Category: health & safety

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TOP 10 day hikes ➙  Zion Narrows, Utah USA

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

Best slot canyon hike in the world.

  • in Utah’s Zion National Park
  • 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava in the Park
  • June through October best months
  • usually closed from mid-March to mid-May due to spring snowmelt and runoff
  • in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
  • about a 1500 ft descent
  • walk in water up to half the time
  • 9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
  • a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
  • Permit is required

World → North America → S.W. USA  → Utah → Zion Narrows

Water walking shoes recommended.

For details click over to our Zion Narrows information page.

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Our #1 Day Hike ➙ Harder Ridge, Switzerland

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

photo – AlpsInsight

Why?

24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge! Wow!

  • Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
  • Brienz to Interlaken Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
  • take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm)  down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
  • logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
  • 10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
  • no water available. Carry all you need.
  • not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
  • about 1500m above the lake
  • permits not required
  • it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.
  • also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

World → Europe → Alps → Switzerland → Harder Ridge

Click PLAY or watch Jackson Groves on YouTube.

For details click over to our Harder Ridge information page.

related – The GoPro: ’22 Creator Summit was held in Interlaken. Some of this footage is shot on the ridge.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Lightning Safety

I’m very relaxed out in the wilds.

One of the very few things that worries me is getting caught in a lightning storm.

I have a friend who was struck. Three of the 4 in their group survived.

  • find lower ground ➙ and get under uniform tree cover, if possible.
  • you can be struck by a storm still 10 miles away
  • lightning tends to strike the tallest object on a landscape. It’s not a good idea to stand under a tall tree.
  • lightning is not attracted to metal. Lightning is only attracted to 3 things: tall structures, isolated structures, and pointed structures. 
  • metal can conduct electricity, which can jump to a tent 10 to 20 feet away. So tent away from taller and/or metal structures like bear poles.
  • crouching to get lower is not recommended
  • sheltering in a cave not recommended

Backpacker has more:

Everything Hikers Know About Lightning Safety is Wrong 

Most backcountry lightning education—including what you may have learned as a kid—is antiquated. Here’s your overdue expert update.

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com
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AllTrails+ Review 2024

I pay for the premium version of AllTrails.

I want the downloadable, offline maps.

Actually, I mostly use it for deciding what hikes I want to do in new locations.

The PREVIEW video feature is great, as well. It gives a quick overview of the entire trail.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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The DRAKENSBERG, South Africa

I’ve hiked the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) escarpment of South Africa only once. Fantastic.

For example, my Giant’s Cup Trail (2 days).

Logistics are easier than you might think.

I travelled solo with Bazbus. Stayed in their recommended hostels.

Not once did I ever feel unsafe traveling there.

Harmen Hoek was there, hiking solo for 8-days in March 2022.

World Wide Hearts traveled and hiked extensively in the Drakensberg. Here’s their advice.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Our favourite hike in southern Africa is not here — but rather on the coast:

Otter Trail

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Why I Don’t Use Trekking Poles – But You Should

Like JupiterHikes, I don’t use trekking poles.

IF I hiked longer than 3 weeks, I would add them to my kit. But the longest I’ve done — so far — is 17 nights.

My knees and ankles are still good. No pain at all.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Walk 9,000 steps / day to LIVE LONGER

… getting 9,000 to 10,000 steps per day lowered the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 21% and the odds of dying early by 39%, according to the study published Tuesday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. …

The authors used data from more than 72,000 people who’d participated in the UK Biobank study, which has followed the health outcomes of more than half a million people between ages 40 and 69 in the United Kingdom for at least 10 years. …

A daily step goal may cut disease and death risk in even otherwise sedentary people, study finds
Photo by Krivec Ales on Pexels.com