| How to Hike Posted: 08 Oct 2019 01:00 AM PDT There are very few things more pleasant than hiking through the great outdoors. The sun warming your shoulders, nature all around you, and an incredible view before you--trails can truly be paradise. However, hiking can also be dangerous if not done properly. It is incredibly important to prepare for a hiking trip, and to know what to do once you get out onto the trail. [Edit]Preparing for Your Hike - Buy a local guidebook. Hiking guidebooks are essential when it comes to finding the right hike for you. Local guidebooks will also tell you all about the natural landscape around you--from wildflowers you will see while hiking during different seasons, to the types of birds you will see flying overhead. You should be able to purchase a local hiking guide at your local bookstore, outdoor adventure store, or at your regional park's visitors center. You can also purchase them online.
- You can also search online for hikes in your area. Chances are, you will find a bunch of websites detailing some great hikes right near your house--even if you live in the heart of a city like San Francisco (if you actually do live in SF, go check out the Marin Headlands!)
- Start small. If this is your first time hiking, you should choose a relatively easy hike. Look for short day hikes that are a manageable distance for your abilities. If you rarely ever go out into nature, you might want to stick with a flat one or two mile track. For others who exercise regularly, an easy five mile roundtrip hike may be more your style--it's really up to you. Just don't push yourself too hard your first time out.[1]
- Bring lots of water. One of the most important things to know when learning how to hike safely is that you need to bring the right amount of water. Staying hydrated is really important, so drink a good amount of water before you head out on your hike. Bring more water than you think you will need--it's better to carry extra water than not bring enough and become dehydrated. A good rule of thumb is to bring at least one liter of water per person for every two hours of hiking.[2] Bring even more if the hike is particularly hot or strenuous.
- Pack your backpack. Depending on the length of your hike, you may consider bringing different things. In general, however, you should always bring some sort of energy-boosting snack (you can never go wrong with trail mix), a knife of some kind (Swiss Army knives are great), a compass and map, a flashlight, matches or a lighter, and an extra layer of clothing (in case the weather changes suddenly.)and snacks[3]
- You could also consider bringing a first aid kit, a compass, binoculars, etc. Just remember that you don't want to weigh yourself down with unnecessary items. Always bring water.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Along with the other items you have packed in your backpack, you will also need to bring supplies to protect you from the sun. This includes sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Getting sun poisoning or skin cancer is no laughing matter, so do anything you can to protect yourself from the sun's harsh rays.
- Wear the right shoes. It's important to wear shoes that will make your trailblazing easier. Skip the flip-flops and go for laced up shoes that will give you good arch support. If you can, wear hiking boots or trail shoes--these will be the best for maneuvering in rough terrain. Combat boots are also great, these can be worn for a long time on rough terrain and still be comfortable. If it's a tick season, tuck pants in socks, you don't want to get bitten and infection from ticks spread to you.
- If you have new shoes that you've never worn before, break them in before you set out on your hike. If you don't, you could end up with some nasty blisters on your feet.
- Ask some friends or family to go with. Beginning hikers should stick together or go with more experienced hikers before they head out on the trail by themselves. This is because if you are hiking solo and something happens to you, it is much more difficult to get help. Plan a hike and ask your friends to come along, both for the fun of it but also as a safety precaution.[4]
- If you do decide to hike solo, let someone else know where you are going and when you are supposed to be back. Tell them you will contact them after you are done with your hike. Do not forget to actually contact them or they may call the police.
- Know what to do in case of an emergency. While it is more than likely that your hike will go perfectly smoothly, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Carry a first aid kit with you, and bring your cellphone. Be prepared, however, that you may not have reception out in the woods. For an extensive guide on how to survive in the wild, click here.[5]
[Edit]On the Trail - Begin at the trailhead. Each trail begins with a trailhead--a sign that generally states the name of the trail and the distance to the end (or how long the loop is.) Other trailhead, like those in national parks, will have a map of all of the other trails your trail connects to, as well as different things to look out for while hiking.
- If you cannot find a trailhead, you may not be at the right location. Ask someone for directions. Other trails might not have a trailhead--this fact will be specified in your trail guide.
- Look for trail markers. When you are out hiking, you will inevitably come across a fork in the road. Follow the trail markers that say your trail's name. If there are no markers available (which is relatively rare) consult your map and look for cairns. Cairns are stacks of rocks that rangers make to show hikers the correct path to take.
- You may see small trails branching off from your trail. Do not follow these--often they are simply deer and other forest creature paths that will lead you into uncharted territory. Park rangers and trail maintenance people generally block off these sort of faux-trails by dragging fallen tree branches across the path.
- Obey all signs. If you see a sign that says "Stay on the trail" you should--you guessed it--stay on the trail. It is more than likely that that sign is there because there is revegetation happening in the area. When too many people walk in areas other than the path, they can do serious damage to the vegetation.
- You will also most likely see a sign that says do not feed wild animals. This is really good advice, as feeding wild animals can hurt both you and the animals. Do not feed wild animals--no matter how cute they look.
