Then, of course, I keep a folding pocket knife in my car and a smaller one on my key chain. Like they say out West, a cowboy’s kid learns to use a knife before he learns to ride a tricycle or pony. They learn to be prepared, and to that end I also carry a headlamp, a miniature flashlight, extra batteries, water, and food, three different ways to start a campfire, a signal mirror, and a first-aid kit.

The post Knives: Be Prepared! first appeared on Medical Health.

The employee at the equipment rental desk said the snow extends down 3300 feet below the South Rim, with ice covering the last few hundred feet (of the 3300 total). He said that the snow can be knee deep in spots on the maintained trails and that he would take poles and crampons on hikes. (He went on to say that the the non-maintained Grandview and Tanner trails require snowshoes: the snow is over seven feet deep in some areas.)

You can buy crampons and Stabilicers at the South Rim General Store (Canyon Village Marketplace), or at Babbitt’s in Flagstaff, or you can rent crampons from the Tempe REI (in the Phoenix area).

UPDATE: Ice and snow derailed the Grand Canyon train, but everyone survived without injury.

JANUARY 2010 UPDATE: A friend told us the Grand Canyon’s South Rim General Store (Canyon Village Marketplace) was sold out of crampons on Dec. 30, 2009. The Grand Canyon had fresh snow on Dec. 30 (and some of the roads were closed that day), but when we hiked the Bright Angel Trail on January 1, 2010, the snow did not reach all the way down to Indian Garden, which is located about halfway to the Colorado River.

The post Hiking in Ice and Snow in the Grand Canyon first appeared on Medical Health.

Then later, on the trail, when he keeps sliding on loose rock (you don’t want walk below him), you see that the soles on his 20-year-old hiking boots are worn smooth — there’s no tread.

The post Hiking and Trail Etiquette first appeared on Medical Health.

A hiking acquaintance asked me, “A friend of mine just emailed and asked who else, other than Merrell, makes a sturdy hiking boot. Since you seemed to know all the brands, what would be your advice?”

I emailed her my answer:

Boots: I like Merrell, Danner, Vasque, and Columbia brands (and maybe Lowa).

I have found that Danner makes the sturdiest boots (which often weigh more than others), and hunters often say that Danners are the best. Lowas are made in Eastern Europe (rather than in China). Vasque makes quite a few light-weight models.

The REI-brand boots are made by Merrell and Vasque. So it seems that REI likes Merrell and Vasque. But one long-time REI employee says that he likes Lowa best (that they are “made in Slovakia, not China”).

One friend of mine wears only Montrail boots. Asolo makes sturdy boots, too. The sturdiest boots are made for backpacking (day hikers buy the lighter boots and shoes).

In summary, I like Merrell and Danner boots and I want to buy some Lowa boots. (And I like low-top Columbia hiking shoes for short hikes up and down hills and low peaks.)

Here is a link to all the various boots at Campmor (which is known for its very competitive prices): Hiking Boots at Campmor

Here is the link to Danner Boots: http://www.danner.com

And here is the link to Lowa: http://www.lowaboots.com/home/

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I also recommended the following products and services:

insulated sleeping pad: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad

good pack cover (for rain); get the size thast fits your pack: Sea to Summit SN240 Ultra-Light Siliconized Cordura Pack Cover

extremely lightweight 2mm cord (buy 50 ft): http://www.rei.com/product/716685

REI equipment rentals: http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html

Don’t Forget the Duct Tape by Kristin Hostetter — how to repair your hiking and camping gear: Don’t Forget the Duct Tape: Tips & Tricks for Repairing & Maintaining Outdoor & Travel Gear (Don’t Series)

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You should read these related posts:

Beware of Advice from Meetup.com Members

Desert Cotton

Hiking and Backpacking Gear

Cotton for The Grand Canyon

Desert Venom

The post Top Brands: Hiking Boots first appeared on Medical Health.

You might find that at a monthly hikers’ meeting, an attractive know-it-all is showing you a stretching exercise for your sore knee. But if you go to a good physiotherapist, you might learn that the stretching will only exacerbate your knee or hip injury, that what you really need to do is build muscle strength in the injured area.

