The Key Is Preparation

It’s crucial to be ready if you intend to go for a walk in the hills during the winter. Even if the weather is good when you start out, it can quickly change, especially on exposed ridges, so it’s important to make sure you have everything you need.

Prepare Your Route

In the winter, you should familiarise yourself with the route before beginning a walk or hike. Navigation might be more difficult in harsh winter circumstances, and it’s simple to get lost. Additionally, it’s a good idea to divide your route into pieces so you may examine each one for any potential dangers or navigational difficulties and make any required revisions beforehand.

You should be conscious of your limitations as well as the weather. If inclement weather is expected, you can still go outside, but it’s advisable to modify your plans and stay on well-marked routes and lower land rather than going up into the hills.

It’s also crucial to have the proper navigational equipment. While most people use GPS devices to find their way, you should always have a map and compass with you as a backup. You need to know how to go back to the fundamentals in case you need to because signals can go out in more remote areas and batteries drain faster in cold weather.

The last thing to remember is to always let someone know where you’re going and how long you intend to be gone. That way, if you don’t return when you’re supposed to, someone can sound the alarm.

Get Ready For Any Weather

Your layering method will be crucial to keeping you warm and dry when you walk in the winter because you will frequently encounter colder weather.

Start with a base layer that will help you regulate your temperature and wick away sweat. Because they are breathable and warm, merino base layers are a wonderful option throughout the cooler months, however synthetic alternatives are swiftly catching up. Then, to help retain heat and keep you warm, you need an insulating mid-layer or fleece. A waterproof outer layer will likewise keep you dry and shield you from the elements.

Although it may be tempting to wear every layer when you initially set out, once you’re moving, your body will begin to warm up. Instead, include an extra mid-layer or fleece in your pack so you may add more layers if necessary once you start walking.

Also, don’t forget the extras! For the sake of keeping your extremities warm and dry, you must wear a cap and gloves. Neck warmers are another excellent addition because they may be used as a headband, sweatband, or even a temporary bandage in addition to keeping you warm and sealing any gaps where air can enter.

First Aid Kit

As soon as you’ve figured out your layering technique, it’s time to decide what to put in your rucksack before leaving. Your emergency kit, which needs to be customized for winter circumstances, is one of the most crucial things to get right.

Since there is less daylight in the winter, a lantern or headlamp is essential for winter walking. To ensure that you won’t be left in the dark, you’ll also need to pack extra batteries.

Even if you’re simply planning to go out for the day, shelter is still important. In order to exchange body heat if a number of you are walking, it might be worth it to pack a group shelter rather than individual bivvy bags.

Finally, bring extra socks, gloves, and a set of base layers. In this manner, you’ll be able to add a layer if you merely need some for extra warmth or change into something dry if you end up becoming wet.

Expert Winter Gear

The risk of trips and falls is higher during winter hikes, especially if there is snow or ice on the ground, therefore it is worth investing in the specialized equipment you need to stay safe. Although they may seem frightening, ice axes and crampons are easy to use and offer crucial assistance when hiking in cold weather.

An ice axe can be used as an anchor point when scrambling or ascending a steep slope, as well as to provide you with more stability and help you determine your footing while walking. They’re also excellent in preventing falls should you slip.

Crampons, which you may connect to your walking boots, can help increase your traction and security while walking.

Give yourself the necessary skills.

It’s a good idea to enrol in a winter skills course since you’ll learn the fundamentals of switching from summer to winter walking. Avalanche awareness is a topic included in many winter skill courses, giving you the knowledge and abilities to understand avalanche warnings and modify your path as needed.

You could even combine one of the many courses offered throughout the UK with a trip in your campervan. What could be better than travelling while picking up new skills?

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I knew the pros of a motorhome before I bought one: a few years ago my friends and I rented a camper for the May holidays and drove up the coast of the Caspian Sea. It was one of the most fun and memorable adventures. In a motor home you can stay wherever you want, and wake up every morning with a new view out the window.

But I realized the disadvantages of motorhomes later, when we became owners. About them I will tell in detail in the article.

