This is a guest post written by Alex from AuthorizedBoots.com who shared with us Top 13 Hiking Tips for Beginners. I know there are many people here who are trekkers and hikers themselves thus I’m sharing this article with great pleasure. It is important to remind ourselves some basic stuff from time to time so here are tips by Alex. Enjoy reading and plan your next hike wisely! Top 13 Hiking Tips for Beginners If you are looking for an adventure, the mountain might be the place for you. It hides a lot of beauty that is often unknown to us. Hiking is not just a form of exercise. Hiking is a way to get to know yourself and a way to discover the nature in its original form. When you finally decide to take that path, you will probably ask yourself what we need to start a hike. As we venture through the woods, this article is designed to remind us a few things before we decide to go on our trekking. 1. Weather Condition Weather plays the decisive role for your enjoyment in the mountains and the success of the hiking trip. Snowstorms, poor visibility, rain, fog and similar conditions are unfavorable for hikers, and can often be the cause of accidents during the trip. Before going out on your hiking trip, be sure to inform yourself what type of weather is expected in the coming days, because, based on that, you will know what kind of equipment and clothing to take. Important: Never ignore the weather forecast as it can lead to dangerous situations that could be life threatening! 2. Hiking equipment – What to bring? This primarily depends on how many days you plan to spend on your trip, where do you plan to sleep and what time of year is it. You should also consider how many people will be present. If you plan to sleep in the house, cottage, log cabin, mountain home, etc., then you should not carry a tent and sleeping bags. Otherwise, that equipment is inevitable, but your luggage will be much bigger and heavier. In hiking, we must be thorough on what are the things to bring, it will be helpful if we will be bringing these essential items Map   Compass Water Extra Food Rain Gear and Extra Clothes Fire-starters or Matches First-aid Kit Army Knife or Multi-Purpose Tool Flashlight and Batteries Sunscreen and Sunglasses Footwear Hiking Poles These identified essentials are necessary for a successful hike. It does not only prepare you for the possible dangers but it will be your main weapon for the whole trip itself so that you can enjoy your escapade. Certainly, one of the most, if not the most important piece of equipment is hiking boots. Next important part of hiking equipment is the backpack. The size of the backpack is chosen depending on the situation. Don’t forget to bring hiking sticks, as they will ease your way through the mountain. Other important hiking equipment to highlight would be a cap and gloves. Sunglasses with UV filter, protective cream with high UV factor, and a map. Forget the map, you will find yourself wandering around like a lost sheep. 3. Orientation You should know how to use a compass. Sometimes that dictates a crucial moment between life and death. You’ve probably heard stories about people who got lost in the wild because they are not oriented which they cannot determine the direction of their movement. It is extremely easy to stray from the path, especially in adverse weather conditions. Don’t think it only happens to beginners. Experienced hikers can get lost too. 4. Picking the right camping spot At first glance, it may seem easy, but choosing a suitable place for camping can be a big problem.  Placing Your Tent: put it in a place that is dry, protected from the wind, has trees near it, and is at least 2 miles away from the swamp. It is desirable to camp in the proximity of water.  Avoid Rocky Grounds: avoid places with dense vegetation, and places populated by rodents. In the mountains, you should watch out for landslides of rocks, snow and blizzard  5. Food and water It is not so difficult to find water in nature. You can obtain the topographic map with marked sources or you can get the information from the local population. The real challenge is how to be confident that the water is drinkable. We found that some of the best ways to ensure clean water is to understanding some of the best ways to purify water. As for the food, you should take a sufficient amount of carbohydrates like fruits, grains, milk, and bread. Carbohydrates provide energy to our bodies and they, usually, come in the form of sugar. It is, also, good to bring some chocolate or glucose sweets which can quickly restore your energy. If you are hunting for meat and need to kill the bacteria before consumption, it is imperative that you either know how to start a fire or invest in some of the best camping stove. 6. Learn how to start a fire If you don’t know how to start a fire, you should definitely learn. Everyone likes sitting by the campfire, singing your favorite songs or talking about funny life events. A campfire provides us with light, warmth, and heat for cooking. So let us make sure to find a good spot for it. 7. Bring a cell phone You should always start your trip with a fully charged battery and use it only in an emergency or life-threatening situation. Take not that bringing a mobile phone for a hiking trip is a must. Signal Reception: The signal received may be too weak to send a text message or call someone. It would, therefore, be advisable to carry a spare battery.  Phone Placement: The mobile phone should be kept in the inside pocket of a bag and will only be used for...

