Blog Archives: Uncategorized

Hanapēpē Plant & Seed Exchange Starts Now!

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Andrew Denny, Guide & Guest Relations Manager for Kaua’i Hiking Tours, is hosting a Hanapēpē Plant & Seed Exchange in Old Hanapēpē Town today. Approximately 90% of the food eaten on Kaua’i is shipped in from off island. Please make it out to support this fun community event that is helping to make Kaua’i more food independent!

Click the following link to learn more about the event, and interesting facts about the island of Kaua’i and it’s people: Andrew’s radio interview on KKCR’s In The Garden On  The Farm show last Wednesday (Select In The Garden On the Farm – Wednesday, September 7th, 12pm)

Birthing of Namahoe – launch tomorrow @ Kalapaki Bay, Lihue!

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Currently on Kaua’i? Make plans to witness this historic cultural event tomorrow, September 11th, in Lihue: Birthing of Namahoe (click link to read article).

“After more than 20 years of construction, Namahoe, Kauai’s sailing canoe, will be born on Sept. 11, with a schedule of day-long activities and entertainment from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the walkway fronting the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Parking will be available at the Nawiliwili Beach Park. Pending ocean conditions, a formal ceremony marking the birth of Kauai’s own voyaging canoe, Namahoe, is scheduled.” (around 11 am)

My friends and I plan to paddle out on surfboards for the launch, if you’re “on island” this event is not to be missed, see you there!

Recent Media Attention for Kaua’i Hiking Tours!

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“Kaua’i: What’s Blooming On The Garden Isle”

Kauai Visitors Bureau took a press trip to Washington DC & NYC where they met with representatives of the nation’s top publications, including Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, AFAR, The Washington Post, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides and USA Today. At the meetings they presented information on Kauai – including the information about Kaua’i Hiking Tours shared in the following “Kaua’i: What’s Blooming On The Garden Isle” news release:

“On The Air” nationwide in New Zealand –Clickable Link & tour description below

Click link to hear the nationwide New Zealand Radio Live broadcast from New Zealand TV & radio personality Annabelle White, whom I took hiking in Koke’e & Waimea Canyon State Park(s) this Spring – the part about our adventure starts at 0:00, 1:45 and again @ 7:00, fun accents to boot! 🙂

More about our Waimea Canyon Tour in New Zealand Women’s Weekly (last two paragraphs)

Mention in About.com’s Hawaii Travel section:

“Brand USA” in Koke’e & Waimea Canyon State Park(s) – I guided them on a video shoot they were doing for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The multi-island shoot showcased something different on every island – on Kaua’i it was “The Great Outdoors”. It was a pleasure to work with such a skilled & professional team, and do my part to help promote responsible Hawaiian Islands’ tourism.

Coming up…

Look for a write up & two of our hiking photos to be published in the September issue of Islands Magazine!

How To Dress For Success On Your Next Hike

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Dress for success 101: Layering & The 3 W’s

The Hawaiian Islands boast 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones! Weather patterns are localized and quickly changing. The system of dressing described below, known as “layering”, will help keep you safe and comfortable on your next hike.

The core principles of layering apply to activities in all outdoor climates, as mentioned in my last blog post How To Master Outdoor Layers (this post is geared more towards the colder climates you may be visiting from). Our bodies are happiest when warm & dry. Weather and subpar trail conditions can challenge this “happy place” in a variety of ways, layering is our best defense.

The idea behind layering is to have maximum versatility to maintain an optimal body temperature despite what the weather is dishing out. As long as you have a small day pack, you can put on and take of these layers according to changes in the weather combined with changes in your level of activity (which will produce heat and sweat).

The easiest way to explain layering is the classic, “The Three W’s” – Wicking, Warmth, Weather – or, as I like to say, “3 W’s Squared”: Wicking, Warmth, Weather x (Wind & Water).

Finally, a dressing situation where function trumps fashion, how refreshing!

Wicking

The “Wicking Layer” is your first line of defense, choose a material such as silk or Capilene that is designed to pull moisture away from your skin, and dry quickly. When it’s really hot out this may be the only layer you need. In this case the old adage, “cotton kills”, does not apply. Having a wet t-shirt may be no big deal, the cooling effects from your sweat will be doing exactly what they were designed to do. You may want to just wear a bathing suit and/or board shorts – something breathable and quick drying. On a side note, excess sweating can also lead to dehydration – so let it breath!

