Ten Tips to Keep You Safe on the Hills and Mountains
January 22, 2012 | 
Author 
Walking in the Mountains has become one of today’s most popular outdoor pursuits. Gone is the earlier image of a pastime for strangely dressed eccentric old people dressed in woolly hats, hobnail boots, corduroy trousers and tweed jackets. Modern outdoor clothing is actually a multi million pound business that often has more to do with a fashion statement then practical use.
Cutting through the preverbal crap and pushing fashion statements to one side, lets take an actual look at what is needed for an enjoyable day on the hills. The following Ten Items are essential, not just for comfort but for actual survival and safety.
(1) Warm clothing consisting of:- Base layer:- Under shirt or T-shirt, under clothes and Socks. (Thin liner socks and thicker walking socks) Mid layer:- Fleece or woollen top. Trousers or shorts in the summer (Do not wear jeans, they hold water and will freeze on you in Winter. Cotton also holds moisture so avoid. Man made fabrics such as polyester do not hold moisture and dry much quicker.) Outer Layer:- Waterproof Jacket (Breathable is best for comfort.) Waterproof trousers, Hat, Gloves. Sun hat in the summer.
(2) Footwear:- 2 Season boots for Summer, they are light weight, waterproof, slightly flexible and have good ankle support. 3 to 4 Season boots for Winter, they are tough, rigid soles that can take crampons, waterproof with strong ankle support. Avoid footwear without ankle support. Trainers in winter or on wet grass can be lethal.
(3) Rucksack:- 25 to 35 litre rucksack is ideal as a day sack. Choose one that has a breathable back support, hip band and adjustable shoulder straps. The more money you pay the more features the pack will have. For example, wand pockets, camel pack compartment for water container and external waterproof cover. Dont carry unnecessary stuff in the bag, otherwise you may start to regret bringing along the unwanted weight in your bag
(4) Map and Compass:- In the UK, Explorer maps are ideal, they give excellent detail and are clear to follow. Try to pick a detailed map of about two and a half inches to the mile, these show fences and walls that can help as guide lines to follow. Unless the map is laminated, keep it in a waterproof case. Maps will fall apart when wet. There are various compasses on the market, however try to get one that has the needle suspended in fluid, such as a Silva Compass. The essential factor is learn how to use a Compass and read a map before venturing onto the hills. Dont rely on just a GPS device. Always take a map and compass.
(5) Safety equipment:- Whistle, Torch with spare battery, (LED last longer) First aid kit, Bivvy bag and a spare set of laces. (These can be used either for your boots or to tie a broken strap) Rope if you are tackling any rock climbs or crossing streams and rivers. Ice axe in Winter.
(6) Enough food and drink for the day:- Water or fruit drinks(hot or cold) Avoid Tea or Coffee they help to dehydrate you. DO NOT TAKE ALCOHOL. Alcohol not only dehydrates you it will help to bring on the effects of hypothermia very quickly. Easily digestible foods will get energy into your system much quicker. Bananas and dried fruit are a better source of blood sugar then chocolate.
(7) Plan your Route:- Plan your walk and have an alternative route to use if the weather is poor. Don’t take on more then you can cope with. Start with simple walks and build up your skills over a period of time. Build in escape routes into your walk should conditions deteriorate. Tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Leave a note in the glove compartment of your car. (If the car is still in the car park after several days and comes to the attention of the emergency services then at least a route note in the car will give them something to work with.)
(8) Check the weather:- Don’t leave it to chance. Always check the weather outlook a few days before you go. Avoid extreme weather conditions such as high winds and lightning. At the first sound of thunder, GET DOWN. You can survive getting wet, but it is unlikely that you will survive a lightning strike. If you are caught out crouch down on your mat or rucksack at the lowest point you can find, do not hold on to anything metal and wait for the storm to pass.
(9) Comfort:- Use a liner sock under your thick sock. This helps to cut down blisters which if left can make your day miserable. Don’t try going out in new boots, break them in first. Take a pack of tissues for those essential, personal moments.
(10) Be Prepared:- Have a good nights sleep the night before. Avoid going on the beer the night before. You will be very dehydrated and will tire very quickly. Have a good breakfast before starting. If you are not to worried about having the latest outdoor designs or syles in clothing.