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Encouraged by the previous adventure in Mount Civetta, we decided to continue our journey and stay overnight in another refugee. We had one day off for a bad weather and charming meeting with friends who came to visit us. It left time to plan another adventure. Soon, we decided to explore the part of the Dolomites called Sasso Piatto and Sasso Lungo. A few years ago we visited this massif climbing it from the west and Val Duron but this time we scheduled it differently. The booking As this was the peak of the season we decided to book a bed in the refugee in advance. I would like to encourage you to do the very same thing. Obviously, the refugee should always host you even if they give you only a floor to sleep on but we were a group of five and didn’t want to risk. When we called, a lady told us there are five posts left and we gladly booked them. The traffic Next day, in the early morning, we took the car and drove from our tranquil valley called Valle del Biois, to Passo Sella. This was not a long way but with the heavy traffic in Val di Fassa, it took us as long as two hours to arrive! That’s a lot of time! So again, you should pick up off season months, when you have a choice. We found parking slot and waited in a line for an old fashion cableway car from Passo Sella to Rifugio Demetz, at 2685 masl. The weather was chilly and sunny. The hike Along the crowd, we followed the path down. The panorama was amazing. This particular part of the massif is all about rocks and sand. If you enjoy a very rough and unforgiving terrain, Sasso Piatto should be your next destination. A very interesting detail of this trek is that it starts downhill. The beginning was rough mainly because of the crowds. There were people of all abilities and skills, including small children who needed extra care from their parents. Soon, the crowd turned into a line. After half an hour, though, the path was less crowded and in about 45 minutes we arrived in the refugee called Vicenza, at 2256 masl. Luckily, we got a table inside and had a quick lunch. The whole facility, including the terrace, was full of people. Further north We continued our hike and followed the path downhill. It turned west and soon we started to walk around the west part of the massif. The path leads further through a picturesque meadows full of brown-and-white cows, who looked totally happy. Climbing up, we arrived at a large plateau with a lovely view towards Alpi di Siusi. This was a perfect place for a short break before the final stage of out trek. The next part of our walk was one of the most beautiful paths in the Dolomites, and at the same time, one of the the easiest one. Green hills, grey rocks, and small streams, all shined in a mild sun, making the walk carefree and relaxing. Rifugio Sasso Piatto After three hours in total, we arrived in the refugee. Rifugio Sasso Piatto, at 2301 masl, is one of the most beautiful ones that I have ever slept in. It is modern, well kept and very well organised. We got the key to our room quite quickly and were guided to a shoe room. We got our crocs and followed to the rooms. Wooden floor, large windows, new beds and clean bathrooms welcomed us. Also, the views from a comfortable common room were magnificent. This refugee is highly recommended for the night, especially to someone who has never done it before. Back home After a delicious dinner, we had a peaceful night and woke up relaxed. We had a short breakfast and started our return home. Along the way from Rifugio Sasso Piatto to Passo Sella, there are as many as three other refugees. First, a small wooden hut called Sandro Pertini, at 2300 masl. Last time we were there off season it was closed, but this time, we finally entered and had a warm tea. The weather was chilly so it was most appreciated. This part of the walk was pleasant due to the absence of other tourists. The silence was overwhelming. We could fully enjoy and appreciate the luxury of solitude that only the high mountains can give. After half an hour, we arrived in another refugee called Rifugio Friedrich-August 2398 masl. Large building seen from the distance welcomed us with the incredible smell of freshly baked sweets. Our Italian friends could not resist the smell and ate one bombolone each. The last half hour was a light walk down to Passo Sella where a luxury hotel opens its door to all. It is called Passo Sella Resort (2180 masl). The trekking around Sasso Lungo is doable in one day. We decided to split the hike in two days to get a profound experience of the Dolomites. I must say, it was truly enjoyable. A rich experience that I would recommend to anyone, including the beginners.  

