Tips for Holiday Air Travel Success

It’s about that time.

That time of year when planning, watching, and a little praying starts to take place. No, I’m not talking about getting ready for Christmas morning. I’m talking about pre and post Christmas holiday air travel.

In years prior, the Grinch arrives early for me, in the form of blizzards, mechanical failures, and delayed flights, wrecking havoc on my holiday travel plans. Last year, I didn’t even make it to my parent’s home in Virginia thanks to a cancelled flight on December 23rd. The first flight the airline could rebook me on was December 27th. Bah humbug!

So this year, with a stormy, wet forecast on tap for the west coast, I’ve already started planning and strategizing with the hope of making it to my in-laws in Atlanta.

This year’s plan of attack for holiday air travel success includes:

Fly Early
I’m flying on December 22nd this year, giving myself a little more time to get to Atlanta by the 25th if the worst happens.

Fly with Status
My highest frequent flier status is with United Airlines. While they weren’t the cheapest ticket, I know from previous experience that re booking is based on fare value and frequent flier status. I’m hoping my loyalty may mean something if I get stranded somewhere en route.

Be Proactive
If every flight in front of yours is delayed because of weather, chances are yours will be too. Watch the flight status for posted delays and if it looks like you may miss your connection because of a delay, ask to get re booked at once.

Leave the Luggage
I hope my mother in law won’t mind me wearing the same thing for one week. Checking luggage is risky at any time of year, much less peak season. Pack lightly to spare the holiday headache – or just ask for clothes for Christmas!

Pack your Patience
Remember that every flight will be 100% full, so get ready to make some new friends. Also remember that the holidays are stressful, chaotic, and at times, unrelenting. Be prepared for some bizarre behavior and pack some patience. Who knows what the gate agent, flight attendant, or the woman sitting next to you has been through already that day.

I’m off to Atlanta from San Francisco December 22nd. I’ll let you know if my planning paid off. Happy Holidays!

Womens Only Hiking Trip In Nepal

Ever wonder what a women's only hiking trip to Nepal to view Mount Everest is really like?  Check out this short video full of the sights and sounds of Nepal to get the inside scoop on Call of the Wild!  

How to Store your Camping and Hiking Gear for the Winter

As you begin to pull out your winter gear and put away your summer and fall camping gear, it is important to store your items properly so they are still in good shape come next spring when you are ready to hit the trail again.  Below are some suggestions for storing your hiking and camping gear over the winter season.

Down Sleeping Bag – Make sure your bag is clean before storing it in a cool, dry place out of sunlight.  If possible, leave flat out of the stuff sack or put in a large laundry bag so the loft isn’t compressed for a long period of time, which will reduce its overall warmth. 

Backpack – Empty out all the pockets of wrappers, food bits, etc. and wipe down with a wet clothe if dirty.  Once dry, store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight to prevent mold and fading.  Be sure to empty out all food (even those random peanuts) in order to prevent rodents from tearing a hole in your backpack.

Tent – air out entirely, shaking out all dirt and making sure no moisture is left in the tent.  Once dry, stuff the tent in the stuff sack or other medium size bag.  Avoid folding the tent body or fly as folded seams will degrade over time.  Make sure all dirt is out of tent poles and shock cord.  Store in stuff sack or with tent.

Rain Gear – Air out completely, so it is dry.  Best to hang in a closet if possible.  Leaving rain gear folded for long periods of time can cause the folded seam to degrade over time.

Boots – Scrape off all the exterior dirt with a stiff brush.  Air out entirely, pulling up insoles to let the foot pads dry completely.  Store in a cool, dry place away from insects and spiders, who like to make their home in your warm, dry shoes.

Proper camping and hiking equipment storage over the winter will make sure your ready for the trail come spring!

Join us at Call of the Wild!

Call of the Wild's long awaited video is here! Check out our 60 sec. video about women's hiking, backpacking, sea kayaking, and multisport adventures -- plus much more!

Tips for Keeping a Travel Journal

As I was moving boxes the other day, I came upon my collection of travel journals.  When traveling, I often keep a journal and spend time in the evenings, at the beach, or on the bus writing my thoughts down about the world around me.  My journals aren’t fancy, leather bound books.  Usually they are simple notebooks I dig out of my desk drawer before I leave or purchase at a paper goods store once I arrive.  When backpacking, it can be as simple as 2 sheets of paper that I use every inch of real estate on over the course of the week.

When reading through my travel journals, I am always struck at how my stream of conscience blends my new environment with my thoughts and worries from home.  I was reading my journal from Hawaii and came across the line that read, “Kauai is so lush and peaceful.  Just looking out the window at the banana tree has a calming effect.  Maybe I could take the banana tree home with me and plant it in my front yard so I could gaze at it there.”  In my Guatemala journal, I found, “The people here are so welcoming and sharing.  They would give you the shirt off their back if you’d let them.  I am not sure I could say the same about my neighbors at the moment.”

