Saturday, January 17, 2009

Solid Advice for Hikers and Hunters

By Ethan O. Tanner

As brilliantly colored leaves bedazzle the fall landscape, hikers and hunters across the country will head to mountains, woods and fields, but several, unfortunately, are badly trained for the beating their feet will take. Hunters and hikers will often navigate the most rugged terrain. Hikers, hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors frequently don't understand how arduous it can be to withstand continual, vigorous walking on unsteady terrain.

Walking up and down sloping hillsides and wandering through muddy, slick fields and wooded regions places tension on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, in particular if you haven't conditioned decently before reaching the trail. The best equipment for walking up and down in the woods is a high caliber pair of well fabricated hiking boots. This investment in quality boots will prevent sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons.

It is sensible for hikers and hunters to make the investment in top-grade hiking boots. Strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer terrific ankle and foot support that helps decrease stress and muscle tiredness to repress injury risk.

In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. A good synthetic sock for the first layer keeps the feet dry and reduces blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable. Wool lets moisture evaporate more readily than cotton, so fewer blisters develop.

What happens if your feet or ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? Pain usually occurs from overuse, being out of shape, or even from just walking. If you're not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get tired and cause muscles and tendons to ache. To avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting.

Moderation is also a good method to follow when first starting out in the woods. Compare hiking to skiing in that beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident. Using common sense in starting easy will make your hunt more comfortable and enjoyable. - 14915

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