Where sweat becomes an issue is when you are exercising in a cold climate or a warm climate that suddenly drops in temperature. As soon as you stop exercising the excess heat your body has created will begin to quickly dissipate. For this reason, you will want to wear as little as possible while exercising and have a warmth and/or weather layer to throw on shortly after stopping to take a break. Things get tricky when exercising hard in inclement weather. In colder climates a thin wicking layer with a thin weather layer should work great. In warmer climates like Kauaʻi, on days when it is raining heavily and a bit humid, you will likely get wet no matter what – but hey, you’re on Kauaʻi, the sun is never far away and a rainbow is probably just around the corner!

Warmth

I know what you’re thinking – why should I worry about warmth on Kauaʻi? Believe it or not day time temperatures can drop to the low 50’s on Kauaʻi. That combined with hard driving rain can be enough to make even the heartiest northerner have a shiver or two. Now I don’t mean to scare you, it rarely gets that cold and the localized weather changes often, so it likely won’t be too long before the sun shows it’s face again! Even so, you’ll want to be prepared with at least one insulating warmth layer just in case – chose a lightweight packable material such as fleece or wool that will keep you warm even when wet and dry quickly.

​We are often questioned about the warmth layer by folks already “on island” preparing for their hike with us. Something to keep in mind is that many of our hikes are in Kōkeʻe & Waimea Canyon State Park(s) at elevations of over 4,000 feet. The temperature up there is usually 10 – 15 degrees colder up there than on the coast, where all of the hotels are. That, combined with the localized weather, is why we ask our guests to come prepared for anything. For a frame of reference, the three pictures above were taken within a couple hours of each other in the same general areas of Kōkeʻe & Waimea Canyon State Park(s).

Weather (Wind, Rain, and Sun)

The “Weather Layer” is perhaps the most important, choose a material such a Gore-Tex which is wind and water resistant but also somewhat “breathable” (has features such as “pit zips” and a breathable membrane that allow excess heat and moisture from your core to escape). Plastic ponchos will work in a pinch, but keep in mind they are the exact opposite of “breathable” – if you wear them while hiking you may end up more wet from your own sweat than you would’ve been from the rain. On the other hand, if you are stopped for lunch on a colder wet day a plastic poncho may prove to be the perfect layer.

As far as keeping your bottom half dry, we find that rain pants are not necessary except in the most extreme cases of cold/rain/wind. Much like the poncho, they can lead to excess sweating and be difficult to remove quickly. It’s much more important to keep your core (upper body) warm and dry than your legs which is why we recommend boardshorts or similar shorts made from a quick drying material. But by all means, if you have a nice pair of rain pants that zip up at the ankles for easy on & off, bring them along!   ​

Finally, weather can also mean intense sun with temperature in the high 80’s – low 90’s and no wind (thankfully this is not usually the case on Kauaʻi). You can protect yourself against the sun with a sunhat, sunscreen, and even long sleeve tops and bottoms made from breathable quick dry material. Long sleeves will also help protect you from scratchy brush if we happen to be on a particularly overgrown trail. Yoga pants seem to be all the rage these days – most are made from breathable material and will protect your legs against sun & scrapes..just try not to get too mad if your favorite pair of Lulu Lemon pants get a small rip or forever stained with infamous Kauaʻi Red Dirt (free souvenir)

Footwear

In most cases breathable low-cut hiking shoes with good tread that dry quick and withstand water is what you’re going for. Boots will provide the most support and protection for your feet and ankles. They are especially useful when carrying a heavy pack and/or traveling over jagged, rocky terrain. In most cases we recommend folks wear trail running shoes or plain old sneakers instead of boots. The reason for this is that boots can be heavy, clunky and make it easier to slip & trip on certain trails. This is especially true for trails that are steeply graded.

