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So if you guys didn’t already know I am still new to the Fort Collins area. I moved here in the middle of February this year, and that’s not the best time to go exploring with out the proper gear. I also got a pretty time-consuming job in the early spring. So I haven’t gotten the chance to check out the surrounding hiking as much as I would like. But I have managed to squeeze in a few here and there, and the few I did go on I learned quite a bit from. Coming from the high tundra-esk climate of Estes Park, CO to Fort Collins (although they are only an hour drive apart) has shown me a lot of WHERE you hike depicts HOW you hike. Heres Some of the tips and tricks I have learned in these adventures.

The first thing I learned, and I can never stress this enough, is know your terrain. Where are you hiking to? How hot is it going to be that day and is your trail going to have shade on it? Are you encountering any water? How much elevation are you gaining? How many miles are you going one way/round trip? What is the best route for you to take? Don’t get me wrong, part of the adventure is to just go and see where the trail takes you. But at the same time you don’t want to make yourself miserable or put yourself in danger when it could have been easily avoided by just looking at a map or reading a quick trail summary. By getting a feel for what you’re in for, you also get a better idea on what to take with you. Fort Collins area is a great place to encounter all sorts of terrain. I discovered the hard way a few times that what worked really well on one adventure, didn’t quite work out on the next one.

Fort Collins, CO

The best example I can use for this is foot wear. Fort Collins is at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and when I say rocky mountains I mean big freaking boulders and stone faces. But there are also a ton of beautiful lakes, ponds, and streams in and around the area. So are you going to need some sandals that can handle water and not get destroyed? Or is it time to break out the hiking boots so you don’t mangle your peds and get to romp around like a wild thing? Another thing to think about is how hot it is going to be that day and what socks (if any) you are going to choose. I always, always, always go for wool of some form. Having backpacker parents I learned early that cotton, particularly on your feet, is a quick way to have a bad day. Now you may be thinking wool is a cold weather sock, nope. There are all kinds of thicknesses of wool socks and different breathability’s now! Wool is one of the best moisture wicking fabrics out there believe it or not. True we have all of these new high-tech fabrics now that are designed to get rid of stick and ick, but for me personally some of the classics can’t be beat.

Horse Tooth Rock Fort Collins, CO Hiking Horse Tooth Trail to Horse Tooth Rock

Lily Lake Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO

I also discovered when summer rolls around, Fort Collins goes from pretty cold to really hot very quickly. So its early mornings if you want to get out to any distant destinations and not fry yourself. But no matter when you leave (unless your crazy and like to start at 2 in the morning and be done by 8 AM) you’re going to encounter some sun and heat. So what do we do to make ourselves a little less miserable under the hot rays? Find some shade! Best feeling in the world is collapsing under a tree or a rocky ledge to get out of the sun for a few minutes. So pick a hike where you know you’ve got some cover. But if that’s not an option, learn how to bring shade with you. Sun hats, as goofy as some of them may look, are totally worth it when its mid day and your blasting past people who look like they’re from a desert scene in the movies with their shirts wrapped around their heads for some kind of coverage. Keeping your head cool will cool down your whole body and make everything a little more enjoyable. I even go as far as to dunk my hat, and head in water if it’s available to keep myself cool.

The other part of dealing with the sun is keeping your skin safe from burning. Being a white girl I have had my fair share of sun burns. Some of them bad enough I was almost hospitalized! I’ve always wanted to have a nice tan, but going about it totally bare skinned did more harm then it was worth most of the time. Sunscreen has become an essential part of my hiking gear, no matter the weather or time of year. I’ve especially taken to the easier spray on variety of sunscreen, however some people are against the chemicals that can be found in some sunscreens. If this is the case a few of my hiking friends have recommended to me the use of organic sunscreens and/or light weight sun protective clothing. Like I mentioned earlier there have been many new improvements on fabrics and their properties specifically for being outdoors.

Probably one of the most difficult challenges I’m learning to hike with is humidity. Unfortunately I’m still not quite used to this one yet. So far the only tips I’ve been able to figure out are to pick a trail where humidity isn’t going to be such a taxing factor, like the higher altitude hikes (although these present their own challenges), or trails with more shade and better chance for a light breeze. Linking back to why I love sun screen so much is because on humid days, clothes get sweaty and sticky. Personally, I can’t stand that feeling. So for me the less clothes or lighter clothes I have to wear, the better! Also like I mentioned earlier, keeping your head cool and covered helps a great deal with how your body copes with the environment, humidity included! Humidity isn’t visible, but it can be just a dangerous as the sun rays, where is all your sweat coming from? Whatever liquids you have in your body. Dehydration can be caused from sweating too much, and believe me, that is not a good time. Dehydration can cause all kinds of serious issues, from sun and heat stroke, to your body completely shutting down. My all time favorite piece of hiking gear that I use every single day is my water bottles, always full and ready to go! And with so many fun colors, styles, and ways to customize them how can you resist having an awesome collection! Make sure you are always sipping on some kind of hydration when you are out on the trail. Gatorade and other sports drinks are great (I prefer them after a hike to restock on electrolytes), along with fun drink mixes to keep things interesting, but nothing works quite like good old H₂O to keep your system running at peak performance!

The Hiking Hut, Estes Park, CO

Lumpy Ridge, Estes Park, CO Bouldering in Lumpy Ridge

So far so good on my hikes here in the Fort Collins area, I’ve had a great time exploring all of the great trails there are and can’t wait to check out more! Did I leave anything out? Do you have something to add? Do you have something you would like to see on my blog? Please let me know in a comment! I would love nothing more than to hear from my fellow explorers!

Hiking in Fort Collins, CO So if you guys didn't already know I am still new to the Fort Collins area. I moved here in the middle of February this year, and that's not the best time to go exploring with out the proper gear.

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Making Some Moves

Hey guys! Its been a while since I’ve written anything due to some big life changes that I’m experiencing. I moved in with my wonderful boyfriend and little brother in the beginning of the month, and that has taken some serious time and adjustment out of my regular schedule. But more importantly I’ve been feeling way to constricted in my current career. So it’s time to make some changes. Moving…

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New Photography! Hey all! I just got some new shots online! Please check them out and give me some feedback!

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Writings Starting this new blog has really opened my eyes to all of the things that I want to write about.

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New Photography! Just putting up a shout out that I have new photos on here! Give them a look at and let me know what you think! Definitely always looking to improve my skills as a photographer, so any feedback is much appreciated.

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“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

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This will make you feel better

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Source

Another weirdly amazing piece of nature: the llareta shrubs in the Atacama Desert

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