Training Tools Are Worthy Substitutes. “… In winter in the woods alone Against the trees I go. I mark a maple for my own And lay the maple low. … …I link a line of shadowy tracks Across the tinted snow …” –Robert Frost Those of us in the Northern Tier of the U.S. always […]
Adjusting Your Attitude Is Important, Too, As I think about preparations for the upcoming Nordic ski season, lots of details come to mind. Fitness of course tops the list. Stepping up my walking and cycling regimen is a must. Making small incremental increases in intensity and duration and taking appropriate rest days are essential to […]
Long-Time Friends Take To The Maine Woods On An XC Adventure. A fresh three-inch snowfall covered the winter parking lot as we arrived for our annual winter ski trip. We felt a quiet confidence as we loaded gear into the gear shed for transport to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Little Lyford Pond Camps (LLPC). […]
Find Winter Activity Opportunities Close To Home. Let’s define what we mean by Urban Wilderness: Open space – wetland, meadow, and/or forested land. Owned by a public entity No parking or entrance fees No visual pollution Offers “peace and quiet” Accessible by either car or public transportation from the nearby urban center Offers a variety […]
[Editor Note: This is Part Two of a two-part article on Lyme disease by Steve Hines, outdoorsman and Wilderness First Responder. Click here for Part One: What’s Biting You?] Treatment The best treatment for Lyme disease bacteria is antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early […]
If You Are Walking In The Woods This Spring, Be Wary Of Ticks. [Editor Note: This is the first of a two part article on Lyme disease by Steve Hines, an avid outdoorsman and certified Wilderness First Responder.] Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick. Lyme disease has […]
It’s More Than “Just Right” Just One Mile From Stowe Resort. In Stowe, Vermont, a stone’s throw from world class downhill and cross country skiing sits quintessentially rustic Goldilock’s Cottage, welcoming overnight guests. When Jill Evarts purchased the cabin and four acres of land about twelve years ago, she didn’t need to do a lot […]
Outdoor Expert Says Consider Your Purpose For Walking. [Editor Note: Steve Hines will be teaching a hiking boot fitting workshop at the REI in Reading, MA., on August 10 at 6:30 pm. If you are in the area, drop by REI at 279 Salem St. and say hi.] I like to hike. I hike for exercise, […]
An Expert Provides Advice On Right Fit for Hiking Boots. As hiking season gets in full swing you may be considering new boots for your upcoming adventures. In the thirteen years I’ve been helping people choose hiking footwear, I’ve gathered four critical tips to share: Length Width Volume Shape Length – Two lengths are important. […]
Balancing The Scales: Hiking Footwear—Comfort vs. Support. At the shop where I work, questions customers often ask include: “I’ve been wearing the same boots for over twenty-five years, is there anything new?” “How comfortable should my hiking shoes/boots be?” “What’s the boot that gives me the most support?” “Which type of hiking footwear protects my […]
SeniorsSkiing Correspondent and Cross Country Expert Rates The Big Five Bindings. You’ve paid for your trail pass and are ready to head out on the trails at your favorite xc ski touring center. How easy is it to put your skis? In this review, I discuss five common binding types, the key features of each, […]
X-C Ski Six Miles To Gorman Chairback Camp Lodge and Guest Cabins. If you’re an active cross country skier, you probably enjoy staying where you ski. Plus, if you’re an active senior xc skier you most likely enjoy comfortable surroundings, pleasant company and staff as much as you enjoy snow covered trails. A number of […]
Debit or Credit? If you head out on the Atlantic Ocean in a canoe and run into trouble, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will send a 110 foot cutter to rescue you. End of story. This is not always the case here on land. The U.S. Park Service also maintains Search and Rescue (SAR) teams […]
Outdoor Guru Steve Hines Offers More Ideas For Taking A Hike. Summer hiking season is in full swing. The temperatures are warming and trails are dry. After covering the ten essentials in Grow A Hiking Habit: Part 1, some other items will help you more enjoy your hiking. Boots: Stout boots with good support are a […]
An Expert Offers Advice On Getting Started Hiking is a great fitness activity for seniors. Whether you are an Alpine or Nordic skier, hiking can keep you in shape to enjoy the slopes or trails this coming winter. Hiking is enjoyed on many levels from simple day hikes in your local woods or conservation lands […]
Contributor Steve Hines’ Explainer On Humane Goose Down Harvesting. If you ski or do any winter outdoor sport you probably have or have had a down jacket. Now is a good time to evaluate what you have and will need for next winter. If down is truly the answer, then you have to know there are […]
Here’s Another Way To Enjoy Winter That Seniors Can Easily Get Into Snowshoeing, once a practical means of winter travel, is now a winter recreational activity. It provides many folks an outdoor winter alternative to skiing or X-C. In fact, most ski areas now offer snowshoeing as an option. If you like walking, you will enjoy […]