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Do you hike? Are you an outdoor activities lover? Have you ever spent a night in a mountain hut or a refugee? If you are a camping type of person you probably did but to some people, this might look like an adventure. In fact, two of our Italian friends have never done it before and so this year’s plan was to expand the mountain adventure and include at least one night slept in a mountain hut. Here is how we did and how you can do this too, in the Italian Dolomites. I love the Dolomites in every season. These large mountain chains in the north of Italy provide memorable holidays, breathtaking views and outstanding level of services to all nature lovers. I tend to go back there at least once a year and I never get tired of its views. In major part, I spent time in Val di Fassa, which is the most developed part of the mountains but this year it all went differently. It was five of us and we explored a totally new area: Monte Civetta. Here is a review of a two-day hike we did in the second week of August. Starting point We stayed in an apartment in Caviola, a small village near Falcade. Although this is not that far from Val di Fassa, these two places are located in different Italian regions: Val di Fassa is a part of autonomous region Trento-Alto Adige, while Falcade makes part of Veneto. This might look only as an administrative detail but you can spot the difference in a minute. Val di Fassa, through its extensive international promotion and excellent ski facilities, earned a title of one of the best places for skiing in the world. For years, it has gathered thousands of skiers and it increased its income quite successfully. Being an autonomous region Trento-Alto Adige keeps the major part of this income while Veneto does not. Luckily, the Dolomites are for everyone. If you are more into social life and high standard services you will find Val di Fassa appealing. If you prefer tranquillity and contact with local people you should stay in Falcade, Caviola or Alleghe. Both areas are just fine if you know your preferences. Way up In the early morning, we took a cableway car from a lake town Alleghe called Ski Civetta. At about 9:00 we started our walk up. The first part of the path is more like a walk in the park. After 15 minutes we arrived in a small mountain hut where sheep and goats are held. The milk is used to produce delicious cheese that we bought on our way back. From the hut, there was a one hour walk up to the refugee called Rifugio Coldai, at 2315 masl. It is located in a beautiful place, surrounded by high grey rocks and looking at a very weird peak called Pelmo (3168 masl), that grows out of nowhere. We ate a strudel in the refugee that was slowly filling up with the tourists. The lake We continued our way up for a while and after less than a quarter we saw a beautiful small lake. We went down and enjoyed the panorama of the town Alleghe way down and high white rocks mirrored in its surface. The lake was a busy place. To some tourists, this is an arrival point and so the meadows near the lake were full of picknick baskets, colorful blankets, and families with the kids. A spectacular place for a picknick, indeed. The final part Our target was Rifugio Tissi, though, at the altitude of 2250 masl. We saw it way before arrival! There was still more than one hour climb when we spotted it for the first time. It seemed very small and distant but smartly located. There were two different paths to take: one just below the rock wall and the second one which leads first down and then up. We picked up the second one and in the heat of the day we climbed right to the refugee. It did not come easy. For me and my Polish companions, the heat was unbearable. This hour climb might seem not much but, considering the circumstance, this was a challenge. The Tissi Refugee The whole hike took us around three hours. The final part was especially hard as it leads up and in the heat of the day it was not really pleasant, however, we got our reward. On a blue sky, there was the whole chain of the rocky peaks seen from the window of our room and the terrace of the refugee. The building itself is old and used by endless generations of mountain trekkers. The quality of services was not as we expected. The bathroom was small and crowded but it was the shower that beat everything. The shower hung just above the squat toilet, sometimes called the Turkish or Indian toilet. Believe me, this was not the most pleasant shower I’ve had. The sunset The real pleasure of sleeping in a refugee is the sunset. Along the unexpected crowd of other tourists, we climbed a few meters up and enjoyed the view. On the one side, there was a high wall of the Civetta peak that turned into a mild rose colour. It is sometimes called “the wall of all walls” due to its difficulty and fame among the alpinists. The setting sun made all the frayed edges of the rocks visible. The mountain seemed like it was a living thing. The colours exploded into a vivid orange to fade slowly after the sun set. The real nature show available only to those who stay up there for the night. We slept in a room with 8 bunks and this was one of the downsides of our stay in Tissi. The other tourists did not bother to take a shower and made a horrible noise snoring loudly. This was definitely not the best night ever but we survived it. At 5:00 a.m. we...

