Have you ever wanted to take a leisurely hike through one of our picturesque state parks, or explore a beautiful trail in a national forest, but you were concerned that your age, weight or physical condition would make such an adventure impossible? Now one expert is ready to reveal how you can start enjoying the outdoor trails at your own pace.

Jeff Carver, who was 40 years old before he put on his first pair of hiking boots, believes that seniors can enjoy hiking and even backpacking, no matter what your fitness level. The key is understanding your options. Carver will give some of his best walking and hiking tips for seniors, and discuss some great local and national destinations, at the upcoming Seniors Spring Show, April 4-5, 2005 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

Carver says he often encourages seniors to try the sport, even if it's for the first time. "It's not that hard! Many people fear that they aren't in good enough shape, they weigh too much, they haven't been working out, or that it's just to too difficult. I want to help take away the misconceptions. You can enjoy hiking and backpacking at your own level of adventure. Maybe you'll never have a desire to hike inside Grand Canyon. But you might just enjoy a breathtaking walk along the rim."

Carver will bring instructional DVDs and other items to the expo to help seniors get started. "Walking is great for your health and it's just more fun to do it outdoors," he says. "If you walk on a treadmill for 45 minutes, it's a long time no matter what's on your TV or iPod. But when you're outside and enjoying the beautiful scenery and enjoying the fresh air, the time goes much faster."

Hiking doesn't necessarily mean roughing it. Carver says that one of the easiest ways to get started is also one of the most convenient. His emphasis is on hiking enjoyment rather than hiking distance. "Many of our state parks have beautiful trail systems. In a lot of cases, the trails will loop so you can choose to go just a half mile or greater distances. They trails are well groomed and easy to see. And there are always maps and signs to take the guesswork out of it."

Carver's company, SoleTrex™, is dedicated to providing clear and consistent information to adults who are new to the sport, or who have been away from it for many years. "One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that it is too rugged. Some people are afraid of challenging themselves. They need to understand that they can do it at whatever level they like," he says.

SoleTrex™ offers a DVD that explains such important basics as getting in shape, selecting gear and preparing for a backcountry camping adventure. The company's Pathfinder™ Kit includes an instructional DVD, GuideBook, Companion Cards, and a SoleTrex™ bandana. It will be offered at the Seniors Spring Expo™ for $29.99.

Carver offers the following tips for seniors who want to get started on a walking and hiking program.

1. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting an exercise program.
2. Start off easy, and on good surface. In the first week, strive for a 15-20 minute walk in your neighborhood every other day. Then increase your frequency to five days a week. Gradually increase your time to 45 minutes, at which point you're probably ready to try some trails. As you build on your time, try to walk faster but always make sure you can still carry on a conversation comfortably without being out of breath.
3. When hiking, don't get dehydrated. "Drink plenty of water and drink it every 15 minutes when working hard. The bigger you are, the more water you need. Some signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, lightheadedness, headache, excessive thirst, and muscle cramps or stiffness."
4. If you think you're lost. "Don't panic! Do not venture off the trail to find shortcuts. Try to re-trace your steps back to where you weren't lost. If you're severely lost, blow your emergency whistle. Three short blasts is the sound of an emergency."
5. Prevent blisters by making sure your shoes or boots fit properly. "Start your hike or walk with clean, dry socks. For long day-hikes, bring lighter weight socks with you so that as your feet swell during the day if your feet swell, you can change them out. A good time to change your socks is when you break for lunch."
6. Always plan ahead and prepare before you hit the trails. "Travel and camp on durable surfaces at least 200 feet from water sources. Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Respect wildlife - always observe from a distance."
7. Seniors who have questions about getting started on a hiking or backpacking adventure may contact Jeff Carver by visiting www.101expos.com and choosing Refer Me to An Expert.

The Senior Spring Show™, sponsored by Mid-America Events & Expos, Inc. is sponsored by Medica, KLBB Radio, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Lang Nelson, KSTP Channel 5 TV and KSTC Channel 45 TV. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and discount tickets are available at www.101expos.com.

SoleTrex™ LLC Founder and President Jeff Carver had an interesting hike on the trail that led to SoleTrex. Beginning as a high school band director, Jeff won a national championship with his marching band early in his teaching career. He played trumpet professionally with many bands which including stints with professional sports team musical groups including the Minnesota Vikings and the now defunct, Minnesota North Stars. After working briefly for special events and celebrity promotions companies, Jeff changed direction and moved into the shopping center marketing industry and stayed there for about a decade. He started his own marketing company in the mid-1990s and worked with a variety of industries.

Jeff began SoleTrex in 2003, with a goal of providing straightforward hiking and backpacking information to novice hikers and to those who have hiked before but need a little encouragement and motivation to begin again. He saw a need for this information to be presented in a more, fresh, contemporary way, and with the emphasis on hiking enjoyment rather than hiking distance. He created the Pathfinder™ Hiking and Backpacking Kit to do just that.

Jeff enjoys backpacking with his family and friends and his favorite place in the world is Arizona's Grand Canyon. His favorite hikes are 4 to 5 day backpacking loop trips. He still occasionally performs on trumpet and recently completed a recording project for Southern Comfort.

Jeff Carver is determined to make SoleTrex an industry leader. By partnering with hiking specialty companies and working with experts in the field, SoleTrex will continue to grow and learn, while providing information and products to a hungry hiking public.