#and then use something to make it waterproof - the logistics need to be sorted out

[aemilythings-blog1]

Hiking is by far the best and easiest way to get outdoors and experience nature. Stunning vistas ahead of you, a solid trail beneath your feet, it’s a fantastic way to get outside. You can set your own pace and take it slow, or go harder if you want a challenge. There are many different landscapes just waiting for you explore and it’s an activity you can do around the world no matter where you are.

WHY GO HIKING?

There are a whole list of benefits to going on a hike! Here’s some reasons why you should be out hiking:

► Hiking makes you happier!

► Hiking makes you fitter!

► The amazing views!

► It’s a great way to bond with others

► It’s low cost to get started

► It has a low ongoing expense to continue to do

► Did I mention the amazing views?

When you start hiking, you experience nature at its finest, and also in its raw elements. The hard work pays off with great views and experiences, and you get away from our concrete tangles of cities, away from the technology, and experience the cleansing effect of being in the present moment.

PLANNING A HIKE

No matter if its a day hike or a multi-day trip, the questions you should ask yourself and planning for it are often the same. We have our fundamental needs of food, water and clothing, some safety precautions to take care of, and a bit of logistics.

If you are doing day hikes you can just prepare the night before or on the morning, but for overnight or multi-day hikes, it’s good to plan 2-4 weeks in advance.

Here’s the typical process:

Permits and Special Considerations

Are there bears/wild animals/access issues that need to be considered? Does the hike require landowner permission if its not national or state park? Make sure to allow enough time to research these things before arriving at the trailhead.

Do you need a permit for the hike? Some places will require very early planning for this! Always have the permits you need!

Hiking Trip Details

How hard is the hike? Are you ready for the hike physically, mentally and with the right gear? Look into what skills and gear you will need and adjust your plans accordingly.

Distance and elevation. How far are you hiking and what sort of elevation gain/loss will you be doing? Don’t mistake a short hike in distance as easy when you have to go straight up!

Maps/GPS. Are you prepared with the right maps and/or GPS files? Do you have your compass?

Campsites. Do they require a booking? And what can you find there? How much space will you have?

Water. Will you find water along the way through reliable sources? Do you need to purify it? Remember, some seasons see water supplies dwindle or even disappear!

Logistics

How will you get to the trailhead? Do you need a 4WD? Are the roads open to get there? Are their restrictions on parking or are shuttles required?

Are your teammates confirmed as going? Are they ready? Do they have what they need?

WeatherHow’s the weather looking? Be sure to check it a few days out and then again on the day. Always adjust your plans to suit. TIP:Having a backup plan for bad weather makes it easy to still get out and do something so your plans aren’t ruined.

Have you packed the right clothing? Make sure that when venturing into any terrain considered ‘alpine’ to always have the full range of layers with you- even in the middle of summer! Read all about layering right HERE.

Trip Intentions

Trusted contacts notified. Have you sent the message to your trusted contact? Are they aware of your date and time due back? If you are going solo, this may be your only chance of getting help should you need it! More of this is covered at the end of the article.

Read More:

My First Time Searching for a Missing Hiker and What I Learnt

The Best Gift Ideas for Hikers!

FINDING A HIKING PARTNER

It’s totally OK to go solo, but if it’s your first time or you are new to it, it’s best to go with someone else for the extra confidence and support. Finding other people to go hiking with can often be the biggest hurdle for new hikers.

Asking your friends is the obvious choice but sometimes they might not feel like going or may not be serious about it. If this is the case, its best to try one of the following ideas below.

You can contact established hiking clubs or join in on the hiking groups on Meetup.com. Facebook hiking groups are also becoming very popular to meet other people keen to get outdoors. To find them, just search for them on Google, Meetup.com, or Facebook groups.

Once you have some fellow hikers keen to explore with you, getting out each weekend is much easier, and you’ll also gain experience very quickly.

If you want to learn more about finding some hiking and adventure buddies, have a look at this post:

How to Find Adventure Buddies!

YOUR HIKING GEAR - WHAT YOU NEED

What you will take will vary depending on your trip and its length and difficulty. To start with, the ten essentials is recommended for every trip into the outdoors. Rather than individual items, it’s been refined to a ‘systems’ approach which is adjusted for each trip.

These systems are:

1. Navigation. A map in a waterproof container, compass, altimeter or GPS device.

2. Sun protection. Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and clothing.

3. Insulation.Layering with the right clothing.

4. Illumination. Headlamp with spare batteries.

5. First-aid supplies

6. Fire. Can be a lighter or waterproof matches.

7. Knife and repair kit. For any gear you are carrying and to help with basic tasks.

8. Nutrition. Add an extra days worth of food for multi day trips for emergencies.

9. Hydration. Water and hydration salts.

10. Emergency shelter. These can be bivvy bags or emergency space blankets.

Not every item will be taken on each trip, so use your common sense as to what you will need. At the bare minimum, always carry a first aid kit, some extra clothing layers, your phone, a headlamp, and plenty of water.

