Eat Plants While You HikeWritten by Steve Gillman
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next backpacking trip, or any trip into wilderness, a lot more enjoyable. You can pack lighter if you eat wild berries every morning for breakfast, for example, and leave your oatmeal behind. So push bears out of way and gorge yourself on blueberries. Less weight on your back always feels better. You'll also enjoy your backpacking more when you know that you won't be completely helpless moment you lose your pack, or a raccoon empties it for you. You don't have to be a survivalist to see value of knowing which of wild plants around you can be eaten. I eat dandelions, wild courants, pine nuts and other edible wild plants regularly. I ate hundreds of calories in wild rasberries during a break, while hiking in Colorado Rockies. During a kayak trip on Lake Superior, a friend and I spent half a day stopping at every litle island, to fill our stomachs with wild blueberries. We were almost out of food, so our foraging helped us get through rest of trip. Edible Berries Here are just some of wild berries my wife and I ate while hiking to Grinnel Glacier in Glacier National Park: Blueberries, Service Berries, Rose Hips, Blackberries, High Bush Cranberries, Strawberries, Rasberries, Thimbleberries, and Currants. Berries are most convenient, calorie rich and nutritious of edible wild plants out there. They are also easiest to learn to identify Edible Wild Plants And Survival
| | Get the Most Out of Your HikeWritten by Chuck Fitzgerald
Hiking is one of life’s great joys. Fresh air, nature, exercise and good friends. It’s difficult to imagine anything better – if you’re prepared. When you’re not prepared properly, it’s difficult to imagine anything worse. If you hike a few hundred yards around your neighborhood or a few hundred miles around backcountry, use these tips to get most enjoyment out of your hiking experience.#1: Plan your trip. You can plan too little but it’s tough to plan too much. #2: Get in Shape. Put yourself in best possible position to enjoy your sport. #3: Check weather forecast. Any weather different than you expect can turn a good hike into a not-so-good hike. #4: Dress for success. Layer your clothing and be very sure of your footwear. #5: Have essentials. Your planning will help with this. Take only what is essential and get lightest gear you can afford – especially for longer hikes. #6: Plan to be out longer than you think. If you think three hours, plan for six. Four days, plan for a week.
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