Hiking in cold and windy weather is no fun unless you wear appropriate clothing which keeps you warm and snug. This includes a high-quality base layer, insulation layer and/or an outer layer. A softshell jacket is very useful as the outer layer because it provides both insulation and protection against the wind and light rain….
Via ferratas (“iron trails”) are steep and exposed trails running up and along abrupt hills and mountain sides, where the risk of a fatal fall is minimized by having a steel cable run along the trail – to which you can attach yourself with a via ferrata set. In addition to that via ferrata trails…
Base layers made of Merino wool are very popular among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts as they offer superb temperature regulation, breathability, odor-control, UV protection and moisture-wicking properties. Unlike regular wool, Merino wool is really soft and pleasant to the touch and thus doesn’t cause any itching or other discomfort. Many hikers face a…
As a warm-up for my “Hiking the Alps” tour, I decided to do the Gradiska Tura route, which is an interesting and dynamic via ferrata trail in western Slovenia. Slovenia is a small Central European country which is bordered by Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, and it is here that you…
Iceland is a beautiful country with many unique and interesting landscapes, which makes it a gem for hikers of all kinds whether they prefer the toughest hills or more recreational trails around the country. However, Iceland is expensive – even compared to the States or other Scandinavian countries and not least when it comes to…
Hiking and mountaineering often bring unexpected challenges, and therefore it is essential that you do not only have the required skills but also high-quality hiking gear. A pair of top-notch socks is one of the most important pieces of hiking gear as it keeps your feet warm, dry and blister-free. There are many types of…
Himmelbjerget is an around 148 meters high mountain in Jutland in Denmark. In December 2015 I concluded my “Hiking Iceland” tour and then stayed in Denmark for some time. Denmark is quite flat and therefore I was skeptic that I could find a tempting mountain to climb over there. However, after doing some research on the internet…
While you are hiking, trekking or mountaineering, it is very likely that you will encounter harsh conditions like low temperatures, snow showers, rain and wind. To perform to the best of your abilities in such conditions, you need some proper hiking gear. The fingers are one of the body parts most prone to frostbites and…
In 2014-2015 I lived in Iceland for about a year and while being there I executed nine very different hiking trips. Being accustomed to hiking in the Alps, I noticed that the Icelandic mountains differ from the Alps in many ways. In order to help you stay safe and comfortable while hiking in this northern…
A hat is one of the most important items of winter hiking clothing because it significantly reduces the body heat loss. Once US Army studies claimed that 40 to 45 % of body heat is lost from the head – and while more recent studies lower this to only 10%, it is still a significant…
