Take Your Best Mate On The Backpacking Trail Too

We all have our particular styles when it comes to backpacking but I think one thing we all would find enjoyable is too take our four legged pal along with us.

Of course there are a lot of places he may not be allowed but there is still plenty of areas take we can take our dog so here’s a inspiring video I found about a guy and his best mate on there first trip together.

 

 

Backpacking With Your Buddy

There is plenty of good equipment on the market now for your dog so it pays to shop around and remember that he or she is going to be out of there comfort zone too so it pays to be careful and get good quality equipment just as you would for yourself.

Want to know more about backpacking with your dog? I found this great post on the Washington Trails Association site

Hiking with a dog can be an incredibly enjoyable experience. The dog is super happy – walking with her human, smelling new smells and getting tuckered out. And you – you have that extra incentive to get out of the house, hike to a beautiful destination and get great exercise.

Hiking with a dog is different than hiking with another person. There are several things to consider before you head out. The first is following the myriad of rules about where you can and cannot hike with your dog – and where you need Fido leashed. Then there is what you need to bring for your dog on a hike. And finally, there’s following some simple trail etiquette.

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about dogs. Click on a link below to take you to the answer or scroll down.

Can I take my dog on a hike, and does she have to be on a leash?

Why should I have my dog on a leash?

What’s the best etiquette for dogs on trail?

What’s a good trail for dogs?

What should I bring for my dog on the hike?

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Can I take my dog on a hike, and does she have to be on a leash?
Rules for dogs vary from one land agency to another, but what doesn’t change is that dogs should always behave in a responsible manner. Even in areas where dogs are allowed off leash, your pet should always be under voice control – this means that your dog will come when called. If your dog does not come when called, you should keep your dog on a leash. And no matter where you are going, you should always bring your leash with you.

Here’s a rundown of some rules specific to certain lands across Washington:

National Parks – Dogs are prohibited on all trails in Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. They are also not allowed on trails (except the Pacific Crest Trail) in North Cascades National Park. In addition, dogs are not allowed on beaches in Olympic National Park, except Rialto Beach 0.5 miles north of Ellen Creek; all Kalaloch beaches (from Ruby Beach south to South Beach); and the Peabody Creek Trail.
National Forests – Dogs are generally permitted on U.S. Forest Service trails. There are several areas, however, where dogs are not permitted or must be on leash:

A harness leash is a great way to keep both of your hands free (and get a little extra tug up the hill). Photo by Julie Reimer.
Enchantments and Ingalls Lake Trail – Because of heavy hiker use and the fragile ecosystem of these areas, dogs are not allowed anywhere in the Enchantments Basin and on the Ingalls Lake Trail.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness – There’s no easy way to summarize, but a good rule of thumb is if the trail leads into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, you’re generally required to have a dog on a leash. This includes most trails accessed along I-90 and on Highway 2 west of Stevens Pass. Leashes are also required on several popular trails in the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest. There are several exceptions to the above rules, including trails in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area. A previous blog post lists the specific leash-only trails here.
Other leash-only trails – There are several other trails on the national forest where leashes are required. Always check at the trailhead and bring your dog’s leash.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources – Most Washington State DNR trails, including Mount Si and Tiger Mountain, require that dogs be on a leash at all times.
Washington State Parks – Dogs are welcome at state parks but must always be on a leash. Dogs are not allowed at swimming beaches.
King County Parks – Dogs must be leashed on all King County trails, including Cougar Mountain Regional Park.
Rules and regulations can vary from trail to trail, so check at the trailhead for posted information. Or call the local ranger station.

Why should I have my dog on a leash?
There are many good reasons to leash your dog on trail. Here are a few of the biggest ones.

For your dog’s safety – Leashed pups are safe pups. There are a lot of natural hazards out there – cliffs, sharp rocks, boulders, rivers and creeks to cross, wild animals. An off-leash dog is much more likely to be hurt off-leash than on-leash. Or get lost. It’s a wild country out there and a dog can easily lose its way.

And then there are other dogs – especially ones that are not on a leash. Will these canines like each other, or won’t they? If not, it is best if you can easily pull your dog away from the other one and continue hiking. Finally, there are wild animals. If your dog gets between a mama bear and her cub, it could develop into a bad situation.
To be courteous to other trail users – You may have the nicest dog in the whole world, but other people don’t know that. All they see is a dog, sometimes a big dog, come careening up a hill or around a curve. They think: Is it friendly? How is it going to react to meeting my dog? My kids? Where are the owners?

