Winter Camping In Canada: Tips For Cold-Weather Adventures

BY  Ankita Dec 21, 2023

Riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles is fun as well as beneficial. You get to experience the cool breeze and the adrenaline rush that comes from the high riding speed. One advantage of a motorcycle is that you'll save on fuel. But there is a drawback. The rate of motorcycle accidents is very high. Not only is it high, but the fatalities are so common due to the lack of protective cover while riding.  Statistics by NHTSA show that the fatalities are more than 5,579. Most of the accidents are severe, and the percentage of deaths and serious injuries is higher compared to minor injuries. Statistics show that among the 2,803 motorcycle accidents that occurred in 2021 in Los Angeles, the fatalities amounted to 133 people.  Because of the severity of the accidents in the city, residents should reach out to Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys. With the help of the attorneys, your rights will be fought for, and you will receive fair compensation. They, however, have to prove that the injuries you sustained resulted from the defendant's negligence. Let us see some common injuries you can suffer from and the common road elements that can be disastrous for motorcyclists in Los Angeles.  Injuries You Are Likely to Suffer From By now, you have an idea of how serious a motorcycle accident can be. The accident can leave you with long-term effects, such as:  Head injuries The muscles are affected as you fall. This can be leg or hand muscles Paralysis caused by damage to the spinal cord Leg injuries Let us now focus on the disastrous road elements that cause motorcycle accidents. Common Disastrous Road Elements The common road elements that can cause devastating effects on motorcyclists in Los Angeles include: Slippery/ Wet Roads Hydroplaning, which can happen on wet roads, is particularly hazardous when there's a mix of light rain and oil residue on the road. Both normal cars and motorbikes are at serious risk when hydroplaning, but motorcyclists face an even greater threat due to the reduced number of wheels.  When you're out on your motorcycle in the rain, maintain a low speed so you can stop quickly if necessary. Riding at fast speeds and suddenly braking increases the likelihood of an accident. Debris Debris can cause a lot of harm to motorcyclists. Debris is any loose object on the road that is not part of the road. Some of the examples include: Trash Leaves Pieces of tires Rocks Fallen objects from other cars Always be careful while on the road, and watch out for debris.  Edge Breaks There are edge breaks between variously sized lanes. Edge breaks will pose a greater threat to you as a motorcyclist, especially when riding at high speeds on highways. To lessen the likelihood of an accident, you must exercise extreme caution when riding near edge breakers. Rough Roads Rough roads are another common road element that can be disastrous for motorcyclists in Los Angeles. The accident's severity depends on the speed at which the motorcyclist was riding. Rough roads generally mean roads with:  Potholes Loose gravel Roadway resurfacing Poor maintenance Construction zones You must ride at a reasonable speed and watch out for uneven or rough roads.  What Can You Do to Reduce the Impact of Motorcycle Accidents?  You should: Make a habit of wearing your helmet every time you ride Service your motorcycle regularly When riding, you should wear thick layers of protective clothing Do not ride your motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Do not cross the speed limit Conclusion  Though some road elements might be harmless to vehicles, they can cause catastrophic motorcycle accidents. Such elements include debris, wet roads, edge breaks, and rough roads.  The services of a motorcycle accident attorney will come in handy when you are involved in an accident that was not your fault. With their help, you can determine who is liable for the accident and ensure the appropriate damages are settled. Read Also: How The Weather Can Affect Your Motorcycle Riding Gear? 6 Best Family Holiday Destinations In India

BY  Nabamita Nov 14, 2023

Are you planning an exciting and long-distance road trip with your electric vehicle (EV)? How exciting! There's nothing like hitting the open road in a zero-emission, eco-friendly car? But before setting off on the journey of a lifetime, there are some essential items you should remember to pack that will make your time on the road smoother and more enjoyable.  To ensure your EV adventure is as smooth sailing as possible, we provide helpful tips for those crucial packing essentials for a successful EV road trip - from charging cables to storage bags. So, if you are getting ready for an epic journey with your beloved ride, read ahead for all our top picks! Safety Items Safety always comes first, which is no different when embarking on a long EV road trip. Here are some items to include in your pack that will give you peace of mind during the journey: First Aid Kit First and foremost, every road trip should have a well-equipped first aid kit. This might include band-aids, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, medical tape, and pain relievers. A first aid kit can be a lifesaver in case of minor injuries or health issues. Fire Extinguisher Another safety item you should always have in your EV is a fire extinguisher, specifically suitable for electrical fires. Although electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than traditional ones, it's better to be prepared in emergencies. Reflective Warning Triangles Reflective warning triangles are also essential for safety during your road trip. Should you have to stop at the side of the road, these triangles can warn other drivers of your presence, especially during the night or in poor visibility conditions. Tire Repair Kit A punctured tire can happen anytime, and it's only sometimes possible to find a service station quickly. Therefore, a tire repair kit can be a handy tool to fix the issue temporarily until you can reach a professional for help.  