Category: Adventure

Before you begin orienteering, you must be able to read a compass and map.  

That’s a given.

But that’s only the beginning of a successful orienteering adventure. Becoming good at it requires you to dig deeper, discover what you’re made of and learn these 5 skills every pro orienteer must conquer.

1. Self-sufficiency

Orienteering can be a team or solo sport. Whichever you choose, all involved need to have a sense of self-sufficiency.

Many people who come into the sport already naturally have this skill. Others join the sport because they want to develop this skill. Personal growth is incredible.

Either way, there’s nothing like being lost in the middle of the woods as the sun’s setting to teach you some self-reliance. The better you apply this skill, the less likely that is to happen.

2. Knowing When You’ve Passed the Checkpoint

In orienteering, a catching feature is a landmark that tells you you’ve gone too far in one direction. But it won’t always be obvious to most people.

In a natural setting, your map will display a variety of clues like elevation changes, treelines, streams, trails, fields, roads, dirt piles, corn fields, or a fence. To home in on the destination, identify what’s on each side of your target point.

If you hit a catching feature, you know you need to turn around. But don’t see this as a setback. Each feature you can identify from your map gets you closer.

And they can tell you when you’re completely leaving the course.

3. Following Natural Guideposts

A stream, fence, or trail may not take you to your destination. But it can get you in the general area and help you establish where you are.

Be on the lookout for these types of features. As you enhance your skills, more subtle guideposts light your way.

4. Aiming Off to Hit the Mark

You’re trying to reach a small point on the map. These points are often in massive fields or expanses intentionally, so you can’t see them from a distance.

You have to know when you’re close and narrow down the search. Often, the best strategy is to find catching features on the map in person. These can help you triangulate to the mark.

Alternatively, you could comb a small area for hours and not find the target. Of course, someone could get lucky. But as a general rule, it’s always faster to take time and get your bearings in this sport.

5. Always Observing Your Surroundings

It goes without saying that you have to use all your senses to find your way. You can listen for a stream. Smell a wildflower field or diesel from a nearby highway.

Since elevation is often on the map, you may feel that change. If you’re not looking closely, you could miss an overgrown trail or deer path on the map. Yes, deer create distinct paths. But not everyone can see them.

Orienteering Skills

With these skills, you can conquer your next orienteering adventure. You learn these things by doing. And what’s more, you can apply these skills in life to become more self-reliant. So get out there and discover who you are by orienteering.

Hiking is not just good for your body. It can also be good for your soul and mental health. How so? When you hit the trails on your own, it gives you time to reflect and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of nature. And it can also give you an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, especially after completing a more difficult hike.

Though hiking solo is generally just as safe (if not safer) than walking in an urban setting, it’s always a good idea to take some precautions. The following are 5 tips for women who want to enjoy hiking alone. 

Always Let Someone Know Your Hiking Plans

Share your hiking itinerary with a close friend or relative. Let them know the times you plan on leaving and returning home and what trail you’ll be hiking. But be careful who you tell. For instance, it’s not uncommon for women on hiking forums to announce that they’ll be hitting a trail at a certain day and time, and then ask if anyone would like to join them. That is never a good idea. You never know who may be reading those forums. 

Download a Good Hiking App

Hikers today have several excellent apps to choose from, including Kompass and AllTrails. These apps will provide you with valuable information, such as the difficulty and length of a trail, elevation gain, and directions. Most apps also have trail reviews, so you can read about firsthand experience from hikers. This information could help you determine if a particular trek would be safe to do on your own. Some apps also have a feature that will allow you to share your hiking itinerary with a close friend or family member.  

Stay Connected

Although you may want to get away from it all, it’s important to stay connected when you’re hiking solo. Whenever possible, stick to trails where you’re sure to have good cell phone coverage. You never know what can happen on a trail. You could fall and injure yourself or get lost. And when you’re by yourself, the only way to reach out for help may be to call someone. 

