Organizing, organizing, organizing are the three important things you have to do before going cycle camping, rock climbing or even sightseeing. Here are few tips for you what to take.
Sightseeing
When we think about sightseeing the first thing that comes to our mind is going from church to church or from one museum to another and looking at things produced by people that are already dead. The truth is that it’s easy to organise sightseeing as there is no piece of equipment required. All you need is a map and comfortable shoes for walking. Sometimes long skirt and long sleeved shirt not to upset priests is required.
Cycle camping
If you are tired with organised tours and like camping, the network of campsites is waiting for you. Your own route plan and your bike will take you from campsite to campsite. Everyone planning to go cycle camping should be equipped with a bike, a set of panniers and front bag, puncture repair kit and pump. In addition campers also carry a lightweight touring tent, a sleeping bag (1kg), a cooker, a cook set and a camping mat, in fact all specialised camping kit. For conscientious and dedicated campers going camping may even mean taking:
1. Shower – heated reusable shower. 20L capacity, sufficient for 2-3 showers.
2. Water-powered digital alarm clock – no batteries required.
3. Freeplay radio – this radio can be charged by wind-up, solar or AC rechargeable power; providing you with great sound wherever you go
4. Cotton roll-up bed – Easy to carry and much more sumptuous than a camping mat.
5. Self-sufficient Torch – wind-up torch, no batteries required. 30 seconds of wind-up provides 20 minutes of light.
Rock climbing
If camping is not a real adventure for you, there is always rock climbing. Although it is possible to try climbing rock without equipment, it is difficult to do so safely. All of equipment you take when you go rock climbing is for safety, except for shoes.
Climbing shoes enhance climbing ability much like running shoes enhance running ability. The most useful piece of climbing equipment is a pair of climbing shoes. Improvements in shoe design alone have allowed climbers to climb many things previously unclimbable. The modern climbing shoe has a stiff, smooth rubber sole that protects the foot from sharp, rough rock, and provides more friction than a bare foot.
A modern climbing rope, a key piece of safety equipment, is of kernmantle construction, consisting of continuous braided nylon fibres, the kern, surrounded by a continuous braided nylon outer sheath, the mantle. Climbing rope is dynamic: able to stretch a bit under tension. If the rope did not stretch, a falling climber would be jerked suddenly as the rope stops him. Instead, the rope slows his fall more gently.
Carabineers, used constantly in climbing, are rings of solid aluminium with a spring-loaded gate that allows them to be opened. Normally, the spring holds the gate closed, but the gate can be opened to admit a rope. A carabineer is safe until its gate open.
To attach herself to a rope, a climber uses a sewn harness. A typical one has a wide nylon belt for the waist and a pair of leg loops for the thighs. When a climber is supported by such a harness, most of her weight is placed on her legs, rather than her waist, making it fairly comfortable to hang in.
Improve your ocabulary!
required – wymagany
equipment – wyposażenie, sprzęt, ekwipunek
sleeved shirt – bluzka z krótkim rękawem
the network of campsites
– sieć kempingów, pół namiotowych
enhance – ulepszać, poprawiać
stiff – sztywny
rubber – guma
smooth – gładki
sole – zelówka
tension – napięcie
stretch – rozciągliwość
jerk – szarpnąć
harness – uprząż, szelki
waist – talia
thigh – udo