Category: health & safety

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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
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Top 10 Hiking Destinations ➙ Central Andes

Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia

Hiking holidays in Peru are hot right now. More popular than ever. Political stability since the leader of the Shining Path terrorist group was captured in 1992 resulted in a booming tourist industry.

The second highest mountain range on Earth is fantastic. Broad valleys and endless vistas. You are always above the tree line. Arid desert to the west, Amazon jungle to the east.

Our contributors have hiked most of the major treks in Peru. The peaks, glaciers and canyons are outrageous. Everyone is thrilled with the Andes.

Unfortunately, management of treks is atrocious, the Peruvian government seemingly bent on ruining their fantastic tourist draw. Do your homework before booking a flight to Lima. Or sign on with a trekking company with which you have had a strong, recent recommendation.

Ruminahui in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

The weather in the Andes can be deadly, of course, but sometimes you get weeks of sunny blue skies, especially in the Cordillera Blanca out of Huaraz, Peru. The best weather for the high peaks out of Huaraz (the best jumping off point for hikers in the Central Andes) is the drier “Andean summer”: May-Sept.

In fact, there are good hikes somewhere in this region year round.

More information on our new Central Andes information page.

Our favourite hike in the Central Andes is the Ausangate Circuit in Peru, our #4 best hike in the world. Quite a few trekkers have decided on Ausangate (instead of the over-hyped Inca Trail) based on our recommendation. And all have been happy with that decision.

See our Ausangate Circuit Information page.

The best guidebook for the Central Andes, by far, is (the now discontinued) Lonely Planet:

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes

Note that Bolivia is not nearly as popular as it should be due to lack of infrastructure for tourism, security concerns and political instability.

Honestly, unless you know the language and culture well, it’s better to hike Peru. Or much neglected Ecuador.

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Toilet System on Indiahikes Trips

One of the BEST reasons for signing on with a Guiding Company is how they take care of your toilet needs.

When toilets are available, they plan stops. When tenting away from civilization, they provide excellent and sheltered toilets.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.