Kauaʻi soil has a high clay content that can make these trails particularly slippery when very wet, or when very dry (hard pack surface with hard round granules laying loosely – like little marbles – on top). Having a thinner sole allows your feet to feel subtle changes in the surface underfoot and adjust how you step accordingly, to prevent slipping – the human body can be amazing at calculating subtleties like this! If the conditions are particularly challenging, we will provide trekking poles and traction devices that fit over your shoes to help keep you safe.

To Gore-Tex, or not to Gore-Tex?

The downside of Gore-Tex, or “waterproof” shoes & boots is that they are more expensive, aren’t very breathable, and usually don’t dry as quick as non-gore-tex shoes. There are some exceptions to this rule – Montrail comes to mind – but mostly it will depend on what’s available near you and what fits your foot best (best to try on footwear in person, rather than order “blindly” online).

The biggest negative to waterproof shoes on Kauaʻi is that on a really hot day you’re feet will likely bake in them, and actually be wet from sweat. That being said, if it’s a cool and/or wet day your feet will most likely be happier in them. Since we are usually just doing short day hikes, non-waterproof trail running-style hiking shoe will work best. I look for ones with good tread that fit snugly & securely around my foot. My personal favorite brand of trail running shoe is Hoka One One – this is due to the amazing amount of support and cushioning their shoes provide. My other favorites are BrooksMontrail, and Inov-8.

Finding the perfect fit

Everyone’s feet are shaped a little different. Well known boot and hiking shoe companies are usually known for having a certain “overall fit”. For example, some people swear by Merrells, I find they have flimsy “uppers” and are too roomy. Which proves my point that personal preference, foot shapes, along with the fit configurations of the various shoe brands, vary greatly. The best thing to do is try on a bunch of different pairs and see how they feel as best as you can in the store – imagine them on steep uneven terrain (REI stores have a great artificial rock ramp for practicing this). REI is also a great place to purchase the other layers mentioned in this post. Their staff are generally knowledgeable and willing to help. Happy shopping!

Keen on Keens?

People often ask us if it’s ok to wear “Keen style” shoes on their hike. Keen makes many styles of hiking shoes, the most popular being styles that are a combo hiking shoe/sandal with openings on the sides. While this certainly makes them more breathable, the holes leave your feet more vulnerable to injury. Another drawback to the openings is that on steep, muddy trails your foot is likely to slip & slide inside your footwear, especially when going up or down steep grades (visualize muddy feet slipping around inside a waterlogged loose shoe). If your hike is on a less steep trail, your keens are securely fitting and have good traction, and/or it’s a dry day – you should be fine 🙂 Another consideration is that sharp sticks, rocks, or pieces of uluhe fern stem can potentially gouge your foot through openings in the shoe on more overgrown trails.
© 2016 Outside Adventures LLC dba Kauaʻi Hiking Tours. All Rights Reserved.

 

HOW TO MASTER OUTDOOR LAYERS

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Overview

​Packing for any outdoor activity, whether it’s a grueling hike, mountain bike ride, or just hanging out around camp, isn’t rocket science. We all know the drill: Be prepared for rain, bring an extra pair of socks and don’t sweat through layers.
But as new technologies emerge and old items wear out, our packing lists are worth a review every now and then. Make sure you have these four basics before you head out next weekend, and you’ll be prepared for anything, rain or shine.

​Base Layer 

There are two golden rules of layering: comfort and function. Packing an extremely cozy base layer will not only prevent valuable body heat from escaping your core—it’ll make you smile. Wool is a popular option for its anti-stink properties, while cotton is known as a technical mistake (cotton acts like a sponge instead of wicking away hypothermia-inducing moisture). I prefer a synthetic mix and a tight fit for something I can wear comfortably under outer layers while being active, and something a little more slouchy comfort for around camp. Long sleeves and a high neck are key for me, and I’ve reverted back to my favorite basics time and time again.
Photo credit: Bryan Rowe

Insulating Vest and/or Insulating Jacket

If you’ve conquered spring and summer and are moving into the cooler seasons, you’ll need to add something a little more serious to the packing list. A vest is an often-overlooked tool that is not only inherently fun to wear, but also amazingly useful at retaining core heat while not cramping your style with bulky sleeves. Vests come in a variety of down or synthetic fills, low-bulk or puffy, and in other materials such as fleece. The best ones have inner pockets for small items and a pouch to stuff the entire vest into once you warm up. For the best insulation, wear your vest over your base layer and under your windbreaker to keep any chill at bay.