Pack for Different Climates When embarking on a lengthy road trip, you're likely to encounter a variety of climates and weather conditions, hence the need for appropriate preparations.  Warm Weather Gear For sunny, warm climates, pack lightweight and breathable clothing. It's also wise to include a broad-brimmed hat for sun protection, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Hydration is vital in these climates, so ensure you have plenty of bottled water and a cooler box to keep your drinks chilled.  Cold Weather Gear In contrast, if you're likely to experience colder climates, thermal clothing, warm hats, gloves, and scarves are essential. Ensure you have a warm blanket or two, as well as a thermos flask for hot drinks. To aid vehicle handling in icy or snowy conditions, consider carrying tire chains.  Wet Weather Gear In wet climates or during rainy seasons, waterproof clothing is a must. Pack a high-quality raincoat and waterproof trousers, as well as an umbrella. It's also worth carrying a set of absorbent towels for drying off any rainwater that might get inside your vehicle.  By preparing for various climates, you'll ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. Food & Water Essentials When setting off on a long road trip, you must remember your sustenance needs. Here are some ideas of what to include in your food and water essentials: Bottled Water and Hydration Packs Always pack plenty of bottled water for your journey to stay hydrated throughout. If you're planning on travelling through particularly hot climates, consider hydration packs. These are reusable, eco-friendly, and keep your water cool. Related: 6 Expert Packing Tips That Will Make Your Trips More Fun Non-Perishable Snacks Non-perishable snacks are a road trip's best friend. Choose options that are high in protein and fibre to keep you feeling full longer, such as mixed nuts, protein bars, dried fruit, and whole grain crackers. Pack enough for your entire journey, with a few extras for good measure. Ready-to-eat Meals While you're likely to stop at restaurants or fast-food joints along the way, it's always a good idea to have some ready-to-eat meals packed. These could be canned goods (think beans, soup, tuna), pre-made sandwiches, or microwaveable meals if your accommodation has the facilities.  Reusable Cutlery and Plates In the spirit of eco-friendliness, pack reusable cutlery and plates for your meals and snacks. Not only does this reduce your environmental impact, but it also means you're always ready for a picnic wherever you may find yourself! Cooler Box Finally, a cooler box is a must-have for any lengthy road trip. It will help keep your water, snacks, and meals cool and fresh, especially in hot weather. Some advanced coolers even have a heating option, perfect for warming up those ready-to-eat meals. Entertainment for long drives. Long journeys can sometimes be a bore, especially when traversing long stretches of road with little to see. That's where entertainment comes in.  Music, Audio Books, and Podcasts On long road trips, audiobooks and podcasts make great companions. They keep your mind engaged and make the journey educational and entertaining. Remember to download a mix of genres for variety. Music is a classic companion, too. Create playlists with your favorite pop, rock, country, or classical tunes to keep your spirits high. You can also explore streaming services with curated playlists for long drives. Portable Gaming Devices If you're traveling with kids, portable gaming devices can be a lifesaver. They offer a fun distraction and can keep children engaged for hours. Just ensure the games are age-appropriate and devices are charged or have charging capabilities.  Charging Cables and Adapters In this digital age, staying connected is crucial, even on a road trip. So, pack the necessary charging cables for your electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices. Carry a few extra cables in case of loss or malfunction. Remember to use a car charger or power bank to keep your devices powered up. If crossing country lines, bring travel adapters for charging in any socket type. Stay connected, access GPS, and enjoy entertainment on the go! Travel Board Games Travel-friendly versions of board games are excellent for taking breaks along the way. Whether it's Scrabble, Chess, or Monopoly, these games can provide fun and interactive entertainment during rest stops.  Comfort Items for Road Trips When embarking on a long journey, comfort is paramount. It can make the difference between a taxing ordeal and an enjoyable adventure. Here are some comfort items you should consider bringing on your journey. Travel Pillows  Travel pillows are a must for long journeys. They support your neck and head, making it easier to rest or even sleep during travel. There are a variety of types available, from inflatable ones that save space to memory foam pillows that offer ultimate comfort. Blankets Even if you're travelling in summer, a blanket can come in handy. It can provide additional comfort when you need to sleep in the car or encounter unexpectedly cold weather. Consider packing a lightweight throw or a fleece blanket. Portable Seat Cushion Long hours of sitting can put stress on your back and hips. A portable seat cushion can provide additional support and comfort during your road trip. Conclusion Preparing for a long road trip involves more than just packing clothes and toiletries. It's essential to consider various climates, pack food and water essentials, bring entertainment for long drives, and ensure comfort items are on hand. With proper preparation, you can have a smooth and enjoyable journey on the open road. Happy travels!   Read Also: Things To Do In Rocky Mountains National Park 15 Best Places For Adventure Dates With Your Loved One 20 Of The Best Places To Travel In Africa In 2024