After the 10 essentials have been considered, here is the other important gear you may need:

Backpack

To make it easy to carry all your gear, food and water, get a backpack! Invest in a quality backpack once you are convinced you will continue hiking. They will last a very long time, and will be with you on every trip. For day hikes, getting a 30 litre sized backpack is a good start. If you choose to do overnight hikes later on, you will need a larger pack, but it’s good to have 2 separate ones.

If you feel the investment is too much to buy 2, then just get a large one. When buying a any backpack, always try them before you buy, and get one that has a waist belt/strap to take the load off your shoulders and put it onto your hips. Get a store sales person to help you choose one that fits you correctly if you are not sure how to do this.

Boots/Shoes

For most people, the automatic assumption is that to go on a hike, you have to wear boots. This is not entirely true.

Boots are great for carrying heavy loads and for people who may have foot weaknesses. However, our feet and all the adjoining muscular and bone structure is more than capable of handling uneven terrain.

Shoes, in the form of hiking shoes with robust construction that is able to handle the roughness of the trails, are great at building the strength in the foot to allow it to do what it has always done and was made to do- support us through every type of terrain!

However, when carrying heavy loads like on overnight hikes, wearing shoes can be harder on the ankle joint if it has not been properly strengthened.

If you start slow and build up to bigger hikes, your feet (and ankles especially) will get very strong and able to handle the uneven ground. This is true regardless of whether you pick boots or shoes.

The bottom line comes down to your personal preference and how you decide to hike. The boots VS shoes topic is constantly being debated by hikers, so your best option will be to try both over time and see what you like.

Either way, your focus should be on getting out there to hike, not spending hours wondering what shoe or boot to get! Pick one and then get hiking!

Clothing

Your clothing will vary depending on the type of terrain and climate you intend to hike in, but all clothing you will wear in the outdoors will follow the widely accepted layering principles. You can read all about that in this detailed guide with examples:

How to Layer for the Outdoors. Your Complete Guide to Layering

Mastering the layering system for the outdoors will help you enjoy yourself, and also keep you safe.

OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU HIKE

Toilet breaks in the outdoors

Like most people, you will try to go before you start your hike but all that walking might soon ‘loosen things up’ a bit and the urge to go will come.

What do you do?

The best and most widely accepted method is to go off the trail, away from camps and away from water, aiming to be at least 50-100 meters away from these, and dig a hole 15cm (or 6 inches) deep and bury all your waste.

In some places you’ll need to carry out your toilet paper as well. Bring extra ziplock bags for this. And in really sensitive areas, like alpine landscapes for example, it may even be a requirement to carry out all waste. This is where waste bags or poo pots are useful. Research the rules before you go.

For women if you just have to pee, you can ‘shake dry’, use toilet paper, or use a pee rag. Pee rags are then hung on the outside of the pack to dry. Also, to make peeing easy, consider using a female urination device like the Go Girl. These are (according to the girls I know) a bit weird to use initially, but are great once you get the hang of it. Pro tip from them: practice in the shower!

For both guys and girls it can seem strange when you first go to the toilet outside, but soon you get used to it and it will feel natural!

First Aid

Carrying some first aid is always recommended. Bandages, pain relief, band aids, tweezers and scissors are some of the commonly used items. Consider adding snake bite bandages if you live in countries with snakes.

As well as having the right gear, it helps if you know the basics. Giving first aid can save someone's life, and at the bare minimum you should familiarise yourself with some of the important aspects.

Food and Water

It can sometimes be difficult to take the right amount of food. Try to always take a little extra than you think you will need. Have a couple of high energy snacks around, just in case you need that little energy boost later on in the trip.

It is also recommended to always take extra water. A good starting point is always having at least 2 litres per half day of activity. Check the trail maps and info to see if water can be replenished along the way. Keep in mind that in summer, streams and creeks can dry up!

Stocking water purification tablets in your first aid kit is useful for this reason so you don’t make an excuse for not filling up when you can!

Trip Intentions and PLB’s

Leaving your trip details with someone you trust or with national park rangers or authorities is one of the most important things you can do. In the event something happens to you, it may be the only reason they come looking for you or know where to look!

To keep it simple and so you stay in the habit, let your trusted contact know these things:

- Your intended hike

- Date and time due back

- Who you are going with

- Your vehicles number plate, make and model

A PLB, short for Personal Locator Beacon, is a device that is used in life threatening emergencies to help rescuers pinpoint your location with satellite GPS. Once activated, they should not (and sometimes can’t) be turned off until rescue arrives.