The first motor home cost us $30,000. Within a year we had invested 10,000 dollars more in equipment, minor repairs and maintenance. After a year it was clear that the conceptually we like everything, but here’s a model of motorhome needs another. And we bought the second – a better level and more comfortable equipment. I will tell, how they differ and where we travel on a motorhome.

Motor home, aka autocamper, aka autohull – is a complete house for living, but on wheels. Such houses are made on the basis of the car. You might have seen them in the movies “Nomad Land” or “Little Miss Sunshine. You can travel in a motorhome wherever there are roads.

Motorhomes come in a variety of forms: from a trailer on wheels to an Integral, which is little different from an ordinary apartment in terms of comfort.

Outwardly, it looks like a large car, but inside there is a space equipped for living. Size is different: it can be a huge bus, as well as a medium-sized van. Inside there is a mandatory seat for the driver, and next to it a seat for passengers.

Car dealerships offer to buy a ready-made motor home: such a car was originally conceived to travel. But sometimes they convert used cars – for example, vans or minibuses are arranged under a caravan.

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Clear observance of instructions

When traveling by any water transport, you must clearly follow the prescribed instructions on the rules of being on board, carefully study the ways of evacuation in case of emergency. If you do not find the required instructions, be sure to ask the staff for them.

Check for the presence or absence of life jackets and swim rings.
If no lifejackets are available, do not hesitate to request them from the crew before the boat leaves the shore. Especially remember to do so if one of your company members cannot swim.

Keep your composure at all times

Even if there was an accident, emergency, force majeure, always (!) keep self-control. Calm down, breathe evenly and do not panic. Remember rule number one: follow the instructions exactly. They are prescribed in advance all the actions of passengers and staff in such situations. Be sure to listen to the instructions of the evacuation personnel.

Rules of being on the arranged beach

It is imperative that you follow these rules of stay. Do not litter, do not swim beyond the red buoys and do not come close to a water vehicle that is on the move. Always enter the water slowly, taking your time, carefully groping the bottom. This is especially important on wild beaches where the bottom is unexplored.

Never swim after a meal and when you are tired

After a long stay in the sun and in a state of intoxication too. All of the above conditions of the person at bathing practically guarantee a tragedy.

Never leave children without adult supervision. Not even for a minute.
If you like jumping into the water, then do it in a specially allocated place. If you have any doubts about your abilities, be sure to take a couple of lessons from a diving instructor.

Soberly assess your abilities

If you’re not sure about something – don’t do it. Water does not forgive mistakes. Don’t go out for a water ride in bad weather, don’t overload the boat, don’t get in the boat while intoxicated.

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The house on wheels is equipped not only with a sleeping place, but also with everything you need for recreation: a shower, a bathroom and household appliances. You will be free in your choice where and for how long to stay, at any time you can move to another place, no more need to coordinate with the tour operator hotels and vacation dates and carry heavy bags. Today we will tell you about all the advantages of such cars, as well as what autohouses are, and how to choose or convert from different models of cars.

Basic recommendations for operating a motorhome

If you plan to join the ranks of auto-travelers, you need to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of operating motorhomes:

• If this is your first time owning a motorhome, trips are recommended to make for short distances. Feel the car, learn how to drive, maneuver, drive in reverse, be aware of the “blind spot” that is behind the car. Additionally, you can install a rear view camera.
• Braking distance of a loaded car is much higher than that of a normal car, while driving it is important to observe the speed limit and distance.
• All lockers must be closed, the equipment is well secured, so that during the sharp braking and acceleration nothing will fall down.
• Watch the readings of the devices, timely pass the maintenance, then the car will please you for many years.

What peculiarities await motorhome owners

Self-traveling can pose certain difficulties, which should be taken care of in advance:

• Lack of campsites, especially in our country and neighboring countries. Accordingly, drinking water supplies should be taken care of in advance;
• not all models of vehicles can pass through off-road;
• you should clarify in advance the availability of campsites on the road, which can stop the motor homes. Often marked on the map resting places for cars;
• Campgrounds are located at a distance from the autobahn, which is an unnecessary expense for fuel. In addition, the parking space is quite expensive, and to stay near rivers and lakes is fraught with a fine.