Take a look in the discount stores or the various factory outlet stores who can often provide you with first class equipment at rock bottom prices. Don’t skimp on the essential equipment,:- ie. Boots, safety equipment, maps, compasses, waterproofs. They may just save your life. Most of all enjoy the experience. Its not about endurance or taking your body to the limit. Its about finding petranquillity, becoming one with nature, enjoying the company of your companions and perhaps having a good night in the pub afterward to boast about your days activity, or sitting around the camp fire to the early hours reliving those great moments on the hills.
Winter Fun in Ontario – 10 Great Things to Do in the Snow!
We can be confident of snow here in Ontario and although not blessed with mountains for skiing and snowboarding of the Rockies variety, there’s lots of alternatives to get you wrapped up and out in the white stuff. Here’s ten great ideas to get those cheeks rosy and exhilaration soaring!
1. Snow tubing – I put this at number one as, in the words of a friend, ‘this is the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on’. Yes, this is a real blast. Sit in a big inner tube, get dragged to the top of a hill, choose your degree of gradient, then off you go. The most fun is with a group of friends or family and you have four or six tubes spinning down the slope. Try it – you won’t be disappointed!
2. Cross country skiing – for pure tranquility and the best of our winter wonderland, there is little to beat a few hours on the trails. This is an easy sport to learn – take a lesson or two; rent skis, boots and poles, and you are on your way. Many ski areas have rest huts where you can get hot chocolate to warm up at the end of the day. Bliss!
3. Dog sledding – take part in or watch this great activity and you’ll be hooked. Ontario boasts some of the biggest dog sled events in Canada, and some of the best places to experience sledding first hand. Try a moonlit outing
4. Snow shoeing – this is such great exercise, and the best way of getting into deep snow country in winter. This is the way the early settlers got about – no 4WD or snowmobiles for them – so you can really experience what it must have been like. This is also the best opportunity to see winter wildlife.
5. Snowmobiling – there are thousands of kilometers of snowmobile trails in Ontario so whether you have your own, or rent one for the day, you won’t be short of a trail to blaze. Try a snowmobile safari where everything is provided for you, even a guide, or rent a machine and go it alone.
6. Ice skating – outdoor skating is exhilarating at the best of times, and even more so when it is on the longest skating rink in the world. A 7.8 kilometre roadway of ice in the heart of Canada’s capital, Ottawa’s Rideau Canal offers fun for all the family. And it’s free!
7. Luge – natural luge or ‘Naturbahn’ doesn’t use artificial snowbanks but follows the natural contours, curves and banks of a slope. Redstone River Luge is only one of six natural tracks in all Canada.
8. Winter festivals – anywhere that has snow cover for five months of the year will celebrate it at some point. There are winter festivals to enjoy all over Ontario, from small village events to the biggest of them all – Winterlude in Ottawa. A great experience for all the family.
9. Ice fishing – if you ever saw Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in ‘Grumpy Old Men’ you’ll remember the ice hut scenes. Ontario’s ice covered lakes brings this to you! Most of the larger lakes have ice hut rentals, so arrive rent your hut and start fishing in comfort!
10. Stopping in by the fire – sometimes winter is best experienced from indoors. When the snow is coming down in bucket loads and the world is mostly white, the best thing may be to curl up in front of a log fire with a good book. Rent a cosy cottage in the country, preferably one with a hot tub, and prepare for a few days of complete relaxation.
And after a long day pursuing one of these wonderful activities, why not come back to a cosy cottage, curl up by the log fire with a glass of wine, and reflect on this wonderful winter wonderland.
Shark Attacks! How Common are They? Where do They Occur?
Last week in Australia, one man’s day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney’s Bronte Beach.
Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and “shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole.” After taking two bites of the fiberglass board, the shark swam away and Letch surfed back to shore.
“It was only about 10 or 15 seconds that I was waiting for a wave but it seemed like an eternity,” Letch said.
You’d think that this Jaws-style attack would have kept Letch on land, at least for the rest of the day, but the lifeguard said he came back 30 minutes later, replacement board in hand, ready to surf.
Afraid to Get Back in the Water?
Just how likely are you to come across your own “Jaws” while wading in the surf or snorkeling with some Angel Fish?
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 1,909 confirmed shark attacks have occurred around the world-between 1580 and 2003! Of these, 737 happened in the United States, and 38 people died as a result. Hardly alarming numbers, but the actual number of shark attacks isn’t really known because many areas keep them under wraps so tourism isn’t affected.