The magnum opus of the outdoor wardrobe, the puffy jacket is a staple you’ll often see while wandering the streets of places like Seattle and Denver. Its price is based on features such as the type of down (goose or duck), the down fill power, and whether the shell or down is water-resistant—all important to consider when it comes to technical ability in the backcountry. Equally warm and often able to insulate even if wet, synthetic-fill jackets are a great option for those who get outside no matter what the weather’s doing.

​If, like me, you’re mainly concerned with staying cozy while sitting around a campfire, you’ll want to find a jacket puffy enough that it feels like a sleeping bag is giving you a big hug. Consider techy points, such as flexible underarm gussets, and decide whether or not you need a hood. Just watch out for those campfire embers—they’ll get you no matter what price jacket you choose.

​​Photo credit: Bryan Rowe [Note: in most circumstances it is considered poor “LNT ethics” (leave no trace) to wash your dishes in a stream. If you cannot eat all your food please bury it away from camp and bodies of water. Never wash dishware containing oils in a lake or stream.]

​​Waterproof Shell

​Here in the Rocky Mountains, my secret outdoor weapon has always been my rain jacket. It’s basically my little black dress of camping attire, except it’s much more versatile. I’ll throw this piece on over a slim base layer to retain heat while beginning a hill climb on my bike or jogging around local trails, and even while cross-country skiing. It’s lightweight and breathable so it can be used during all four seasons. And more importantly, it’s flattering enough to wear to work on Monday.

Tea from Nature = Simple Joy

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Mamaki tea, deep from the heart of Kaua’i!

Revered and treasured as a sacred plant, Hawaiian’s used mamaki for generations to aid in overall health and well-being.

Look for these non-Hawaiian varieties in your backyard:

The value of a warm beverage in a survival scenario is nothing to laugh at. What could be dismissed as a luxury is actually a valuable asset. The drink provides you with vital hydration in any climate or situation. In cold weather, the warm drink can bolster you against hypothermia. And if there is a medicinal or nutritional element to the tea, that’s even better. Any survivalist worth his or her salt should be able to identify and brew up these prospective panaceas. Get ready for tea time.

Pine Needle Tea (Pinus spp.)
This tea is a Vitamin C powerhouse. Positively identify pine, chop up a tablespoon of needles, and soak them in scalding hot water for 10 minutes to get 4-5 times your daily requirement of C. Just make sure you skip the loblolly and ponderosa pines, as their needles may be a little toxic, according to recent research. And don’t consume pine needle tea if you are pregnant, as it may cause premature birth.

Mint Tea (Mentha spp.)
There are few better remedies for digestive troubles than a cool glass of mint tea. It can certainly be drunk while hot, but a cool beverage seems to be as soothing as a slug of pink Pepto. It’s good for indigestion, colic, and hangover. Mint is also used in aromatherapy to allegedly improve your concentration and diminish depression. There’s just one problem with this elixir. Pregnant or nursing women aren’t supposed to consume strong, fresh mint food or drink; and anyone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may find their condition temporarily worsened as the valve at the top of the stomach can be relaxed by menthol (the oily compound in mint).

Black Willow Tea (Salix nigra)
Bark from several species in the willow family, including the black willow, has been used since 400 B.C. to treat inflammation and pain. Black willow bark contains salicin, a predecessor to aspirin. It was once common for people to chew directly on the shaved bark for pain and fever relief, but a better effect is gained through the tea. Steep a tablespoon of twig bark shavings in a cup of water for 15 minutes, and drink until your headache is gone. Not all willows can be used in the same ways, so consult a local plant expert to find out what your local willows can provide.

Slippery Elm Tea (Ulmus rubra)
The bark shavings of twigs from slippery elm can be steeped just like the black willow, but instead of curing a headache, this tea cures a cough. The natural mucilage in the slimy bark will coat and relax your dry cough, and it is much safer than other natural cough remedies (like colt’s foot, which can be toxic to the liver).
If you’re not sure about all this plant eating and foraging, don’t let a few bad plants scare you away from gathering wild foods. Take a respectable field guide with you, and use it.  My top recommendation is “Peterson’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants.” Although it is advertised as an eastern plant book, it works well on the west coast, too. In fact, many of the plants in this book are non-native to America, and are scattered around the globe.
Do you have a favorite wild tea? Tell us about it in the comments. Good luck and safe foraging.

