Showing posts with label Article # 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article # 4. Show all posts

Sunday, June 14, 2015

The Health Benefits of the Great Outdoors

****

I found this article really interesting. Even though I knew that the outdoors had health benefits, I didn’t know there were so many.

The outdoors is a beautiful place. With that being said it can also be deemed as helpful for recovery of human illnesses, fight against cancer and boost your mood. The article mentions research by Professor Roger Ulrich who claims open areas can boost recovery after surgery or a major illness. They found that patients with a natural view needed less pain relieving medication, were more cooperative, and went home two to three days sooner than the group given buildings to look at. This is most likely because of the mental feelings of the patient. Knowing this, Professor looked into how the outdoors decreased stress levels. He again did a test and proved that nature reduced stress and tension. For cancer it isn’t so much the green space itself, but the need for wanting to go outside for a walk. Exercise is proven to decrease the risk of cancer, so going outside can be pretty beneficial.

This article was very educational for me and I really enjoyed it. This made me think about how beneficial and healthy the outdoors really can be. I now understand why I always feel good doing work outdoors. I go outside a lot, but I feel like knowing this I’ll go out even more, especially when I feel stressed.

Reference
Mail Online,. 'The Health Benefits Of The Great Outdoors'. N.p., 2015. Web. 14 June 2015.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

10 Ways To Improve Your Mountain Biking -Andrew Murphy

10 Ways To Improve Your Mountain Biking
Rating:*****
By:David Alden
This article talks about the basics for mountain biking. It talks about how to make the best of your mountain biking experience and how to be better at it.

     The article talks about 10 ways to improve your mountain biking experience. The first one is to maintain your mountain bike. This says to make sure that your bike is fitted for you(ie not too big or not too small) and to make sure that your bike is in good shape and not cracked as a minor problem at home can be a major problem in the outdoors. The next one says that you should ride with other riders better than yourself so that you can push yourself a little harder and learn from the moor experienced riders. Learning from their skills can be beneficial if you are riding on your own. The next one is to focus on where you want to go, this talks about watching where you are going so you do not fall and get hurt. Relax is the next way, and this says that you should loosen your grip on your handle bars so that your grip is not so tight your forearms become fatigue very quickly. The spin when cycling is ideal as having a constant speed is great, and it allows you to have a smoother ride. Cycling at a high gear will cause you to use more energy and be fatigue faster, and if you have it too low then you will go no wear and have no control over your bike. Learning how to do wheelies can be helpful because it will allow you to do a front wheelie and a back wheelie over objects so that you don't hit them. As well it can make some trails easier to overcome. Learning how to atop without putting your foot down will help keep your momentum. Braking is essential because learning how brake is good for coming around corners, you also have 2 brakes and most of your pressure is on the front brake. Practicing using these effectively are good for when you are coming down a hill. Getting out of your local trails is good so you can challenge yourself. Riding every is that last way to improve your mountain biking, riding to the store, to a friends house, to a friends sport game can help you with your riding experience.

     This article taught me a lot about how to improve my mountain biking. I enjoy mountain biking around the city and have not actually tried biking on trails, however it is something I have thought about. These suggestions are things I am going to try before going on the trails so I don't hurt myself. If I am going to start I feel like going during the summer would be the best time and asking friends to go with me would be ideal as summer seems to be the best time to go. Friends can help motivate you to keep up(whether you think it or they say it) with them can allow you to push yourself and learn that way. Of course if I am going to go, and my friends are not available and I want to go on my own, I would definitely do some research and look for a mountain biking class so I could get some information on tips from a person who would know what to do in almost any situation. SO this article has taught me a lot when it comes to biking and how to improve my mountain biking which I did take into consideration.

http://www.active.com/mountain-biking/articles/10-ways-to-improve-your-mountain-biking-878770
Written by: David Alden

Friday, May 29, 2015

Tick season is Here!

How to Check For and Remove Ticks | Ryan Stuart


Rating - ****

The season of ticks is finally here and now that they are, it's best to learn how to find and remove them in case you get bitten.

