WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ...
WALK OR HIKE OR BIKE
Our trips include both walking, hiking, and biking and combonation trips. Each is designed to bring you the maximum enjoyment at a reasonable pace.
So what is the difference? A walking trip is just that. We walk at a pace between 3 and 4 miles per our.
What is the difference between a walk and a hike? Walks may be up-hill or downhill, fast or slow, in the country side or in the city and be on any surface including roads, paths and trails whereas hikes will occur primarily on trails and paths and may include significant elevation gains.
What about the biking? Sometimes our trips are all biking and sometimes our trips have a portion of the event where we bike. These routes a more often than not on roads less traveled by automobiles. Our events are more like a ride in the park. That being said, there may be some up hill rides that may cause you push the bike up hill.
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE DESCRIPTION before signing up for a trip. Know what you are signing up for and know your limitations.
SELF ASSESSMENT
Everybody walks and hikes at a different pace and takes different breaks at different times. Here are a few general guidelines for you to remember. NOTE THAT MOST OF OUR WALKS AND HIKES ARE AT A MODERATE PLUS SPEED.
We rate hikes; Easy, Moderate, and Advanced for Distance, Pace, and Elevation Gains.
DISTANCE*
EASY level: Be prepared to hike 2-3 miles in the AM and 4-6 for the day.
MODERATE level: Be prepared to hike 4-5 miles in the AM and 8-10 for the day.
ADVANCED level: Be prepared to hike 6-8 miles in the AM and 12-16 for the day.
PACE*
EASY level: Be prepared to hike at 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour.
MODERATE level: Be prepared to hike at 3.3 to 3.8 miles per hour.
ADVANCED level: Be prepared to hike at 3.5 to 4.0 miles per hour.
ELEVATION GAINS*
EASY level: Be prepared for 500 to 1500 in elevevation gains.
MODERATE level: Be prepared for 1000 to 2000 in elevation gains.
ADVANCED level: Be prepared for 1500 to 3000 in elevation gains.
WANT TO KNOW MORE
Get yourself a GPS for your pre-trip training. Know your limitations before you go.
* NOTE THAT THE ABOVE ARE GUIDELINES and not hard and fast rules.
** Note that we have an affiliate relationship.
TRAINING IDEAS
We want to hear your training ideas. Drop us a quick note with your training suggestions.
1) One quick suggestion is that you find a local hiking club through MeetUp.com.
2) Another favorite is that you join a local gym and hit the StairMaster (like an escelator).
3) Join a walking group
4) Take local weekend walking vacations before you take a weeklong trip.
PASSPORTS
DON'T WAIT. Find your passport and make sure that it is current with at least a year cushion on the expiration date. We have heard some horror stories about last minute issues.
> Check your expiration date now. If you have less than a year to go, then get it renewed. We have heard stories about passports expiring before your expected return date and immigration not allowing you to travel.
> Make an appointment at your local passport center. It can take 2 to 3 weeks for your appoint date at some centers. During this time, gather all the required information such as photo ID and your birth certificate.
> After the appointment at the passport acceptance facility, passport processing generally takes four to six weeks. We advise that you allocate at least two months for processing.
> If you get into a jam, you can expedite your passport through websites like RushMyPassport.
MEDICAL ISSUES
Stuff happens on the trail. But prepared in three ways:
> Know your skill level. Be fare to your fellow walkers and hikers; don't sign up for a walk or hike thatis too far above or below your skill level.
> Check your Medical Insurance. Know what is covered and not covered when you travel. It is a quick phone call to find out (ok we joke about the quick part). It is better to find out if you are covered before you go.
> Supplemental Insurance. Stuff happens. Get extra covereage before you go.
For more on our preferred provider, MedJet.*
* Note that we have an affiliate relationship with MedJet.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Oh no. You just found out that you cannot make the trip and your deposit has gone hard and you just sent in your funds for the trip. This is exactly what Trip Insurance is for. We don't provide, so find a provider that does.
For more on our preferred provider, Travel Guard* or Travelex Insurance*.
* Note that we have an affiliate relationship.
WHAT TO WEAR
Oh no here we go. I promise myself to be a better packer everytime that I go so I am not the expert here. While each trip is different, I have attached a list of recommended items below.
Footwear
- Hiking Shoes - We recommend Salomon.
- Walking Shoes (after hike)
- Flip-flops - We recommend Olukai
Outwear
- Rain Jacket - We recommend Arc'Teryx
- Fleece Jacket - We recommend Helly Hansen Daybreak Fleece
- Puff Jacket - We recommend North Face Thermoball
Tops
- Long Sleeve Shirt - We recommend Royal Robbins Rollup Sleeve Shirts
- Short Sleeve Shirt - We still like Royal Robbins (see above)
Bottoms
- Long Plants (Stretch)
- Short Pants
- Zip Off Pants
- Bathing suit - We love Patagonia Stretch Wavefarer
Other
- Underwear - We recommend the Ex-Officio shorts
- Socks
- Belt - We recommend the Better Stretch Belt
- Fleece hat
- Sun hat - We recommend the Shetla Hat
- Gloves
Preferred Providers:
WHAT TO PACK
Gear
- GPS Watch / GPS
- Cell Phone / Extra Battery
- Head Lamp
- Extra Glasses
- Sunglasses
- Ziplock Bags
- Sunblock / Chapstick
- Camera / Batteries
- Tooth Bursh
- Razors / Blades
- Deodorant
- Earplus / Sleeping Mask
Don't Forget
- Day pack
- Passport
- Airplane Tickets
- Vitamins / Medicine
- Water Bottle
◄
1 / 1
►