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If you are suffering from “The Winter Blues”, there is relief.
First, log onto our website, and go to MORE in the drop brown menu. Then choose WRITINGS. In these sections are a lot of inspirational thots on a variety of subjects. Read each slowly, and contemplate what each message says to you. Then bundle up, put on warm coats and boots, scarfs and warm gloves. Near you are many parks. Take a walk along its paths, and experience Natures beauty. You who live in Spokane County, have a selection of Spokane Conservation Futures Tax properties to hike in. These properties for the most part, are designed for hiking. So….go take a hike. By the time you get home, you will have changed your attitude, and find that in Nature, there is personal peace. Unfortunately all of our problems are still among us, but you have a centering ability to tackle them with care. Likewise, I would like to ask any of you, if you have written inspirational thots, stories, poems, etc., please consider sending them to me. We will review them, and publish them in our WRITING sections. You can submit any questions, comments, criticisms, or gripes, by accessing the orange envelope at the bottom of every page. This method goes directly to me. This envelope can also be used for any kind of communications you wish to share with us. Thank you all for reading and using our website. We appreciate your use and input. TWO of my favorite.... There is a high. A high that comes from being in the mountains. If you'd never been there, you are missing out. Go to the mountains. Experience Nature’s high. chic. 8.12.2014 Spring Summer and Fall, as nice as they are, are simply fillers between ski seasons. chic 2011 Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com
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There’s nothing quit like the outdoors on a Winter day.
HIKING The air is crisp and cold, and dangers are all around. Use extra caution when walking by utilizing traction devises on your boots. But be aware, traction devises can trip you up if you are not careful. But more importantly, be 10% sure you are dressed appropriately. We have all heard about layering. Please take my word on this. If you do not dress well, you may suffer from several forms of cold injuries. DO NOT WEAR ANY COTTON CLOTHING IN THE MOUNTAINS. Check out our sections listed below. https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/trail-etiquette-and-skills.html https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/hints.html If the temperatures are below even 50°f, we can suffer. Now imagine being out in 20° or 8°f, or lower. Below 32° your face skin can freeze. At 8° your skin may turn whitish, and you may loose the ability to feel the freeze. ALWAYS use caution not only for you, but for your hiking partners. Along you sshoe (snowshoe), keep an eye on your friends. If they start unzipping their jacket or taking off their gloves, ACT FAST AND GET THEM TO A SAFE PLACE, IMMEDIATELY. On long hikes I take an automobile road flare. They burn at 1500°, and can start even frozen wood, on fire. But you will need to re-organize the group fast. Everyone must work in unison to get your friend/victim out to safety. And be sure to observe all in your party. Others can freeze while you are saving your first victim. If your friends condition worsens, or others suffer from the cold, it may put everyone else in danger. Please read thoroughly our RESOURCE section for specific information. SKIING If you are an avid skier, you know what to expect, what to wear, and how to act. All of the skills for Winter outings are the same as mentioned above. HOWEVER, at the speeds we ski, in 8° temps can windchill down to -11° at a modest speed. These kind of temperatures can cause frost bite or worse very quickly. In my WInter pack I carry many different size chemical hand warmers, and tape to secure them in place. I’ve been doing these sports for many decades. I have found that techniques and procedures, change as new science and products emerges. You may have a favorite source for understanding all this. So please reread these sources at the beginning of each Winter season. A source that I used to verify and double check myself information is listed below. https://mra.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/backcountrysafety.pdf Please gather every bit of information you can find. But DO NOT get you information from social media sites. Thank You All for Using our Website Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com Hi Readers,
During my research I came across this article on GPS Units that all carriers should know. And a simple fix to protect against GPS problems. PLEASE LOG ONTO THIS URL, AND READ. https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/gear/a762987/gps-your-questions-answered/ No matter how much you rely on your GPS Unit, PLEASE, carry a map and compass. And know how to use them. This url is the Eastern Washington Orienteering Club. https://www.ewoc.org Also the Spokane Mountaineers has formed classes on orienteering. I know that learning a new sport is a lot of work. But when your life, or the life of family, friends, or fellow hikers are on the line, you must know what to do, and how to get out. OTHER OPTIONS AirFlare app. https://airflare.com The AirFlare app, loads to your phone, and weight nothing, and could save your life. Even if you have a GPS Unit, it’s wise to have other options available to you. Batteries die! AirFlare only costs $4.99 a year. Why not have a backup? Below are online stores for buying maps. https://mapstore.mytopo.com https://caltopo.com GOOGLE EARTH I use Google Earth to explore my desired route and do screenshots for my phone. I’m sure there are many other resources to utilize, so do your own research, and arm yourself with what you need, especially knowledge. Knowledge is the most important item you can take into the mountains. Please be safe, and educate yourself with all the knowledge you can find. A resource I’ve used is… https://mra.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/backcountrysafety.pdf And I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about our RESOURCE and HINTS sections. Please study our information and stay safe in Nature. Thank You for reading and using our website. Chic David https://www.inlandnwroutes.com WINTER HIKING
Hi readers, As Winters snow pile up, we all must practice good skills in the mountains. SSHOENG. (Snowshoeing) Most sshoe hikes are in terrain that snow slides rarely occur. But some trails lead to areas that caution should be used. Sshoeing requires balance and fast reaction times when out of balance. To make balancing safer, extend your ski pole lengths. This will give you a point of balance that is further away and more stable. Treat your ski boots with Boot Durable Water Repellent. There’s nothing more unpleasant, than slogging along in wet cold boots. They can also cause blisters. Treat your outer wear as mentioned in RESOURCES. Two good treatments are from NIKWax and Gearaid. Ask for their DURABLE WATER REPELLENT. Before you buy store bought water repellents, other than the above, check the web to make sure they DO NOT CONTAIN PFAS FOREVER CHEMICALS. The DWR products are people safe. Something I carry when in the Winter mountains, are automobile Road Flares. They burn at 1500°, and can start wet materials ablaze. ********************HOWEVER, YOU MUST USE EXTREME CAUTION IN CARRYING THEM.*************** I tape mine in a mailing tube, and it never gets put in a spot that may bend or break them. And I joy carry them outside my pack. That way bcan separate it from the act f needed. Please reread all the information in our RESOURCE section. You must know how to treat for cold injuries, and so much more. BACKCOUNTRY SKIING It’s very simple…..ENROLL IN A REPUTABLE CLASSES THAT WILL TEACH YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. Learning by doing, is not a good option. HIKING Winter hiking in March, April and May is spectacular. Often times you only need traction devises and ski poles for stability. GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD As Winter’s snow accumulate, getting to the official trailhead, may not happen. So plan for your walk to include the winter trailheads to official trailhead, distances. A WISE PERSON KNOWS WHEN TO TURN AROUND Do not let others TELL you what you should do, in the mountains. Each of us, when we venture into the mountains, ARE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SELVES. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, TELL THEM. It better to be embarrassed, than to be rescued, or worse. Benjamin Franklin once said: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” The very easiest way to overcome the Winter Blues, is to go out and really experience Winter in all its beauty. (start with The Finch Arboretum) But do not wear cotton anything. If they get wet, they zap your body heat in minutes. Look at GEAR-CHIC. In there are very good base layers that don’t cost like national brands. Please don’t let our Winters get you down. Check out the PHOTO GALLERY under each hikes write up. Winter Wonderlands are all around us. You too can see and appreciate the wonders of Winter. YAHOOOOOO, In the last 366 days, we have had 44,223 hits on our website. THANK YOU And everyone, have a safe and fun New Year. Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com |
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