Unprovoked shark attacks, the kind where a shark in its natural habitat attacks a (live) human without any apparent reason, do seem to be on the rise, though, say the researchers behind ISAF.
In 2004, there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks recorded worldwide (seven were fatal), up from 57 in 2003. Overall, this number has been growing for the past 100 years, and more people were attacked in the 1990s than in any other decade (and so far it seems that the current decade will break last decade’s record).
***** Your odds of being attacked by a shark? 1 in 11.5 million, says the International Shark Attack File. Being killed by a shark? 0 in 264.1 million. Your risk of drowning, for comparison? 1 in 2 million. *****
Keep in mind, though, that if you’re involved in a shark attack that’s deemed “provoked,” that attack will not be included in the tally. What constitutes a provoked shark attack or an attack that’s not “unprovoked”? Those that involve:
* Sharks and divers in public aquaria or research holding pens
* “Scavenge damage” to already dead humans (typically drowning victims)
* Attacks on boats
* Attacks in which a human initiates contact with a shark (such as a diver grabbing a shark)
Why are shark attacks on the rise? It’s less complicated than you may think … Say the researchers at ISAF, it’s because humans are spending more time in the water.
Where Are Shark Attacks Most Common?
Though images of Great Whites gliding through Australia’s Great Barrier Reef may come to mind, most shark attacks happen in North American waters. Within the United States, shark attacks happen most often in Florida and then in:
* California
* Texas
* Hawaii
* North Carolina
* Alabama, Oregon and South Carolina (tied)
Worldwide, after North American waters, the most shark attacks occur in:
* Australia
* Brazil
* South Africa
* Reunion Island (in the Indian Ocean)
* The Bahamas, Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, New Zealand and Venezuela (tied)
***** In the United States, you’re more likely to be killed by a deer (through auto accidents), dog, snake or mountain lion than you are by a shark. *****
How to Prevent Shark Attacks
First and foremost, if you want to be sure a shark won’t attack you … don’t go in the ocean. Next on the list is, don’t go in the water if you see a shark, and then don’t go in if you’re bleeding-sharks can detect even minute amounts of blood from very far away (this applies even to menstruating women). The Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department offers these other shark safety tips:
* Swim in groups-sharks are most likely to attack a person who’s alone.
* Don’t swim too far from shore (you’re farther away from help and more isolated).
* Don’t go in the water at night or during twilight hours when sharks are most active.
* Leave shiny jewelry at home-a shark could mistake it for shiny fish scales.
* Don’t swim in areas used by commercial or sport fisherman where bait is used often (if there are diving seabirds around, it’s likely this is the case).
* Don’t swim if you have an uneven tan-sharks don’t like tan lines! (seriously, the contrast could attract them).
* The same goes for bright colored clothing-sharks may be attracted to it.
* Don’t splash excessively or swim with pets (who may thrash around and attract a shark).
* Be careful around steep drop-offs or when between sandbars (these are two areas sharks love).
What to do if a Shark Attacks
In the unlikely event that a shark does attack … swim … and fast. Seriously, if you see a shark the best thing to do is stay calm and swim quickly, but smoothly, back to the shore or surface.
If the shark actually attacks, you should first try to hit it on the tip of its nose (use whatever you have with you-a spear or camera if you’re diving, a surfboard as Letch did, or your own fist). The shark should go away long enough for you to calmly, but quickly, swim away (Discomforting side note: If you can’t get away, and the shark comes back, hitting it on the nose will become less and less effective).
If the shark bites and you’re stuck in its mouth, be as aggressive as you can. Go for the sensitive areas of the eyes and gill openings and hit the shark, hard. Don’t “play dead,” as this won’t help. As soon as the shark releases, get out of the water as quickly as you can (don’t hang around because once there’s blood in the water, the shark will likely come back to attack again).
Chances are very, very small of being attacked by a shark, though, so don’t let Hollywood’s version of a man-eating Jaws (or the disturbing images of the film “Open Water”) keep you from enjoying the surf.
If it makes you feel any better, there are plenty of other things to worry about while you’re at the beach that are more likely to happen than a shark attack … things like dehydration, jellyfish and stingray stings, cutting your foot on a seashell, sunburn, and sand getting wedged in private places, just to name a few.
