BACKPACKING

Backpacking

Contrary to popular opinion, backpacking, not the wheel, is the greatest invention ever. Want proof? How many backpacking traffic jams have you been in? How much does backpacking cost per gallon? When was the last time going backpacking caused air pollution? Okay, a few backpackers have been pretty ripe after not showering for a few days, but you know what we mean!

Backpacking

The beauty of backpacking is it can take so many forms. You can use a backpack as your suitcase for traveling around the world or for going on serious hikes like the John Muir trail. Whatever your preference, below you will find backpacking tips, stories and journal entries submitted from backpackers. Enjoy and feel free to submit your own backpack experiences.

Experience The Adventure Of A Lifetime With River Rafting Trips

If you’re the type of person that enjoys an outdoor adventure, river rafting trips are right up your alley. Until you’ve tried it, you can never understand the exhilaration of shooting the rapids one minute, while taking in some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery the next. Many rafting companies can provide all the equipment you need, plus the benefit of a skilled guide to navigate your family or group through an incredible river rafting experience. From white water to smooth sailing, river rafting trips have to be experienced to be believed.

Difficulty Classifications of River Rafting Trips

If you’re worried about the skill required for participating in various river rafting trips, there are unique classifications that will alert you to the level of ability required for safe rafting. From Class I trips, which would be safe for any family, to intensive, professional grade Class VI excursions, river rafting trips have something to offer everyone. A basic breakdown of the classification of rafting difficulty is as follows:

* Class I – River rafting trips for beginners and pleasure cruiser. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery without the tumultuous rapids.

* Class II – If you’re ready for white water, consider indulging in Class II river rafting trips. It’s still considered a basic level, but at least you’ll experience some thrilling rapids. Class II rafting trips include wide channels of rapids that limit the skill required to safely maneuver through them.

* Class III – Class III river rafting trips consist of intermediate level difficulties in fighting strong currents and manipulating your raft through more perilous channels of rapids.

* Class IV – Once you’ve become comfortable with the basics and know how to handle your raft, a Class IV river rafting trip will provide some exciting rapids that require some skill to master.

* Class V – Class V rafting is considered an expert only level course. If you’re an avid rafter who enjoys a challenge, Class V river rafting trips offer long stretches of treacherous rapids and tons of excitement.

* Class VI – Strictly for hard-core, experienced rafters. Class VI river rafting includes navigating extremely dangerous rapids passages and requires great skill on the part of all participants.

Great Rivers to Explore with River Rafting Trips

While there are hundreds of fantastic rivers suitable for river rafting trips, some of the most popular destinations include:

Rogue River, Oregon – Located amidst the Cascade Mountain Range, the beautifully scenic Rogue River makes a great location for family river rafting trips. Consisting of Class II and Class III rapid passages, this enchanting river provides excitement in a safe environment.

Colorado River/Grand Canyon – The Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon offers a diverse set of opportunities for river rafting trips. From the intense class IV and V rapids of the Upper Grand Canyon, to the more mellow rafting as the river flows into Lake Mead, river rafting is a great way to explore the majesty of the Grand Canyon.

SAFARI ADVENTURE

SAFARI ADVENTURE

When to Go on Safari

The best time to go on safari in Africa is usually the dry season. A safari's success is often measured by the number of animals you've seen along the way, especially if these include the 'Big Five'. Wildlife parks and reservations are enormous and during the dry season animals will tend to congregate around water holes. This makes it much easier to see a lot of animals in a small amount of time. Many parks and reserves also have small shelters that overlook water holes so you can sit in one spot and just watch the animals come to you.

The dry season also means the vegetation has thinned out. I've been on safaris in smaller game parks where you could literally see nothing beyond the road because the grass was so tall. This can be very disappointing if your time is limited.

The dry seasons:

• In East Africa the dry seasons are from January through March and July through October.
• In Southern Africa the dry season runs from May through October.

If you are interested in the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra then you also need to time your trip with the weather in mind. In the Masai Mara (Kenya) they usually arrive between August and September, stay through October and head back over to the Serengeti in Tanzania between December and January.

