Gear to get you outdoors

Get out on that hike!

You want to get to a view like this. You want to spend quality time with friends. You want to get the health benefits of being in nature. But you ask: What should I bring on the hike? If this sounds like you, read on.

I get asked these questions a lot so this post is one in a series of posts about gear. And let me tell you, I love outdoor gear! That said, I also admit to wearing hiking pants that are 20 years old, which also speaks to the durability of some outdoor gear. One thing that can seem intimidating is the lingo. I’ve added definitions to help with that.

The basics: water, shoes, the right clothes, map or app.

Water. Hydration packs are the way to go for anything over an hour (if it’s cool outside) or anytime in the heat.

Wait. Hydration pack?

Basically, either a hip back or small backpack that has a bladder that holds water and a hose with nozzle to drink it. The bladder goes into the hydration pack and the hose will come around your shoulder (or waist). Here is a good article on the kinds of packs for different outdoor activities.

Shoes.

When I started hiking, there were just hiking boots. They were big and bulky. Hiking shoe options have since expanded to light hikers, trail runners, boots. Which one you choose depends on the kind of hiking you’ll be doing. If you’re carrying weight, like a heavy backpack, you may want more support. If your trails are rocky, you may want thicker soles. That said, a friend of mine hikes on rocky trails wearing minimalist or barefoot shoes. The bottom line here is to wear something comfortable that has the level of support you prefer. And be sure to break them in before doing any major hikes. Wear them around the house and on short walks to be sure they don’t hurt and won’t create blisters.

Clothing.

Some essential pieces are: windbreaker and/or lightweight rain jacket that doubles as windbreaker; base layers (lightweight, midweight and/or heavy weight depending on your locale and time of year); ear warmers (my ears always get cold!); good socks for the season.

In summer, it’s pretty simple because where I am, it’s hot. A tank top and running shorts should do. You may consider wearing mid calf socks if you will be walking through grasses or brush. I also prefer a lightweight sun shirt and hat. The sun shirt has SPF protection so I don’t get sunburned. In the spring where I live, a rain jacket is pretty essential. I also have rain pants for hiking any distance in the rain. In spring, fall and winter, layers are essential. Base layers for winter (central Virginia winters are not extreme so I go with light to mid-weight layers), a windbreaker, lightweight fleece, ear warmers, gloves, gaiter (has lots of options) and warm socks. You may need more depending on where you are.

Map or app.

I use the app Trailforks because I also mountain bike and it works for both hiking and mountain biking. I also have paper maps of the areas I hike in. It lets me highlight a given trail and see the elevation gain, distance and topography. The bottom line is that you should know where you are going. Many trails are well marked so you don’t get lost. Some are not. If you are new to hiking, consider getting comfortable hiking the former.

The rest.

Of course there are many other items you should consider carrying. Here is what I have in my pack for a short to medium length hike: small first aid kit, Kula cloth, pocket knife, snacks (like a bar, crackers, nuts).

I hope you are able to get out on a hike soon!

Happy 51st Earth Day!

Happy 51st Earth Day!!

I wrote the following post for a nonprofit I volunteer with: Camp Kum-Ba-Yah in central Virginia. Camp KBY has been around for over 70 years and serves children and families all around our city and surrounding counties. The board of directors is currently working on a future vision for the organization, one that will take us into the next several decades, creating a space where children, families and people of all ages can find themselves in community with nature and each other.

This year’s Earth Day theme is Restore Our Earth™. The earth needs restoring. Our community needs restoring as well. At Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, we believe that being outdoors in nature is key to the restoration of our children, families, and community after a year in isolation. 

One thing coronavirus made crystal clear to me is the interconnectedness of humans and nature. This is not something I denied before; it’s just something that I didn’t think about as much as I should have. I understand the connection between humans and climate change. I understand the importance of systems, food chains, and biodiversity. Camp Kum-Ba-Yah provides programs for schools and summer campers to help them understand this importance as well. The interconnectedness I feel now is almost primal. We NEED to be outdoors, in nature. We NEED it for our wellbeing, for our mental health, to restore ourselves. 

The United Nations understood this interconnectedness well when it established the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. According to the UN, the SDGs “recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” 

I want to believe that when coronavirus subsides and we re-emerge from our spaces, we will move slowly and be thoughtful. We will not be as wasteful as before, not as annoyed by the insects or weeds in our yard. That we will not seek cheap gas but will advocate for cleaner means of transportation and fuel. We will help restore our earth. Let’s also restore ourselves. 

We welcome everyone to KBY to enjoy our woods from dawn until dusk. Come visit Kinderwoods, our outdoor play space for young children. Walk the trails along the creek, sit under the tree canopy. Adopt a garden plot and cultivate with our Give and Grow Garden program. Visit our website for information about visiting and how you can get involved. Come to our woods and restore yourself!

5 ways to Restore Ourselves Outdoors

1.     Walk, don’t drive, to your friend’s house/the store/post office and calculate the greenhouse gases you didn’t put into the environment using this calculator. 

2.     Plant one vegetable in your garden or windowsill or front stoop or join our Grow and Give Garden program. 

3.     Get at least 20 minutes of fresh air each day for a week (and beyond!).

4.     Take a ‘play’ break and play a game outside [Playing helps the brain, as does movement, as does being in nature. The more we play outside, the more we appreciate nature and its role in our lives.]

5.     Go for a walk with a friend instead of going out for dinner or drinks. 

Mindset about winter & tips on winter hiking

When I was younger, I abhorred winter. It was dark and dull to me. I wasn’t born skiing so this statement probably sounds surprising to those who were. Skiing just wasn’t an option for me then. I would get depressed and would impatiently wait for spring. Once I realized that it’s not just about gear and clothing, it’s also about mindset, I was able to enjoy winter.

Changing your mindset can have big impacts in your life. Winter is just one example. Instead of dreading winter (and thus not enjoying fall to the fullest), I appreciate the opportunities that winter brings, including the landscape laid bare, reduced crowds, a bug-free hike, the smell of the crisp air. Group hikes with friends, solo hikes for solitude, and vistas uncovered also help me see winter as something to cherish rather than something to ‘wait out’.

How can you change your mindset about winter (if you're like me and don’t have snow sports all around!)? What story are you telling about winter? About going outside in winter? How would telling a different story change the way you think about winter?

If you would like to read tips on winter hiking, check out this article from REI. My number one tip is layers, layers, layers! Layers are critical so that you can add or remove as you get warm (hiking up the hill or mountain) and chilled (at the overlook, on the hike downhill). I always wear a base layer and a windproof jacket (depending on temperature, you may need a parka) as two essential layers. I add more depending on the temperature, which doesn’t get too low in central Virginia.