————
Sources
Seattle Post-Intelligencer April 19, 2005
International Shark Attack File
Sharks!
How to Maintain Your Playground Drainage
There are several aspects that need to be considered when constructing a playground. This means that you have to look into everything that’s needed such as different play areas for different age groups, the fencing and also a proper drainage system. The drainage system is one of the most important aspects of a playground as without a proper drainage system the area would just become a place for standing water, soaked wood chips and also several mud holes. This can make things even worse later on and you might have to spend a lot of money again for maintenance of the ground. If not that, then the play time will have to be delayed so that the water is allowed to dry up which can eventually end up in unhappy children.
The solution to the problem is to install a good drainage system which can easily drain off the water from the playground. There are some excellent playground drainage system maintenance products available which can help in proper drainage management. There are high flow capacity sheets available that allows the water to drain out quickly and also lets the area to dry out sooner thereby reducing the amount of water standing time and muddy areas. This would therefore let the children return to the playground much sooner.
There is some drainage sheets designed specifically for horizontal and vertical applications and can be used at shallow depths where flow capacity and modest compressive strength are adequate. You should place one side of the drainage sheet against the wall surface in the playground foundation or to a place that has similar structure. These drainage sheets can also provide you all the coverage protection for its waterproofing equipments.
There is also the total drainage sheet available that can combine any of the regular drainage sheet section with this unique total drain system. With this drainage solution the regular drain sheets would perform in its normal way of collecting water and the total drain system can handle both collecting water and comes with high profile section to drain off the water from the playground. The maintenance of these sheets is also very important and you should make sure they are looked into every 2 to 3 months so that you check for any water blockage even though there is less water blockage. This will help you better maintain your playground off stagnant water so that the children are not disappointed.
World Caribbean Cruise
World Caribbean cruise is a specially designed ship that will facilitate you to have adventure in the ship and have a world tour as well. World Caribbean cruises are owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. It has 42 ships in service under 5 different brands and one more under construction. It controls a 24.8% share of the world cruise market. It was founded in 1968. Each of these ships includes a type of lounge called the Viking Crown lounge which offers bars, dinning room, onboard rock climbing walls, and special kid and youth program known as Adventure Ocean. These ships contain number of classes. The first type of ship is oasis class. This can accommodate up to 5400 passengers.
The second class name is freedom class, with gross tonnage of 154410 tons; they surpassed Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 as the largest ships in the world even though they are five meters shorter than the Queen Mary 2. Another class is Voyager Class; this is the fourth largest passenger ships at sea. These ships include a 350 foot indoor mall known as Royal Promenade, pubs, bars, cafes, shops.
And other activity options on board include: basketball courts, skating rinks, mini golf course etc. Another class of World Caribbean Cruise is Radiance class. These ships have public grand rooms and are environmentally-friendly gas turbine engines. This ship have over three acres of glass, over 700 balcony staterooms, glass exterior viewing elevators, a retractable glass over a pool, as well as self-leveling billiard tables at sea. Another class of ships is vision class; it has a gross tonnage of 70000 and is the only one which has a golf course. Another class is sovereign class; these were the first mega ships. These ships have pools, open bars and grand theatres.
Royal Caribbean operates two privately owned resorts that are used as stops on some Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. World Caribbean cruise is perfect for a family cruise it offer more options to choose your perfect vacation. Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise options. It visits over 100 ports all around the world. Some of the ports of call include Alaska, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe etc. Some of the special features of Royal Caribbean cruises are they covered almost the whole world.
It offers cruises for any budget, and it fit any vacation schedule, organized kids activities from toddlers to teens, and no cover charge for entertainment, and no prices in menus as food is included.
So here you will have adventures, excitement, and so much to do.
Why Won’t My Shoulder Pain Go Away?
If you’re anything like the average Joe, you work hard during the week usually performing rigorous or repetitive tasks such as hammering or heavy lifting, typing or repetitive mouse clicking. Then you come home and relax by sinking into the couch and doing nothing for several hours. Follow that up with spending the weekend performing more rigorous, repetitive tasks such as gardening, laundry or a larger ongoing project like painting the bedroom walls. Or perhaps you use the weekends to play and go skiing or rock climbing. Then you notice that your shoulder hurts when putting on your shirt or closing a door or perhaps it’s become so painful that you can’t lift your arm to brush your teeth or wash your hair.