If you want to go on a Gorilla safari, the best time to go is also during the drier seasons (December to March and May to September). The paths are not quite so slippery so the gorillas are easier to track.

Outdoor Navigation Tips

Hiking, and in particular hiking in remote areas, is a great experience if approached with due regard for fitness, safety and skill.One of the major skill categories, is the ability to navigate with or without compass and map. Ideally, no one should head off the beaten track without map or compass, but what if you find yourself in that situation, or you lose or damage your compass?Here are a few basic ‘skills’ that could one day be of use to you.Finding direction by using your watch...If you have a watch that is working correctly, you can always quickly determine the points of the compass as long as the position of the sun is visible.The method used varies depending upon which hemisphere (northern or southern) that you happen to be living in. The following methods are described using an analog watch, (that’s a watch with an hour and a minute hand) but they can be applied just as well if you own a digital watch – just use your imagination to superimpose the 12 hourly numerals and the relevant position of the ‘hour hand’ on the face of your digital watch.Northern HemisphereHolding your watch horizontally, point the ‘hour hand’ of your watch at the sun.Note the direction that lies exactly midway between the ‘hour hand’ and the numeral twelve on your watch. This will be South.Once you have established this, it will be easy to determine the other points of the compass.Southern HemisphereHolding your watch horizontally, point the numeral twelve on your watch at the sun.Note the direction that lies exactly midway between the twelve and the ‘hour hand’.This will be North.These methods will give you a good approximation of compass direction.If your watch happens to be adjusted for daylight saving at the time, then ‘remove’ the daylight saving for greater accuracy.Another method of determining compass points can be used if you do not have a watch. This method takes longer and also requires enough sunlight to cast a shadow...To find North without a watchBefore noon, on level terrain, position a stick of about 3ft upright into the ground.Mark the tip of its shadow with a peg or stone.Using the tip of the shadow as a radius, draw an arc around the stick.The shadow will shorten as it approaches noon, pulling back from the arc. It will then lengthen again - where the afternoon shadow once again touches the arc, place another peg or stone.Now draw a straight line between the two pegs/stones - this will be an East/West line, with the first peg being in the westerly direction.You can now draw a North/South line at right angles to the East/West line.The following (less accurate) method can also be used at any time of the day without drawing an arc...Peg the tip of the first shadow, then about 20min later peg the tip of the moved shadow. Draw a straight line between the two pegs, and this will be an approximately East/West line, with the first peg again being the westerly one.A typical error when lost, is a tendency to wander off what you may think is a straight line bearing, sometimes even slowly circling back on yourself.To prevent this, note an object (tree, rock, terrain feature) that lies directly ahead of you in the direction you wish to travel, then aim for it. When you reach it, take another bearing on the direction you wish to head, sight another object directly ahead of you and repeat the process.In areas of restricted distance visibility, you may have to repeat this quite often over short ‘legs’ to ensure that you are remaining on course.Keeping a course by the clouds...What if it's a cloudy day with no sun visible to get a bearing on, or the bush canopy prevents you getting a clear "shot" at the sun?Well, if you're lucky, it may be windy with the clouds moving in a constant direction - note the directional flow of the clouds, and adjust your course relevant to their direction.e.g., If the clouds are moving from your front from right to left over your shoulders, keep them there, at the same time, sight an object straight ahead of you and head for it.To retrace your steps in the same general direction, just do an about turn, then keep the clouds moving from behind and now left to right over your shoulders, and repeat the process.As an example of ‘cloud navigation’, once, when moving inland through dense bush away from a coastal beach, I eventually decided to retrace my steps to where I’d left my kayak. Surrounded by dense undergrowth and trees, I realized that I didn’t have any idea in which direction the coast lay.Before entering the treeline, I’d noted that the clouds were moving in a direct line from the trees to the coastline – it was just a simple matter then of looking up and following the direction of the clouds to enable myself to head in the correct general direction and once again access the beach.Being aware of your surroundings will often pay off, so try to cultivate that habit.

What are the best socks for hiking?