Hiking with a dog on a leash is especially important on busy trails and ones frequented by families with children. From their short perspective, dogs appear very big to kids. And the stakes are high. A frightening encounter with a dog on trail can lead to a life-long fear of dogs or of hiking.

Hiking with your dog on a leash is a simple, courteous thing to do – and the dog is still going to have a great time (and you might get a little extra help going up the mountain!).

Everyone, including the goats, are able to enjoy this scene. Photo by Wendy Wheeler.
To respect wildlife – Marmot, squirrel, deer, goat! There are few dogs that have the self-control not to dart off after one of these creatures. A leash protects these critters and makes sure your dog doesn’t get lost or hurt dashing off after them.
To protect the vegetation – Unfortunately, dogs – no matter how well-trained – are not as mindful of fragile mountain plants as hikers are. This can be the case on trail, when dogs veer off into the trees or romp in the meadow while bounding ahead of their owner. But it is particularly true at the hiking destination, especially lakes, when you stop to rest. These places usually get more impact from hikers anyway, and dogs simply compound that. The higher you travel, the more fragile the vegetation gets. So please, keep a close eye on your pets in these locations.
Because you’re following the rules – As mentioned above, dogs are required to be on leash in all parts of the Issaquah Alps trail system, on state park trails, DNR lands and on trails leading into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness – plus any number of other trails. Pack your leash and check the signs at the trailhead to see what the rules are and please follow them, even if other hikers are not.
What’s the best etiquette for dogs on trail?
As a hiker, you are responsible for your own actions. As a dog owner, you have an added responsibility: your dogs actions. By following these simple canine hiking guidelines, you will go a long way to making the trails enjoyable for everyone.

Shasta enjoys a hike on the ‘flexi’ leash. Photo by Katie Shurtleff.
Obey the rules specific to the trail you’re visiting. Some trails are closed to dogs and many require leashes. Check with the land manager before you head out or consult the signs at the trailhead.
Keep dogs on a leash or under strict voice control at all times. Strict voice control means the dog immediately heels, stays at heel and refrains from barking.
Yield the right-of-way to hikers. When dog owners meet other hikers, the dog and owner must yield the right-of-way, stepping well clear of the trail to allow other users to pass.
Yield the right-of-way to horses. When dog meets horse, the dog owner must first yield the trail. Make sure the dog stays calm, refrains from barking and doesn’t move toward the horse. If possible, move to the downhill side of the trail (so you don’t look big) and hold your dog close until the horse is well past.
Pick up or bury the poop. The only poop atop the forest floor should be from the animals who live there. Pack a trowel and bury the waste as you would your own, or better yet, pack it out in a plastic baggie.
What’s a good trail for dogs?
While most hiking trails allow dogs, that doesn’t mean that they’re dog-friendly. Obstacles that hikers may not find difficult can prove insurmountable for their dogs. Boulder fields, rooty and rocky trailbeds, cliffs, stream crossings and snow are all important features to take into consideration before heading out.

So how do you find a trail that is good for dogs? We recommend purchasing one or both of the Best Hikes with Dogs books by Mountaineers Books. There is one for the Inland Northwest and one for Western Washington. Each have 75 to 80 dog-tested hikes to try.

Many of WTA’s Trip Reports mention hiking with dogs. By doing an Advanced Search and clicking on the Hiked with a Dog box, you can read reports written by hikers who did that hike with a dog.

If you’re just starting to hike with your dog, try some easy trails first. See how your dog does crossing small streams, balancing on bridges and dodging big boulders. Determine how much water and food are required for a day hike, how well your dog adjusts to a pack and how she fares with elevation gain and mileage. As you get to know what kind of hiker your dog is, you’ll know what to look out for with the trails you choose.

What should I bring for my dog on the hike?
You know about the Ten Essentials you should always have in your pack. Here are the Essentials for Dogs:

Obedience training – Before you set foot on a trail, make sure your dog is trained and can be trusted to behave when faced with other hikers, dogs and wildlife.
Leash and collar – Always carry a leash, even when it is not required. Situations may arise that warrant leashing your dog.
Water and bowl – Don’t count on finding water along the trail. Pack enough for the entire day. A good rule of thumb is three liters of water for your dog’s day hike.
Dog food and treats – Keep your dog well fed on the trail, because she will burn more calories than usual. Bring extra snacks in case you get lost and need to spend the night in the woods.
Plastic bags and trowel – Be courteous and leave the trail as you found it. Packing out your dog’s poop is the best etiquette – or bury it as you would your own waste (200 feet away from the trail and water sources).
ID tag and picture identification – Make sure your dog is properly identified with tags should she become separated from you. Put a photo of your dog in your pack.
Doggy backpack – Let your dog carry her own treats and water. Check that packs have reflective areas for night hiking and are padded for a comfortable fit.
Basic canine first-aid kid – Includes gauze pads and tape in case of cuts, a couple of bouillon cubes to encourage the dog to drink if she’s getting dehydrated, and antibiotic cream for dressing wounds that might be infected.
Okay, enough of all of this! Head to the hills with your dog and have fun!