With tick populations exploding in lower Ontario, it's important to know how to locate and remove ticks if you are ever bitten. Ticks are usually found in tall, grassy areas or dense shrubs, so if you are walking through any of these, be sure to check you body. A tick looks like a very small brown or black dot, so it can be very easy to miss. The key is finding it before it bites down, as it moves around the body before settling down. If you are bitten, getting it off quickly is important. Ticks carry Lyme disease, a very dangerous disease if not treated. If you are camping in the woods for long periods, this can become a very serious threat. To remove a tick, use a small pair of tweezers to pull the tick off straight upward. Once off, try to cleanse the wound and wash the area. Make sure to watch the area for any signs of a bullseye rash, which signifies Lyme disease. If removed quickly though, you can minimize your chances of contracting the illness. This article has a very little information, but is straight to the point about its dangers, prevention, location, and removal.

This article has helped me to understand the dangers of ticks, which I once thought were just very small bugs, now a very serious threat to watch out for and avoid. This article has taught were to find ticks, as well as places to avoid walking through to minimize your chances of catching one. The article contained valuable information on how to remove ticks without breaking off their pincers, which I hear are the hardest part to remove. This article has also reminded me that it's not just people at risk of getting ticks, but other animals such as cats or dogs as well. From now on, I will make sure to check my dog once it exits a large swatch of grass, for no one is immune to a tick bite. 

Remember to check yourself for ticks whenever you enter dense, grassy fields. They may be small, but they may have a big impact if neglected.


Stuart, Ryan. "How to Check For and Remove Ticks." Explore Magazine 28 Apr. 2015: n. pag. Web. 28 May 2015. <http://www.explore-mag.com/How_to_Check_for_and_Remove_Ticks>.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

In Early Spring, Leave the Woods to the Animals- Allen Macartney

Rating *** In this article, Allen Macartney explains why hiking in the spring is an extremely dangerous idea. In Early Spring, Leave the Woods to the Animals , describes several reasons why hiking in the spring may be a horrible idea. As animals such as bears come recently out from hibernation, they are most likely hungry and grumpy. You would never want to run into a hungry, mentally ill coyote. As they are too dangerous to risk, wilderness hikes in the Spring, Allen Macartney proposes ideas to make sure you to stay safe while hiking in the spring. Sticking to a common trail where animals are familiar with humans being present, always carrying bear spray and whistle, watching out for animal spottings(tracks, droppings) and never stick around if you encounter one of these animals. I really enjoyed this article because I learnt something new about the risks being taken on a spring hike. I probably would never have associated spring time hiking to many hungry, angry, wild animals that have hardly survived the winter without reading this article. I highly recommend this article to anyone who considered it to be a good to go hiking on their own in the spring on uncommon trails. Macartney, Allen. "OttawaOutdoors-Spring2015." Issuu. Web. 27 May 2015.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Backcountry Skiing 101: Avalanche Safety

Author: Ryan Stuart
Rating: ****
By: Erin James

This article, which is dedicated to avalanche safety, is a great read not only because it gives you tips on how to avoid being in an avalanche, but also tells you the tools you will need, the tests you can take, the signs of unstable snow, and also directs you to a site where you can apply for an avalanche safety course. “Avalanche danger lurks on just about any slope worthy of turns, broken gear can mean real trouble and with cold temperatures, short days and difficult access, injuries can become life threatening quickly.”

The article starts off with a few quick slope tests you can do to check the stability of the snow such as the “Hand Pit,” the “Pole test,” and the “Ski cut.” Each test has a clear sentence or two describing the tools you will need and how to preform each test. Secondly, the article has a list of the important things to have while skiing so that you can be completely prepared in case of an avalanche; like a beacon which helps locate the victim, a probe used to pinpoint the location of the victim, and finally a shovel which helps dig out the victim out of the avalanche. The paragraph ends with talking about how there are certain backpacks you can buy that can have has an airbag that the victim can deploy which inflates and helps the victim from going under the snow. It also talks about backpacks that have fast-access pockets for avalanche tools, or a long snorkel that can help the victim breathe under the snow. 


I liked this article because it made me feel a little bit more at ease with avalanches because they are one of my greatest fears. After watching a documentary in class where students went on a ski trip and a few students died in an avalanche, i was nervous because they did everything right and yet some students had a terrible fate and everyone felt helpless. I gave the article 4 stars because it was short and made me feel less helpless by providing information on how to prevent an avalanche and how to help someone if an avalanche ever occurred. This article would be great for any outdoor ed student learning how to x-country ski so that they can be aware of the possibility of an avalanche. 

Stuart, Ryan. 'Backcountry Skiing 101: Avalanche Safety'. Explore Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 May 2015.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Trail Running Anywhere, Anytime: David McMahon

Rating: ****


This article was an easy read that caught my attention. I was able to learn a few things about trail running and how to be safe while running threw difficult terrains.