You’re not alone. What you are probably experiencing is tendinitis in one or more of the shoulder muscles, which is quite common……but there is help!
The problem
Your shoulders are incredibly flexible joints that allow your arms to move through a large range of motion. They are used in almost every activity and they take a lot of punishment on a daily basis. As a result, they are prone to a wide range of injuries that can cause pain and limit your range of motion. Normally the body is able to heal itself quite well during sleep. Unfortunately the average American is so busy with work, chores, bills, errands etc. that when it’s time to sleep we just stare at the ceiling and think about tomorrow which only keeps us awake and creates more stress and less healing.
Many times these injuries are simply caused by wear and tear. For example, a common injury is tendinitis of one of the rotator cuff muscles called the Infraspinatus. This is a small triangular muscle located on the back of the shoulder blade. It covers the lower portion of the scapula and its tendon attaches to the back side of the humerus (large bone of upper arm). Like the other muscles of the rotator cuff, the Infraspinatus is weaker than the surrounding muscles due to its poor mechanical advantage which makes it more susceptible to injury. Through poor posture and/or repetitive overuse such as, reaching behind you into the back seat of your car and lifting a heavy object, swinging a tennis racquet or hastily pulling off your jacket, the tendon develops micro tears and becomes inflamed and painful. The resulting pain can lead to overcompensation from other muscles in the body which leads to chronically tightened muscles and trigger points.
Trigger points are small knots in the muscle tissue that are very common around the shoulder and can refer pain and tenderness into the muscles or joints. The referred pain can mimic other shoulder problems and can feel as if the injury is actually in a completely different area or muscle.
The reason it takes so long to heal
Without being treated tendinitis can take several months or even years to heal and even then you may not get back your full range of motion. This is due to, as mentioned before, overcompensation of other muscles in an effort to prevent further injury and pain, which can cause chronic tightening of these muscles and can eventually lead to more severe conditions such as adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder.
No there isn’t a miracle drug or cream or instant treatment that will make this injury disappear overnight. Chances are it took several years to get to this point and unfortunately it’s going to take some time and a personal commitment to your own healing to reverse it.
Do I need surgery?
I am happy to say NO, you may not need surgery!
If your massage therapist is a skilled neuromuscular therapist and you are willing to be proactive with your own healing you can expect at least a 90% recovery in as little as six weeks without surgery, injections or drugs.
1. You will need to locate the exact muscle and tendon in need of repair. Your therapist can help you with this by performing a few resisted range-of-motion tests.
2. The next step is to release the trigger points in the muscle tissue; this will almost immediately relieve some of the pain in the shoulder and possibly in the back and neck as well.
3. Next it will be necessary to properly palpate the injured portion of the tendon, usually the most tender part, and friction the area using focused cross fiber strokes (this is known as cross fiber friction or deep transverse friction) designed to break down scar tissue and reestablish blood flow, followed by stretching the target muscle.
4. Finally the muscle must be restrengthened using light weights and/or elastic bands such as a Theraband.
It should be noted here that there are other types of shoulder injuries that deserve special consideration such as sprains and dislocations which typically result from falls. It’s natural to reach your arm out to catch yourself when falling, but the impact can strain or tear the shoulder ligaments. If the impact is severe enough, the humerus may be knocked right out of the socket and the shoulder can become dislocated. With a severe trauma, the bones may actually fracture or break. When this is the case the arm needs to be immobilized and a proper diagnosis by a physician will be required.
Sometimes the only option is surgery. The best medicine in this case is prevention. As soon as you develop any pain or discomfort in your shoulder, see your massage therapist or other health care practitioner immediately for assessment and treatment. Don’t risk getting this serious and debilitating shoulder condition.
Big Skye II Swing Set by Gorilla Playsets Features and Benefits
If you are in the market for a swing set that is top of the line with all the bells and whistles then you have to research the Big Skye II swing set. This playset is extremely large and you will need a huge spot in the garden for this monster of a set. The layout specifies a space that is 32 feet long by 27 feet wide which equals approximately 864 square feet.