Article by Tim MacWelch (www.OutdoorLife.com)

27 Survival Uses For Dental Floss

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1. Make a Lean-To – Use floss to make a lean-to with a tarp or blanket. Just thread the floss through the holes of the tarp or the corners of the emergency blanket.
2. As Lashings – If you need a larger shelter, use your dental floss to lash branches together so you can build one. If you already have a shelter, use floss to make it a little sturdier.
3. Make an Alarm – Tie a few tin or aluminum cans and lids to a length of the floss and string it across the perimeter of your camp or outside your home. Because the floss is difficult to see, intruders will sound your hobo alarm.
4. Make a Tripwire – String the floss nice and tight around some trees. Anybody who comes traipsing into your area is going to fall on their face before they can reach you. The thin floss will blend in, especially if there is snow on the ground.
5. As Restraints – It isn’t pleasant to think about, but if you have to restrain somebody, several strands of floss around their wrists should do it.
6. As a Clothesline – String a line of floss between two trees and use it as a makeshift clothesline for your socks. Dry feet are important. The floss is probably not going to be strong enough to hold your jeans, but it can certainly hold your unmentionables and some shirts.
7. Mend Clothing – Floss is strong enough to mend shirts, pants, and even shoes. If you can, store some unwaxed floss just for this purpose.
8. As a Shoelace – If your shoelaces break, thread dental floss and use that instead. It’s not perfect, but it should be strong enough to keep your shoes on your feet.
9. Secure Hair and Clothes – You don’t want your hair or clothing to get caught on something if you’re hiking through the woods. Use floss as a hair tie or to secure loose clothing.
10. As a Dummy Cord – Tie important things to your clothes or backpack so you don’t accidentally drop and lose them. Things like compasses, knives, tools, etc.
11. Make a rope – Braiding several strands of dental floss together will create a strong rope you can use to pull gear, hang heavy items and any other purpose that requires something a little stronger than floss.
12. Whip a Rope – If you already have a rope, you can use this method to keep it from unraveling. Here’s a tutorial.
13. As Straps for Trash Bags – If you want to keep your feet and lower legs dry while traveling through wet, marshy, or snowy areas, wrap garbage bags around your legs and secure them with floss.
14. Make a Snare – Learn how to make traps and snares that will catch small game for you to eat. The floss is sturdy enough to hold on to most small to medium-size critters you may snare.
15. Make a Spear – Use the dental floss to tightly wrap your knife to a branch so you can fashion a spear for hunting or self-defense.
16. Make a bow – If you braid together several strands of floss it could work as a replacement string for your bow.
17. Make a Fishing Pole – If you don’t have a fishing pole, you can make a quick one out of floss and a branch. Just fashion a hook and tie it to the end of the line, and you’ll be ready to go fishing.
18. Make a Fishing Net – This is much more complicated, but if you know how, you can use dental floss to do it. Here are some illustrated instructions.
19. Hang Up Your Food – It’s important to keep foood out of reach of pests, raccoons and bears. The floss can be tied around a bag and then tied around a tree branch. Suspending your food off the ground will keep it from getting wet from dew on the ground as well.
20. Cut Food – If you don’t have a knife, you can wrap dental floss around a hunk of meat or even a large piece of fruit and pull it tight. The floss is fine enough that it can cut through meat and other food, making it easier for you to divvy up.
21. As Tinder – Since waxed dental floss burns easily, you can use it to get a fire going. A better method is to use it to tie bundles of kindling together.
22. Start a Fire – If you need to make a bow drill to start a fire, you could use floss as your cordage to spin the stick back and forth.
23. Fix Your Glasses – Run a piece of floss through the area where the screw should have been or use the floss to lash together a broken nose piece. You can also tie floss around the ear pieces to carry around your neck so you don’t lose them.
24. As Stitches – If you get cut and need to close the wound, dental floss can be used to sew your skin back together.
25. Support Climbing Plants – If you have plants such as peas, tomatoes, or anything that climbs, you can use floss to tie the vines to supports. Just don’t tie them too tight.
26. Tie Down a Trunk – If you have too many supplies in your car’s trunk for it to close, try tying it down with dental floss. A dozen loops will do the job.
27. As it was intended! – Sure, this one is pretty obvious, but keeping your teeth in good shape is going to be tough when there are no dentists. Take care of them now so you don’t have a dental emergency after the SHTF. Flossing is probably the most important thing you can do for your teeth.

