Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Equipment used for mountain biking

Friday, April 4th, 2008

There are various equipments used by a mountain biker. Some of the most popular ones are:

Mountain bike: This is one of the foremost things that are required for mountain biking. A bike used for mountain biking differs from those which are used for road touring in many ways. These bikes are generally smaller and made up of reinforced frame along with high and wide tires fixed on a rim that is much stronger that the usual ones. These bikes are also provided with a wide variety of gears which makes the riding quite easy. These bikes also come along with disk brakes very similar to those used in automobiles.

Helmets: They are very important as they provide the riders with protection. While crossing the track full of rocks or sands, it is quite common for the riders to fall down which may lead to injury. There are helmets which also provide protection to the head along with the face as well.

Glasses: Most of the glasses used by the bikers are light weight and protect them from the debris while riding on the track. There are glasses that have been provided with filters which reduce the strain in the eyes. They also protect the eyes from the sun or from rains during biking.

Clothing: Clothes have to be chosen with great care while going for mountain biking. They should provide adequate comfort to the body during physical exertion. Most of the clothes used are made of delicate fabrics which provide adequate comfort to the body.

Popularity: 4%

Dutch ovens used in outdoor cooking by the campers

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

What is actually a Dutch oven? Well, these types of ovens are closely connected with the old west side of America and this tradition of Dutch oven is a heavy cast iron or aluminum pot. This is traditionally being made with 3 short legs and there is a concave cover which can hold hot coals on the top of the pot. The Dutch ovens are used in group camp outs and certain outdoor cooking trips.

Normally, you can see a pot which hangs over the fire and the rigging is done with metal iron inserted to the pot. There are 2 vertical iron bars having an iron cross piece which can allow the pots to hang at any heights.

In a traditional concept, the Dutch ovens were specially designed for the purpose of camping and these pots are still used and are available in the market. The Dutch pot is placed in a bed of hot coals and there is a keyhole fire with extra coal placed on the top of the lid. The ovens are, in actual sense, not suitable for backpacking as these pots are heavy to carry. The Dutch ovens are proper for cooking dishes which can take a long time. This includes baked goods, stews and joints of meat.

When a Dutch oven pot is hung over the fire, the picturesque may spill but nothing to worry about, as you can fill the pot with half content only. Generally, this oven is completed with metal fixing to it and this is similar to the historically used house fireplaces before the stove was invented.

Popularity: 6%

Climbing

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

Climbing is one of the most strenuous sports of climbing then any other outdoor sport. This sport requires a lot of stress on a person’s hands, legs and his back too. Climbing requires the participant to use both his hands and feet to ascend a steep object or a rock in the mountain. It can be done for recreation like to reach a great height while mountain climbing or for sheer fun and enjoyment or as a profession for maintenance of a structure or for military operations.

There are a lot of climbing activities, which a person can enjoy. This includes mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, tree climbing and rope climbing amongst other climbing sports. There are also pole climbing and buildering, which is one of the climbing techniques.

Rope climbing involves climbing a short but thick rope for speed and tree climbing includes the person to ascend the trees without harming the tree and using ropes and other equipments. Tree climbing is less competitive than rock climbing.

Buildering is one such sport, in which the person climbs the urban structures without any equipment and avoids normal ascent means like elevators or stairs. Pole climbing includes climbing with climb poles and masts without equipment and it can be used for gymnastic also. In rock, tree and ice climbing, the person pursuing the sport uses ropes for safety purpose. Pole and rope climbing are the first exercises, which include the origin of the modern gymnastics of the late 18th and early 19th century.

Popularity: 37%

Motivation for the backpackers

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

The backpacking sport requires a lot of energy, inspiration and motivation for a person. People are attracted to this sport mainly as a leisure and hobby and to explore nature which is fascinating and beautiful. Backpacking is done in places which cannot be reached by vehicle, but only through walking.

A backpacker can travel into deep remote areas and these places are away from the people and the crowd. There are various advantages, disadvantages as well some precautions which a backpacker should keep in mind while pursuing this sport. There are many trips which cover the routes that can be hiked in a single day, but some backpackers choose to stay overnight.

One of the disadvantages of the backpacking sport is the load of the pack which is laden with gear, supplies and such equipment. This heavy load can force the backpacker to travel at a slow pace and this can be a nuisance as well as a distraction from enjoyment of the scenery. What’s more, the camp chores like breaking camps, pitching of the tents and cooking can consume a lot of time. But, with practice one can learn to enjoy such hindrances.

Further, the backpackers can face various risks like the unpredictable weather, animals, treacherous river cross and difficult to walk landscape. All of this and more risks are subject to illness like a backpacker can be subject to simple dehydration, altitude sickness, heat exhaustion and physical injury. The remoteness of the backpacking even worsens the mishap. But, on a positive side, the backpackers are not deterred and are prepared for such risks. These people accept danger as a risk which they find challenging.

Popularity: 11%