Trail running anywhere, anytime is explaining why and how to trail run safely. The article specifically describes ways to prevent from getting your ankle twisted while running through the rocks and tree branches found on the ground. Also the author explains how trail running is a full body workout if you continuously run and do exercises to be able to work all of your muscles.

I enjoyed reading this article because it taught me how to go trail running without getting hurt and to exercise my whole body outside, getting fresh air instead of being stuck in a gym using different machines.


McMahon, David. Trail Running Anywhere, Anytime. http://content.yudu.com/A1d3vr/OOM-SumFall2009/resources/10.htm

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Camping Tips For Beginners- Henry Tom

Camping Tips For Beginners- My Way Of Giving Back - Henry Tom, beginnercampingtrips.com
Ratng:**

This article is about the things a beginner camper should keep in mind before camping for the first time. It explains that the most important thing you need to do before going on a trip, is to make a plan. Henry says that no matter what happens, you will be better off if you had planned ahead. He goes on explaining the key points you need to be aware of before a camping trip; like food, weather, research on the area you’ll be in. He makes sure to be clear that it’s important to know what to expect and to be ready for something you may not expect.
This article made me think of when I used to go camping when I was younger and how we mostly had a plan, but at the same time, things did get hectic here or there and it’s hard to plan for everything. I think this is a great article to read if you’re someone who is new to camping just to make sure they are prepared and that they’ll have a good time.
I did enjoy this short little article on camping for beginners and with experience, I know that these things are very important to think of before the trip.


Tom, Henry. Camping Tips For Beginners- My Way of Giving Back. beginnercampingtips.com

The Rise of Orienteering


The Rise of Orienteering—No path, No rules

By Alex Hutchinson
Rating: ****

      This article is written by Alex Hutchinson, who is new to the sport of orienteering yet is very eager to learn about it. Alex explains his experience in first orienteering race, "Raid the Hammer". He also quotes Col. Mike Hendricks and Mike Waddington, whom runs the Raid the Hammer race,to give some professional input.  Alex also gives the reader facts about how orienteering is gradually becoming more popular as it appeals to those who enjoy sports like cross country running. 
     

     Coincidentally, Alex is a cross country runner, a successful one in fact, who now uses his running skills to compete in orienteering races. However, as Alex had learned, the sport requires much more than the ability to run for far distances. His first race did not go well. He and his partner were both notably runners, however they failed to get a lead among other racers because they were unable to find paths of least resistance. By this, I mean that they would constantly take "shortcuts" that would lead to terrain that was extremely inefficient as in thickets, muddy swamps, and thick forests. Orienteering is all about choosing the right path and navigating under pressure. You also have to learn to assess terrain on the fly, so that you know instinctively what to go over, around, or through. Simply knowing what direction to go will not be what wins the race. 

     Orienteering is slowly growing in popularity. Specifically trail and adventure runners are beginning to take more of an interest in the race. According to executive director of Orienteering USA, Glen Schorr, orienteering is seeing an increase in participants by about four percent each year.Last year, races across the country registered about 50,000 entries!

     In order to become a true competitor for the sport of orienteering, the best way to improve is experience. Practicing the techniques we use in navigating will help when it comes time that there is a sense of pressure. It is all about being efficient.

Hutchinson, Alex. The rise of orienteering—no path, no rules. Men's Journal (March 2015)

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Benefits of Risk- Andrew Findlay

Rating:**** I thought this article was an excellent representation of how risk could benefit children and adult's lives. Andrew Findlay's article based on risk management explains the benefits and even needs for risk within our lives. Findlay writes about the benefits children will receive when their parents let them undergo some risk while managing it instead of eliminating the risk fully. This article begins with Andrew Findlay writing about his children and how he encounters countless parents who attempt to completely eliminate any risk their children may experience. He explains that he believes it is better to let his children experience these risks at playgrounds while he watches closely so that he can manage any risks properly. He states that he understands the need in children to explore and have their freedom which definitely comes with its own risks that need to be managed. Later in the article, Findlay makes reference to a friend of his that encourages his five year old son to go on trips involving rock climbing and skiing with him so that his son can experience nature and its' risks instead of spending all of his time saturated in the technology that is around all of us. By setting up a basic carabineer safety system for his son, Findlay's friend has properly managed the risks he and his son may encounter while rock climbing. He states that any risk of him making a lead fall is a risk that is comfortably assumed as he has done everything he can to manage these risks. Reading this article has made me think about how protected and withdrawn we are as a society. Risks are constantly viewed as a bad thing within our lives, which leads us to make an attempt to completely eliminate any risk there may be. In reality, risk is an essential component in our development from childhood to adulthood and teach us many important life skills. This article has mainly taught me about how different risk management and risk elimination are, and the real benefits of the risks we face every day. Findlay, Andrew. 'The Benefits Of Risk'. Explore Magazine. N.p., 2015. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Last Frontier

