Tag: Weather Forecast

Packing for Holiday Travel

We have all seen those people with tons of luggage arriving at the airport or traveling on the highway with their car crammed so full of items that they passengers have very little room to breath. There are ways to pack light for the holidays but to also ensure you have everything you need. This will definitely make your holiday travel plans much more enjoyable.

To help ensure you dont forget anything important, make yourself a list of items you cant leave behind. Keep the list handy so you can add to it as you think of something else. Make sure you check the weather forecast in the days right before you pack. This way you can be sure to have outfits and shoes that are going to work well for both the occasions and the weather. You dont want to be stuck in the snow with nothing but high heels to wear for the evening.

Avoid packing clothing for holiday travel that can get ruined or stained if something gets spilled. You dont want to be self conscious about the drink you spilled on it. If you are attending parties then it is very possible someone else can bump into you. Be prepared for such accidents to take place and try not to let them ruin your fun when you travel for the holidays.

If you will be staying in a hotel, chances are they will have plenty of items you need that you can eliminate from your luggage. Contact the hotel directly or check out their website to be sure. Common items found that you can leave behind include soap, shampoo, conditioner, location, a blow dryer, and an iron.

If you do have to pack liquid items, try to use trail sizes or to buy small containers to fill from larger bottles. Make sure these items are placed in a make up bag or a freezer bag. This way if they happen to leak they wont get on your clothing.

Take a close look at the makeup and perfume you use. It is very possible that you can get by with packing only one kind of perfume and make up colors that offer you plenty of selection. This is more effective than packing your entire make up collection and then deciding what you will use once you arrive. You also want to leave expensive jewelry behind because you dont want it to get lost or stolen. If you arent able to wear it when you travel then it is best not to take it at all.

You will be amazed at how much room is lost in a suitcase due to not taking the time to fold up items properly. You have to get creative if you want to maximize the amount of space you have. It is easy to place socks and underwear into your shoes so they wont take up any space at all.

Take the time to fold pants and shirts neatly into the suitcase so you can fit more of them in. You dont want to have your bags so full you have to sit on them to close them. This damages the zippers and it will result in you having to replace your luggage sooner than you should. If your luggage is chosen for inspection during your holiday travel it wont be such a chore for the inspectors if you have taken your time to pack wisely.

PPPPP

Word Count 578

Top

Things to Look into Before Going to Hiking and Camping

Things to Look into Before Going to Hiking and Camping Trips

Know your skill

Hiking is a physically demanding outdoor activity. And when we say physical, we mean moving more muscles than you usually do for a prolonged period of time, which, when the body is not prepared may result to injury. Thus, it is very important that you recognize first what you can and cannot do. Choose a hike that your body can handle. Know how long can you walk and how long can you stay outdoor. Hiking and camping should be a fun experience. Do not spoil it by trying to conquer a terrain you cannot handle.

Tell a friend

Think of this: If you will go to a hiking or camping trip alone, who will take your pictures behind great view? Who will tell you that your hiking shoes are untied? Seriously, hiking or camping alone is unsafe. Ask a friend to come with you – a friend who does not mind to get his hands dirty, who has an experience with difficult terrain, who has some accidents and missteps, and who has been in a bad situation before. Do not attempt to hike and camp. Discuss your plan with a friend and make sure that you both understand it before you go.

Check the weather

We all know the weather forecast is often inaccurate. Nonetheless, you have to listen to what the weatherman says before you even try to pack your bag and head outdoor. Remember that a sunny day could turn into a life threatening storm in an hour. And a clear terrain can be turned into a muddy one on a 10-minute pour.

It may not or may not happen, but you have to anticipate the worst possible situation. Better come out well-prepared and well-protected. Do not forget to bring raingear and appropriate clothing when you go hiking or camping. Always keep in touch with the nature and dont just go marvel them with your mouth open. Be aware of the changes in the cloud pattern. Be conscious with the air temperature.

Check the terrain

Any hiking and camping park has a detailed topographic map so that, a rookie like you will understand well the terrain before actually going there. Going on a 5-mile trek? Dont forget to check on the elevation. Both the distance of the hike and elevation of the ground will tell you how difficult the trip is. Learn to read the map with a compass and start planning your hike and where are the good places to take your rest. Using your map, prepare for an emergency plan. Make sure that the map is current. Terrain changes every time so better get an updated one on your hand.

Check on Permits

You may be already aware of the permit requirements issued by wilderness areas and national parks. Some these are free of change while others are very expensive. Make sure that you check on permits of your hiking and camping location.

Tell another friend

Do not forget to tell to another friend back at home where you are going. This is like telling someone about your trip, when you go abroad. Detailed information about your start time, exact route, end time, and times in between should be disclosed to your friend so that if something goes out of the plan, they will know where to find you .

Top

Hiking Trip Do’s and Donts

The difficulty and enjoyment of hiking depends on where you plan to take your feet. But no matter where you go, there are things that never change: the safety measures you have to observe and the standard rules you have to monitor. Do’s and donts of a hiking trip are as follows:

Do not bring valuables.
There is no shopping mall out in the woods. And definitely, there is no need to flaunt any jewelry to the trees and plants out there. Never bring your wallet, jewelries, and other valuable items on a hiking trip because when they get lost, you might have to spend more time faced-down looking for your lost items than sightseeing and enjoying the trip.

Do not pack more than you should have.
Carrying your own weight on the hike is tiring enough so make sure that you do not carry too many things when you go hiking. Pack clothes enough to last for the whole trip. Bring only the things that you know you are going to use. All the excess items should be left at home or in your hotel room. The point is, you have to travel as light as you can.

Do plan your hiking trip.
Safety begins with a right plan. Schedule your hiking trip months before your anticipated date so that you have adequate time to prepare. Identify a hiking site that is right for your skill. If it is your first time, read informative articles about hiking and the things you need during the trip. Take time go over the safety precautions posted by your hiking site. If you plan to spend overnight in the woods, make sure that you have everything you need to survive the trip. Plan your itineraries carefully.

Do know the weather forecast.
Either you plan to go for a day hiking trip or you want to spend your nights outdoor, it is very, very important to watch the news and listen the weather forecast of the location of your hiking trip. This will give you a good head start on what to type of weather condition to expect and provide you with the right information as to what equipment to bring.

Do wear proper clothing
You must wear the right clothes depending on the season. During summer, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes with hard soles, and a hat are appropriate. No sandals, shorts or capri pants. During cold weather, wear jacket, sweaters, wool shirt, thermal-style underwear, and layered clothing will keep you protected from the chill.

Do anticipate the rain.
Weather changes unpredictably in the wild. Most of the time, you will never know if it is going to rain or not. So, be prepared! Bring waterproof clothes and windproof gear on your trip.

Do bring proper equipment.
Survival out on the woods is not easy so make sure that you come prepared. Utility tools should be the number one equipment on your list of “what to bring”. Also, do not forget flashlight and batteries even if you dont intend to spend the night outdoor. A portable gas stove is recommended if you plan to cook your food.

Do enjoy your hiking trip.
Bring a set of binoculars, a camera or a video camera to capture you moments during the hiking trip.

Finally… Be safe at all times!

Top