| Mountain hiking demands great gear and more | | | | average day wouldn't you be concerned? Add in the |
| education than your typical trail hike. Why? Because as | | | | fact you're asking more of your body in terms of |
| you ascend breathing becomes less efficient, passage | | | | keeping you warm in a cooler/cold environment, you |
| grows rugged, and rescue becomes more challenging. | | | | are constantly losing water from your system, your |
| So consider your mountain equipment to be your life | | | | reactions are slowed, and your not around the corner |
| support system.Where in day hiking you may be able | | | | from the nearest hospital. Your mountain hiking |
| to get away with wearing light-weight boots or shoes, | | | | equipment becomes a more important consideration |
| in remote mountain hiking it's a good idea to wear | | | | the higher the altitude and the more remote your |
| heavier supportive boots to protect your ankles and | | | | location.Depending on how cold the temperatures you |
| feet. Walking with a sprained ankle on a day hike is | | | | might encounter are you'll probably want some good |
| inconvenient compared to trying to limp out of the | | | | insulated hiking boots (depending on the altitude and |
| back-country mountains with the same problem and a | | | | temperature you may need mountaineering boots), |
| heavy pack. Thinking ahead and being prepared with | | | | hiking clothes, sleeping bags, camping tents, and other |
| the right mountain gear, guides, and information can | | | | equipment used for hiking rated for lower temperature |
| literally mean the difference between a minor mishap | | | | than what you think you'll actually experience. This will |
| and at times death. Take your safety seriously.As | | | | give you an extra margin of safety. Also keep in mind |
| elevation increases the atmospheric pressure | | | | that mildly uncomfortable mountain hiking gear will |
| decreases (amount of oxygen doesn't actually drop | | | | become a bigger problem...If you'd like more information |
| until over 50,000 feet) which means there's less | | | | about mountain hiking click here for the rest of the |
| pressure to 'push' the air into and fill your lungs. | | | | article. You may also want to take a look at a couple |
| Because there is less air going into your lungs you'll | | | | of related articles on how to pick the best hiking |
| fatigue more quickly. How much does the pressure | | | | footwear.Marc Wiltse learned how important good |
| really change? According to an article (that can be | | | | quality hiking equipment and camping gear were after |
| applied to mountain hiking) the barometric pressure can | | | | his pup tent flooded with over 3 inches of water |
| drop by 40% between sea level (average 760 | | | | forcing him to sleep in the front seat of his 2-seat |
| millimeters of mercury) and 12,000 feet (483 millimeters | | | | Honda CRX (translation: research is a good thing). His |
| of mercury). Obviously having 40% less oxygen | | | | hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews |
| available to your body (because of the pressure drop) | | | | save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & |
| will impact you.Now if you had a 40% decrease in | | | | hiking newsletter & get the most usable information |
| your ability to deliver oxygen to your body during an | | | | FREE! |