Last Frontier
Kaydi Pyette
Rating ****

Last frontier is an interesting article about three people's account of being the first white water kayakers in the harsh weather and wonders of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

In his article, Kaydi describes the daily life of kayaking the unforgiving class V Rapids found deep in the PNG jungle. He talks about the welcomings given by the natives, many of which had never previously seen a white man, let alone a plastic kayak. The natives of PNG would always give them a good meal and a place to sleep for the night. He talks about the five major kayakable rivers which can be described as the Grand Canyon of PNG due to their towering banks of up to 100m.

I liked this article because it was captivating and it gives ideas for experienced paddlers on where to go for their next big trip. I also liked that this article told a story and that it was easy to follow unlike some others I have read in the past.

I would definitely recommend this article for people looking for an awesome trip idea in an exotic area mainly untouched by the modern world.

Pyette,Kaydi. “Last Frontier.”(Rapid Magazine), August 2013.

-Simon C-

Saturday, December 13, 2014

How to Spot Animals in the Wild - Patrick Walshe

How to Spot Animals in the Wild
by Patrick Walshe
posted on eartheasy in August 27 2013

****
Patrick Walshe’s article “How to spot animals in the wild” is a detailed and well structured guide to find and watch animals in the wild. It informs the reader about 7 important points you have to consider if you are looking for wild animals in their natural habitat. The article is supported by different photos which clarify what the author means and help the reader to memorize it.
Through the article the author gives different examples, for instance he says “consider the time of day and year” and reminds you that searching for bears in winter would be a waste of time, but therefor winter is a great opportunity to find animals by their tracks in the snow.

I really liked the article and enjoyed reading it. The author convinced me that he definitely knows what he is talking about and since I read the article I think that it will be easier for me to find what I am looking for when I am in the outdoors. The article reminded me that it is important to keep your distance from the wildlife while watching it. Also it taught me that listening to the other wildlife around you can give you hints, for example when they sound a warning cry because a predator is approaching. After reading this article I really want to go out on my own to try if I even might be able get to watch some animals.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Quinzhee building 101

                              Quinzhee Building 101


Who Needs A Tent For Winter Camping - Allen Macartney

   ****

  Who Needs A Tent For Winter Camping is an interesting and highly informative article on building quinzhee shelters.

   Allen Macartney starts the article by complimenting quinzhees, he even goes as far as saying "they protect a camper from winter’s harshest elements far better than any tent." He then explains what a quinzhee is and follows with how to build one. He adds numerous tips a long the way such as "The secret to a quinzhee’s warmth is natural, thick insulation" Macartney then talks about his past experiences sleeping in a quinzhee and warns the reader; despite the excellent protection a quinzhee provides, you should always bring good equipment such as a winter sleeping bag. He continues with tips for your trip to ensure a warm, cozy, and positive experience. There are lots of warnings given to the reader indicating Macartney has a lot of experience and knowledge on quinzhee's.


   This article is really helpful considering we are currently building quinzhee's in outdoor ed. There are lots and lots of tips and warnings for beginners that I'm thankful of receiving. About a week ago I had no clue what quinzhee's were and now I'm starting to get a greater understanding on the topic, which I believe will make my overnight stay in a quinzhee so much better. I know what to do, and what to avoid, how to warm up in a quinzhee and the best way to create one. This was a very helpful article, and an interesting read.


              Macartney, Allen . "WHO NEEDS A TENT FOR WINTER CAMPING?" (2013) 11 DEC 2014 <http://d2868859.u488.quicksilkdns.com/articles/camp/517-who-needs-a-tent-for-winter-camping->.



  

Friday, November 28, 2014

How to Build a Survival Shelter-Laura Gunion

Rating:****

This is an article on how to build the perfect sleeping shelter in a survival situation.  There are a few different kinds of styles that you can build, but Laura focuses on one called a "debris hut".

