Trekking Pole Tips from Avid Hikers

Trekking poles help to increase stability and speed for avid hikers whether hiking across flat lands, uphill or downhill. They can come in very handy at times when you know how to use them properly. Here are some of the most important tips by avid hikers on how to get the most out of your trekking poles: 

1) Secure poles with locks – make sure you use the pole locks when hiking and test them before you hit the trail. Whether you prefer a quick lock or a twist lock, make sure that it is easy for you to adjust. 

2) Adjust the height properly – When hiking, your elbows should be at your side with your arms bent at a 90° angle when the tip of the pole is touching the ground. You’ll want to be able to make quick and easy adjustments when trekking downhill or uphill. 

3) Use the wrist straps the right way – many people do not get the benefit of the wrist straps as they are designed to provide. When used correctly, you should not have to exert much energy to grip onto the handle, let the straps help to support your weight. 

4) Find your rhythm – once you get used to using the poles it will become as natural as swinging your arms. You may feel like you are floating as you glide through the trails with your poles helping you to propel forward. 

5) Choose the right trekking pole material – Cascade Mountain Tech offers a wide selection of trekking poles in various materials such as carbon fiber, 3k carbon fiber and aluminum. 

Once you find the perfect hiking trekking pole for you, you will realize the maximum benefits and come to love your poles on every hike. 

Cascade Mountain Tech believes in providing affordable adventure to everyone. We offer a wide range of trekking poles, super rotomolded coolers, camp bedding including mummy bags and many other products to make your outing enjoyable and safe. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about choosing and using the right trekking pole for you.

How to Survive Desert Camping

The desert provides a unique experience for any outdoor adventurist from an amazing view of the stars to wondrous landscapes and wildlife. The desert also comes with challenges and risks for campers and hikers as this dynamic environment can change quickly from blazing sun to chilly nights, dangerous sandstorms and access to water. Here are some tips to have a safe and enjoyable camping experience in a desert area. 

Prepare for temperature change – it’s not always hot in the desert as we might assume. Temperatures can change quickly from hot blazing days to nights below freezing. Be prepared with the right type of mummy sleeping bag and camp bedding. Make sure your sleeping bag has a temperature rating low enough to keep you warm at night. You’ll need sunscreen during the day, and possibly warm socks and thermal layers in the evening.

Have a plan for hydration – deserts are dry by nature and it is literally a matter of life or death to be sure that you have access to water. Make sure you know of any water sources along the route and know what type of water treatment filter you will be using. You should plan to have at least 3 to 5 quarts of water per day, per person. Sipping throughout the day is recommended rather than drinking a lot when you feel thirsty. It’s nice if you can keep a good rotomolded cooler in a car to have access to cold drinks. Cascade Mountain Tech offers super rotomolded coolers proven to keep ice for up to 10 days. As there probably is no access to ice anywhere nearby, packing enough in a good cooler is mandatory. 

Hone your navigation skills - when camping or hiking a desert in a national park, you are likely to see signs on trails and landmarks to help guide your way. If you do happen to take a wrong turn, usually it is just an inconvenience that will add extra miles to your hike. Make sure you study your route thoroughly and take a compass and a map along with you.

Leave no trace - while the desert landscape may seem harsh to many, it is actually a delicate ecosystem. Plan, prepare and take extra care to avoid disturbing fauna and flora. 

Protect your tent - a desert windstorm can be brutal on your tent as grains of sand carried through the wind can wreak havoc on tent fabrics. Think about setting up your tent in a shady spot with a lightweight tarp in a lighter color of fabric to prevent overheating.

Cascade Mountain Tech offers these tips for surviving a desert camping trip along with high-quality gear to make your trip enjoyable and safe. We offer a wide selection of trekking poles, camp chairs, camp bedding, super coolers and more. Contact us to learn more about our products and with any questions on your next outdoor adventure.

Tips for Solo Camping in the Backcountry

Camping alone requires additional preparation and skill level than is required when camping with a group. Backpacking alone can be a challenging although rewarding experience. You can go at your own pace and free your mind without worrying about someone else slowing you down, although no one is there to help you out if you run into any trouble. You should not attempt a solo backpacking trip without at least taking a few outings with a group to make sure you are comfortable with your gear and navigation skills. A basic first aid skills course is also a good idea and is available in most areas by the Red Cross.

Here are some important tips to consider when planning a solo camping trip:

Do your research and stay close to home - proper planning and preparation can make or break any camping trip, especially a solo adventure. Start with a few areas that you’re familiar with and trails that match your skill level. Start with a well-traveled area that isn’t too crowded so you can have the comfort of knowing that other campers may be nearby.

Contact the Rangers office - the Rangers office can give you the latest information on camping restrictions and necessary permits. Park rangers are helpful in suggesting routes and campsites that will match your goals.

Plan your route - you can research your route online and also by reviewing topographic maps of the area. Gaia GPS is a great place to start as well as CalTopo. Make sure you understand how to read these types of maps, noting major landmarks and trail junctions.

Share your trip and route details - sharing your plans is important when heading out on any adventure but is absolutely critical when venturing out alone. If something should go wrong, sharing your itinerary with a close friend or family member could be what leads to a rescue.

Be sure to let someone know where you are going, the map of your route, the timeline and identifiable information such as the colors of your tent, backpack and clothing.

