Great Info If You Are Interested In The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is part of the National Park Service and it was completed in 1937. It is approximately 2,170 miles long and it crosses six national parks on its way from Springer Mountain all the way up north to Mount Katahdin. The trail crosses through 14 states, and amongst those, we have Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania; another great reason to hike close to home since we have a unique opportunity to see this amazing stretch of the rail. The trail has something for everyone, and even doing a short stretch can be a daunting task for those who are looking for a challenge. It is said that to hike the entire trail you need to invest close to $5,000 dollars in supplies, about 6 months of your time and the mental fortitude to disconnect from our increasingly digital world and our dependency in social media. Have we also mentioned that you need to be in great shape to walk the five million steps that it takes to complete the trail? Well, there is that too.

Today here at Sudir Raju’s Blog, we want to give some basic and interesting information about the Appalachian Trail, especially if you are a beginner thinking about hiking a portion of the trail or starting your journey into following the trail from beginning to end.

Some terms you should know.

Like most activities, hobbies and past-times, hiking the trail in itself use a lot of terms that have been coined by hikers and that you should understand before going out there.

A Thru-Hiker is a person who sets to complete the trail in its entirety. They attempt to do the hike within a single season in one continuous journey.

On the other hand, we have the Section-Hiker who focuses on completing the trail by sections, and it makes taking them several years to do it. Some section hikers simply complete a particular portion that interests them, or that is close to their homes and that is it.

Another set of interesting terminology has to do with the way people approach their journey through the trail. Purists are people who follow the blazes of the trail the way they are supposed to be followed and thus journey through what we can call, the “official path”. Blue-Blazers by contrast, are people who take side-trails and go off the regular path in order to explore sections, to see new sites or to take some shortcuts. There are others who are called Yellow-Blazers and they are known for skipping parts of the journey by traveling in a vehicle and then picking getting back on the trail later on.

Which way do you go?

This decision affects mostly Thru-hikers since their journey is a lot longer and it is highly impacted by where it starts and where it ends. If you are simply hiking a small section of the trails, the decision is merely personal, but when you are going end-to-end, you need to consider that the northern portion is a lot more difficult and it requires more preparation and that your starting point depends a lot on weather conditions. Most people begin their journey at the end of the winter or in early spring. It is logical to start down south in Georgia to avoid the harsh winter that still lingers up north, but that will eventually get warmer by the time you arrive. If you decide to start your hike during the fall, then you should consider Maine as your starting point so you can give the southern states to cool down by the time you make your way down there.

Image courtesy of carober at Flickr.com

Find a good balance between weight and comfort.

Traveling light is something that most hikers always strive for, and in order to do that, you must shed some comforts for the sake of faster traveling and less wear and tear on your body. However, that is not the norm for everyone and some people will tell you that some small comforts to make a big difference. If you think about it, you will be spending a lot of time on the trail, enough time that you will come to see how a small coffee maker, a chair, a game or some creature comforts will help you past the time and make bearable some of the most difficult physical and mental aspects of the journey through the Appalachian Trail.

Get fit for the trail.

Walking the trail is difficult and demanding. You shouldn’t wait until you get out there to realize that you simply cannot cut it. Start training weeks or even months before and do it right. Building leg muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance are just part of the training. Do you know how to set your brand new tent up? Can you do it in the dark? How about wearing your backpack fully loaded while walking? Does it have any pressure spots that hurt your back after a couple of hours? None of these questions should surprise you by the time you are out there.

No Boat Required: Fishing In The Mid Atlantic

Fishing in the Mid-Atlantic can be really tricky if you don’t own a boat. Fishing enthusiasts who don’t own a fishing boat can certainly relate to the frustrating feeling of trying to access water in order to cast a line from ashore. Yes, there are plenty of places and parks, mostly in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, but they don’t all seem to provide the ideal physical conditions needed for a good fishing trip.

As mentioned in other articles by Sudir Raju, Maryland, and Mid-Atlantic states, offer locals and visitors many places to do all kinds of outdoor activities, and fishing is not the exception. Here are some top spots for fishing in the region without needing a boat. Of course, each one of these places is worth visiting simply because it stands out from the rest of places, and is definitely worth every fishing enthusiast’s attention.

Freshwater on foot

Lums Pond

Located in Bear, Delaware, this place is famous for providing visitors not only with the opportunity to cast a line from ashore but also with an almost eight-mile hiking loop around the fishing lake, making this area accessible from many locations. It’s important to note, that not all the shoreline is accessible to anglers, as the surrounding trees will make casting a line practically impossible in many places; however, given its size, this area allows you to relocate if you find it difficult to fish properly.

Fishermen seem to favor casting their lines around the shoreline dead-fall, especially for the action —largemouth bass, although is not the best prey, provides a lot of action over there. Given the nature of the water —the water in Lums Pond is rather dark, stained, colored lures definitely outperform those with lighter colors.