Great hiking socks are critical. Do yours deliver in all these important areas? Learn how to pick the hiking sock that is smart for your trip.They must be comfortable, wick moisture, protect against shear, support your natural posture, keep your feet at a good temperature, distribute pressure, promote circulation, absorb shock, and be tough. That's no small order.They are almost as important as your boots and shoes when it comes to your comfort. Things to consider...
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Blood Flow: This is the circulation of blood through the foot. A decrease or cut-off in blood flow can be caused by unyielding fabrics in hiking socks. Acrylics in combination with other fibers and a terry weave can help with this and shear.Moisture: With exertion one foot can sweat 1-2 pints of vapor/fluid per day. That's why wicking technology in hiking socks is so important. Without it bacteria and fungus can become a problem. Hungry yet? ;-)Position: If your hiking socks don't help to maintain correct anatomical alignment this can cause premature fatigue. Correct posture also helps to correctly position your foot in your boot or shoe to make it feel like it's an extension of your body.Pressure Areas: Pressure can cause discomfort and lead to damage if it's not addressed. A good example of this is a bedsore. Most people hopefully won't experience pressure to this degree, but it's something you want to keep in mind when looking at hiking socks. Padding is especially important around bony areas like the heal and ball of the foot.Shearing Force: This happens when your tissue is moving in opposite directions, like when jumping over a stream, or descending a steep slope. Part of your skin is moving one way and the tissue under it another, this causes a tearing action just under the surface of the skin. This is the most common way of getting blisters.Temperature: Good hiking socks need to be appropriate for their intended use, from a warm weather day hike to a week-long mountaineering trip. Once in their appropriate environment they should maintain a consistent comfortable temperature.Like a shoe or boot your hiking socks should be matched to the type of hiking you'll be doing.Liners: Thin socks called liners are made to be worn under your hiking socks next to your skin so they can wick the moisture away and keep your feet dry. They also can help prevent chafing and increase warmth by wicking when used under heavier hiking socks.Light-weight hiking socks: like Thorlo CoolMax light hiker socks at zappos.com (link opens new window) (Zappos has a great reputation) are usually made with wicking materials, provide cushioning, and shear protection at the least. They can also add noticeable support. As their name implies they emphasize breathability over warmth and are made for trail hiking and light-weight backpacking in warm weather. You can wear them with or without liners.Mid-weight: Mid-weight socks are thicker and provide more cushioning and add insulation for moderate to cold conditions. You'll probably want to wear a liner with these for added chafe protection and to enhance wicking.Extreme/Mountaineering socks-like SmartWool Mountaineer socks. (Click on the picture to open a new window to REI, one of the best service-oriented outdoor stores I know of. They also carry Thorlo.)These are the thickest because they're insulated for warmth and highly cushioned for shock and impact on long journeys. They're made for extremes in cold and rugged terrain. The difference in each of the above's padding is created by the type of yarn/fibers, fabric density, and resilience. And believe me the extra padding makes a huge difference over the long-haul.As your feet sweat (sorry, true hikers don't "perspire" ;-) ) regular cotton socks absorb moisture causing them to stick. This causes more friction to damp feet, which are more fragile than when they're dry. Add in impact, shear stress, and increased weight from hiking gear and it increases the chances of getting blisters. That's why socks that wick are a good idea.While cotton has its place and is comfortable for mild walks, it provides little protection or insulation when wet. There are definitely better fabrics for hiking socks. Cotton shouldn't be used around the foot but is OK at the top of the sock collar to absorb running moisture like Thorlo®. Considering how abusive hiking can be to your feet it's a good idea to give them all the protection you can. Although great fitting boots and shoes go a long way toward keeping your feet healthy, socks add another level of comfort and protection that hiking boots or hiking shoes alone can't.Silk is light-weight, has a nice feel, wicks moisture, and is a natural insulator. Its limited durability though means it is best when combined with other materials rather than a 100% silk sock.Synthetic materials like Coolmax®, Capilene®, or polypropylene (the same stuff Polar Fleece is made of) do a good job of wicking moisture away from the skin. So they're often combined with other materials into hiking socks.Cold Feet: Although regular 100% wool is a good choice if your feet are usually cold, it can wear quickly, be scratchy, take awhile to dry, and sometimes smell funky when used by itself. But when you combine it (along with its ability to retain heat even when wet) with other materials Merino wool (a finer grade of wool they make nice men's suits out of) can be a great ingredient for a hiking sock. Since the right complementary materials help to soften, reinforce, and wick. Smartwool® makes some good Merino wool socks that provide moisture control in addition to blister resistance.There are also a number of synthetic materials like Thermastat® or Hollofil® that wick and insulate well but are soft to the touch.Warm Feet: If your feet are always warm in the summer I'd look into synthetics like Coolmax®. Consider the light-weight hiking socks if they fit your needs.Your socks should fit snuggly so that your hiking boots and/or shoes interact like a system not an afterthought. If your socks bunch or are so loose they're sloppy, you're not going to enjoy your trip.Since they're relatively light you may want to carry a couple of different pairs even for day trips, and definitely multiple pairs for longer hikes. Hiking socks are an important piece of your equipment used for camping and hiking.To Summarize: Great hiking socks wick away sweat, cushion impact, and protect against shearing forces especially at the heel, ball of the foot, and toes. The type of hiking you'll be doing will dictate what type of sock you should wear just like your footwear. Hiking socks are extremely important to your overall comfort.My favorite socks are Thorlo®. They wick well, discourage shear, absorb shock, and address all the areas critical to comfort. My first pairs lasted me at least 7 years. I've heard stories about people completely submerging their feet unavoidably underwater, soaking their socks, and then continuing for 4 miles without getting blisters. I wouldn't want to do that in cotton hiking socks. :-)

