

• Day Trekking: Light-weight and low-top hiking shoes are your best option for day hikes on smooth terrain.

• Hiking Socks: Use socks designed specifically for hiking. They will offer the extra padding in the right places.

• Shoe Width: Pay attention to the width size details. European-sized boots often run slightly narrower than American.

• Waterproof: Full-grain leather or Nubuck material provides the best in waterproof protection.

• Your Toes: Leave plenty of room for those toes to wiggle. Your feet will swell and push forward during downhill descents.

Hiking Essentails

All you really need for a hike is quality footwear and a trail to walk on. It also helps to bring a small daypack loaded with the right stuff. Your daypack should include the following items:

• Blanket: Blankets do more than keep you warm. A blanket or beach towel can protect you from the hard or damp ground. Use your blanket to sit on during a break in hiking. Having a blanket to throw down for a wilderness sex session is also NICE.

• Fire-Starter: Having waterproof matches/lighter is always a good idea when you are out in the wilderness. If you’re ever in trouble and need to spend the night in the woods you’ll want to have a fire to stay warm. Just keep this small emergency item stored in your daypack indefinitely.

• First Aid Kit: Your kit should be small and lightweight. It should contain the very basics needed to stabilize an injured person until proper medical attention can be found. When hiking, be sure you first aid kit contains moleskin and molefoam to rescue those hot-spots on your feet from becoming blisters.

• Food: Hiking burns calories! Bring some healthy and tasty snack items (or lunch stuff) and have a wilderness picnic. Think Romantic. Share a bottle of wine at your destination. This move can be very rewarding…

• Headlamp: These are the lightweight alternative to hand-held flashlights. They are also hands free! Your hike can take longer than you expect. You may need some light on your way back down the trail.

• Knife: This is another must-have camping tool. You may not use your knife each time you go hiking, but you never know when you might want it. Multi-tool styles like Swiss Army or Leatherman are the most practical option.
  
  ROMANTIC IDEA: Knives are dangerous and this makes them attractive! Be safe when wielding your knife. Make sure your partner sees your ability to handle a blade responsibly. The sex appeal of knives only works when you use them respectfully.

• Map: Know where you are going. Be sure you have a trail map! Topographical maps are BEST. Before you leave chart the distance of your hike. Figure you will walk 3 to 4 miles per hour. Know the time the sun will set to make sure you factor enough time for getting back to camp while it’s still light. Reference your map when you come to forks in the trail. Keep track of where you are on the map and you should avoid getting lost in the wilderness.

• Water: Bring plenty of drinking water on you hike. You will use it! As an emergency measure you may want to put a few water purification tablets in your first aid kit. Remember these tablets have a shelf life and they will expire.

Hiking Etiquette

Single File: It’s IMPORTANT to be mindful of our personal impact on the environment. One of the best ways to minimize the trace we leave on the land is to respect the trails we hike on. Hiking single file helps prevent damage to the sides of the trail and reduces the possibility of erosion.

Right of Way: Practice proper trail etiquette when you encounter others on the trail. Trails can be used not only by hikers, but also by people on horses and mountain bikes. Follow these basic guidelines when you meet others on the trail:

1) Hikers yield the right-of-way to horses.

2) Bikers yield to horses and hikers.

3) Uphill travelers yield to those moving downhill.

When yielding the right-of-way, completely step off the trail, STOP and wait for the group to pass.

Trail Markings

Established trails are typically marked with signs. Sometimes these signs will indicate the trail name and maybe even the distance to the destination point. Of course, good signage is the best-case scenario.

Trails often encounter creeks or other natural barriers. Trails can also become overrun or washed out. Locating your trail again in these situations can be tricky. The following are a few trail markings that are commonly used to help you stay on the right track:

• Blaze: This is a physical cut into a tree with an axe. Blazes are usually made on both sides of the trunk so they are visible from both directions on the trail. Don’t worry the tree will survive!


• Cairns (Care-ins): These indicators are simply stacks of rocks. They are commonly found in treeless areas like along creeks and riverbeds.


• Paint: This is the ugly way to mark a trail. Usually white or orange paint is sprayed in a simple line or circle on a tree or rock.

Hiking Trail Resources

American Hiking Society
As the national voice for America’s Hikers, American Hiking Society promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience. This site has information on trails and other news useful for hikers and backpackers.

American Trails
American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. Their goal is to find common ground and promote cooperation among all trail interests. A large collection of trail related information and articles can be located at this site.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based, private nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to Georgia. If you are considering any sort of hike on the Appalachian Trail this is the spot to begin planning your trip.

Continental Divide Trail Alliance
The Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) was formed in 1995 to assist the federal land management agencies in the completion, management and protection of the trail that extends the full length of the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. This site has all the information you need about the trail, including maps and access points.

Pacific Crest Trail Association
The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. There is general trail information and updates on trail conditions. The site has trip planning information and even journals from hikers.

Peak to Peak
The mission of the Peak to Peak site is to provide visitors with links to other Web sites containing original content about hiking, trail, walking, and also wilderness communities. There is truly a wide selection of links on this site!

Trail Peak
The mission of Trail Peak is to provide the best source of hiking, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing trails and trip planning tools across Canada and the US. Their trail database is built and maintained by... you (and everybody else). Cool site!

Trails.com
This award winning website provides its customers with several great services…

• Unlimited access to our more than 40,000 routes; driving directions, trail guides and maps.


• Unlimited access to every USGS Topographic map in the U.S.


• Trail Finder and Topo Finder functionalities that allow for fast and easy searching.


• Create, save download, email and print maps and guides.


• Real time weather, GPS and more!

You can check out Trails.com “Unlimited” now with their FREE trial. With the free trial you can download up to 3 trail guides. If you like the service you can continue for the regular subscription price of $49.95 per year.