Archive for the ‘Equipment’ Category

Equipment used for caving

Monday, April 7th, 2008

For caving sport, one has to wear a helmet which is quite necessary. The helmet is worn to protect the caver from any head injury due to bumps or falling rocks. The caver has along with him a primary light source, which is mounted on his helmet to keep his hands free. Mostly, the cavers use electric lights which are common with halogen lamps having standard white LEDs as the latest competing technology.

A lot of cavers opt for two or more light sources, like the one for primary purpose and the others for backup in case the primary light fails to work. Like, the second light is mounted to the helmet for quick usage if the first one fails. There are also carbide lamp systems which are an older illumination form and are inspired by the miner’s equipment and are still being used by cavers.

The type of clothes which are worn when on a caving trip can vary as per the cave condition and environment. For instance, in cold caves, the caver needs to wear warm base layered clothing which retains its insulating properties when it is wet like fleece, a furry suit, cordura, an oversuit of hard wearing and such clothing. If the cave is dry, the caver has to wear light clothing that is worn in a warm climate. Whereas, in the tropical caves, the caver has to opt for a thin polypropylene clothing to provide abrasion protection and remains cool too.

On the caver’s feet, he has to wear boots like hiking style boots in dry caves and rubber boots in wet caves. There are also knee pads and elbow pads which are popular while crawling.

Popularity: 5%

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%

10 most essential items to be taken on a hiking trip

Friday, March 28th, 2008

10 essential items basically means the essential and the most necessary items which a hiker has to take along with him in a hiking trip in the backcountry. Such items are minimum or light weight materials that are necessary for survival in the backcountry. These essential tools are carried in a small and separate waterproof container so that it can be carried easily by the hiker and are less likely to be lost.

If, suppose the hiker loses his equipments bulk, these ten essential ensure that he will have the material needed like the human needs of food, fire, shelter and he has the ability to go forward and navigate the most dangerous of situations.

The Ten essentials were at first described by a hiking and mountain climbing club, the Mountaineers in 1930s. Since then, a lot of backpackers, climbers and hikers ensure that they have the ten essentials with them in the hiking trip. These ten essentials include the map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, additional food and water, extra clothing’s, headlamp or a flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter, matches and a knife.

There are also other essential equipments which are required in a hiking trip and this includes water filter, water bottles, Ice axe and repair kit. The repair kit can include a basic sewing material and a duct tape. Further, one has to take with him insect repellent or special clothes which are designed for the same. There should also be a whistle, cell phone, two way radio systems for emergencies and a plastic trap and a rope.

Popularity: 4%

White water kayaking

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

White water kayaking is actually is a sport in which one paddles a kayak on a moving body of water, which is a whitewater river. White water kayaking can normally range from simple to carefree gently moving water and also to demanding and dangerous whitewater. There are certain grades allotted to the white water as white water grades from range one to range 6 which is the most difficult of all ranges. Grade 5 is considered as unrunnable water like the Niagara Falls.

There is in fact few categories of white water kayaking. One of this is the river running category. In such an outdoor sport, one can tour down the river and enjoy the scenery and also experience the challenging nature of the unpredictable river. White water racing is one of the most competitive aspects of white water kayaking and is like racing canoes or kayaks down the river as fast as one could go.

Creeking is also one type of river running sports and involves a lot of technical as well as difficult rapids from grade four to six. This type of sports requires a higher gradient and includes running through slides, ledges and some small and tight rivers. There are also some large volume rivers that one has to cross.

Slalom is another competitive kayaking form and is used for the Olympics too, whereas play boating, known as Rodeo lays more stress on artistic and gymnastic side of kayaking sports. Squirt boating is also one of the categories of the white water kayaking which features the use of low volume boats to perform the special moves in the white water.

Popularity: 6%