After making sure that you are in a dry, high spot, find something solid such as a tree of a big rock.  The easiest and most effective way to start is to grab a long branch, almost 1 1/2 times your size and lay it at a 20 or 30 degree angle. You will need to find a way to hold it to the tree or rock.  Maybe there's a indentation that you could lay it on or you can just create your own holder.  Next you need to build the walls by leaning branches against your main branch.  Laura suggests leaving the "studs" of the walls with a little space in between, but I think you should put them as close together as possible... That is, if you have the resources to do so.  After the walls are constructed, you should make sure your shelter is the right size by crawling inside it.  Now you can start to pile on some small branches and brush as insulation and to protect from rain or snow.  If the weather looks good, you do not have to go crazy on this step.  Pine and cedar tree branches work very well for this; they help to get rid of any precipitation that may fall.  Large, flat pieces of tree bark also do the job, but only pick them up if they are on a dead or fallen tree as you do not want to go around killing trees unless you are in a true survival situation.  The last step is to cover the insulation with solid items like branches if there is any chance of wind blowing.  

In grade ten, me and a couple others built a shelter like this one.  It was very stable and could withstand everything the weather threw at it.  We knew that because it had started to snow as we were     finishing it.

Gunion, Laura. (2010) How to build survival shelter.  Retrieved November 28th, 2014.

http://www.natureskills.com/survival/primitive-shelter/

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Buried by Jonathon Copp

Rating****

This article is about three American mountaineers who were climbing in the Kumauni region of the Indian Himalayas in late September. As their journey started, they were hit by a severe storm, therefore they decided to camp in a crevasse sloped downwards into a bottomless pit. It protected them a bit in the meantime from an avalanche, but later they were being covered with the avalanche. The 3 mountaineers then ripped up their tents and reached to the top before it was too late. They managed to get close to the top with an arm and head; they also managed to save each other and dig through snow. It took them 6 hours to find most of their items and tools. Later that morning, they were struck by another avalanche; they were trapped in a small space. They managed to dig a tunnel to the surface to discover that there was a massive storm outside. A group decision was to stay in the tunnel until they run out of supplies. 3 days passed and the storm was still roaring, they have managed to waste time not to think about the situation. On the 4th day trapped, they thought a lot about death in the storm, but the weather cleared up and it was safe for them to leave. They spent 12 hours rappelling and down climbing 6,000 feet.

This survival story demonstrates a real effort in decision making and group work. Without each other they wouldn’t have lived through the avalanches and storms. I learned from this article that it is essential to have a group on a trip, quick decisions have to be made in a life threatening situation, do whatever that is reasonable to survive, and it is important not to leave a group member behind in trouble. I personally, didn’t think camping in a crevasse was a good idea, but maybe in the situation it seemed safer to stay in a crevasse that is sloped downwards. In fact that, crevasse may have saved their life.

 

Copp, Johnathon. “Outside : Live Bravely”. Buried By Multiple Avalanches. 25 October 2007. Outside Magazine. 26 November 2014. <http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/outdoor-skills/survival/Buried.html>

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Game Over

Rating:****

This article is about how a simple game of hide and seek can turn into a dangerous situation.

Dennis Lewon and his family were hiking in the back country and decided to stop and play a game of hide and seek.  When the game was finished all of his kids returned except for his seven year old son.  They searched for him and wondered if he would know what to do if he had to spend the night in the forest all alone.  Luckily their son knew his way back to camp and that was where they found him.  But many people don't expect something bad to happen to them so they are not properly prepared if they are lost or injured.  Hikers need to ask themselves,"Would I know what to do?"  Farther on in this magazine they have created an A to Z encyclopedia of survival know-how to help hikers prepare for anything.

I enjoyed this article because it made me think about whether I would know how to survive if this happened to me.

I would recommend this article and the A to Z encyclopedia to anyone planning a hiking trip to help them be prepared.

Lewon, Dennis.  Game Over.  Backpacker Magazine. October 2013.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Backpacking for Beginners



Backpacking for Beginners by T.D Wood
Rating: ***

“Backpacking for Beginners” is an article that basically covered all the parts of backpacking. It listed useful tips such as choosing your gear, how to carry it, what to wear and what to eat.

The article tells you the things you need and don’t really need when you’re going hiking. It tells you it’s easier to make a checklist of what you’re packing and to think light, because hiking can be difficult for some people, so it’ll be easier to have a lighter pack to carry. It mentions things that you should do before you go, such as leaving an itinerary to a family member or a friend so that if you don’t return by the appointed time, your friend can notify rangers that you may need help. The article is also very clear about how the back-country is wild and unpredictable, not a theme park, and that you should respect the land.