BY  Sibashree Aug 9, 2024

Wrangell-St. Elias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an icy wonderland. It is a place where active volcanoes and the largest glaciers, like Malaspina, coexist, making it “A Song of Ice and Fire.”  It also has some of the greatest mountain ranges in the world and mighty rivers. Further, unique geological features and weather conditions have made the national park a land of biodiversity and wilderness with a lot of mammals, birds, fish, and plants.  Let me take you on a tour of the Wrangell-St. Elias glaciers and everything the national park has to offer.   What Are The Notable Glaciers In Wrangell-St. Elias?  Nabesna Glacier, Malaspina Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier are the most notable ones in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.   Along with these glaciers, you can also see glacier features like glacier caves, Jökulhlaups, and ice falls. Let’s briefly discuss the major glaciers and glacier features.   Malaspina Glacier Did you know that Malaspina Glacier is the “largest Piedmont glacier in the world?” Designated as a National Natural Landscape in 1968, it spans across 1,075,409 acres.   Further, its glacial mechanisms and fluctuations have made it a favorite of explorers. The glacier is also a favorite of space travelers as it looks vibrant from space.   In an article published by NASA Earth Observatory on 27th October 2023, we can find,  “The dark blueish-purple lines on the ice are moraines—areas where soil, rock, and other debris have been scraped up by the glacier and deposited along its edges. The zigzag pattern of the debris is caused by changes in the ice’s velocity. Glaciers in this area of Alaska periodically “surge” or lurch forward for one to several years. As a result of this irregular flow, the moraines can fold, compress, and shear to form the characteristic textures seen on Malaspina.”  Hubbard Glacier  Hubbard, “the sleeping giant,” is the largest when it comes to the tidewater glaciers in North America (75 miles long). The glacier gets its name from Gardiner Hubbard, National Geographic Society’s first president.   Also called the “Galloping Glacier,” it comes with tranquil blue ice. You can explore Hubbard Glacier through a cruise trip.   Visiting the Hubbard Glacier becomes more exciting as you meet the sea otters, whales, sea lions, and bears along the route.   Nabesna Glacier  With a length of 53 miles, Nabesna Glacier is the “longest interior valley glacier” in the world. However, there are concerns regarding the loss of ice mass in the glacier. A 2007 report says,  “Nabesna, the largest glacier in this region (˜1056 km2), lost mass four times faster during 2000–07 than during 1957–2000. Although accelerated, the mass change over this region is slower than in other glacierized regions of Alaska, particularly those with tidewater glaciers.”  Glacier Features In Wrangell-St. Elias  You will come across many fascinating glacier caves in Wrangell-St. Elias, especially near the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.   Further, ice falls, or the fountains of the glacier, move very fast, and it’s fascinating to see how they form seracs or blocks.   Also, there are Jökulhlaups, or flooded glacier outbursts, adding to the various glacier features of the national park.    Amazing Glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Facts  Mount  St. Elias, the largest peak of the national park, is the second-highest in the world.  Mount Wrangell, the only active volcano here, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America.  It has Nabesna Glacier, Malaspina Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier, three of the largest in the world.   It is a part of the “world's largest international protected wilderness.”  Mid-May to mid-September is the best time to visit this park.   Wrangell-St. Elias: A UNESCO World Heritage Site  Home to countless glaciers and many high mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park enjoys the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Kluane, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini-Alsek.   Also, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a part of the “largest non-polar icefield in the world.” You will find Dall's sheep, grizzly bears, caribou, and many other animals roaming in this part of the world.   Further, certain geographical and biological factors and “protection and management requirements” make this national park a place of outstanding universal value. Let’s discuss them in detail.   Rich In Biodiversity  The scenic beauty and geological diversity in the park are outstanding. It has sea mammals and other aquatic animals. Further, you can see many land mammals, birds, and different types of trees in this park.   The table below mentions some of the most popular birds, trees, and animals you can see here.   