Will trekking get you killed?

Tom Sykes    trekkingholidays     Annapurna, India, Lake District, Mexico, Nepal, outdoor activity, Sledding, Snowboarding, South Korean island of Jeju, trek Annapurna, trekking, trekking holidays, Trekking Trails, Walking Holidays

Last month parts of the world-renowned trekking trails on the South Korean island of Jeju were closed after a 40-year-old female tourist was kidnapped and murdered. She had gone it alone on Olle, a 430 kilometre coastal path.

Trekking to Annapurna. Image: Flickr/ udeyismail

For most people who don’t trek, the idea of wandering around remote areas with little or no protection against predators – human or otherwise – seems foolhardy, to say the least.

But is trekking really that dangerous in the grand scheme of things?

The Statistics Say ‘Yes’

An academic paper published in 2008 by Flores, Haileyesus and Greenspan claims that trekking is the third most dangerous outdoor activity behind snowboarding and sledding. Really?

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Activity Holidays for Singles: Why you should go it alone

Adam Woods    ash     activity holidays, Activity Holidays for Singles, adventure holidays, Argentina, cycling, Cycling Argentina, Finland, Hiking, Horse Riding, Horse Riding France, morocco, mountain biking, Mountain Biking Argentina, outdoor activity, Outdoor Holidays, Scottish Highlands, Sigle, Sledging, Sledging Finland, Solo Surfing Holiday, Sports Break, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing Morocco, The Himalayas, Trek, trekking, trekking holidays, usa, Water Rafting, Water Rafting USA

Going solo is the way forward – I’m convinced of it! You can do exactly what you want, when you want – without worrying about what anybody else thinks. So no wonder then that activity holidays for singles are all the rage.

Take a good stroll in the wilderness of the Himalayas. Image: Flickr/ pragmatopian

Perhaps the best thing about travelling solo is the freedom to choose your company. You’ll always be able to meet others in the same boat. And in such cases there’s no obligation; i.e you don’t HAVE to continue spending time with them if you don’t want to. It means you can decide when you want to be alone and when you don’t.

And there’s so many places to go, here’s just a few:

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Winter walking: what you’ll need

Mark Pawlak    Trekking Gear, trekkingholidays     camping, outdoor activity, trekking, trekking gear, trekking holidays, Walking, walking gear, winter, winter walking

During the colder months, it’s all too easy to find excuses to avoid the great outdoors, wrapping up warm and staying in with yet another hearty (and fattening) meal. However, as tempting as it is, staying indoors during winter can be a mistake as nature gears up for a spectacular display of her powers and begins to bless us with some of the most fabulous views you’ll see all year.

Winter Walking with good gear. Image: Flickr/Nick Bramhall

Winter walking is a wonderful way of getting out and enjoying these views, as well as learning to appreciate nature and the frozen ground under your feet. It’s also a great way of keeping fit and active during the cold season, as good food and excess layers of clothing make it easier to pile on the pounds.

But winter walking is a little different from the walks that you’re used to completing in the summer and you need to prepare for them accordingly. Staying warm is your first priority, as lower temperatures can cause problems: look out for clothing designed to deal with cold weather. Companies such as The North Face are especially good for this, with many of their items specially designed to trap body heat and repel water during bad-weather walks.

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Outdoor Activities: Can indoor sports compete?

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     gym, indoor activities, indoor climbing, indoor sports, outdoor activities, outdoor activity

OK, this is an adventure sports blog so we all love our outdoor activities. But don’t think for a minute we are exclusive here; even the hardiest mountaineer chooses good weather over bad. So what is it about the outdoors that makes them so great and which indoor sports, if any, tempt us from our treks?

Mmmm, pause for thought. I can see indoor versions of outdoor activities being really enjoyable. A good climbing wall can test the best climbers’ abilities, but it’s just practice really, preparation for the real thing. read more