Plug it in - transformers and adapters

Many of our trips go to international destinations. And we often get asked: will there be a place I can plug in my rechargeable camera battery or recharge a cell phone or plug in a hairdryer?

Even if there is an outlet to plug these electronics and appliances into, you will probably need a plug adaptor and a power converter to use them. What does all this mean?

Most US and Canadian small appliances and electronics operate on 110v-120v. In most other countries, they operate on 220v-240v. This means that most of the time if you tried to plug your 110v cell phone charger into a 220 v outlet, it would not work. What you need is a three-tier power converter/transformer that will transform the 220v to be compatible with the North American current. Where this gets complicated is that some US appliances and electronics actually will work without the transformer. Many cameras and computers actually have a dual voltage range of up to 220v and therefore can be charged/used without the converter. How do you know? Look for the voltage rating on your appliance, if the rating states something similar to 100V~220V then your product is dual voltage and you do not need a transformer/converter. If it says 110V or 120V, then it is a single voltage and will need a transformer to use abroad in 220v countries.

Once you know whether you need a transformer/converter, then you need to determine what type. You want to select the converter according to the the wattage rating of your appliance (volts x amps = watts). Recommended is a converter that is at least 25% higher than your product's wattage rating. For something like a hairdryer or a power tool - something that surges when you turn them on, you want a transformer/converter at least double the wattage rating. Most travel specialty stores should be able to help you get the right transformer.

But remember: this is only half of the equation. What you need no matter what the electrical current is, is a plug adapter. This item changes the shape of the prongs of your plug (which are flat prong in the US) to the shape of the plug in the other country (which is typically round in Europe, but can be a combo of other shapes/angles elsewhere). You can consult a travel shop or look on line to see what worldwide plug adapter you may need.

If it all seems too confusing, you can go to an electronics store in the country you are visiting and get the apdapter there. They know what will work in their country. Enjoy! deb

Handy uses for bandannas

We often include bandannas on our packing list and people often ask, "do we really need one?"

True, it is not essential, but it is incredible multi-useful and here are just 5 suggestions:

1) For your head. You can use it in lieu of a hat to cover the top of your head. You can use it as a sweatband around your forehead to keep sweat and sunscreen from running in your eyes. You can wet it in a cold stream and either wrap around your head or tie it around the back of your neck. This will cool your body temperature down a couple degrees.

2) For your lunch. You can use it as a napkin, or like a plate to hold your sandwich. You can pour some of the trail mix into it and use it like a little sack to eat you loose snack out of. You could even use it to collect wild blueberries or raspberries should you be lucky enough to find ripe berries.

3) First aid. You can use it as a cold compress on bumps and bruises. You can use it as a makeshift sling for an arm. You could use it to secure a splint. Or should you need it, you could use it as a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

4) As a pot holder. I am sure there are many uses for a bandana in a camping kitchen, but my favorite and most common use is when I am cooking over a stove and need something like an oven mitt. I wrap it up in my hand and can then use it to grab hot pan lids, coffee pot handles, and even a pot itself.

5) a pee rag. Instead of using toilet paper, dedicate one of your bandanas to being what you wipe yourself with when you pee. You can then rinse it off in a stream, the sea, or even a little of your drinking water. Then hang it to dry on your pack or across your canoe thwart. Urine is sterile so this an environmental and cleanly use. If you continue to store it in a zip lock after each use, though, even if you rinse it, it will soon become bacteria laden and stinky. And definitely do not use your pee rag on your head or to grab food at lunch!

Deb

Women's travel tips: Five essential tips for women who hike

With hiking season right around the corner, I've compiled a list of tips that can help women get maximum enjoyment from their hiking.

• Hike at your own pace
  For many women, their first experience of hiking is with a male companion who takes off at a pace that leaves them gasping for breath. The most important hiking skill any woman can learn is to hike at her own pace, a pace that can be comfortably sustained without ever having to stop to catch her breath, even when going up a steep hill.
  
  
• Don’t wear cotton clothing
  Except when hiking in a hot, dry climate, cotton clothing should be avoided - including cotton bras. Having wet, cold clothing next to the skin causes rapid chilling. Bras are particularly bad because they are designed to be skintight. The best solutions are to not wear one and have the first layer be a fabric that “wicks” sweat away to buy a bra made of wicking material.
  
  
• Stay well hydrated
  Sometimes women hesitate to drink as much water as they need when outdoors when bathrooms aren’t available, a huge mistake. Inadequate hydration leads to headaches, fatigue, and irritability. While an easily accessible water bottle is adequate, a hydration system that enables sipping water while hiking is even better.
  
  
• Take care of "hot spots" immediately
  Frequently women who start feeling "hot spots" on their feet, small areas of heat and discomfort, put off treating them out of hesitation to slow the group down. While understandable, it’s big mistake: hot spots can quickly become blisters, which are more difficult to treat. Hot spots are best treated with tincture of Benzoin and some moleskin.
  
  
• Wear boots that fit correctly
  Many women have "low volume" feet, feet that have a very narrow forefoot and heel area and a low instep. This makes getting boots that fit quite challenging, and ill-fitting boots lead to ankle injuries and blisters. Buying boots from a store that has salespeople who know how to fit them and take adequate time to make sure the fit is correct is critical. Superfeet insoles provide support, add volume, and improve comfort, all of which make hiking more enjoyable.

a salty snack

I recently returned from our Sea Kayaking in the Caribbean trip and was once again reminded through experience something we talk about as a safety factor on our trips.

