Hiking Lady

A Woman’s Journey on Camino de Santiago

Hiking Lady — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:24:41 +0000

Dennis Blanchard, the author of the wonderful book about hiking the Appalachian Trail called Three Hundred Zeros (see the Hiking Lady book review of Three Hundred Zeroes) just returned from a 500 mile walk of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. He and his wife Jane had an amazing experience, and Jane is going to be writing a book that I can’t wait to read!

Jane Blanchard’s new book will be focused on the women she met along the way. To give us a sneak peak, she has put together a slideshow of pictures of some of these women, clearly from all over the world, each with their own reason for making this spiritual trek. Here’s her slideshow, called Women of the Way:

Camino de Santiago translated into English means the Way of St. James, and has been a Christian pilgrimage for over 1000 years. St. James was one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles, and the story goes that his bones were shipped from Jerusalem to Northern Spain. The 500 mile walk/hike traverses the northern section of Spain, with the final destination being Santiago de Compostela. This was a very popular journey during Medieval Times, and has continued on as a spiritual trek through the present time. In 1987, it was named to be a European Cultural Route, and statistics show that over 100,000 people make the trek each year.

I’m looking forward to Jane’s upcoming book release to learn about her experiences and the other women she met along the way.

Breathtaking Yosemite Footage

Hiking Lady — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:22:58 +0000

Since you are probably sitting in front of a computer right now and need some refreshing views of my favorite national park, take a moment and watch this amazing video of Yosemite.

The photographer did a time lapse collection of many of Yosemite’s remarkable features. Enjoy!

Where to Find Wildflowers!

Hiking Lady — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:49:22 +0000

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

How many of you love seeing gorgeous wildflowers when you’re out hiking? I just read a great new book describing in vivid detail 50 of the best places to see wildflowers in the world! A few of the spots are in North America, including one of my favorites, the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve near Lancaster, California. I love walking around those trails when the flowers bloom every spring!

Check out my new book review of Wildflower Wonders, and please share any of your favorite wildflower hikes! Happy trails!

New Book Review – Polar Dream

Hiking Lady — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:27:43 +0000

Helen Thayer skiing to the North Pole

Ever wonder what it would be like to ski to the magnetic North Pole? How about doing it alone, at age 50! Helen Thayer did it, and wrote an exciting book about her adventure called Polar Dream.

Check out the just published Hiking Lady book review of this adventure story!

Hikers that Surf!

Hiking Lady — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:05:20 +0000

A woman SUPing in a calm ocean

Since it is 80 degrees here in Southern California today, I figured I’d share one of my new favorite sports with Hiking Lady readers.

What’s SUP?

The latest craze in the sports world is SUP, or stand-up paddle surfing. It is immensely fun, a great workout, and can be done on lakes, rivers, bays, or oceans…pretty much anywhere there is water.

When I’m not out hiking, I’ve been spending my time SUPing here in Southern California. It is very easy to do, and all you need is a little balance!

How to SUP

I started out by renting boards the local bay…this is a great way to figure out if you’re going to like it as much as me! Boards are about 32 inches wide vs. 20 inches for a regular surfboard. They are a lot longer too! Get a paddle that is 5-8 inches taller than you, and you’re ready to go. Get the board in the water, and climb on into a kneeling position. Once you are balanced and comfortable, stand up, and start paddling!

Why SUPing is so Popular

It’s fun! Stand-up paddlesurfing is a fun activity for people of all ages. You have to be outdoors on the water to do it, which makes it enjoyable! aahh, nature!
It’s a fantastic workout You stand on a board and propel yourself forward using a paddle. Since you’re balancing the entire time, it is a great core workout. The paddling motion of course works the upper body. Not that many fun workouts strengthen your legs, arms, back, shoulders, and rear all at the same time, while being low impact!
You don’t have to get wet! Unlike surfing, which involves getting soaked by waves, immense strength to paddle out and catch a wave, and getting tossed about the in water, SUPing on calm water means you won’t get wet. Ok, sure, your feet and legs will get a little wet when you climb onto the board, but unless you are SUPing in rough waters, the likelihood of wiping out is small.

Equipment and Gear

CamelBak Tahoe hydration pack, designed specifically for Stand Up Paddleboarding - Available Spring 2012

I highly recommend renting a board and paddle for awhile. SUP boards are expensive ($600+) and are heavier and bigger than traditional surfboards, so they aren’t easy to transport.

Gear I do definitely recommend getting is: a high UPF top, a convenient hydration waistpack or backpack, and lots of sunscreen!

Hydration: To stay hydrated, the best option is one of the 3 SUP specific packs from CamelBak. I have been using their brand new Tahoe pack, which is a waist pack designed for SUPers in mind. I got a chance to test one out early…they will be available for sale in outdoor stores in Spring 2012.