Doctors Tell Us How Hiking Can Change Our Brains

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Doctors Tell Us How Hiking Can Change Our Brains
(Republished from www.LifeHack.Org, click HERE for a link to the article in it’s entirety)​“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves,” wrote John Muir in Our National Parks. Clearly, John Muir understood the intrinsic value of spending time in nature.Along with Muir, many of us recognize that hiking in nature is good for the body, mind, and soul. Walking through the woods while observing colorful birds and foliage, smelling the aroma of spruce and pine trees, and listening to a soothing running stream simply clear our mind and make us feel good. Lucky for us, doctors agree. Study after study shows there are many mental health benefits to spending time hiking in nature.

 

Hiking in Nature Reduces RuminationThose who ruminate or focus too much on negative thoughts about themselves can exhibit anxiety, depression, and other issues, such as binge eating or post traumatic stress disorder. In a recent study, researchers investigated whether spending time in nature affects rumination, and they found that hiking in nature decreases these obsessive, negative thoughts.

In this study, researchers compared the reported rumination of participants who hiked through an urban environment and a nature environment. They found that those who walked for 90 minutes in a natural environment, which took place in a grassland near Stanford University, reported lower levels of rumination and also had reduced neural activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which is associated with mental illness. Those who walked through an urban environment didn’t enjoy these benefits.

These researchers indicate that our world is becoming more and more urban and that urbanization is linked to depression and other forms of mental illness. Visibly, simply removing us from an urban environment to spend time outdoors where there are fewer mental stressors, less noise, and fewer distractions can be advantageous for our mental health.

Hiking While Disconnecting from Technology Boosts Creative Problem Solving

According to a study by Ruth Ann Atchley and David L. Strayer, creative problem solving can be improved by disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature. In this study, participants hiked while backpacking in nature for approximately four days and they were prohibited from using technology. They were asked to perform tasks requiring creativity and complex problem solving. They found that those immersed in the hiking excursions had increased performance on problem-solving tasks by 50 percent.

Researchers indicate that technology and the noise of urban areas constantly demand our attention and disturb us from focusing, which taxes our cognitive functions. Thus, when we’re feeling overwhelmed from the stressors of urban life and being plugged-in 24/7, nature hikes can be strong medicine. They reduce our mental fatigue, soothe our minds, and help us think creatively.

Hiking Outdoors Can Improve ADHD in Children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder among children. Those with ADHD generally have trouble staying focused, are easily distracted, exhibit hyperactivity, and have difficulty controlling impulses.

Raising children with ADHD can be perplexing for parents. Nonetheless, great news has emerged from the medical and scientific world. In a study conducted by Frances E. Kuo, PhD and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD, researchers found that exposing children with ADHD to “green outdoor activities” reduced their ADHD symptoms. Thus, according to this study, the benefits of exposure to nature can extend to anyone with inattention and impulsivity.

Doctors conclude that simple changes that involve green activities or settings can improve attention. For example, increasing exposure to a window seat with a green view, participating in an afternoon nature hike, or simply playing ball in the park can ease unwanted ADHD symptoms.

Hiking in Nature is Great Exercise, Which Boosts Brainpower

We’ve all heard the expression healthy body, healthy mind. Hiking outdoors is an excellent form of exercise and it can burn 400 to 700 calories an hour, depending on the difficulty of the hike. An added benefit is that hiking isn’t as hard on our joints as other forms of exercise, such as running. Also, it’s proven that those who exercise outside are more likely to stick to their exercise programs, which makes hiking an excellent choice for those hoping to integrate exercise into their daily lives.