I don’t keep a journal at home, though I often wish I did to gather my thoughts in such a way so I could examine them later.  Notes such as the ones above make clear that travel is an escape for me.  It’s the opportunity to transport myself to a place that is more peaceful or friendlier.   It just wouldn’t take having to get on an airplane to make the discovery if I wrote more often.

I’ve kept a travel journal now for nearly 2 decades and have these tips to share

1.    If you don’t usually write at home, fear not.  Take the journal with you and when the mood strikes you, just start with a few simple sentences like, “Just arrived.  Very sunny.  Crazy taxi stand chaos.”  You’re not writing a Pulitzer Prize winning book here. You just want to get the juices flowing.

2.   Take the journal everywhere with you.  When a few moments of free time arrive, write a paragraph or two.  My writing is usually much more abundant as the trip goes on.  I soon find I am eating in restaurants writing or staying up at night jotting down thoughts.  

3.    Let the destination and experience be the channel for your real thoughts and emotions.  As shared above, I often find things I write about end up conveying other emotions that I brought with me from home.  As the days go on, my journal becomes just as much about the funky man I met in the fruit market that day as the struggles I am having with my husband.

4.    Find artifacts to also add a bit of color to your journal.  Cool postcards, printed napkins from restaurants, sketches of a place you’ve been add the visual element of your journal that sometimes can bridge a place together when words aren’t doing it justice.

5.    Remember that your travel journal can be your souvenir.  A few photos and a week’s worth of precious writing can be much more meaningful than the obligatory magnet and snow globe at the airport gift shop on your flight home.

If you find yourself outdoors when traveling, a waterproof journal is good to have --- or make sure you have a Ziploc bag for your journal to keep it clean and dry.

When to Replace Old Hiking Boots

Guiding women hiking all over the world, I go through some boots.  If you are like me, once you find a great pair of boots, you don’t want to get ride of them – for anything.  I once worse a pair for 8 years straight, until the pair truly disintegrated on my feet in New Zealand.  With hiking season coming to a close, now is the time to ask, “Do I need to replace my old hiking boots?”  There are a few things to consider when thinking about replacing old boots

1.    Tread – if the tread is worn over most of the sole, it is time to replace the boots.  2 reasons to do this include Cushion and Safety.  If your feet are stomping on the ground with less insulation than previous, it can tire your foot more quickly.  Additionally, little tread on boots reduces there ability to grip the earth and rock, making it much easier to slide all around when you are on the trail.  Note:  Boots can be resoled.  Many boot manufacturers and independent stores offer this service.

2.    Waterproofing – If the waterproofing in the boot is failing, in most cases you can apply a commercially available spray (buy at outdoor or shoe store) and it should do the trick for a few more months unless the shoe fabrics themselves are starting to wear out. Then, replace.

3.   Boot Upper and Seals – As boots wear out, the seams and seals start to crack, peel, or become unstitched.  Minor, these can be repaired usually at home or by having your local cobbler do it for you.  Sadly, factory applied seals usually last a lot longer than aftermarket seals, so if you do it yourself with gorilla glue, it may not last as long as when originally bought it.

4.    Insoles – Insoles can wear out with boot use.  If you notice the insoles have cracks or have worn through in certain areas, replace them.  No need to replace the boot however!

5.    Laces – Laces over time can get dirt in them or get worn out, and start to fray.  Best to replace laces early on (or carry a spare pair), as it is highly likely they will end up breaking on you miles from your car.

The great news is that you can usually get a few more years out of old boots with a few of the suggestions above for most hikers.  The keys are prevention and a little maintenance.

These boots have 2 seasons of use and have no visible signs of wear.

With 2 seasons of trail use, the tread on these shoes is nearly gone.  Time for a resole.

This tread is in great shape after 1 season on the trail, thanks to the the long lasting Vibram sole.



These insoles have cracks and the arch support is no longer stable.  Time to replace.



After 1 season, these insoles have held up well.  Little wear visible.

How to Dress for Fall Hiking

With the arrival of fall means amazing colors in the mountains and fewer people on the trails.  This is the perfect time to hit the trails before the snow arrives.  During the fall, temperatures are usually brisk in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and cool in the evenings.  You’ll want to pay special attention to what you wear when you are outside to stay warm, dry and safe this season.

1.       With the wide range of temperatures this time of year, it is best to dress in layers.  On top, a thin polypropylene or silk shirt works well as your base layer as it wicks away moisture and holds in warmth (but not too much).  On the bottom, consider synthetic leggings or underwear depending on your day’s activity and current temperatures.

2.       For your second layer, a mid-weight fleece or jacket works well on top.  Your bottoms can be your regular synthetic hiking pants or even shorts depending on where you are.

3.       Outer layers in the fall are important as the weather begins to get more unpredictable. Make sure to take with you a waterproof jacket and bottoms in case of rain.

4.       A warm hat, gloves, and spare pair of socks are good to have, even if you end up leaving them in your backpack.

5.       Vests and lightweight windbreakers are perfect to stash in your backpack in case the day is cool enough to need layers, but you don’t need a full warm layer.

