Sunday, October 23, 2011

Winter Backpacking Challenges

!±8± Winter Backpacking Challenges

Winter can be a harsh environment and it is no surprise that backing in the winter can come with its own unique challenges. The cold weather and snowy or icy terrain all bring special concerns that a backpacker needs to understand.

One of the biggest challenges for a winter backpacker is clothing. Many times a person will go about dressing for cold weather in the wrong manner. If you follow the guidelines below you will find that you can dress warmly and still be comfortable.

- You need to consider the cold temperatures, the chilling wind and the snow.

- You will need clothing pieces that are resistant to both wind and snow.

- You will also need to make sure you wear an inner layer of clothing that will insult, but also absorb sweat and dry quickly.

- You should dress in a few lightweight layers instead of trying to dress in bulk.

- You will find you move easier in lighter weight clothing, plus you will find that it is easier to regulate your body temperature because you can remove one thin layer.

- You have much more control when you can remove a fraction of clothing verses removing a large bulky piece that will dramatically change your body temperature.

- Other important items are hats, socks, gloves and boots. You should avoid cotton material for hats, socks and gloves. Cotton does not insulate, repel water and takes forever to dry. You should bring along an extra pair of socks in case the ones you are wearing get wet. Change them immediately to avoid frostbite. Your hat should keep your body heat in and keep the wind off your face. Your boots are important. If they do not fit you will not have a good trip. Make sure you buy the right size. Make sure they feel comfortable. Also make sure they are waterproof.

Besides clothing you should also consider some other items that can make a winter backpacking trip safer and easier.

- Snow poles are great gear that help you stay steady on snowy terrain. You should try to get ones that can be adjusted.

- An ice axe is another great tool that can help you along the trail.

- A snow shovel can come in handy, especially if you get stranded or experience an avalanche.

- Trail makers are another good item. It is simple to get lost in snowy terrain. It doesn't even matter how well you know the area. When everything is covered in white snow it looks very different than usual. Trail makers can help you stay on course.

Backing in the winter is a whole new experience, even if you have backpacked in an area before. Under a sheet of white snow, everything looks different. It is easy to wrapped up in the beauty and forget about staying safe, but by following this advice you can help to ensure it will be fun and safe.


Winter Backpacking Challenges

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Essential Guide to Buying Bindings and Ski Poles For The Novice Skier

!±8± The Essential Guide to Buying Bindings and Ski Poles For The Novice Skier

Bindings are an amazing part of the ski gear you require, because basically they perform two almost opposing functions. Firstly, they provide a connection with your skis, and must remain firmly attached during normal skiing conditions so that you can control the skis. Secondly, though, they also need to break the connection if the stress is too severe. This means that in the case of a fall or collision, the bindings must release to protect your foot from injury. The line between normal and stressful is very fine, and you certainly don't want your bindings to release at an inappropriate time.

The bindings can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of skiing abilities and styles. The weight and height of the skier also need to be taken into consideration. If your bindings are too loose, then it's possible that they will release at the wrong time. If you have them too tight, however, then you might find they don't release when you need them to. Both situations are potentially dangerous. It's important that you become familiar with how your bindings work, as there are normally several mechanisms and parts that can be adjusted for a perfect fit. Initially, though, it's probably a good idea to let a competent ski technician adjust the settings specifically for your requirements.

An international standard for rating bindings exists, and the units are DIN settings. If the DIN setting is low, it's relatively easy to release the bindings, and this is most suitable for beginners. As the level of experience increases, generally so do the DIN settings.

Bindings are manufactured to suit a certain DIN range. So if you choose an intermediate binding, as an example, its rating may be DIN 3-7. If the DIN is set at a low level, then the bindings will release when there is sudden or excess pressure experienced. An intermediate setting is only released if more pressure is exerted, but they should still respond quickly if there's a sudden pressure change. An expert skier would use high DIN settings.

An inappropriate DIN setting can cause serious accidents and injury. If a ski releases at high speed, the skier will crash. If, however, the ski fails to release in a fall, the skier can end up with torn ligaments or even broken bones.