Prepare for the Worst Case Scenario

As the saying goes, “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.” When it comes to hiking solo as a female that means bringing:

• A lightweight rain jacket
• An emergency blanket, in case you get caught outdoors overnight
• A whistle to alert others that you may be in danger or to help rescuers find you
• Bear spray (if you’ll be in bear country)
• Protection against a potential attacker, including but not limited to a dog, a knife, or mace

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

For the most part, hiking is a very safe hobby. But it’s never a good idea to let your guard down. For example, do not wear ear buds or headphones. On the trail, your ears can alert you to many potential dangers. And if you’re wearing headphones, you won’t be able to hear such things as an approaching bear or a human. You could also miss the sound of a rattlesnake alerting you to its presence or the angry buzz of a hornet’s nest. 

 

Have you always wanted to learn how to hang 10 like Duke Kahanamoku and other surfing legends? If that’s your dream, you need to learn how to crawl before you can walk – so aim to start with the basics. To get started, you’ll need a 10-foot-long soft-top surfboard and the leash to match. Then, don your wetsuit and head out to where the waves break in your area. Upon arriving, just follow these four simple steps to start tackling the waves and move ever closer to realizing your dreams.

1. Practice on the Shore

Timing is everything when it comes to surfing like the pros. So, you need to have your muscle memory dialed in ahead of time to avoid missing out on wicked nice waves. To do that, you’ll want to practice popping up onto your board well before you leave the beach.

Start by laying on your belly in the sand in the paddling position. Then, pretend the wave is coming your way and push off with your hands while jumping to your feet. Repeat until the motion feels as smooth as butter.

Note where your feet naturally land, too. If you have your left foot out front, then you have a regular stance. Right foot out instead? Then, you’re goofy-footed. Either way, attach that ankle strap to your rearward foot before hitting the waves.

2. Watch and Learn

As a beginner, you need to watch the surf for about 30 minutes to get the lay of the land.

While gazing at all the action on the water, you’ll get to see:

• The overall size of the waves
• Where the waves break
• Overall skill level of the surfers

You’ll also get to see how the surfers paddle out and give each other the right of way for each wave. Only one surfer usually gets to ride each wave, so everyone has to take turns.

The only exception is when waves peel in both directions, causing surfers to call out right or left before taking their turn. In that case, two surfers will ride each wave – one going in each direction.

3. Paddle Out to the Wave

Once you understand how things work, take your board into the water and paddle out to the lineup. As you do that, be courteous always and try to stay out of the way. Pay attention to the surfers ahead, so you know when it’s your turn.

4. Pop Up at the Right Moment

On your turn, watch for the wave you want to ride, and then turn toward the shore while laying down on your board. From there, start steadily paddling while saving a burst of energy right at the end.

As soon as you feel the wave start to lift up the tail of your board, put your full effort into paddling. Keep it going until you feel a roller-coaster-like sensation in your stomach as the wave lifts you up.

Then, at just the right moment, pop up onto the board like you practiced. Keep your eyes up and knees bent while balancing with your arms. If you just end up falling over, you likely did not paddle long enough to fully catch the wave.

With enough time and effort, you’ll slowly master the movements needed to expertly surf the waves. After that, it’s just a matter of adding fun tricks to the mix until you’re hanging ten like the pros. 

Did you know that adrenaline can actually be an addiction?  If you’re looking for a quick fix of this infamous fight-or-flight hormone, lack of experience can be the only thing standing between you and your next thrilling adventure.

The good news? There are many ways to amp up your adrenaline—no experience necessary.

That’s where this list comes in. Here’s a closer look at five of our favorite pulse-raising activities for beginners.

1. Go Bungee Jumping

This one may be obvious, but it more than earns its place atop this list. Bungee jumping delivers some serious “bang for the buck” on the adrenaline scale, and it requires absolutely no prior experience or equipment.

Aside from meeting basic age, height, and weight requirements, all you have to do to cross bungee jumping off your bucket list? Pick the amazing location of your choice, muster the will to jump, and go for it.