6.       Should you find yourself hiking in the rain, stop immediately and change into your rain gear.  While you may be thinking it is just drizzle or sprinkles, if after a few hours you are now cool (and soaked), you’ll have a much harder time staying warm.

7.       If your feet get wet from rain or a stream crossing, consider swapping out your socks for your dry pair.  If your feet get cold, your body is working harder to keep them warm.  Plus, there is less of a chance of your feet or ankles cramping from the cold in dry socks.

Fall Hiking Tips for Women

Fall has arrived across much of the USA.  With its gorgeous colors come fewer people and cooler temperatures, making it a great time to hit the trails.  Remember these important tips as you head out this fall for a safe and enjoyable late season hike, run, or bike.

·    Plan ahead for your hike and know your route.  The days are shorter with less daylight, making it important that you get back to the trailhead before sunset.  Take extra precautions and bring a headlamp if you are planning a big day hike.

·    Fall is hunting season in many parts of the USA.  If you are travelling through areas that allow hunting, be sure to wear bright colors and talk loudly on the trail so you don’t sound like a deer, turkey, or other animal.  Better yet, hike in areas that don’t allow hunting.

·    Fall usually means cool mornings, warm afternoons, and brisk evenings.  Dress in layers so you can stay comfortable throughout the day.  Rain also is common, so a waterproof layer is important to bring, even if the forecast calls for no rain.

·    As trees loose there leaves, it can make trails slick.  Add a little rain on top, and it can feel like walking on ice.  Make sure to bring your trekking poles and boots with a good tread.  If you are on your bike, watch your speed in the corners.

www.callwild.com

Packing Tips for Air Travel

Many clients ask me for tips about how to bring their backpack (or soft sided luggage) with them for their upcoming travels. Below are a few suggestions based on many years of client successes (failures) with backpacks, duffels, and air travel.

* Arrive at the airport with your pack “air ready”. Nothing can derail yourluggage more than if you get to the counter to check your bag and it isn’t ready to go.

* Close all buckles, zippers, Velcro, etc. and then tuck in all straps to any pockets so they won’t get hung on the luggage conveyer belt. You want your backpack to look like a neatly wrapped package if possible.

*Bring a large clear heavy duty plastic bag with you. If the airline will let you put your backpack or duffel it in, do it. Some airlines don’t.
Put your name in several places on your backpack. Tags fall off, and then luggage handlers have to dig through your stuff for your name. Put it in multiple places with contact info inside your backpack.

* Travel with all your water bottles, camelbacks, etc. empty. We had a client once who was concerned about having to step of the plane and onto the trail. She filled her camelback up with water and checked her back. When she picked up her bag in San Francisco, her items were soaked. We spent the next 3 hours having a guide go to a nearby Laundromat to dry them out.

* Carry all valuables with you on the plane. Sadly, many items like carabineers, cameras, battery chargers, etc. go missing between the time you check your luggage and the time you collect it.

* Consider using a luggage delivery service. Call of the Wild has had great success with Sports Express. With new fees for checking luggage by the airlines, this expense isn’t so expensive anymore and we haven’t had a problem yet with this service.

www.callwild.com

Spring Hiking Tips for Women

Spring has arrived and your favorite mountain hiking trails will soon be open. Fresh green grass, wildflowers, and animal tracks in the soft snow are treats you can enjoy when you hit the trails in the early season. Stay safe and have fun this spring by keeping these tips in mind as your plan your hike.

Start out Slow
Has it been a been a few months since your last hike in the fall? Go easy and start your season with an easy to moderate hike before you start scaling peaks and adding on the miles.

Help your Muscles & Joints
Help prevent soreness and injury by stretching after muscles warm-up (5 – 10 minute of hiking) and again at the end of your hike. Use of hiking poles can help ease early season aches in muscles and joints, especially your knees.

Watch Out for Mud
With recent rains and melting snow, trails are likely to be muddy. Keep your feet dry by wearing gaiters around your boots and ankles. If the trail is really muddy, consider waiting a few weeks to avoid trail erosion or slipping and falling.

Avoid Crossing Swollen Creeks
Springtime means rain and snow melt in creeks and streams. Small creeks in the summer can be swollen streams in the spring. Only cross streams you are comfortable crossing and remember that water is moving faster than you think and cold. Only cross creeks in pairs and use poles to help with balance.

Know Your Trail
Many footpaths in the summer are masked with snow in the spring or overgrown bushes or weeds. Only hike on trails if you know where you are going and remember that following others footsteps in the snow or mud can be dangerous. Did they know where they were going? Carry a map if you are unfamiliar with the territory.

Layer, Layer, Layer
Springtime temperatures can be cool in the morning, sunny at lunch, and rainy in the afternoon. Be sure to set-off dressed in layers with extras in your backpack. A good windproof jacket, raincoat, and warm hat are a must to include