The Big Sky II wooden swing set is manufactured by Gorilla Playsets and is one of the top sellers in there line of playsets. With three slides and two climbing activities your children won’t know what to do first. This playground will entertain children for hours at a time and they will want to play on it everyday. This unit features a combination of stained wood and poly coated green beams which are maintenance free. The stained wood will require the annual maintenance as outlined in the manufacturers handbook.
What I really love about this set is the quality of the top beam which support the swings. Gorilla Playsets beams are really strong and the iron ductile hardware is made from casted galvanized iron with bronze bushing. The three position swing bay support several accessories, such as a glider swing for 2 riders, two swing belts or a trapeze bar.
With built in safety features such as the step ladder, safety pads which are placed over the boards and safety handles, this is one high quality product. This playground weighs almost 1500 pounds and is considered a free standing unit so it does not require ground stakes for stability. Lastly, this swing set is so big that 8 to 10 children could play on it together, making this playset perfect for large families.
Swing Set Features:
Wooden roof
Iron ductile swing hangers
2 swings with plastisol coating over the chains
1 trapeze bar with plastisol coating over the bar
Glider
10′ Extreme wave slide – Green tube slide – 14′ commercial grade scoop slide
Rock wall with climbing rope – Climbing rope ladder
Safety step ladder – Safety pads – Safety handles
Built-in picnic table – Sandbox with mesh cover
Tower Toys included are Telescope – Periscope
Steering Wheel – Tic-Tac-Toe panel
Rock Climbing Techniques – Building a Grade Pyramid
In rock climbing, going from one level of difficulty to another can be daunting. It can be equally daunting going from one type of climbing feature or climbing area to another. As an example, many experienced traditional climbers find bolt protected sport routes alarmingly physical, while many sport climbers find trad climbing scary. If you’ve just climbed indoors, just going outside may seem really scary. Transitions from inside to outside, from bolted to trad, or from trad to bolted, need to be sensitively managed. Usually that means dropping your grade. If you’ve only climbed inside and F6a+ (5.10c) is your limit, then don’t try F6a+s outside. Start with F4s and F5s (5.7 to 5.9) and work up.
If you’re going from one level of difficulty to another, in the same climbing medium, probably the best way is to use grade pyramids. For instance, if you’ve climbed E1 (5.9/5.10) but want to move into E2 (solid 5.10), then ask yourself, “How many E1s have I climbed in the last six months?” If it’s only one or two, then you haven’t really consolidated at the grade. Sure, you might get up an E2 and maybe an E3 but, unless you consolidate, i.e. climb more at each grade, you’re likely to get caught out. Conversely, if you’ve climbed dozens of E1s and never tried an E2, you’re likely to stagnate.
There’s no rock climbing law about this, but I’d take as a rule of thumb doing at least six routes at a given grade for ‘mild consolidation’. So, if you’ve climbed 6 E1s recently, all onsight (without falls) and you’re feeling confident, why not try an E2? If you’re not confident, maybe do 10 E1s. But then ask yourself, “What’s stopping me? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it my confidence? Is it my technique? Is it power, power-endurance, endurance?”
You could throw a rope down an E2 and top-rope it. You could abseil down one and have a look. You could just try a well protected one and see what happens. If you get up it OK, then why not try another? Why not aim to consolidate at E2 now, rather than E1, by climbing six or eight or 10 routes at the new grade. Then you may feel ready for E3.
So let’s imagine you’ve built up a ‘grade pyramid’ of 15 E1s, 10 E2s and 6 E3s. Do you feel ready for E4? Maybe – maybe not. Only you can decide. But you’ve built up consistency and you will have built up confidence. You will be in a much better position than a climber contemplating his first E4, when he’s only done two E1s, one E2 and one E3. Your solidity of experience will protect you from those ‘rogue’ routes that lurk at all grades for the unwary.
With sport climbing, grade pyramids are usually easier to arrange. You may have done 20 F6bs (5.10d), 15 F6b+s (5.11a), 10 F6cs (5.11b) and five F6c+s (5.11c). Are you ready for your first F7a (5.11d)? Maybe, maybe not. But again, your grade pyramid puts you in a far better position than the guy who’s just done two F6bs and one F6c.
In climbing, sometimes we made big advances and sometimes we progress by incremental gains. Grade pyramids are a fantastic way of proceeding by incremental gains and getting us through those grade ceilings that appear so daunting in advance and so harmless in retrospect.
