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"Two kilos make a big difference": tips for outdoor tours

2020-06-17T05:20:21.890Z


Whether in hiking boots or on a bicycle saddle: active holidays are booming. If you then pitch your tent on the way, you really get close to nature. But how do you approach such outdoor trips?


Whether in hiking boots or on a bicycle saddle: active holidays are booming. If you then pitch your tent on the way, you really get close to nature. But how do you approach such outdoor trips?

Poing (dpa / tmn) - a day hike? No problem. An extended bike tour? Made umpteen times. But what about multi-day tours on foot or in the saddle, on which you camp in the middle of nature and spend the night outside?

This summer, full of travel restrictions, it makes sense to explore your own country extensively - whether as a hiker or a cyclist. A real outdoor holiday is also possible in Germany.

In an interview with the dpa themed service, the author Kathrin Heckmann from the blog "Fräulein Draußen" gives tips on how to prepare such tours - and reveals which beginners' mistakes should be avoided.

Why are hiking or cycling the best types of travel for you?

Kathrin Heckmann: What I particularly like about hiking is that you are slow on the road and perceive the little things along the way. That is real deceleration. Cycling is a mixture of closeness to nature and flexibility. You can cover more kilometers, but you still get to places that cannot be reached by car.

What clothes do you wear and what do you have with you all the time?

Heckmann: By default I have a set of clothes for the day that can be washed through in the evening if necessary, and one for the evening. A rain jacket is always included. I am in favor of a lightweight material with a 2.5-layer membrane, because you often sweat in very robust jackets. In general, the onion layer principle applies: several thinner layers instead of a few thick ones.

What basic equipment do you always have with you?

Heckmann: A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are very important. In principle, it is often also possible without a tent. A bivouac sack to protect against cold and wet, a tarp - this is a tarpaulin that can be stretched over the sleeping bag - or a hammock are easy alternatives. You don't need much, just a few clothes and, if you want to cook, a gas stove and saucepan.

Otherwise, I usually take nuts, dried fruit and candy bars for my good mood. When cooking, we recommend things that can be poured on with hot water, such as instant mashed potatoes, instant noodles or couscous. And you should always think about the garbage that you have to take with you again.

And what unnecessary ballast do beginners like to carry?

Heckmann: In the beginning, many people usually carry too much with them. Two kilos more on your back make a big difference on a long journey. The less you drag, the more fun you have.

At first I had too much clothes with me, even plates and cutlery, now I'm eating from the pot with a spoon. You don't even need a pillow, you can just stuff clothes into a stuff sack. A minimalist approach is required. I create an Excel spreadsheet every time and also enter small amounts of weight there.

Is there anything else that beginners are doing wrong?

Heckmann: In fact, the biggest problem for most people is that they carry too much with them. Hiking shoes are also an important point. It is often said: the more robust, the better. Fixed hiking boots only make sense in the alpine area. For other tours, I recommend lighter, more flexible hiking shoes. After all, you lift the weight of the shoe with every step.

Is it even allowed to camp wildly?

Heckmann: Wild tents are forbidden in most of the German-speaking countries, but there are also differences depending on the state and region - and legal alternatives: There are more and more trekking spots for hikers on long-distance hiking trails, for example in the Black Forest, Saarland or in the Eifel. However, you have to register there beforehand.

And in Brandenburg, where water hiking by boat is popular, there are many storage spaces on the banks. There are also very close to nature campsites, where a little wilderness feeling arises. It is important to abide by the rules and to inquire at the landowner about private property whether you can camp there for a night.

What routes do you recommend in Germany?

Heckmann: In general, I recommend beginners to take a look at the so-called premium hiking trails with the seal of the German Hiking Institute, they are all good and well-marked trails. Apps help to discover hiking and biking trails on the doorstep, including GPS data. River bike trails are ideal for beginners on bike paths because they often do not contain many vertical meters. I would like to ride the Oder-Neisse cycle path myself.

Brandenburg is one of my favorite hiking regions, so I went to the Uckermärker Landrunde last year. It is nice and empty there and wild in many corners. The Westweg in the Black Forest is still on my wish list and the Heidschnuckenweg in the Lüneburg Heath.

About the person: The author Kathrin Heckmann writes on her blog "Fräulein Draußen" about her outdoor experiences. Her book "Miss Draußen" on the subject has been published by Ullstein.

Literature:

Kathrin Heckmann: Miss Outside: How I found the big thing in the little things on the way, Ullstein, 256 p., 14.99 euros, ISBN-13: 9783864931055.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-06-17

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