- Take breaks and rehydrate. Hiking is not a race, but rather an activity that you can do at your own speed. Don't be afraid to slow down if you are feeling tired. Drink water throughout your hike and sit down for a rest whenever you feel the need to do so.
- Look out for critters that might be underfoot. Be aware that when you are hiking, you are passing through the home of many different creatures--from the smallest bugs, to the biggest bears. Do not ever try to approach or interact with wild animals because they are just that--wild.
- In particular, look out for snakes. Be careful when walking in rocky areas where snakes are known to reside--stepping on a snake is never a good thing.
- Take only pictures, leave only footprints. This is a saying we are taught when we are young but it remains true. The wilderness is a place of beauty that must be respected. Do not throw your trash on the ground, disturb the peace by blasting music or talking at the top of your lungs. Do not take rocks, plants or animals with you when you leave the trail--if you do, you are disrupting the beautiful ecosystems around you. To be a true hiker, you must respect nature.[6]
- Don't hike on an extremely hard trail, or in extreme weather, if you have never gone hiking before.
- If the trailhead has a hiking log, sign it. This will let park rangers know that you have started out on the trial. Always mark that you are back once you have finished your hike.
- Take a GPS in case you get lost.
[Edit]Warnings - Follow all trail markers and signs. Stay on the trail or you run the risk of becoming lost.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wear Oversized Sweaters Posted: 07 Oct 2019 05:00 PM PDT When the weather gets chilly, there is nothing cozier – or more convenient – than popping on an oversized sweater. With proper styling, you can look just as fashionable as you do cozy. Paired with the wrong things, however, oversized sweaters look less trendy, and more like you rolled out of bed and raided someone else's closet. To pull off this look effortlessly, it's all about choosing the right sweater, creating the perfect outfit, and accessorizing. [Edit]Choosing Your Oversized Sweater - Decide what length you need. If you're going to be wearing your oversized sweater with jeans, you can wear basically any length sweater you want. However, if you want to pair your sweater with a dress, skirt, shorts, and any other shorter garments worn on your bottom half, you probably want a slouchy sweater that still ends around the waist. If you're going to be wearing an oversized sweater as a dress, you definitely want something long that covers you!
- Oversized sweaters go in and out of fashion, but when they are very stylish, in both men's and women's departments -don't be afraid to explore both sections – oversized sweaters are a fantastic, gender neutral wardrobe pieces.
- Consider colors and patterns. Monochrome sweaters, especially those in neutral colors, are great additions to your wardrobe because they can be paired with all sorts of other clothes and accessories. Patterned sweaters can be fun statement pieces, and you can effortlessly create an outfit just by pairing them with neutral trousers, leggings, shorts etc.
- There is a time and a place for both bold patterns and solid neutrals. Consider your collection of pants, jeans, skirts, leggings, dresses, and so on when deciding which kind of sweater to add to your collection.
- Think about layering possibilities. This will help you decide if you want a thick, chunky sweater, or a more lightweight sweater. If you're looking for a sweater to wear over layers, you may want to get something a bit less chunky – otherwise, you'll feel like you're wearing a sumo suit. On the other side, you don't want something so sheer that you'll see the bottom layers right through it.
- Lightweight, oversized cardigans are great to throw on over warm weather outfits, and big chunky sweaters look great with winter outfits. It's all about visualizing the outfits you want to create!
[Edit]Creating an Outfit - Pair slouchy sweaters with dresses and skirts. Weather permitting, this is a great combination. Wearing a big, chunky sweater over a flowy dress can create a really interesting, trendy contrast. Transform summer dresses into fall and winter dresses just by topping them with a warm sweater. For this look, it's best to wear oversized sweaters that are cropped at the waist, so it doesn't completely cover your dress or skirt.[1]
- Wearing oversized sweaters with maxi skirts can create the ultimate bohemian silhouette. It can be hard to pull this look off without looking like you're drowning in clothing, though. This look works best on tall people, but that doesn't mean you can't rock it if you're short.
- Wear big sweaters with form-fitting bottoms. When it comes to wearing oversized clothing, the general rule is one thing at a time. If you're going to wear a big, baggy sweater, avoid wearing big, baggy pants too. Instead, pair your sweater with tighter jeans, pants, or leggings. The largeness (and coziness) of the sweater is balanced out by the form-fitting bottoms.[2]
- Rock oversized sweaters like a dress. There is no rule that you have to wear bottoms at all! If your sweater is long enough, pair it with tights and call it a dress. This is perfect for those cold days when you want to look chic but also want to be snug and warm. Pair it with tall boots and you have an effortlessly chic outfit.
- Add a bit of structure to your sweater dress by wearing a tailored blazer over it.
[Edit]Accessorizing Your Oversized Sweater - Wear a belt. The one downside of oversized sweaters is that they certainly don't show off your figure. If you want to accentuate your waist, there's an easy solution. Pop a belt around your sweater and cinch it tight. Now, you have all the coziness of the big sweater, but you also have created a flattering silhouette.[3]
- Embrace the wrist accessories. Big sweaters pair perfectly with big jewelry. Big, bold watches, bangles, and other bracelets look great against big, chunky sweaters. This is an easy way to add a bit of color or sparkle to a neutral sweater, or add a bit of fancy flair to a slouchy, more casual sweater. Cuff the sleeves of your sweater to show off your bracelets or watch.