Similarly, someone might tell you that no one dies from rattlesnake bites and that the Mojave Rattler is no more dangerous than a Diamondback. However, if you take the time to read page 583 in A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) you will find that world-renowned experts write, “The Mojave has a very toxic venom that has caused human fatalities.”

Here’s couple of good (but brief) desert survival books:

Desert Survival Tips, Tricks, & Skills

The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers

98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive

The post Beware of Advice from Meetup.com Members first appeared on Medical Health.

In the Phoenix, Arizona, area the nights can cool down substantially even in May, especially out in the desert, away from the city asphalt and hot cement.

The post Desert Cotton first appeared on Medical Health.

I have also mentioned that walking, running, and hiking are very good for the health (including respiratory, cardiac, and digestive health), so in this post I am going to list some of the gear I use on hikes. I am listing the Amazon links. You can follow the links to detailed descriptions, prices, and reviews. I own all of the following gear:

Julbo Race Sunglasses (w/ Zebra Photochromic Lenses)

Osprey Talon 44 Mountaineering Backpack (for overnight and multi-day hikes)

Osprey Stratos 24 Pack (for extra-long day hikes to remote wilderness areas where I need to bring along extra survival and emergency gear)

Deuter Packs AC Lite 16 Backpack (for day hikes of average length)

Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack (for easy day hikes)

Men’s Merrell Phaser Peak Waterproof Boots (for rugged hikes)

Men’s Danner Expedition GORE-TEX Boots (for exceptionally rugged hikes)

I’m not sure if Columbia still makes the shoes I wear on easy hikes. Here is a link to their hiking shoes: Columbia Hiking Shoes

Danner Merino Wool Pronghorn Crew Socks

Royal Robbins Men’s Classic Billy Goat Shorts

Blurr Meta Pant – Men’s

prAna Men’s Hondo Pant

Columbia Silver Ridge II Shirt – Long-Sleeve – Men’s

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap

Water Bottle Holster

Marmot Precip Rain Jacket for Men

Marmot Men’s PreCip Full Zip Pant

Sea to Summit SN240 Ultra-Light Siliconized Cordura Pack Cover

Nuun Hydration Tablets

Of course I own various tents, whistles, signal mirrors, first aid kits, flashlights, cotton t-shirts, and I wear nylon hiking pants, silk undershirts, and polyester shirts and microfleeces during winter. I will probably write about those gear in a future post.

Also see my posts Cotton for the Grand Canyon and Desert Venom.

The post Hiking and Backpacking Gear first appeared on Medical Health.

But never wear cotton socks on hikes. Cotton socks hold on to the sweat from your feet, and wet feet lead to blisters and cracking. Wear merino wool socks, even in summer: the wool wicks the moisture away from your feet.

During cold weather (including cold days in the desert), wear synthetic or wool clothing that wicks your sweat away. Cold, wet clothing will rob you of body heat and lead to hypothermia.

Carry plenty of water and Nuun Hydration Tablets.

Also see my posts Desert Cotton, Hiking and Backpacking Gear and Desert Venom.

The post Cotton for The Grand Canyon first appeared on Medical Health.

Desert Survival Tips, Tricks, & Skills

Nester says that two important rules of desert living are 1) “Don’t put your hands where you can’t see” and 2) “Vigorously slam your boots on the ground and shake clothes before you put them on.”

Watch out for Gila Monsters, Africanized Bees (Killer Bees), Black Widow Spiders, Scorpions, Rattlesnakes, and Coral Snakes. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Do not hike alone. Carry a cell phone, an ultralight emergency blanket, snacks and at least two liters of water. Always let a friend or neighbor know where you are going and when you expect to return.

You will also want to read The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers by Mark Johnson and 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Phoenix: Including Tempe, Scottsdale, and Glendale by Charles Liu.

Also see my posts Hiking and Backpacking Gear and Cotton for the Grand Canyon.

The post Desert Venom first appeared on Medical Health.