PLB’s may seem expensive when you look at them, but spread over the life of the battery (7-12+) years, can often work out to less than $50US per year! If you are heading out regularly, or plan to later on, it is worth getting one. They can often be hired as well if you just want them for certain trips.

But to begin with if getting a PLB is not worth it for you, make sure you at least leave your trip intentions with someone!

Leave no Trace

Most importantly is our impact on the environment and ecosystem as we explore the outdoors. Take care and carry out all your rubbish and waste, tread softly, and leave no trace so that others can enjoy the outdoors like you have. For the full leave no trace principles, you can see them HERE.

Are you ready to go hiking? Starting out on easy terrain is the way to go, and then build up to whatever challenges you want as you progress. The important thing is to actually take that step outside and commit to a trip. Once you do, you’ll never look back and wonder why you weren’t doing it sooner! There's a whole world out there waiting for you to explore!

Got questions about hiking or the outdoors? Need some personal motivation to get started? Send me a message or leave a comment below!

[robertkstone]

2018 CES Tech Roundup: Twelve CES Tech Treasures

This year CES, the trade show in the desert that some feel threatens Detroit’s North American auto show in terms of prestige and automotive news-making, suffered a daylong deluge that leaked through perpetually sunbaked convention-center roofs and forced booth closures and a major power outage (curiously, a day after the rain had stopped). Enjoy the Schadenfreude, NAIAS organizers. In between the chaos, your future-tech hound dog managed to sniff out quite a lot of cool tech, over and above perhaps my favorite announcement of all: That Ford’s Sync 3 will allow Waze interaction on the screen! Here’s the best of the rest.

Sound Ideas

The sound wizards at Bose always trot out the coolest concepts from their sandbox to show the manufacturers at CES, and they were kind enough to share three intriguing ones with Motor Trend, too. CarWear is a cool way to integrate the company’s range of popular Bluetooth-enabled noise-canceling headphones into a vehicle. Today’s vacationing family often finds itself privately listening to different content from multiple tablets and devices. What if each of these devices—which are already capable of connecting to multiple devices (so a phone call could interrupt a tablet video for example)—also connected to the car? Then Mom or Dad in the front row could press a button and pause everyone’s content to draw attention to a roadside attraction or poll the crowd about dining options. Everyone converses at normal volumes using the microphones integrated into the headsets. And individual seating positions can be selected, allowing a front-row and third-row van occupant to chat like motorcyclists using helmet cams without disturbing anyone else. The hardware needed for this concept could be built in or offered as an aftermarket plug-in device.

Volume Zones for Bose Performance Series is an idea where the front and rear of a vehicle can have a sound-level difference as great as 12 dB—ideal for when someone wants to have a private conversation in one row while the other row enjoys content loud enough to cover their chat. This is far more than a fader knob—it preserves the sensation of surround sound for each row, and making the music seem to come from the direction where someone doesn’t want to be heard is pretty crucial. The system demonstrated in a Volvo S90 featured 23 speakers, including four bass woofers—two in each front footwell and two in each rear door. That’s double the usual number because bass is so hard to isolate. The bass speakers in the quiet zone must do noise-cancelation duty to hush the ones in the loud zone. And no, I was unable to learn how a speaker can simultaneously play a tone while canceling that same tone.

ClearVoice is a long-overdue concept in which the Bose system that is playing content, navigation commands, and Bluetooth telephone calls manages to cancel all the known content from a phone call. This means that when you take a call, the radio broadcast can continue to play (perhaps at slightly lower volume) so passengers don’t miss that crucial play that was about to happen on a sports broadcast, and the driver can continue to receive nav prompts. Meanwhile, the party on the other end of the phone call hears nothing at all but your voice. The car’s (often) cloud-connected voice recognition system or Siri/Alexa/Google assistant also gets fed a “clean” voice signal for improved accuracy and no transcription of radio or nav chatter. This system features four microphones to record the driver’s voice with high accuracy, and it requires considerable computing power, but it could be implemented quickly.

Meanwhile, Israeli firm Noveto proposes personal listening without headphones. This system uses a face-recognition camera (like those used for Level 3 autonomous driver-readiness detection) to locate the listener’s ears. A highly focused beam of sound is then sent from the dash or seatbacks directly into each ear. The signal is so directional and accurate that it’s inaudible inches away, even at reasonable volumes. The sound quality didn’t quite match that of great headphones or a killer car audio system, but it keeps the driver’s ears open to hear emergency vehicles and the like, and it allows passengers to consume individual content without their ears getting sweaty. It also allows passengers to still carry on conversations with one another. The system is being developed for computer monitors, game consoles, and other home/office uses, too.