Deep Creek Lane

Located in McHenry, Maryland, this place is a combination of both private and public land. And although the vast majority of the shoreline can be found within the private portion, there’s still a large part of the shoreline that has been destined for public use, making it possible for anglers to cast their lines directly from ashore.

Deep Creek happens to be in this list because it provides anglers with plenty of places to try their luck. In fact, you could basically spend a half week fishing without even running out of fishing spots. Locals and visitors seem to be fond of the State Park, which, of course, has plenty of access routes. But in reality, the vast majority of the public shoreline is rather arid.

Common fishes go from the traditional bluegill to crappies, pickerel, and yellow perch. If you’re considering to pay this place a visit, remember there’s an excellent area to fish by the R. 220 bridge. Public access can be found on the southern side of the bridge near Lake Shore Drive.

Piney Run Reservoir

Located in Sykesville, Maryland, this places makes this list for being a known place amicable to shoreline fishing enthusiasts. The piers at the boat ramps are home to lots of bluegill and crappie. Anglers can walk the trail to their left while facing the lake at the boat ramps, and they will eventually come across multiple fishing spots where the shoreline is clear.

Besides, if instead of going left you were to go right, you would end up discovering a long boardwalk that runs parallel to the shoreline. Here, you can find multiple fishing spots and cast for bass seems like a good bet.

Idylwild Ponds

Located near the Maryland/Delaware border, quite near Federalsburg, what was once a gravel mining operation gave way to many numerous ponds in the park, and they happen to be in this list because you can try different ponds in the same day. The place is incredibly breathtaking, the landscape is captivating and the trails take you through the woods, going from one pond to the next. As for the species, the ponds are full of pickerel, bass, and crappie.

A word of caution: the place is also packed with ticks and mosquitoes, so you’d better come prepared. Rumor has it that the deeper into the woods you go, the better the fishing experience. Many fishermen are fond of hitting the trail and hike until they’ve gotten past the closest ponds.

Image courtesy of Mariano Mantel at Flickr.com

The Shenandoah River

Located in Virginia, the Shenandoah River is as famous as any other important river in America. Being home for one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in the state, fishing enthusiasts casting in this river also enjoy a breathtaking scenery, as long as the river conditions remain proper for fishing purposes (of course rainfall affects the quality of the experience.) Be advised, if you’re looking forward to trying your luck in this place, make sure you go well prepared —bring a wide assortment of lures, repellent, and spare clothing.

How To Fall In Love With Winter Hiking

There is a magical quality to seeing the natural world during winter. The beauty of snow and the landscapes you get to see out there are incomparable and make it worth taking a few precautions and steps that are not necessary when you hike during different months of the year. What is it about winter hiking that has people swearing by it? Many are sure that the benefits far outweigh the possible risks and discomfort of the cold weather, and say that during their winter hikes they have witnessed some of the most beautiful encounters with natures and moments of personal inspiration.

Today, here at Sudir Raju’s blog we want to talk about winter hiking and tell you how to make it more enjoyable, how to prepare for it and what to look for while you are out there to make sure that your experience is as amazing as others describe it is for them. Living in our area in Washington, DC, and Maryland, we have unique opportunities to engage with hiking to whichever degree of difficulty we want to experience. We can hike portions of the Appalachian Trail or simply go for a morning stroll at a nearby park and get as much out of this experience as we decide to put into it; that is why today we want to talk to you about trying out something that may be new for you and let yourself be surprised by the beauty of the snow, the wildlife and the amazing landscapes you can find during the coldest months of the year.

Dressing for the hike.

One of the first things to keep in mind when it comes to winter hiking is the way you dress for it. Yes, it is logical that you must wear warmer clothes, but what most people do not understand is the absolute need to dress in layers. Wearing thinner clothing first and then adding layers of warmer garments on top gives you the opportunity to remove them in order to adjust your temperature as you walk. Usually, the temperature at lower altitudes is higher and if you add to that the fact that your body is exercising and moving, then it will result in sweat and your internal temperature raising momentarily. If you are sweating but bundled in warm clothing, that sweat will eventually freeze and make you colder and get your garments wet, creating an uncomfortable, not to mention unsafe, experience for your hike. Layers allow you to remove clothing when you feel warmer and then have something nice and dry to wear when the temperature dips below your level of comfort.

Something else to keep in mind is the boots. Winter boots offer a better grip for the snow and also take into account the fact that your feet will sweat, that is why they require special socks to go along with them. Remember that during winter you have to deal with snow and ice, which makes your walking experience very different, so keep that in mind.

Image courtesy of Joseph at Flickr.com

Training.