And yet, these difficulties are incomparable to the comfort that travelers get in motorhomes or in cars with trailer homes. Independence from weather conditions and services imposed by hotel guides, full service always at hand are the main advantages of independent travel.

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Over a century of history, a huge number of different models have been created to meet the varying needs and financial capabilities of the traveler. The caravanning market offers different types of campers to choose from. Depending on the budget and needs, you can buy a tent trailer or a living trailer, or you can surprise your neighbors with a luxury camper, equipped with the latest technology and fashion. Let’s try to understand the main types of houses on wheels.

Home on Wheels

Motorhomes are built on a car chassis. In the European classification, there are four types of motorhomes: residential minivans, alcoves, semi-integrated and integrated campers. In the American classification, motorhomes are divided into three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Integrated motorhome

The main difference between an integrated motorhome and others is the unique design. For the production of such motorhomes, the manufacturer uses only serial engine, transmission and suspension.

The cabin of such a motorhome is fully integrated into the living space, hence the name of this type of motorhome. Integrated motorhomes are high-class cars. As a rule, they have an expensive finish and design, equipped with advanced electronic systems, hence the cost.

Dwelling trailer

A vacation home on wheels is the most comfortable type of home on wheels. Dachas on wheels are often purchased by those who prefer stationary camping and relatively little road travel.

There are caravans of different sizes on the market. There are living trailers, in which a bed and a kitchen unit fit, and there are caravans (summerhouses on wheels), the interior space of which is divided into several rooms.

Tent trailer

This is the most maneuverable and inexpensive type of living trailers. Despite its small size, a tent trailer makes a traveler’s vacation comfortable. A tent trailer can be transported by small passenger cars. To drive a vehicle with a tent trailer, you only need a category B license.

Modern trailer tents are equipped with a special mechanism that allows you to open it in a few minutes. Thanks to the folding mechanism, the tent takes up relatively little space and is easy to store.

– If you want a high-end luxury vehicle equipped with the latest technology, choose an integrated camper.
– If you want to go on a trip with a large company, take an alcove on wheels.
– If you need maneuverability, consider semi-integrated vehicles.
– Prefer a more stationary vacation with long stops at campsites, take a summerhouse on wheels. If you are a novice caravaner and do not have the money for serious acquisitions, consider tent trailers. Do not think of your holiday without difficulties and off-road trips, choose a living module for a pickup truck.

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Features of design and maintenance

A jet ski is no less complex technical device than a motorcycle or a snowmobile. In fact, it is a watercraft with a hull made of fiberglass, equipped with a two- or four-stroke internal combustion engine, which provides self-propelled transport. The jet ski was invented as a sports vehicle, but over time it has become very popular among fans of outdoor activities.

There are two types of jet ski design:

• Standing – sport aquabikes: lightweight, maneuverable, reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h. Almost any modern sport jet ski is equipped with the ability to adjust the angle of the water jet nozzle (water pump to create jet thrust). This allows freestylers to perform complicated maneuvers, such as jumping over water.
• Seating – recreational jet skis. They are most often two- and three-seaters, less maneuverable and faster than standing ones, but more stable and safer. They are ideal for walking. Also, the engine power of such jet skis may be enough to tow a water skier or parasailer.

Jet skis, like any other equipment, have their own peculiarities of maintenance, operation and transportation. Firstly, it is a “seasonal” vehicle, so to store it in winter you need to allocate space in a garage or a special box, and buy a cover. Secondly, for the transportation of aquabike to the place of direct use you need a trailer. Thirdly, immediately when buying a jet ski, life jackets should be purchased for each passenger and for the driver.

It must be remembered that a jet ski, seated or standing, is a small vessel and therefore it must be registered with the inspectorate within ten days of purchase and pay annual transport tax.

Although the aquabike design has a low draft, it cannot be used in shallow bodies of water, or in rivers with fast currents.

Choosing a jet ski, you must first of all, based on the purpose of its use: whether it is a sports jet ski for freestyle and professional training tricks on the water or a car for recreational boating with the whole family.

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