We all know that being adequately hydrated is very important on active vacations - helping us to sustain hours of physical activity, maintain our sense of balance, keep our muscles and joints well-lubricated, etc. Equally important is not drinking too much water, keeping a balance between the salt intake and output when we exercise. Most of the time we can balance these 2 things with drinking water throughout the day and also eating meals and snacks. Most of the time when I need a snack it is due to my energy being low and I often reach for a granola bar.

On the Caribbean trip, where it is hot and humid and you do not feel you are sweating as much, I always talk about the need to eat some salt in a snack just as much as eating fruits or carbohydrates. Despite the awareness of this, it is hard to remember (or want) to eat something salty when you feel thirsty or are already feeling salty from the sea water.

However, twice on this trip, when I was feeling a bit low of energy I ate a handful of salty snack and within moments no longer felt hungry, tired or achy. I definitely do not recommend eating an excess of salt, but next time you are in a hot, humid environment and exercising, try a couple bites of something salty (Chex mix, Cheese nips, salted almonds) and see if that helps. - deb

wool vs. synthetics a "scientific" study

Backpacking Light posted a great article about wool vs. synthetic base-layers (click on title of post to go to the article). It is a bit long, but there is some excellent information in it, including some of the science and real-life technology behind each fabric. The following are their personal conclusions from this series of tests and field testing.

• Wool is significantly better at resisting buildup of body odors than most synthetics - even the improved ones
• Wool feels warmer and less clammy on the skin when damp
• Wool takes approximately 50 percent longer to dry than synthetics (range 40 to 60 percent). This was consistent across the board under a large range of conditions - in lab tests of fabric swatches, whole shirts on hangers, shirts on warm bodies, and actual in-field performance of shirts wet with sweat and shirts intentionally saturated with water.
• In our soak test, the difference in water absorption (x increase over dry weight) between wool and synthetics was less than we initially believed. Approximately 3x dry weight for synthetics versus 4x dry weight for wool.
• Synthetic fabrics wick moisture out faster over a larger surface area. This may in part contribute to their faster drying times but also to a chilling effect in cool and especially windy conditions.
• Synthetic fabrics are lighter than wool for comparable warmth.
• Many synthetic garments are significantly less expensive than wool.

A layer to love

On nearly every trip I guide, I get what I call "clothes envy". There is invariably some really cute and functional outdoor gear that someone wears on the trip that I either wish to own, or wish I looked half as stylish wearing the same item. Every once in a while my envy will lead me to purchase a similar item for myself. One of my favorite acquisitions from clothes envy is my REI Sahara long-sleeve button-up shirt.

I am someone who normally gets very hot in the sun, and has to wear a very lightweight shirt or tank top when I hike or paddle. But when I take a break or if it is windy I tend to cool off quickly and like to have something to cover my arms at this time. A long-sleeved shirt is a nice item to have, and a layer I almost always carry along in my pack. But layering becomes more like "clothes aerobics" when pulling things on and off over your head repeatedly. A button up shirt (and it can be any brand really, as long as it is lightweight and quick dry) is just the perfect layer in this situation. It adds enough covering for sun protection without being too hot (it even has vents you can unzip to let heat escape). It adds enough warmth without being too bulky. It adds bug protection often without needing spray. It slips on and off so easily - and heck, you don't even have to button it if you don't want. And if you need something for being in town or going out for a meal, it is a slightly fitted, stylish top.

I have brought this shirt sea kayaking in the Caribbean, hiking in Europe, multi-sport traveling through Australia, camping in Havasu Canyon and even bicycle touring. It is almost always one of the first items of clothing I grab when I pack. And it has never been a piece of clothing that has gone unworn. While I really resisted getting my first one, I now own 2 (though the original one I bought in white is still my favorite; the other one is red).

I strongly recommend adding one to your wardrobe and using it as the "long-sleeved, lightweight shirt for sun protection" that we include on so many of our trip packing lists.

Enjoy! Deb

A metaphor for what's wrong with our approach to fitness

Two metaphors really. I have the good fortune to live quite close to Lynne Brick's health club, a really great gym that has good equipment and excellent classes. As an added bonus, this branch is just for women. It's a 7 to 8 minute walk and when I have go somewhere else after working out, I drive and that takes 4 to 5 minutes. When I first moved here, my neighbors on both sides also belonged- and they both always drove. When I asked why, they said they didn't have the time. That's the first metaphor.

But this one gets me even more. The club is on the third floor and the entry is on the second. As you walk in, you can either ride up in the elevator or walk a bit further and go up the stairs at the back of the building. Which is fastest depends on the elevator, but even then we're talking maybe 1 minute. Going to a health club and then taking an elevator instead of the stairs! I understand it when someone has a baby stroller or is carrying their young child but otherwise it strikes me as absurd. And an example of what's wrong with our approach to fitness- instead of taking advantage of the natural opportunities to get exercise, like walking to neighborhood stores or taking stairs or riding our bikes, we rely on the "easiest" way to do these and then go to a health club to get our exercise. Go figure. -- Marian