Hi-Res Headlights

Texas Instruments introduced a new digital light processing (DLP) adaptive headlamp system that projects 1 million addressable pixels of light per headlamp onto the roadway ahead (80- to 100 is typical). Interestingly, the light source can be LED, laser, or something else intensely bright. Using digital micromirrors, each of these pixels illuminates 0.012 degree of the road ahead. They can be dimmed or darkened altogether, which makes all sorts of features possible when connected to onboard forward-facing cameras, nav systems, and the like. The lamps can precisely darken the area around an oncoming driver’s head (or the windshield or the entire car), project nav direction arrows onto the pavement, draw new lane-marker lines in tight construction areas, or even signal pedestrians that you’ll wait for them by projecting a cross walk onto the ground in front. Adjusting headlamp patterns to account for heavy loads or when driving in a foreign country using the “other side” of the road is equally possible. No pricing was estimated for this concept.

Not to be outdone, lighting rival Osram showed off its Eviyos concept, which promises much of the same functionality at a much lower price point. It uses a single LED chip per headlamp; each chip is subdivided into 1,024 addressable subsegments that work like Texas Instruments’ pixels. Each of these pixels shines with a maximum of 3 lumens, and the resolution of the nav arrows and crosswalk lines, the beam pattern cutoff, and so forth were not as crisp as TI’s, but if the price brings it to C-Classes instead of S-Classes, good for Osram. Of course, you might as well know that our federal regulations don’t yet fully permit the coolest of these features. Perhaps one day if our government budgets itself more than three weeks in advance, agencies such as NHTSA will be able to do this work.

Presale Automation

Swedish tech company Semcon is teaming with Volvo Bil, a retail subsidiary of Volvo Car Sweden, to investigate the possibility of automating the numerous off-highway movements of a new car between the factory and the customer—around the factory grounds, the logistics lots, dealer property, etc. A pilot program starts this month. Semcon has been involved in development of autonomous/driverless vehicles such as autonomous snowplows and lawnmowers.

Gesture Wheel

ZF demonstrated a capacitive touch steering wheel that doubles as a user interface. Its 11 capacitive sensors accurately detect when the driver is holding the wheel, and they also permit tap and slide operation of a unique user interface. An interactive screen is positioned at the center of the wheel with typical menu functions located at its corners and sides. Double tap the wheel at a corresponding position to activate the menu in that corner of the screen. Then maybe with the temperature or fan control dial showing on the screen, tap the wheel and slide your hand clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the temp or fan speed. Tap the top of the steering column for horn. That’s also the area the airbag now deploys from because the center of the steering wheel is all screen. An LED light strip illuminates the inner ring of the steering wheel rim. Blue lights indicate autonomous mode, white lights connote manual driving, yellow lights indicate turn signaling, and red lights provide driver warning.

Connected Cameras

Valeo’s XtraVue concept leverages vehicle-to-vehicle communication to share one vehicle’s forward-facing camera view with those behind. The following vehicle uses forward-scanning lidar to verify that the car ahead is most likely the one it’s receiving a signal from (GPS coordinate sharing in these vehicle-to-vehicle transmissions lacks accuracy), then its 360-degree surround-view photo-stitching capabilities are put to work integrating the forward car’s image with its own camera images to “phantom” the car ahead.

Biker Concepts

One night I escaped the CES Auto Show in the convention center’s North Hall for a roundup of cool nonautomotive stuff. Cosmo Connected’s helmet light is a magnet-mount USB-rechargeable Bluetooth-connected lighting unit that mounts to the back of the rider’s helmet. It automatically illuminates at night, brightens when the bike slows, and signals a turn when prompted by the rider’s phone-based nav or manually via an app on a handlebar-mounted phone. It also detects when an accident has happened and immediately rings the rider’s phone. If there’s no answer, it texts an emergency contact and prompts them to call the phone twice. If no answer, EMS is contacted with GPS coordinates and medical info on file. Cost is $59 for the light.

A similar concept, the Coros Omni smart helmet, also features Bluetooth connectivity and a light, though the light only provides night illumination, not braking or turn signals. It does, however, use an interesting “speaker” system that excites the rider’s cheekbones to transmit sound, leaving the ears open to hear traffic, emergency vehicles, etc. The sound quality was surprisingly good. This one will also detect a wreck and summon help. The helmet is totally waterproof, weighs 340 grams, and costs $199.

The Velco Wink Bar is described as the world’s first connected handlebar, featuring Bluetooth phone pairing, onboard GPS, and GSM phone connection. It also offers LED forward lighting and lights on top of the bar that flash to indicate which way the phone-based nav wants the rider to turn. The right handle grip contains the rechargeable battery, which can easily be brought inside for recharging. It even includes an anti-theft alarm that texts the owner if the bike is moved without prior authorization via the Bluetooth connection or an RF ID “ignition key” present.

The post 2018 CES Tech Roundup: Twelve CES Tech Treasures appeared first on Motor Trend.

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