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The post-Tbex trip was packed with activities. We explored the west corner of Ireland with its wild coastline, endless pastures, picturesque hills and spectacular fjord (the one and only in Ireland). Apart of delicious local food we had an excellent opportunity to get a good sense of attractiveness of Wild West Coast. For me it was a perfect off the beaten track destination: it combines unspoiled nature with no crowds and impressive cultural heritage. The weather might be challenging but our example shows that despite lack of sun it is still an attractive place. Great Western Greenway To give a bunch of bloggers bicycles and a map with indications where to go is enough to ensure they’ll have a great time. In a cloudy afternoon we cycled a short piece of Great Western Greenway from Mallaranny to Newport. This is very short and easy piece of a 42 long trail that stretches along the old railway from Westport to Achill, along the coast of Clew Bay. Well, as they say in the UK: security first! It all started with helmets, high-visibility (HV) clothing and individual adjustment of bikes rented. When everybody was ready we started our short ride towards south. Regrettably, the weather was rather poor. Although it was not raining the view was limited by clouds and mist. Even though, the hills on our lefthand side and the bay at our righthand side were lovely. I can only imagine how beautiful it is when the sun is shining. The way is well prepared and fit to the needs of cyclists and walkers. We were not the only users of the way: every few minutes families with kids and individual riders were passing by. The way is used exclusively by cyclists and walkers and with good road signs is perfectly safe. It took us a while to arrive to the finish point of our ride mainly because every few meters someone was taking pictures. Well, that how bloggers work. It was an excellent idea to ride a bike after hours spent in a bus, to breath deeply, to feel the smell of the ocean, to watch sheep and cows having their meals, and to move a bit! Walking West The next day our outdoor activities continued. Each blogger could decide whether wish to sail the traditional boat called the Galway Hooker or walk to the Moyrus beach. I picked the walking option hoping for beautiful photos of the bay, beach and hills. Again, the weather was not good enough to do any spectacular pictures. I’m showing here how the beach looks like in a good weather, just to give you an idea (courtesy of Walking West). And the short walk near the local graveyard, between typical Irish stonewalls looks like this: I think that despite the poor weather the places like Moyrus are always interesting. First, the fog creates a mystic atmosphere, the sound is muffled, the colors are blurred and you feel like the nature cannot be managed. Then, walking along a tiny road framed in stone walls towards a graveyard and the bay is exciting. Our guide from Walking West was fantastic. He was telling the stories about great famine in Ireland, local religious conflicts and interesting anecdotes about people buried on the graveyard (sailor, singer, famine sufferers). The Moyrus beach as we saw it was more like this: Graveyard immersed in a fog looked like this: The sea was calm, the sand was wet and the beach was full of shells, crabs, seaweeds and spectacular rocks. At some point we saw people riding on their horses, which for some people might be their dream come true. The horses looked magnificent! And guess what I found on a beach? Yes, of course, the shells of St. James (again!). I have already given them to my friends, one of whom walks the Way of St. James next week. All in all, peaceful walk at the Moyrus beach was wonderful. Getting closer to the ocean, walking on the green grass, watching the abandoned church and school was something that I needed very much in our travel rush. Killary Adventures In a Sunday afternoon we had another amazing activity organized and it was a real joy to all adrenaline junkies among us! The Killary Adventure park filled the adrenaline need for the whole afternoon. Again, we could pick up the activity: Clay Pigeon Shooting or Giant Swing. Although it would be great to shoot a pigeon I chose the Giant Swing. It might be tricky to explain how it worked so have a look at the picture first (pictures are blurred because it was raining, dark and we were on the move, sorry). As you can see there were two seats that were taken up first, and then with a handle pull we suddenly dropped down and swung. It was awesome! I didn’t expect such a pleasure from a swing but it was really great! I shared this adventure with Nick, Johnny and Erin. After our swings (each of us got a chance to do it twice!) we could heat ourselves in a nearby base: the K2 centre. We were welcomed by one of the owners of the Killary Adventure and her daughter with Irish Coffee and warm fireplace. She was telling us the stories of her own travels and adventures: the honeymoon was spent on a cruise and it would not be wired unless you think that she and her husband crossed the Atlantic Ocean by themselves in a boat. I would say these people have a very good sense of adventure! Tired of adrenaline? Check this cutest museum in Dublin here!  

