I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides, altitude sickness, and twenty-mile days - all in a summer weekend. Wilderness trips can be dangerous, but you can make then less so, by having the following ten essentials in your backpack.
1. Knowledge. What good is a compass if you don't know how to use it? Play with matches if your fire-making skills are shaky. Learn what to do when you see a bear. Read a little, practice a little - knowledge is more likely to save you than gadgets.
2. Map and compass. These are together, because that's the way you need to use them.
3. Matches and lighter. Bring both, or waterproof matches and a fire starter of some sort. Having two ways to start a fire is much safer.
4. First aid kit. Buy a pre-packaged one or build your own. Make sure it has pain relievers, bandages, disinfectant, and notes on basic first aid procedures.
5. Foot care. Your first aid kit needs moleskin, and maybe a pin, to treat blisters. Your feet have to be well cared for when you're hiking miles from the nearest road.
6. Water purification. A filter works, but they clog and break so often that you should have a small bottle of iodine tablets or other water purification as back up.
7. Rainwear. One of the biggest killers in the woods is hypothermia, and it often starts when you get wet. Try to stay dry.
8. Shelter. This can be a tent, tarp or bivy sack. Just be sure you know how to use it.
9. Sleeping bag. Down bags are the warmest for their weight, but be sure you know how to keep it dry, or bring a synthetic bag.
10. Specific trip items. For backpacking trips in Michigan in May, bring insect repellant. In June in Arizona, bring sunblock. Think about the specific conditions for the time and place of your trip.
Make your own list if you take regular backpacking trips. It's no fun when a friend tells us ten miles down the trail that he's allergic to bees and forgot his medicine. A little planning means less worries, and a better trip.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
Summer is for picnics, hikes, outdoor concerts, barbeques ... and... Read More
Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in... Read More
You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND... Read More
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are... Read More
Table Mountain sheltered the original Cape explorers in the 16th... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
A canoe trip is a great way to appreciate Nature!A... Read More
The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More
HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and... Read More
This amazing drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire... Read More
Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
For some 30 years I practiced law in Mesa, Arizona.... Read More
With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary... Read More
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More
When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled.... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
Isn't it time you stepped out of the concrete jungle... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Outdoors Outdoors |