Planning your next adventure

What's the most dangerous part of hiking? 10 tips to keep you safe!

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Walking in the outdoors is excellent for our physical and mental health. And in the United States we have wonderful landscapes to make the most of this unique sport. However, while hiking is a very popular activity, it is not always practiced properly. Whether you plan to visit a National Park, venture into the woods, or explore bear country, it's best to prepare accordingly. Here are 10 pro tips to keep in mind when going hiking.

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If you've never hiked or camped before, don't worry, it's never too late! The best thing you can do is start slowly. First, find a path near your house and do small hikes every day. Once you realize how much you love getting your body moving, choose a place you've always wanted to visit. If nothing comes to mind, go through an atlas or a book on hiking to pick the perfect place for a new adventure.

Next, you can start proper training and even join a local hiking club to learn the ropes and meet new people. Finding a buddy to share the experience with can make all the difference, —trust us, conversation helps make training more enjoyable. Now that you're all set, it's time to get ready!

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Packing is probably the most important thing when you go hiking. It’s where all starts and doing it properly can make the whole trip a success or a failure. First, lay out everything you think you'll need and strategize from there. Big items go first, but remember, try to keep weight as low as possible. For example, look at the amount of clothing you plan to bring, then cut it in half. It's not a wilderness experience otherwise!

If space becomes a problem, you can get some compression sacks for slimming down puffy items, like sleeping bags or outerwear. You can also deflate dry-food packs with a pin and cover the hole with tape. Finally, put survival items in the front of the pack for fast emergency access.

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On the trail, adequate shoes make all the difference. Many people get blisters or other ailments just for choosing the wrong shoes. The best way to avoid these issues is to prepare. For starters, find shoes that are comfortable and right for your feet type. Don't order your next pair online, it’s better to visit a retail store and try on multiple pairs.

Socks are as important as shoes. Choose synthetic or wool socks that absorb moisture better for long days in the outdoors. The insoles that come in boots may not be a very good fit for your foot. The more cost-effective solution is to replace them with better ones. Also, always pack up some moleskin, duct tape, or other first-aid implements, just in case. Finally, remember to tie your boots correctly to prevent rubbing and you are good to go!

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Setting up a campsite is not hard if you take some key steps. First, find a site 200 feet from a lake or a stream and choose durable surfaces whenever possible. Spend extra time searching out a sheltered location to avoid the wind. Also, look up to make sure no dead trees or branches threaten to fall on your site.

Once you’ve found the perfect spot, wait until the winds die down —often at sunset— to pitch your tent. If you can, orient the door to the east for early sun and place your tent so the smallest side faces the wind. Secure and anchor your tent properly with nylon cords and stakes and you’ll be ready to spend the night in the open.

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Where campfires are allowed, it's important to know how to build —and put out— flames properly. First of all, find fuel: an armload of twigs and sticks will get the fire going. Search for dry wood under driftwood piles. If necessary, shave off the wet bark.

The next step is to make a pit. Choose a safe place and dig a small pit surrounded by wind-breaking rocks. Place a firestarter —for example, cotton balls, egg cartons, or wine corks— on a bed of sticks leaving gaps for air to fuel the flames. Place a fist-size stack of wood shavings, twigs, and paper over your fire starter and light it up. Carefully supply larger sticks and blow on them gently to fan the flames.

Before leaving the campsite, remember to put out the fire. Use water and mix the ashes and embers with soil. Make sure it’s completely out: if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

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Like wine to the gods, water is the nectar of hikers. But, how to stay hydrated during long exercise hours in the outdoors? Start the day with plenty of liquid. While you sleep, you lose as much as 1.5 pounds of fluid through sweat and respiration. In the morning, replenish with 16 to 24 ounces of water.

While trekking, don’t wait till you are dead thirsty to drink water. Instead, sip 4 to 6 ounces of liquid every 20 minutes, it'll help you feel stronger. Also, since sweat is made up of sodium and potassium, it’s important to keep an eye on electrolytes. Try to alternate water with a sports drink or munch on salty snacks. If you start feeling dizzy, have a headache, or find it difficult to concentrate, you are probably dehydrated. Set up camp: A long rest, a good meal, and lots of water will get you back on track.

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If you are traveling from low to high elevation plan an extra day or two to allow your body to adjust. Avoid arriving directly to trailheads above 10,000 feet and instead plan a day hike at a lower elevation. The first couple of days try to moderate your effort. Since air is very dry at high altitudes, always stay hydrated and abstain from drinking alcohol.

Also, don't ascend more than 2,000 feet per day, and at night set camp below the highest elevation you've reached. If you develop symptoms of altitude sickness, like persistent headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, or loss of coordination, stay put. Go down if the symptoms don't improve within 24 hours.

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If your hiking trip is during the summer months, you’ll have to be extra careful with the high temperatures. Always have a backup plan for your water supply and bring hard candy to suck and keep your mouth moistured.

Try to protect your body from the sun's rays. Don't wear shorts or short sleeves. Cotton clothes retain moisture better than synthetics and will keep you cooler. Wear a full-brimmed hat and extra-dark sunglasses at all times. Use sunscreen on any exposed flesh, like your face and the backs of your hands, and reapply frequently.

Don't hike during the middle of the day, when temperatures reach their peak. In open country, go from shade to shade. Move for half an hour and rest for another half. You can even hike at night and make the most of a starry sky!