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I would love to hear from anyone who takes their dog along with them on hikes, any helpful tips or gear solutions would be would be fantastic

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Like most people who backpack, hike or just simply enjoy the outdoors I like to vary how and what I eat while I am out in the bush and with the wide variety of backpacking foods out that is really pretty easy.

To be honest I have a preference for ready made backpacking food like Hungry Hikers and Mountain House produce simply because I don’t want to go to the trouble of cooking and then dehydrating my own food. To supplement these foods I usually take protein bars , trail mixes etc that are easy to find in any grocery store.

Also most decent ready made backpacking food is full of the healthy protein and carbs that any hiker needs everyday and they mostly taste pretty nice.

I tend to spend a bit of time checking out what other people feel about various companies and meals and just wanted to share a video with you of a good comparison between Mountain House and BackPackers Pantry meals and here it is …..

The difference in brands is quite substantial and while I don’t have a preference for either one having not personally tried ether it is fairly obvious that the Mountain House meal looks and seems much higher quality.

It would be interesting to hear what your thought’s are so please add your comment below.

Happy hiking

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” — Edward Abbey

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Do you feel like doing something different this New Years Eve? Take a look at Lonely Planets take on the coolest places for New Years Eve Breaks and just get away from the ordinary. My personal pick would be the French Alps but there’s another four hotspots to choose from and I am sure that you will be able to find one that suits you.

The Best New Years Eve Breaks

Lonely Planet’s favourite New Year’s Eve destinations

It’s easy to be a cynic about New Year’s Eve, but let’s be honest – most of us will be joining in the countdown to 2013. Whether you’re hoping to gaze at fireworks, contemplate life at a tranquil hideaway, or fumble for someone to kiss at midnight, here’s our round-up of travel picks for New Year’s Eve.

Prague, Czech Republic, recommended by Tom Hall, Travel Editor at Lonely Planet

Prague makes for a superb New Year’s Eve break.The city stays open over the holiday, so there’s lots to do, and of course the Old Town looks fantastic in deep winter

New South Wales coast, recommended by Jane Atkin, Online Community, London

I’m a city girl through and through, but when it comes to New Year’s Eve there’s nowhere I’d rather be than by the seaside somewhere along the coast of New South Wales. Sydney can keep its fireworks, I’d rather have a bonfire on the beach and watch shooting starts while I shoot the breeze with my nearest and dearest. I’ve seen the ball drop in Times Square, but nothing beats the natural attractions of New South Wales coastline.

Chiang Mai, Thailand recommended by Tom Hewitson, Destinations Editor at lonelyplanet.com

Sick of freezing to death in hour-long queues and splashing cash on overpriced drinks? Why not take a post-Christmas trip to $1.50-a-beer, 27ºC Thailand? While the southern islands will be full of the inevitable ‘full moon’ parties bearing absolutely no relation to the lunar cycle, the northern city of Chiang Mai provides the perfect mix of cheap drinks and cultural adventures.

Dublin, Ireland, recommended by James Kay, Digital Editor at lonelyplanet.com

Dubliners are said to drink nearly 10,000 pints of beer each hour from Friday night to Monday morning. Make no mistake – this is a town that knows how to party. What better place, then, to spend New Year’s Eve than St Stephen’s Green, the lungs of the Republic’s rambunctious capital, which hosts an annual fireworks display amid the mother of all craics

French Alps, recommended by Anita Isalska, writer and editor on lonelyplanet.com

The antidote to New Year’s Eve mayhem is a blissful retreat to the French Alps. Clean mountain air eradicates the post-Christmas bloat, and rambling around snow-covered beauty spots like Lake Montriond is an invigorating build-up to the big night.

Check Out The Full Article At Lonely Planet

So what do you think?

Have you got a better spot picked out for New Years? then let us know in the comments below, oh and by the way where ever you happen to be have a safe and enjoyable time

Or why not check out an Antarctic Trip for a totally wild New Years Eve Break?

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Sometimes you come across a story that is worth sharing just for the sake of sharing and this is one of those times. If you have ever felt that something is just to hard then you should read this story about hiking the appalachian trail.