The mind and body are naturally connected. Exercise helps to keep our brain cells nourished and healthy. In fact, according to researchers from the University of British Columbia, aerobic exercise might improve memory and cognitive ability. In the study, they found that aerobic exercise increased the hippocampal volume in older women. The hippocampus is a part of brain associated with spatial and episodic memory.

Not only does exercise improve cognitive ability and possibly prevent cognitive decline as shown by the study, it can also reduce stress and anxiety, boost self esteem, and release endorphins (feel-good hormones). It’s astonishing that a physical activity as simple and low-cost as hiking can provide so many mental health benefits.

Hiking is Now Prescribed by Doctors

Has your doctor ever told you to “take a hike?” This isn’t a phrase that we typically want to hear, especially from our doctors, but they actually have our wellbeing in mind. Progressive doctors are now aware that people who spend time in nature enjoy less stress and better physical health.

According to WebMD, more and more doctors are writing “nature prescriptions” or recommending “ecotherapy” to reduce anxiety, improve stress levels, and to curb depression. Plus, nature prescriptions are becoming more accepted by traditional health care providers as more research shows the benefits of exercising and spending time in nature.

The state of California is traditionally one of the more progressive states in the area of alternative health. As an example, the Institute at the Golden Gate has been leading the charge to promote ecotherapy through its “Healthy Parks Healthy People (HPHP)” initiative. In this program, community organizations work with health professionals to improve the health of their parks, and to promote the use of parks as a passageway to health for the people who use them.

How Do You Get Started with Hiking?

​Fortunately, hiking is one of the easiest and least-expensive sports to get involved in, and it’s fun and beneficial for the whole family. If you’re just getting started, don’t plan a Colorado 14er or to hike the Appalachian Trail. You can start small. Check out local short hiking trails and work your way up to a safe and comfortable distance. You can find trail maps online and there are smartphone apps to help you find the best trails for your level and interests.

Ensure you wear sturdy hiking shoes that are appropriate for the terrain. Consider using trekking poles, which reduce stress on your knees, increase your speed, and improve your stability. Layer clothing as necessary for the weather and wear breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics such as silk, polypropylene, wool, and fleece to reduce sweat and stay warm. Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect you from the sun. Stay hydrated and have fun!

Read more about “The benefits of hiking for a healthier and happier life” here.

[**And, if you’re coming to the islands, drop us a line: www.KauaiHikingTours.com**] 

Discover Nature Within

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Lets face it, the world we live in is more hectic and fast-paced than ever. Most of us find ourselves stretched thin as we juggle our public and personal lives, aided by all types of gadgets and gizmos designed to make things easier. If you stop to think about it, you’ll soon realize that you spend a staggering amount of time indoors and staring at a screen of some kind (your computer, cell phone, TV, through the windshield of your vehicle, office, etc.). There’s no doubt that modern technology, and for many of us, being indoors, is an indispensable aspect of accomplishing goals and meeting responsibilities. Unfortunately, as a result of the way most of us live, we are becoming further and further removed from our natural world and the “wildness” that’s both in it and in us. When confronted by the wilderness out-of-doors, say, the breath-taking beauty of the Nā Pali Coast, one begins to recover that which the rigors of day to day living have led them to forget.

Kauaʻi Hiking Tours offers a variety of trips designed to facilitate reconnection with the natural environment and your deepest sense of self. It is our belief that by remembering these core aspects of being, one can reconnect with the roots of their spirituality and that which is sacred in all experience.

Recognizing that everyone is unique we customize our trips to meet the needs of our clients. Our primary mission is to offer experiences that awaken the soul and ignite the spirit. There are countless ways to do this, from bird watching and learning about native plants, to fun over-nights for first time campers, to more “extreme” and strenuous adventures. We will do whatever it takes to facilitate the type of experience that is most likely to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. We know we’ve done our job when the end of your Hawaiʻi Hiking Tour is the beginning of a day to day reality of expanded awareness, sharpened senses and heightened confidence.

We firmly believe in the power of adventure. Most noticeably, to sharpen our senses and heighten our awareness of who we are and what’s around us. To “sink into our skin” and feel the world in ways we haven’t experienced since we were children.

For more information please visit our website: www.KauaiHikingTours.com