Most alpine skiers use step-in bindings. These have a separate piece for the toe and heel that are attached to the top of the ski. If excess sideways pressure is experienced, then the toe piece will release the ski boot. If there's excess upward pressure, then the heel will release. Nowadays there are some advanced binding designs that combine these release motions.

There's also a brake fitted into the binding, to prevent the ski sliding off down the hill when the binding releases. Basically, a metal attachment springs downwards and digs into the snow when the ski boot is released.

When it comes to ski equipment, ski poles are probably the simplest element, but they are still essential as they provide balance and help to prevent falls. The main thing to consider when choosing poles is their length. Short poles will make you lean too far forward, and throw you off balance. Your poles should be slightly shorter than your shoulder height. As a test, your poles should fit comfortably under your armpits when you're standing up.

Make sure you wear your ski gloves when trying out the handles of the poles. They should fit your hand comfortably. Check the straps to make sure they fit easily around your wrists. Ski poles also have a piece near the bottom called the basket. This is the part that prevents your poles from disappearing too deeply into the snow. You need to choose a basket that matches the snow conditions in your ski area. Soft snow requires a larger basket; groomed trails only need a small basket.


The Essential Guide to Buying Bindings and Ski Poles For The Novice Skier

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Sporto Women's Kelly Bootie,Black,8.5 M US

!±8± Sporto Women's Kelly Bootie,Black,8.5 M US

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

St Moritz - Beyond The Glitz

!±8± St Moritz - Beyond The Glitz

St. Moritz is the oldest winter resort in the world (since 1864). Chic, elegant and exclusive St. Moritz is located 1856 m above sea level, in the Engadine. The marketing department refers to the time as "champagne climate" and the sun shines an average 322 days a year.

If the sun is the crème de la crème of ski-chic. Fur coats, boots and soft piece suits are over. There's more sparkle in St Moritz, asSwarovski chandelier.

But behind the look glamorous and you will see many hectares of untouched powder.

There are three main tourist resorts are St Moritz / Engadin. In total there are 60 lifts and 350 km of slopes between 1800 and 3300 meters above sea level.

Corviglia Marguns St. Moritz is a classic experience. Its cable car from the heart of St. Moritz village situated on the sunny side of the valley. Corviglia is the largest ski area in theEngadine.

Corvatsch is the second largest, but its position on shadier side of the valley means it's not as popular for sunbathers. The skiing, however, is better and after a good storm, good snow conditions on the high, south-facing resort will last for weeks. One of Corvatsch's greatest assets is a wood-fired pizza oven at the top of the cable car - European skiing at its best.

On Friday nights, Corvatsch opens a cable car for flood-lit night skiing. Bars crank out 80s Euro-pop and have outdoor bonfires blazing.

Diavolezza is smaller but possibly most impressive. The glacier landscape is spectacular. The cable car and chairlift access long off-piste runs, including a glacier run, while the main piste is suitable for intermediate skiers.

Muottas Muragl lifts access a 4km toboggan ride. For 250 Swiss Francs, you can build your own igloo at Muottas Muragl and stay the night. The package includes access up the funicular, sleeping bags and mats, a fondue dinner and breakfast in the mountain hotel and toboggan hire.

Other, smaller resorts on the Engedine pass include Maloja-Aela, Samedan-Survih, Pontresina, La Punt-Müsella and Zuoz.

St Mortiz is an expensive place to play. The cheapest room we could find was 65 Euros a night. The most expensive is 4500 Euros. But if you've got some cash, there's no shortage of places to spend it. Prada, Cartier, Gucci and Versace are just some of the big name shops. There's also no shortage of high-end restaurants and bars.

The valley is also home to cross-country skiing, the Cresta Run, a bob run, horse and greyhound races on the frozen lake, cricket, polo and golf tournaments, an Olympic ski jump, a gourmet festival, and the music festival, Snow & Symphony.


St Moritz - Beyond The Glitz

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