2. Give Karaoke a Go

While physically intense activities like sky-diving and bungee jumping often come first to mind when we think of exhilarating activities, karaoke is an excellent option for anyone looking for a low-impact rush.

If you’ve never belted out your favorite song on a stage in front of a room full of strangers, you have no idea what you’re missing. And whether you’re the next Kelly Clarkson or Simon Cowell would hurl some serious insults in your direction, karaoke is open to anyone brave enough to give it a go.

A similar theme for aspiring poets, comedians, and other performers? Find an open mic night to perform at.

3. Take a Surfing Lesson

While there’s technically no experience required to grab a surfboard and head to the nearest shore, a surfing lesson is an excellent way to learn the basics of this beloved pastime, convening with nature, and get a major rush.

Ask any surfer, and they’ll tell you that catching waves is a genuine addiction. This isn’t just talk. Research has shown that surfing leads to the production of endorphins, adrenaline and serotonin—all of which make you feel really, really good….and leave you wanting more.

4. Explore a Haunted House

Is there a better way to flood your body with adrenaline than with a good scare? There’s a reason why people have been scaring themselves since the beginning of time, and why haunted houses are an especially popular pursuit: They get minds racing, hearts pumping, and feet moving.

Even if you know deep down inside that you’re not in any real danger, haunted houses have been scientifically proven to activate the fight-or-flight instinct.

5. Roller Coaster Ride

There’s a reason why amusements are big business and roller coasters are often the main attraction. While many people “collect” coasters, anyone willing to pay the cost of admission can go for a spin.

There are thousands of roller coasters all over the globe just waiting to be discovered. Wondering where to start? Check out this roundup of the world’s seven best roller coasters.

Everyone should have some basic outdoor skills, even those who live in the city. You just never know when you might get stranded outside, especially if you are traveling through the mountains. A breakdown or even a sudden snowstorm can leave you stranded for hours or even days with no help, especially in areas where cell phones do not work. Learning a few basic outdoor skills could save your life when help can’t get to you.

Build a Fire

Fire is useful, even during hot summers. It can provide heat, allow you to cook and keep predators away from you. If you don’t carry matches or a lighter, or if your matches get wet, you need a way to start the fire with no supplies. Practice twirling a stick in a base of dry grass or other small tinder that’s easy to light. Iron pyrite, flint and quartz will all spark when it is hit with another rock that makes sparks.

Build a Shelter

If you know that help won’t arrive for hours or even a few days, you will need a shelter. You can’t rely on your vehicle for warmth as you will eventually run out of gas. If you have a tarp, you can easily make a shelter. If you are in an area with pine boughs, you can create a frame of sturdy branches and weave pine boughs in them. You can also lash long, sturdy branches together to make a teepee. If you are stuck in heavy snow, build a snow cave.

Find Water

Not many places have water that is safe to drink from a river or creek. If you build a fire and have a fireproof container, you can boil water to drink. You can also catch the rain. In a pinch, you can build a solar still.

Dig a hole about 2 feet by 2 feet and 1 foot deep. Put a container in the center of the hole. Cover the hole with a tarp. Hold the edges in place with rocks, dirt, or wooden stakes from tree branches. Seal the edges of the tarp with dirt. Put a small rock in the center, ensuring the dip lines up with your container. The moisture in the ground will condense and run down the underside of the tarp and drip into the container.

Tie Knots

Learning several knots can help you build a shelter, make a fishing line, or even set traps. You can even make tools if you can tie knots. The correct knot for an application could mean the difference between a secure shelter or losing a fish.

Finding Food

When traveling through remote areas, it’s always a good idea to carry food with you. However, it won’t last forever. You can fish if you have a string and a piece of wire to make a hook. You can even learn to tickle fish out of the water, though that is more of a summertime activity. Learn which foods that grow in the wild are good to eat, such as wild blackberries, wild onions, dandelion and other plants.