At 62 thats just what Tom McCarthy decided to do and you can read the rest of his adventures courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times

Hiking The Appalachian Trail

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Two years into retirement, Tom McCarthy felt like he hadn’t accomplished much.

At 62, he was standing at the end of a prosperous career as a business owner. There were family vacations and time with the grandchildren to look forward to. He lives in a comfortable house with his wife, but something was missing.

Hiking was sometimes the answer. He’d put in a few excursions here and there. They seemed to quell the feeling. Maybe he’d try the Appalachian Trail, he figured. He would give himself eight years of on-and-off hiking to do it.

Somewhere out in the rolling hills near Erwin, Tenn., about 250 miles up the trail, it hit him. McCarthy can’t quite articulate the feeling.

He knows the hiking gave him an “inner peace.” That there was a freedom to waking up in the morning, strapping his belongings to his back and marching off into the woods without an inkling of where he would set up his next camp, he said. That this remote strip, 2,184 miles long and a few yards wide, is a world of transient souls, all equal, bound by the journey. He liked that. “There’s just something about hiking long-distance that’s more spiritual,” he said.

McCarthy was scheduled to get off the trail last year in Damascus, Va., but something made him decide to stay. He hiked 1,275 miles between April and September 2011. He finished the last 909 miles between May and September this year.

The adventure urge came early for McCarthy. As a kid growing up in Lake Shore, Md., and Ravenswood, W.Va., he spent most of his time outside playing hide-and-seek, building forts and climbing fences.

The first purchase McCarthy made with his own money was a tent — the old kind with a canvas lining held up by wooden stakes — that he lugged into the woods to camp with his buddies.

He moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., with his parents in his senior year of high school, then went back to West Virginia to attend Marshall University. After graduation, he returned to the Tampa Bay area with his first wife. He met his second wife, Marlene, now 63, working at a medical-transcription service, which they went on to co-own.

McCarthy was never into serious trail-hiking until Christmas 1996, when Marlene bought him his first hiking backpack. After that, “I just got eaten up by it,” he said. “I wanted to hike as much as I could.”

But, he said, “Florida’s not a very good hiking place. To me, you need streams and mountains.”

He pushed for harder, more scenic trails in the Rocky Mountains. When he and Marlene sold their business in 2009, he had time and money for something bigger. That’s when he hatched the plan.

The Appalachian Trail — or AT, if you’re talking to a veteran of it — starts in Springer Mountain, Ga., and wanders north through 14 states to the northern terminus, Mount Katahdin, Maine. The AT draws a few kinds of people: day-hikers; section-hikers, who take the trail one stretch at a time, usually coming home between hiking stints; and through hikers, the people who manage to carve out up to a half-year to hike the trail in a single sweep.

McCarthy would be a section-hiker, taking the trail a few weeks, a few hundred miles, at a time, catching flights home to be a husband, a father, a grandfather.

Read more …..

Certainly an achievement to be proud of at any age let alone 62 and it just goes to show that anything is possible if you have the desire and the courage to push yourself a little. Just maybe you will find that something you had been missing just as Tom McCarthy seems to have.

Check out this video compilation of some of the beautiful scenery that is part of what hiking the appalachian is all about

Hopefully you found this story as inspiring as I did and if so please share it with anyone else you think might be interested.

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Do you suddenly have a mad wish to see the world? Have you finally saved some money and plan to set of on that long planned for trip. The good news is that there are literally hundreds if not thousands of places to travel to, so I thought a look at what might be the best places to travel in 2013 would certainly be a good idea.

Even better yet the team from lonely planet have put together an excellent article on some value destinations and thats what follows here.

The Best Places To Travel In 2013

Savour every centimetre of that shoestring with these budget-friendly boltholes, perfect for an economic downturn-busting break. This article is an excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013.

Rio, Brazil

If you’ve an unfulfilled plan to visit Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and iconic landmarks then this may be the year to do it. After 2013 the big events come thick and fast – the football World Cup in 2014 (also taking place in cities around Brazil), then the Olympic Games in 2016. One thing’s for sure: big-name events bring fresh development, a boost to infrastructure and, in many cases, higher prices for visitors.

Gothenburg, Sweden

There’s good value in Sweden if you know where to look. That said, if you don’t, even popping out for a pizza and beer can make for a pricey night by the standards of your home town. Unless, that is, you’re from Norway. Either way, the savvy traveller makes tracks for Gothenburg

Namibia

Namibia beckons those in search of a good deal. While neighbouring Botswana courts the big-budget traveller, the desert state to the west welcomes all, and offers a spectacular set of attractions to boot.