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Let’s face it, most of North America is bear country. It’s important to take precautions when hiking near their habitats to prevent unfortunate encounters. First of all, don’t hike alone. Bears are less likely to attack groups than individuals. Also, always make noise. Given the opportunity, most bears will avoid human contact.

Storing food properly and paying attention to the terrain can give you an advantage. But even if you stay vigilant the whole time, you may come across a grizzly or a black bear. Pack bear spray or a bear bell and keep them handy. If you find yourself face to face with a bear, give it a chance to hear you and flee before their protective instincts kick in. However, if you feel you are about to be attacked, find a high tree to climb or lie face down and play dead.

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Forget bears, the most common and dangerous risk when hiking is a river crossing. Here's how to do it safely. Since narrow spots are deeper and faster, always cross a river at its widest point. Check your map for forks, they contain less water and are potentially easier to cross.

If you have to cross a glacial river, do it early in the day. This way, you’ll avoid the higher runoff volume that comes with afternoon melting. In fast-moving waters, cross at a slight angle, heading downstream but facing upstream. If you fall, don't panic. Remove your pack if it prevents you from getting up. If the current takes you, flip on your back and calm down. When you reach calm water, swim back to shore.

COLORS IN MUSIC

Paint The Town Red With 10 Colorful Songs

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Music is a powerful tool that explicitly evokes all kinds of emotions. Colors, on the other hand, have a more subtle way of arousing feelings. Various theories have been developed to study the psychology behind colors and they all agree that they can be as powerful as music. So imagine what happens when you put those two things together. "Back to black" takes you right to the dark, low moments of life, while "Yellow Submarine" can already make you feel cheerful, doesn’t it?

Join us as we explore ten songs that have used colors to further express their messages.

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The first item in our list not only blends colors and music but also combines multiple music styles: rock, R&B, gospel, and orchestral music. Only Prince could have done it!

Purple Rain is a song from 1984, part of the album of the same name, written and performed by Prince with his backing band, The Revolution.

Now, what does it mean? Prince himself explained that it is a reference to the sky and it represents letting your faith guide you to be with the one you love, even when it seems impossible. Quite a profound start, isn’t it?

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Songs, lyrics, and music are filled with individual interpretations which can vary greatly. Yellow Submarine by The Beatles is quite representative of that. The song, written by the English band as part of their album Revolver in 1966 was subject to opinions and interpretations from the very beginning.

Some deemed it empty of meaning, while teenagers of the time embraced it to create their own chants of protest. And some even take it as a metaphor for how The Beatles perceived themselves as prisoners of their own fame. Whatever we take as the truth, nobody can deny it is a great song.

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Back to Black was written by English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse in 2006 and instantly became an international success. Considering how short and troubled Winehouse’s life was, critics consider this song the purest expression of her complex mind.

It is her signature song and describes the difficult time she was going through at the time. Black is the color that best reflects how lonely life can get and how devoid of hope a person can get. Even in the most tragic ending, Winehouse still resonates with our society through this iconic song.

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Just another song that belongs in the greater leagues as it’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame, among other achievements.

Released in 1967,Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison describes, naturally, a romance of the past in the most nostalgic way. Innocence, youth, and happy memories are all implied in the lyrics and the upbeat rhythm completes the picture it paints.

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Many songs, like this one, are written specifically for film productions. Blue Hawaii for example, was written in 1937 by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger for a film called Waikiki Wedding.

However, that is not the only film featuring it, as it was so successful, that it received several covers in the following years. Probably, the most famous one was performed by Elvis Presley in the namesake film of 1961.

The color of the ocean and that dreamy location set the scene in a rather straightforward way and it makes us wish we were there, right?

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It is not uncommon to see hints of autobiographical notes in songs. Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road by Elton John and Bernie Taupin is said to contain elements from the latter’s childhood on the farm in Lincolnshire.

Whatever the truth is, this ballad reflects on the hardship behind fame and how the author longed for a simpler, more genuine life, away from the glamour.

Regarding Elton’s career, many critics go as far as saying this is one of his best songs, and the records it broke prove it!

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You may know Red Red Wine by UB40, but Neil Diamond originally wrote and performed this song in 1967.

Part of his second studio album, Just for You, the lyrics are easily relatable: Haven’t we all gone through a time when we thought a cup of red wine was somehow a way to forget about our troubles? Neil Diamond surely felt that when he wrote this song.

UB40 might have found it appealing as they re-recorded it 20 years later, which ultimately led to an overwhelming success for them.

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We don’t need to describe The Rolling Stones success, an over-40-years career speaks for itself. Among its many hits, Paint It, Black is the one that belongs in our article.

Originally writtenby Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song explores themes of grief and despair. It is narrated from the point of view of a person who lost their loved one and wants everything in black to match their mood. It is worth mentioning that, as with most iconic songs, it has received different interpretations. In any case, the topics are universal and the song is a hit still today!

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Musicians don’t always have to resort to black to express intense feelings. When the experience needs to be energetic and powerful, other colors get to play. That was what Bruce Springsteen was thinking when he wrote Pink Cadillac in 1984.

Romantic attraction, desire, escapism, and more topics of the sort have raised some controversy around the meaning, but that wasn’t enough to keep it from the Billboard chart for 14 weeks straight.

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The new millennium brought amazing things and Coldplay the British band was one of them. Included as the second single of their debut album Parachute, the song gave the band its first top-five hit in the United Kingdom.

But that wasn’t it, thanks to this song, Coldplay reached international fame and popularity which only kept growing and growing. More than two decades later, Yellow and the topic of love and devotion still resonate with the crowds.