Contents no. 23 - February 2024:
Snowshoeing in the Vosges
How to choose your hiking cookware set?
Preventing and managing altitude sickness
Snowshoeing in the Vosges: forests and ridgelines
The Vosges is a lovely winter destination for snowshoe hiking! Although not particularly high (1,424 m at the Grand Ballon), its continental climate can bring snow at relatively low altitudes. The combination of forests, ridges and lakes provides the ingredients for beautiful snowshoe hikes.
Here are our snowshoeing route descriptions for the Vosges.
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How to choose your hiking cookware set?
On a hike, the best soup is not necessarily made in the oldest pot: good cookware is a better bet. Camping cookware is your outdoor saucepan, the foundation of successful camp cooking. Choose carefully to avoid regretting it. Here is a short guide to selecting the cookware set suited to your needs.
Define your needs to choose cookware for wild camping or campsite use
What will I use my cookware for: cooking or just heating water?
> Just heating water:
You only need hot or simmering water for your morning camp coffee or tea. For other meals, freeze-dried food is on the menu! One advantage is the small quantity of water needed. Allow an average of 300 to 500 ml of water per person for a freeze-dried pouch.
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Preventing and managing altitude sickness
An iconic volcano rising above the savannah, Kilimanjaro is a leading trekking destination. Yet only 40% of those attempting the climb reached Africa's highest point. On this technically straightforward trek, altitude sickness stops most people.
In the group I climbed with, 11 of 12 succeeded. Superhumans? No. But a 1st week trekking on Mount Kenya had acclimatised us perfectly, unlike those allowing only 5 days to reach 5,900 m.
As you can see, altitude sickness requires planning ahead. Extremely unpleasant when it occurs, it can prevent you from completing your trek or even put you in danger.
Here are good practices for recognising, preventing and managing altitude sickness.
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