Rock Climbing Gear
There are a number of different outdoor sports that people enjoy. For those who enjoy adventure, Rock climbing offers the most challenging experience of all outdoor activities. An experienced rock climber knows how important it is to have good quality rock climbing gear.
A serious rock climber will always have safety on top of their list of priorities. Choosing the right set of rock climbing gear and equipment is the first step to ensuring a safe and successful climb. f you purchase gear that is inferior, you could be putting your life at risk.Rock climbing can be a dangerous sport. The participants start at the bottom of the mountain and climb to the top by using equipment that is powered by physical strength. It takes a person who is physically fit to perform a successful rock climbing expedition.
Rock climbing equipment can be found in any sporting goods store or can be ordered over the Internet. There are several wholesale and discount rock climbing stores across the country. By checking local directories and the Internet, you can find them easily.
The prices of rock climbing gear range from $30 and can go as high as $1200 dollars. There are wholesale and discount stores that offer huge discounts in order to retain your business. The majority of owners are either former or current rock climbers and can give you helpful advice.
It is recommended that you buy your rock climbing equipment in a sporting good store because you need to make sure that everything fits you properly. Your safety depends on it. It is possible to buy your climbing gear used, but it is not recommended. Especially your shoes. You need to you’re your rock climbing shoes fitted to your feet, with used rock climbing shoes, the are already formed around someone else’s feet. When you are climbing, the last thing you need to worry about is the safety of your gear.
When you first get started with rock climbing, there are specific recommendations for those who are new the sport. Taking a course in rock climbing will give you the instruction that you need to make your climb successful. Rock climbing shoes are possibly the most important piece of equipment you will purchase. Making the right choice is critical.
Ordinary sneakers will not afford you the grip that you need to ensure your safety. Rock climbing shoes are designed with special grip that are needed for this dangerous sport. A harness is your safety net when you’re rock climbing. It can act as a pulley to get you over surfaces that are too horizontal for you to get around, and it can prevent you from plummeting if you lose your footing.
You may be hanging in the air until you can get your footing again, but you will not fall.
Ropes and chocks are also necessary in rock climbing, Ropes also protect you from falling, and chocks are the grips that create handholds as you climb the rock or mountain. All of this equipment, except for the climbing shoes, is sold separately, or it is sold in packs. When you buy it in a pack, you may pay less than you would if you bought it separately. Another item that is optional is a climber’s toolbox. It is a box that you can put your rock climbing equipment in and makes it easily accessible. It is carried in your backpack.
There are many different types of rock climbing equipment available on the market today. It is crucial that you choose the correct rock climbing gear to suit your needs. There is even rock climbing equipment that is made especially for children. If you are not sure what type of equipment you will need, talk to an experienced rock climber. They can advise you of everything that you will need to have a safe but adventurous climb. You need to be dedicated to learning every aspect of it and train on simulated mountains before you undertake the real thing. This right rock climbing equipment could save your life.
Golf Hole In One Frames
For an avid golf player, nothing compares to a hole in one experience. If you are one of those who have sent the golf ball into the hole with a single stroke, then you must be really overwhelmed and proud. Why not? For an average golf player, the likelihood of accomplishing such a feat is rare. Only one in 8,000 can do so.
Memories of such a victory are priceless. There are a lot of ways to preserve such good memories-and one is through golf hole in one frames. You can frame a photograph that shows you making that winning stroke. This picture can adorn your desk at home or in the office, or hang on the wall of your living room.
Golf-inspired picture frames are specially designed to match your passion for the game. Their borders are usually decorated with miniature golf equipment and accessories such as golf clubs, golf balls and golf shoes. These frames do not only serve as ornaments but also souvenirs that bring back wonderful golfing memories.
Hole in one frames make excellent gifts for your golfing buddies or for those you know who celebrate the excitement of the game. Aside from their favorite golf photograph, you can place the picture of their favorite professional golfer in the frame.
Typical 4′x 6′ wood frames sell for about $10 to $24. Lacquered wood frames that hold 5′x 7′ photographs usually sell for about $25. Frames made of high-quality materials go for $30 on up to $40.
If you are up for some creative work, you can make the frame yourself. You can use thick cardboard or heavyweight paper for the frame, then paint it with acrylic paint. You can use plexi glass rather than standard glass. Plexi glass is less expensive, lighter, stronger and more shatter-resistant than normal glass.