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Here is a wonderful post written by Susan from vibrantireland.com who kindly shared her observations on Ireland. Read her story and visit her website! Enjoy! My Ireland When I visited Ireland, it changed my life. Really. It touched a part of me, and then I think it kept a part of me, because when I returned home to The States I felt bereft and miserable for a long time. So I took a huge leap. I sold my car, gave away my things, and moved to Ireland on a wing and a prayer. Nearly 20 years later I’m still here and I’ve never regretted it. This post isn’t about my story, but it is about some of the reasons I was able to have such a wonderful experience in Ireland, & what I’ve discovered is useful to visitors through my years living here— I’ve translated it all into some tips for your visit. Open Your Mouth It is true-Ireland is full of friendly people who are happy to suggest things to do, or offer up interesting info about their area. Don’t be afraid to ask people if you are lost, want a suggestion on where to eat, what to see, etc. Most people are pleased to share their favourites & their local knowledge. On my first visit, my 2 girlfriends & I got off the train in Derry and stood around with our giant backpacks, looking unsure. Some young men came up to us & asked if we were lost. We told them we were thinking of going to Donegal, but weren’t sure exactly where yet. They excitedly suggested we go to Buncrana, as the festival was on that weekend, and that we’d have a brilliant time there along beautiful Lough Swilly. We thanked them, and they went on their way– no hassle, just friendly advice about a place they loved. (Whew! We took their advice & had a fantastic time!). There May Be A Bit Of ‘Rudeness’ As an expat American, I must add this: most North Americans are accustomed to a level of immediate customer service that is not overly common in much of Ireland. You could have the same expectations where you are from, too. North Americans are used to being acknowledged when entering a cafe or such, especially when it is not always apparent if you seat yourself, order at the counter, or wait to be seated. (Also in regards to staff being on the phone; in The States we are used to the customer physically present being acknowledged, & then they may also take precedent over someone/customer on the phone. I find this doesn’t often happen in Ireland.) BUT don’t be put off– it doesn’t mean that the employee is actually unfriendly—I find that usually if you say a cheery Hello/ ask a question people are friendly & helpful. (Same for once they are off the phone. Not that I enjoy those differences in customer service, but it is good for you to be aware of them. I know many tourist businesses are trying to improve on this aspect of customer service). Don’t Just Dub This may be controversial, but don’t spend lots of your time in Dublin. I know it gets most of the hype, but unless you just want a quick city break, or have a specific interest in Dublin, in my opinion there’s no need for more than a day or two. (But those days can be great! I lived in Dublin for years & still visit frequently for events- there’s lots on in the city all the time.) For your Ireland trip I’d advise you to strongly consider picking an area or two outside of the Pale and really experiencing those rather than trying to do the whole country. I know Ireland seems small, but it takes a good while to travel it- especially if you are not going to places simply on the main motorways—which means loads of great places! Go Your Own Way! Investigate lesser known areas, like the Northwest. County Donegal is one of my favourite places on earth, and the people there are extra friendly, I think. Donegal is not full of big tourist buses like Kerry, but it does have the spectacular scenery, fantastic traditional music culture, and strong Irish-speaking areas that tempt many people to Kerry. I’m also a huge fan of the sunny southeast of Ireland, where I live now. Truthfully, most areas of Ireland will give you a great time if you do your homework online, and also ask people in the know for advice. Think about your interests– do you enjoy music, craft, outdoor activities, artisan food, history, festivals, gazing at scenery, art, visiting prehistoric monuments, having pints/craft beer? Investigate building your Irish holiday around a couple of these interests, particularly trying to include some non ‘top-touristy’ places connected with those interests. You may have a much more enjoyable time having a great pint of Guinness somewhere like the atmospheric & friendly Cleeres Pub & Theatre Kilkenny and then going next door to The Brewery Corner for an array of Irish & other craft beer than you would doing that big Guinness brewery tour Don’t Get Caught Out Plan in advance for Sundays. Lots of places to eat, shop, and some attractions may not open until around 2pm on Sundays, and some do not open at all. Checking into opening times in advance is always good advice, but especially for Sundays, Bank Holiday Mondays, and during the (long) Christmas holidays. Also at Easter holidays, too, and be aware some places close the Tuesday after the Bank Holiday Monday. Additionally, some museums are closed Mondays. LOL- it sounds off putting, but just confirm opening times when you plan or have a back-up just in case. If you find you’ll be surrounded by closed premises Sunday morning can be a nice time to just sleep in or enjoy the scenery. If Not Now, When? (Or, Don’t Blame The Rain!) Just do it! So many...

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