Something I really liked about the article is that it has a small paragraph about how hiking with kids will be different from hiking with adults. I would recommend this article to anyone who was thinking about going hiking for the first time. 

Wood, T.D. "Backpacking for Beginners." Published by rei.com. 2013

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Outdoors Skills: Predict the Weather-David Webb

 Outdoors Skills: Predict the Weather-David Webb
Jessica Thomas

Being on the topic of weather in class made me interested to know how to predict camping weather on my own. David Webb lists the basics in a short article on how to predict the weather.

This article from Explore Magazine talks about how to predict the weather without whipping out your cellphone (that probably doesn't work anyways) in the middle of a camping trip to check the weather app before you go to bed and instead using simple techniques using what you've got: the outdoors. By looking at the sky and observing your campfire smoke, its easy to just tell whether or not the weather will be nice. 

On our very first hiking trip as a class, most of us relied on Mr. Brouwer to give us the weather update before heading off to our next campsite. I thought it would be a pretty easy learning experience to teach myself how to read clouds and smoke so I would be prepared for the weather coming in.

David Webb, "Outdoors Skills: Predict the Weather", Explore Magazine

Bleeding To Death in the Desert


Rating:****

A triathlon runner decides to go for a 2-hour run in Moab (desert area) with his dog, Taz. The weather is cold, so while running, he encounters ice on the ground in the connection of canyons. The runner ends up slipping and sliding down the canyon’s smooth surface and smashes down to the canyon floor. It turns out that e brakes his pelvis (hip area) in half. Not knowing his injury is serious; he tries to drag himself upwards, but couldn’t move his legs. Therefore, he stops at a frozen puddle of water and drinks just enough water in order not to have the need to urinate. Getting wet is the last possible action in a cold weather condition. Throughout the cold night, he tries to warm himself by performing stomach crunches He spends all the 52 hours of survival awake by doing crunches. During the next morning, the runner couldn’t move, because of the heavy internal bleeding in the pelvis. Meanwhile, the dog, Taz, brought attention to rescuers to follow him to his owner’s injury. He is then healed and keeps on running to race.

“Bleeding” is an article that expresses the struggle to cope with serious injuries in different types of weathers. This article made me think about the various ways to keep warmth in difficult and cold situations, especially when there is a serious injury involved. This article also taught me to think outside the box and not to panic in moments of hardship. Other than the ability to survive alone in difficult moments, this article is inspiring to people who don’t own pet dogs. Sometimes, dogs could be helpful as they could comprehend and feel for people in the moments of need. “Bleeding “sets a great example of dealing with hardship moments, which is probably the first idea in my head when I’m in trouble.   

Ballengee, Danelle.”Bleeding To Death in the Desert.”Outside. 25 October 2007.Web.2 Januray 2014

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/outdoor-skills/survival/Bleeding.html

Jungle

Jungle

Article by: Karen Meades

Rate ***

This is a great biography like article which mainly covers Karen's time racing in the jungle but also her experience as becoming a runner.

In this article Karen writes about the Jungle Marathon which is a 220 Km foot race in the thick of the amazon jungle. She overcame ridiculous terrain ranging from steep hills to bogs and lakes and obstacles such as personal injury and the real chance of a jaguar attack. In this race Karen also made a friend, a scottish woman who she says is the reason she finished via her strength and will to finish.

This has affected me in the way that I know can associate racing with all types of terrain and conditions. This has made me think about how fun it could be to try a different type of race. This will change the fact that from now on I will know that a foot-race is not only in a city street.

Meades, Karen. "Jungle". Ottawa Outdoors: Spring 2013. Print.

Skijoring: A Combination Of Cross Country Skiing And Dog Sledding- Author Unknown

****
Skijoring is a combination of cross country skiing and dog sledding. Like in dog sledding you have a dog pulling you with a harness. But like in cross country skiing you are also working and helping the dog pull you. You and your dog will both need to wear a harness with a rope connecting you. Any type of dog can go skijoring as long as it is healthy and at least 35 pounds. The best types of dogs for skijoring are Canadian Eskimos, Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds and Chows because they are relativity bid dogs and have lots of fur to keep them warm.
I thought it was a very interesting article because I have never heard of skijoring before. It is also a great way for you and your dog to get exercise in the winter and you can keep enjoying your skiing.


http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_skjoring_a_combination_of_cross_country_skiing_and_dog_sledding