Cambodia

While perhaps not the whoops-of-delight-inducing bargain it was a decade ago, Cambodia is still a great deal. This means that despite the boom in the number of midrange hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in particular, a huge amount of budget accommodation remains at much lower prices.

Bolivia

South America’s best-value option continues to delight travellers. With public transport as cheap as anywhere on the continent, filling street food (another empanada? Don’t mind if I do!), and good-for-the-money excursions, this country is more than a bridge between the east and west coasts, it is an essential journey in itself.

Portland, Oregon, USA

Travel writers speak with one voice when asked to nominate their fave US cheapie: Portland, OR. Cheap food! Free things to do! Forty breweries (and counting) with pints of perfectly crafted beer often costing US$4!

Spain

Spain has been getting much friendlier for budget travellers in the past few years, as currency fluctuations and falling costs for many items have combined to make what was once Europe’s best bet for a cheap break a contender once again for many international travellers.

Slovenia

It’s tempting to leave this as one sentence: Slovenia is as picture-perfect as Switzerland or other Alpine areas to the north, but much smaller and easier on the wallet. Yes, there’s devil in the detail – the adoption of the Euro and popularity of Ljubljana, Bled and coastal areas in summer can push prices up – but that’s hardly the point

Nepal

With visitor numbers steadily rising, Nepal remains a tremendous option for budget travellers. After all, the number of countries where you can live on the price of a Starbucks latte or two are diminishing rapidly. Sure, to do that you’ll need to stay in budget accommodation somewhere other than Kathmandu and resolutely stick to simple local food, but many consider this a price worth paying for paying a low price.

Georgia

Georgia is, like its Caucasian neighbours, little known to most travellers. Those who do go come back raving about a beautiful, friendly country that offers excellent, inexpensive (though potentially waist-expanding) cuisine, typified by the near-universal khachapuri (cheese pie).

Read more:

 

Hopefully this gets your creative juices working and your desire for travel into overdrive. Personally I think Nepal is on my radar for a trip next year so hopefully I can save some pennies and catch a flight. You are a long time dead my friends so live life to the fullest

Here’s a few more pretty cool reasons to get out and travel hard

Keen to check out some more of the best value travel then grab Lonely Planets Best In Travel 2013

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Have you ever wanted to take the plunge and throw yourself into the extreme world of an Adventure trip? There is one heck of a lot to consider before you do but happily there are more and more companies catering for people who want to push themselves and their equipment to the limit so even the tyro can safely consider and adventure trip.

Follow along with one of the Mens Fitness editors as she leaps into the world of adventure hiking and tripping with the help of an established guide and adventurer, not a bad way to take the plunge to be honest Continue Reading

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If you hike , camp, rock climb or do anything else that involves some effort while you are in the outdoors then you should already be aware that outdoor fitness will be an important part of your daily life and your level of outdoor fitnesswill most certainly impact on your enjoyment of whatever pastime you prefer to indulge in.

There are lots and lots of outdoor fitness guides around and to be honest I think that any type of training you do will be of benefit to you compared to someone who doesn’t train but there are always more effective ways to getting fit that minimize the impact on your body and also make the most effective use of the limited time we all seem to have today. Continue Reading

Anybody who has anything to do with the outdoors will at some stage or another need to be able to tie a knot, even if its only so they can hang a clothesline or hoist a solar shower into a tree and keep it there.

Unfortunately most people like myself have very little idea on how to tie any type of knot let alone an effective and useful one that they can get undone again .

For this reason I figured I would reblog this article I found by Cliff Jacobson in which he discusses the uses he got out of The Falcon Guide to Knots For The Outdoors Continue Reading

The ease of international travel and also the much lower cost means that it is fairly easy to go and enjoy our pastimes in far flung and out of the way places like never before and going hiking in Australia certainly fits into this category.

If you have not considered Australia as an option then there are a few reasons you should, firstly it is a safe and friendly place to visit, communication is easy unlike a lot of other countries and it is much easier to travel within Australia than lots of other places. Of course none of this is much use to us unless the hiking there is worthwhile and I am happy to say that it sure is .

Lets take a look at 10 of the best Australian hikes courtesy of Bruce Holmes who checked out these great hikes all around Australia.

Ten Great Places To Go Hiking In Australia

Through rainforest, over mountain ridges, across open plains, beside lakes and oceans, Australia has so much to offer the hiker who’s prepared to pull the boots on and get stuck in. Continue Reading

Watch the video… Continue Reading