Land Mammals Brown Bears Polar Bears Black Bears Mountain Goats Dall Sheep Bison Coyotes Wolverine Porcupine Sea Mammals and Other Marine Creatures Whales Sea Lions Porpoises Harbor Seals Sea Otters Plants (936 Vascular Plant Species) Sedge Family Grass Family Sunflower Family Trees Willows Various Introduced Species Birds Bald Eagles Canada Geese Trumpeter Swans Wilson's Warblers American Robins  Home to boreal forest, Wrangell-St. Elias has one of the largest ecosystems in the world. Diverse geological features and unique weather conditions support this sprawling ecosystem or biodiversity.   Comes With Topographical Diversity   This national park is one of the most diverse in its topographical features. It has glaciers, rivers, river canyons, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains and whatnot!   Geomorphological features like hanging valleys, moraines, craters, and calderas also make this national park unique.   A Hub Of Active Tectonic, Volcanic, Glacial, And Fluvial Natural Processes   Like the entire Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias is also in an area where tectonic, volcanic, glacial, and fluvial natural processes are common.   So, it has active and inactive volcanoes, the largest glaciers, and some prominent fluvial landforms. It has the mighty Copper River, Rivers of Life, and braided rivers formed of glacier water.   Final Words   Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has the highest glacier coverage among all national parks in America. It also has the active Mount Wrangell volcano, rivers, and wetlands, making it a place of geological interest.   Exploring the glacier caves and the ice falls here is a one-of-a-kind experience, and it’s wonderful to see how the richest biodiversity with mammals, birds, aquatic animals, and trees thrives here.   So, come and experience the brilliance of nature as you explore the largest glaciers of the world’s largest glaciers, such as Malaspina and Hubbard.   Or have you already been to this land of volcanoes and glaciers? Don’t forget to share your experience of the glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park tours.    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park FAQs   How Many Glaciers Are In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?  Like the entire Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias is filled with glaciers. According to the latest count of the National Park Service (NPS), the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has 3,121 glaciers. Further, these glaciers cover a whopping “6,757 square miles of land.”  So, Wrangell-St. Elias has glaciers that cover 60% of all the glacier coverage in American National Parks. Glacier Bay in Alaska is the distant second to Wrangell-St. Elias. The glacier coverage at Glacier Bay is just 1/5th of Wrangell-St. Elias.  In addition, Malaspina, Hubbard, and the Bering glaciers, located along the park’s southern margin, are three of the largest glaciers in the world.   Having said that, glacier coverage in Alaska is shrinking, and  Wrangell-St. Elias is not an exception. From 1985 to 2020, it has already experienced a 5% reduction in its glacier coverage.   How many People Visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Each Year?  The National Park Service has a record of visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park since 1982. Since then, this park has been enjoying thousands of footfalls every year.  2023 was one of the topmost years in terms of number of people visiting  Wrangell-St. Elias. It had 78,305 visitors in 2023.  In 2020 (the Covid-19 era), the park had 16,655 visitors. From 2021, the number of visitors has increased consistently. (Source)  What Is Unique About Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?  With the largest glaciers and volcanoes in the world, Wrangell-St. Elias is unique because of its geographical features. It is also one of the most prominent hubs of biodiversity. Thanks to its extensive glacier and volcanic coverage and rich wildlife, it has earned the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Among glaciers, Hubbard (one of the largest in the world and the largest tidewater glacier in North America) and Malaspina Glacier demand a special mention.   The Mount Wrangell volcano in this park is still active, and some other volcanoes here are Mount Drum, Capital Mountain, Skookum Creek Volcano, etc.  Further, it has an endangered sea mammal, Steller Sea Lion, and other marine animals. Bears, mountain goats, and sheep are common land mammals roaming here.   Also, you will find birds like the American robins, Wilson's warblers, and dark-eyed junco in this national park.   What Is The Highest Peak In Wrangell-St. Elias?  Mount St. Elias is the highest peak in Wrangell-St. Elias. With a height of 18,008 feet, it is also the second-highest peak in North America.   Having said that, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park celebrates the presence of four major mountain ranges in the world. It has the eastern part of the Alaskan Range, St. Elias, Chugach, and Wrangell.   Why Is Wrangell-St. Elias Protected?  Wrangell-St. Elias is protected to “preserve and protect ecological integrity and heritage resources of a vast ecosystem in south-central Alaska, while providing for public use in a wilderness setting.”  So, it is protected to preserve the local geology and diversity of the landscape with glaciers, volcanoes, and wetlands. It is also a measure to preserve wildlife and its inhabitants. Also read Ultimate Guide to Your Next Family Vacation in Israel. Paris Transforming Historical Sites Into Olympic Venues. Whales And Sea Lions! Exploring Wildlife At Kenai Fjords National Park.