ExOfficio Sol Cool top - UPF 50!
UPF rated top. The new ExOfficio Sol Cool long sleeve crew neck top is my new go to layer when I’m SUPing (and hiking!). It weighs just 4 ounces, so feels super light weight on the skin, it dries quickly, and most importantly, the UPF rating of 50 makes it more protective than most others on the market.
Moisturizer for when you get home! I hate dry skin, and being out in the sun on a stand up paddleboard can do a number on my skin…I’ve been using a new all natural, plant-derived moisturizer called Trilipiderm that is great for dried out skin. This stuff is pricey, but it is non-greasy, smells good, and most importantly, it works!
Trilipiderm lotion

Happy trails, and happy SUPing!

Hiking Humor: Off the Map?

Hiking Lady — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:36:29 +0000

That’s why we need to tape together our topographic maps! hehee

Special thanks to the very talented and creative hiker, Geolyn “Boots” Carvin, for letting me share her hilarious cartoons. Her website, On the Trail with Boots McFarland, has many more funny cartoons about the trail adventures of the female hiker, Boots. Boots is based on Geolyn’s years of hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Wise Words from Edmund Hillary

Hiking Lady — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:29:12 +0000

“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”

- Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mt. Everest

Socks with built in liners!

Hiking Lady — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:36:16 +0000

WrightSocks - the inner liner sock is very apparent when the socks are inside out

For those of us hikers who hate blisters, there is a new option on the market…WrightSocks.

Similar to wearing a separate liner sock underneath a hiking sock, WrightSocks have the liners built in. I’ve been testing these for a couple of months…do they stand up to their motto of preventing blisters? Check out the Hiking Lady Gear Review of WrightSocks.

Shedding Light on Sunscreen: How Good Is It?

Hiking Lady — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:02:21 +0000

With so types of sunscreen on the market, some blocking UVA rays, other UVB, some that block both…and ratings ranging from SPF 10 to SPF 100…what does it all mean?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just announced some significant changes that will help us figure out how effective sunscreens really are. They will be requiring suncreens to pass a stricter test and protect us from both UVA and UVB rays. Plus, they will no longer be labeled waterproof, since in fact, no sunscreen is really waterproof! Some are just more water resistant than others.

Let’s figure it all out so we know what to look for when new packages hit the stores Summer 2012!

Hiking Lady Breaks Down the Sunscreen Lingo

SPF: The SPF value indicates the amount of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen. Higher values provide more protection. It only indicates how well the sunscreen is protecting against UVB rays.
UVA: Ultraviolet A light from the sun. These rays contribute to skin cancer and early skin aging.
UVB: Ultraviolet B light from the sun. These rays cause sunburns. Currently, most sunscreens protect us from UVB rays, but only some protect us from UVA rays!

What’s being changed?

The FDA has developed new testing requirements, and sunscreens will be tested for both UVA and UVB protection. The ratings on the bottles will now be “Broad Spectrum SPF X”, with a specific value.

The maximum value will now be 50+, because there is no data available that provides that higher than 50 actually provides greater protection.

How to Really Protect Yourself from the Sun?

Those of us who enjoy the outdoors can spend hours outside… hiking on a trail, climbing a crag, paddling down a river, or even spending time close to home gardening or walking the dog.

Check out this article as well: How to Protect Yourself from the Sun.

Happy trails!

The Ultimate Slicers

Hiking Lady — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:07:31 +0000

A special guest article from our gear guru Robert I., who enjoys playing with very sharp hiking gear!

Kershaw knives - the Nerve and Salvo

There is all sorts of hiking and backpacking gear that is useful during an adventure …backpacks, boots, JetBoil stoves, tents… but how about when you get home? One item that can be used all the time is a good quality hiking knife!

To prove it, we’ve been testing two Kershaw folding knives for everyday use. The Kershaw Nerve is a lightweight folding knife with a textured handle. That makes it easy to grip, especially when hands are cold or sweaty. The pocket clip is too stiff, so ultimately it is something that most users will probably take off (it is easy to remove). The Kershaw Nerve pictured has a straight blade, but Kershaw manufactures another version that has a combination straight and serrated blade.

The Kershaw Salvo has a very strong blade, slicing through vegetables and fruit and putting my kitchen knives to shame. One side of the handle has black “track tek” rubber inserts for a great grip. The other side is plain, so can be a bit slippery when wet. Also, because this knife is so sleek, it is a little bit of a challenge to open. The thumb stud, which is how the knife is opened, is a little too low on the blade.

Kershaw Nerve, Kershaw Salvo, and the handy Ultra Tek Sharpener

Lastly, we checked out the Kershaw Ultra Tek Sharpener, a handy 2.0oz knife sharpener that can easily fit into a pocket. The sharpener is a bit too rough for standard knives, but great for machetes and cutting shears. It is very convenient and a great design!

Of these two knives, we preferred the Kershaw Nerve for all around use…it is lightweight for hiking, has a great grip for wet or dry conditions, and a strong, sharp blade!

Specs:

Kershaw Nerve, Model #3420

Blade length: 3 1/8 inches long
Weight: 3.8 ounces
Price: MSRP $39, can be found cheaper online.
Manufactured in China

Kershaw Salvo, Model #2445

Blade length: 3 1/4 inches long
Weight: 3.1 ounces
Price: MSRP $65, can be found cheaper online.
Manufactured in USA

Kershaw Ultra Tek Sharpener, Model #2535

Price: MSRP $12, can be found cheaper online.