Hiking during the winter exacts a toll on your body very differently from what you experience during the summer. The ground is different and it requires more effort to cover a distance, and the air is thinner and colder, something that puts pressure on your lungs and makes your feel shorter of breath. Ideally you should get starter during the warm weather so you can build up your stamina, however, training during the winter is a great way to truly push yourself and train under harsher conditions and get better results. Starts with smaller hikes and slowly build up to something longer and more demanding. Hike with the sun, which means taking advantage of the warmth it provides and plan your hikes around the time when the sun is at high noon. It may sound strange because during the summer you do the exact opposite, but in the winter the sun is your friend. With that being said, make sure you wear sunblock and glasses as it can harm your even more during the winter because due to the cold, people have a tendency not to feel its harmful effects until is too late.

Body and Mind.

The benefits of winter hiking are many. It is a great way to burn fat and to keep burning fat constantly, even after your hike as ended your body stays activated in fat-burning mode, something that most people trying to stay in shape will appreciate. On top of that, hiking during the winter can also help you build muscle and that is why you have to stay hydrated and eat properly to keep your body rich in fuel. Hiking is a great way to fight off the winter blues and it is a great exercise for your mental health. Use the opportunity to pair it up with other outdoor activities you enjoy like photography, bird watching, and even journaling. You will realize that winter hiking offers a unique opportunity to know yourself better, your own body and the world that surrounds you.

 

Good And Not So Good Aspects Of Hiking

Hiking is an excellent activity and as we have mentioned numerous times here at Sudir Raju’s Blog, it can bring you great physical and mental benefits to you, your family, loved ones and even your pets if you choose to bring them along. On top of that, if you add the fact that living around the Washington, DC and Maryland area provides you with a unique opportunity to have some of our nation’s greatest park within reach, and you have a great mix of reasons to engage in this enriching activity.

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain drawbacks or perhaps some aspects that require some extra consideration since they may be seen as counterpoints to the positive nature of hiking, camping and generally spending time in the outdoors. That is why today, we want to take a look at the good, the bad and the halfway in between when it comes to hiking. We want you to take an honest look at some of the clearest advantages while also consider some of the possible shortcomings you may experience while engaging in this wonderful and fulfilling activity.

A great physical activity

Hiking is an amazing physical activity. A long-hour hike is said to burn between 350 and 550 calories depending on the weight of your pack. On top of that, walking is an exercise that the body is able to naturally process and that strengthens your core, legs, back and pretty much every muscle you have on top of your lung capacity and overall endurance.

One of the greatest things about hiking is that there are no general standards stuck to it so you may take it as easy or as intense as you want it to be. The same route could be done slowly and at an easy pace while someone else may go all out and create a true challenge from what may seem like a simple hike.

The possibility of injury

As with all physical activity, the possibility for injury or hiking-derived illnesses is present, however, that is not meant to discourage you, but instead to motivate you to learn and understand about possible risks in order to avoid them. Slipping and falling is common, so it is important to workout, to have the right shoes and equipment and to watch the way you walk, remember you are going the distance and therefore you must watch yourself and take things easy. It is important that you have with you the right equipment with you in case you need first aid and that you always tell someone where you are going.

Fatigue and elevation sickness are also some health concerns you need to keep in mind, and preventing them is your responsibility. You need to know your own limits and not take lightly the symptoms you may experience if anything isn’t going right. Lightheadedness and nausea are good indicators that something is not right and you may be pushing yourself too hard.  

Reconnecting with nature

Hiking and camping are great ways to reconnect with our roots and go back to nature. Breathing the fresh air and hearing the sounds of nature are experiences that few activities other than hiking and camping can offer and that is the main reason they should be greatly appreciated. The time you spend outdoors is a great exercise for your mind and not just your body, the benefits that come from pulling yourself away from the stress of daily life and the city are immense and that is why this activity is so valuable. Learn to be out there, learn to survive and thrive in the outdoors and you will become the better person for it.

Image courtesy of Transguyjay at Flickr.com

Leaving family behind

All that closeness with nature does come at a prize and like any other activity that takes up your time; it pulls you away from other aspects of your life including your family. This is the main reason why we always recommend that you include your family and loved ones in your hobby, however, we understand that this isn’t always possible and that is why it is important to understand that saying goodbye can be hard sometimes. Depending on how serious you are about hiking, you may have to stay away for weeks or even months at a time.

The possibility to pick up a new hobby

As we have mentioned in our blog before, hiking leads to other activities that fit perfectly with your trips to the outdoors. Photography, geocaching, and journaling are some of the most common ones that come to mind and they are serious possibilities worth exploring. Hiking means having lots of time for your mind to wonder, so it is great to make it interesting by adding something else to do while you are at it.

The boredom and loneliness

The counterpoint to our last aspect to consider is the boredom that can come from spending hours walking.

Like we said before, you can keep your mind occupied by adding extra activities to your hike and using it as an opportunity to expand your hobbies and interests.