- Add a necklace. You can easily transform a big, comfy sweater into dressy work attire simply by adding a beautiful statement necklace. You can soften up a cable knit sweater by pairing it with a dainty necklace. Playing around with your jewelry can really change an entire outfit, so don't be afraid to experiment. The lounging, weekend sweater can transition to business professional with some strategic styling.
- Dress up your sweaters with your footwear. Pairing big, oversized sweaters with casual footwear is a no-brainer – they go perfectly with sneakers, snow boots, and moccasins. However, you can style them in a completely new way with different footwear. Try pairing an oversized sweater dress with over-the-knee boots for a fierce, eye-catching look. Take that slouchy, neutral sweater from movie night to party night by wearing it with sky-high wedges or heels.[4] Men can pop on some dress shoes to instantly take the look from cozy to professional.
- The key to styling your oversized sweater is to get creative, and get bold. Get inspiration from fashion magazines, Pinterest, and television, and try combinations you've never considered before. Oversized sweaters are more versatile than you may think!
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cake Pops Posted: 07 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT Cake pops or balls are a great and unique way to indulge cakes without having to modify a recipe. Petite in size, they can be enjoyed by kids and adults for any occasion. Enjoy these for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Makes 48 cake balls. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Cake Pops - Your favorite yellow cake recipe
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup cream cheese icing
[Edit]Coating and Decoration - 24 ounces white chocolate melts
- Cinnamon sugar mixture
[Edit]Creating the Cake Mixture - Bake the cake. Follow the specific recipe you are using, in addition to adding the cinnamon, pumpkin puree and spice, and brown sugar. Be sure to follow the regular ingredient amounts, utensils and baking dishes, steps or instructions, oven temperatures, and baking times as well.
- Slice the cake. Using a damp knife, cut the cake in sections or quarters. This allows the insides of the cake to cool down faster, rather than having the cake cool down from the outside in.
- Crumble the cake. When the cake pieces has reached room temperature or warm to handle, use your hands to crumble the cake in a large mixing bowl. You will want to break down any chunks, especially any hard corners.
- Add the icing. Start off with 1/4 cup of icing in the bowl. Use a wooden spoon to thoroughly incorporate the cake crumbs and icing together until you achieve a consistency of dough, as if you're making cookie dough. Add additional icing, if needed.
- Refrigerate the mixture. Having the mixture chilled makes it easier for you to roll it into balls.
[Edit]Making the Cake Balls - Scoop the mixture. Use a cookie dough scooper to help you make even ball amounts, about 1 tablespoon (15 grams). To avoid multitasking, scoop the entire mixture and place the balls onto a flat surface (such as a baking sheet or counter top), lined with parchment paper.
- Roll the cake balls. Use both palms of your hands and circle each ball in a circular motion, to allow any flat surfaces become evenly round.
- Chill the cake balls. For the best results, it's recommended to refrigerate the cake balls for at least two hours. By doing this, any coating won't affect the prepared cake when dipping.
[Edit]Dipping the Cake Balls - Melt the chocolate. You can either use a microwave-safe bowl or create a double boiler. Stir the chocolate to make sure everything is melted evenly.
- Insert sticks into the cake balls. Prick them in the center, just enough to pick them up from the parchment paper and hold.
- If you're wanting to present the cake balls on a stick, it's recommended to use lollipop sticks, which can be found in specialty baking aisles. Dip about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) of the stick into the melted chocolate prior to inserting them into the cake balls.
- If you're wanting to present the cake balls in decorative individual wrappers, poke them with toothpicks.
- Dip the cake balls. While holding the lollipop stick or toothpick, submerge the cake ball into the melted chocolate. When lifting it back up, gently lift them in a swirling motion or give them a gentle shake.
- If you are using toothpicks, remove them from the balls. Add a very small amount of extra melted chocolate to cover the holes. You can use the back of a spoon to evenly spread out any extra coating as well.
- Repeat with the rest. Place the chocolate covered cake ball in the same place on the waxed paper. Pick up the next one and repeat the dipping until everything is covered.
[Edit]Decorating the Cake Balls - Drizzle additional melted chocolate on top. You can create even zig-zag lines by moving your arm back and forth in a uniform way across the entire sheet of cake balls.
- Use the cinnamon sugar mixture on the cake balls. You can either sprinkle by hand or dip it in the mixture while the chocolate is still in a liquid state, if you're not drizzling chocolate on top.
- Chill the cake balls again. To ensure a hard coating and for any topping to appear more uniform, place the cake balls in the freezer or refrigerator for about an hour or two.
- Finished.
- These can also be created into small bars. Instead of rolling them into round balls, mold them into squares before any dipping.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Cookie scoop
- Mini cupcake liners
- Large bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wooden spoon
- Lollipop sticks or toothpicks
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References - Ankeny, Robin. Cake Balls: Amazingly Delicious Bite-Sized Treats. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2012. Print.
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