Great Ways to Get Outdoors!

Are you looking for fresh ways to spend time with your friends and family? Outdoor activities getting a little boring are they? With your fast paced life gaining speed all the time, it's easy to stick to what's familiar; but is that any way to live? Let's take a few minutes and look at how easy it is to break out of the same-ole-routine and into the new with wholesome activities near home and out of doors. Read on to see why it's tough to beat having fun with friends and family outdoors in the fresh air.One of the first things we notice as we step outdoors and into nature is that we are not alone. Life surrounds us. So the first thing to do is to slow down and have a look around. While you're looking, why not do some bird watching. It's fun, easy to do and inexpensive. All you need are birds and they are everywhere. Make a family game out of it. Who can find the first bird with the color blue on it? How many ducks are on the pond? Are they all the same kind? You get the idea. But be careful, once you start bird watching you'll find it difficult to stop. Before long you'll have a good pair of birding binoculars and a field guide for your part of the country. Then you'll be a bird watcher with birding fever. The best part of bird watching is spending time with others outdoors; and birding is a hobby you'll love for the rest of your life.If you need a sport that's a little more high tech, give geocaching a shot. Geocaching is the sport where you use your handheld GPS receiver to find caches hidden by others using their GPS receivers. This is something you can do by yourself, with friends or with your children. Geocaching teaches outdoor navigation in a fun and interactive way while allowing you to explore your own neighborhood and beyond. You'll learn new words and phrases such as cache coordinates, travel bugs, micro-caches, benchmarking and geoteaming. All you need is internet access and a GPS receiver; some GPS receivers retail for many hundreds of dollars but many models are available for around $100US. Although the sport is active in over 200 countries, most geocachers enjoy playing the game in their own neighbourhoods. It's awesome!

OUTBOUND DI CITARIK

Team Building Games

 OUTBOUND DI CITARIK

 Wow...suatu pengalaman yang tak terlupakan! DAHSYAT! Kami dan teman-teman minggu lalu pergi ber-long weekend ke Citarik. Kami se-kantor melakukan kegiatan outbound training (Team Building) di SELARAS Adventure Land. SELARAS Outbound sebagai penyelenggara yang sekaligus juga pengelola SELARAS Adventure Land, kami selama 3 hari 2 malam melakukan banyak hal, dari mulai adventure games, high rope + Flying fox, paintball dan juga arung jeram (rafting). Pengalaman yang tak terlupakan! Ditambah lagi makanannya yang "Mak Nyosss..Banget!" sambel terasi dan ikan bakar dan cumi bakar serta kambing guling yang pass banget ama lidah kita...wah! Pokoknya gak nyesel liburan kemarin. Thank's to all SELARAS TEAM.

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