Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Hiking and trekking are quickly gaining popularity among the youth as a way to directly link to nature. There is something so magical about hiking at night. If you love adventures and are drawn to the night, this can be the ideal experience. While stargazing while you walk amongst the scenic outdoors is very appealing and soothing, but it can also be dangerous if you are unprepared.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a night hike:

1. Tell someone where you’re going

Inform a trusted family member or friend about your plans. Tell them which trail you will be hiking on and how they can contact you. Also, tell them when they can expect you to be back. Be sure to call them when you arrive home safely.

2. Don’t go alone

Nighttime can be scary and dangerous. You can hike alone in the day to spend some quiet time but do take someone with you at night. Having company will keep you calm and let you enjoy the experience without worrying about looming shadows or snapping twigs. There is safety in numbers!

3. Hike when there is a full moon

Before you plan your night hike, search the internet for which phase the moon will be in that night. It is better to hike under a full moon or something close so that you have the soft glow of the moon to guide you on your hike. Make sure that the sky is clear so the moonlight can reach you easily. It is highly important that you pick the right day for your hike.

4. Hike on a familiar trail and don’t rush

Leave the discovering new trails for daytime hikes. Hike on a familiar trail at night so that you are aware of any dangers beforehand. Hike slowly and steadily. Your hike should not be too long. Keep it short and easy. This will allow you to enjoy the pleasure of hiking safely at night with a reduced risk of injury or harm.

5. Start your hike when it’s light out

Leave your house before sunset and reach your trail before night falls. If you hike by the soft light of the dusk, you will get familiar with the trail and will be able to enjoy the night hike on your way back. Even if you are familiar with the trail, it will refresh your memory and allow you to make mental notes of the terrain.

6. Pack plenty of lights

While this may seem like an obvious tip, people often don’t pack extra batteries and their lights are not appropriate for a hike. Remember that you don’t just want to see where you’re going. You also wish to enjoy the night hike and the amusements it has to offer. Your lights should not be too bright as this will ruin your night vision and you probably won’t be able to see the stars. Make sure that the light is soft and yellow or red in color so that your night vision isn’t impacted.

7. Keep an emergency cellphone

Trails might not have good cellphone reception. Keep an extra cellphone with you when you hike at night in case of emergencies. Remember to charge this phone before you leave your house. In case your battery dies, this emergency phone will allow you to contact someone for help.

8. Pack appropriately for the night

Bug sprays are essential to keep you protected from bites. Keep matches and lighters in case you need to light a fire for any reason; for example, if you get lost, suddenly feel cold, or want to heat up a meal. Keep a portable charger and extra batteries. Pack emergency food and water in a small pack separate from your primary backpack. Make sure that your backpacks are organized and you remember where each thing is because it can be difficult to see in the dark.

9. Research

Before you leave for your hike, research the type of wildlife you might encounter on your trail. You may also ask a guide if one is available so that you can pack appropriate medical equipment and a first-aid kit. If you are unsure of what to pack, consult a local doctor on first aid essentials.

10. Keep warm clothes

If you are hiking in winters, keep extra warm clothes in case it gets colder than you anticipated. Check the weather forecast to know how cold and humid it will be. It can get chilly at night even in summers. Make sure you don’t catch a cold. If it is likely to rain, keep waterproof clothing like hats, coats, and shoes to keep dry.

11. Be vigilant

You can’t be too careful when hiking at night. Keep your mind clear and sharp, but do not scare yourself. Enjoy the hike while being cautious and observant of your surroundings. Don’t play music or wear earphones when hiking at night because this can distract you and prevent you from picking up auditory cues on potential dangers.

12. Stay on the trail

It can be tempting to wander off the trail, especially if you spot something interesting or see a pretty path winding away from your main trail. Do not wander too far from your trail because it can be difficult to find your way back in the dark and you may get lost. This is especially true for forests or hiking trails with limited vision.

Night hiking is a completely different experience than daytime hikes. They are accompanied by unique challenges that require a different skill set. Do your homework and be adequately prepared for your adventure. Good luck and have fun!

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.