Pack all essential items - make sure to pack the essentials for any camping trip, especially when going solo:

• Headlamp

• Navigation

• Shelter

• Protection

• Knife

• First-aid

• Fire

• Extra food

• Extra water

• Extra clothing

You want to pack as light as possible but make sure you have what you need when you need it. Instead of packing too much water you can pack lighter by taking a small water filter and know the areas where you will be able to replenish along the way.

Cascade Mountain Tech offers these tips for solo backpacking and high-quality gear to get you through any camping adventure. We offer a wide selection of quality trekking poles to help you glide through your long hikes, mummy sleeping bags to keep you toasty warm at night and rotomolded coolers proven to keep ice for up to 10 days. We offer additional items such as foldable camping chairs or stadium seating and our experienced staff is always here to help you choose the right gear and with pro tips for a successful adventure.

Cascade Mountain Tech was founded by avid outdoor enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. We are dedicated to providing affordable adventure for all with high-quality gear and exceptional customer service. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about solo backpacking in the backcountry.

Leave No Trace: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

The second principle in Leave No Trace is to Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. The goal of traveling in the outdoors is to avoid damage to waterways and land while moving through natural areas. To accomplish this goal you must understand how travel can damage surface vegetation and organisms, leaving soil erosion and barren lands. 

Traveling on Trails

Trails are constructed by land management agencies to give hikers identifiable routes and to concentrate foot traffic. Hiking groups should work together to minimize environmental impact and stay within the width of the trail. A hiker should have the right type of trekking pole and know how to properly use them to minimize environmental impact and provide the best assistance to the hiker. Hiking groups should avoid loud conversation while hiking and take breaks off the trail to stop and talk.

Off Trail Travel

There are two main factors that affect the land with hiking off trail, the size of your group and frequency of travel along with the durability of hiking surfaces and vegetation. The frequency and size of your group can indicate the likelihood of trampling vegetation and the durability of surfaces refers to the ability of vegetation to withstand wear and remain stable.

Camping on Durable Surfaces

One of the most important aspects of low impact camping is to select the appropriate campsite. Choosing the right location should be based on the likelihood of disturbing wildlife, the condition of soil and vegetation and the potential impact to the environment. The goal should be to confine impact to areas which already show signs of use and avoid disturbing any larger area. Be sure to clean your area when breaking down your campsite and take time to naturalize the area.

Whether camping in high-traffic areas or remote locations, choosing the right type of sleeping bag with a sleeping pad will provide a more comfortable night’s rest. Cascade Mountain Tech offers high-quality mummy sleeping bags, sleeping pads and camp bedding.

By using a high quality, rotomolded cooler you can cut down on foot traffic going back and forth to fill up ice as the best super coolers will keep ice for up to 10 days. Depending on your campsite location, you may want a cooler that is Certified Bear Resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Cascade Mountain Tech offers these tips to minimize your impact to the environment when traveling, hiking or camping. We offer a wide selection of quality outdoor gear to make your trip more enjoyable and safer for your group as well as outdoor areas. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about our products such as quality trekking poles, super coolers, camp bedding and chairs.

Leave No Trace: Plan Ahead and Prepare

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is dedicated to a mission of protecting the outdoors. This is accomplished by inspiring people and teaching everyone how to be responsible when enjoying the outdoors. The Leave No Trace Center conducts research and delivers leading edge educational material annually to millions of people.

There are seven principles of Leave No Trace:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What You Find

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

6. Respect Wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

By following these principles, we can all enjoy our world, and leave no trace or impact to the environment. These principles can be applied anywhere, from local community parks to remote wilderness areas and even in your own backyard. These principles are continually being evaluated and the Center provides detailed information on their role in reducing impact to the outdoors.

The first principle, Plan Ahead and Prepare, details the importance of planning and how to enjoy the outdoors with minimal impact.

How to Plan Ahead and Prepare to Reduce Impact

Proper planning and preparation is key to accomplishing your goals safely while minimizing impact to the environment. Before you grab your sleeping bags and pack your cooler, get the most out of your trip by learning the seven elements of planning your outdoor adventure.

Seven Elements of Plan and Prepare

Consider the following seven elements when planning your next outdoor trip:

1. Identify your goals and expectations of your trip

2. Identify the ability and skill level of all trip participants

3. Learn the area you plan to visit including maps, literature and land managers

4. Choose the clothing and equipment for comfort and safety with Leave No Trace qualities

5. Plan your trip activities in line with your goals, abilities and skills

6. Evaluate your trip afterwards to note improvements you can make the next time

In addition to these seven elements, always consider the terrain, the weather, any land boundaries and restrictions. Know the average hiking speed of your group and make sure everyone has the right kind of trekking poles and knows how to use them for your hiking adventures. Cascade Mountain Tech offers a wide selection of trekking poles including carbon fiber, 3K carbon fiber, ultralight, aluminum and folding options.

Cascade Mountain Tech Helps You Plan and Prepare

Cascade Mountain Tech offers high quality hiking and camping gear and tips for the most enjoyable outdoor adventure. Our rotomolded coolers keep ice for up to 10 days and our mummy sleeping bags are rated 0° and 30° to keep you warm in most any environment. 

Cascade Mountain Tech was founded by avid outdoor enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. We believe that outdoor adventure should be affordable and available to everyone. Contact us with any questions on planning and preparing for your next hike or outdoor trip.