Safe Drinking Water - Six Tips For Backpacking

One thing you always here when talking to professionals about what pitfalls you should avoid in any sport is dehydratrion. Your body needs it to function at peak performance levels. Whether mountain backpacking overnight or taking an extended backpacking holiday, how you handle your water supply is essential. For further information on the best way to treat water while backpacking visit Backpacking For Beginners

Safe drinking water is a necessity, and these guidelines will help you be sure you have it.

On a day hike, safe drinking water isn't an issue. You can carry what you need. But when backpacking, you will most likely be using chemical water purification or filters to resupply yourself using natural sources of water. Both of these can fail at times. A filter can break or get clogged, and pills can be lost, damaged, or just not effective if the water you start with is too murky.

What you need then, if you want to be fully prepared when entering the wilderness, is a little knowledge, just in case. You need to know how to find safe drinking water, or make it. Here are some tips to remember when planning a hike.

Safe Drinking Water Tips

1. Use your map. See if there are farms or grazing lands or campgrounds upstream from where you are collecting your water. If so, be sure to boil it or use a heavier-than-normal dose of whatever chemical disinfectant you are using. Better yet, collect water somewhere else.

2. Use glacial melt water. If you collect water that is running out from under a glacier or is still near the glacier that it melted from, it is more likely to be safe. This is the best way to treat water while backpacking around glaciers. No guarantee, but in an emergency, it is likely better than the water from a cow pasture. If you have chemical purification tablets or a filter, it is more easily purified than muddy water (but allow lots of time for chemical purification of cold water).

3. Look at the surface. If there is a rainbow-colored sheen to the water, it may be toxic. If the color is from natural bacteria which are generally harmless, it will usually break apart when you poke a stick into it. If it doesn't, it may be petroleum-based, and should be avoided.

4. Smell the foam. Foam on water can be from industrial pollution or detergents, in which case it isn't really safe drinking water. But if the foam separates easily when disturbed and smells earthy, it is probably natural foam created by the plants in the water and the agitation of the current or waterfalls. In that case it does not indicate toxicity.

5. Look around. If you are mountain backpacking near trail crossings or places where people camp, try to collect your water upstream of these areas. If it is a short walk, you may also want to get above any meadow where animals graze.

6. Treat clear water. If the water is murky, your filter may clog or your chemical treatment may not be effective. To solve this problem, let the water settle for a while in any container you have, and then pour off the clearer water after the dirt settles out. You can also strain water through a bandana or t-shirt to get the big stuff out.

In any case, look for the clearest water that is furthest from sources of contamination. Filter, treat with chemicals, boil, or take your chances. Safe drinking water is a necessity, so plan ahead. Don't let contaminated water ruin your backpacking holiday.

Backpacking And Hiking Journals

At the draw is a spring with clear flowing water. Around my tent is a thicket of rhododendron. Although the wind roars above me, the sides of my tent barely flutter. This will be the warmest spot I could possibly choose for this night. This is the type of camp you dream about.

Backpacking Water Filters

According to conventional backpacking wisdom, giardia contaminates all wilderness water, and we hikers and campers need to purify every drop that we drink; as well as what we use for cooking and brushing teeth.

The Advantages of Using A Water Filter When Hiking

While hiking, your drinking water is extremely important. As long as you will be near a good water source, save some pack weight with a portable water filter. Using a backpacking water filter will make your hike easier and your water will be delicious and safe.

Six Hiking And Backpacking Tips

On Mount Whitney I saw hikers eight miles from the nearest road, at nightfall, with no water, facing a sub-freezing night with short sleeves. They underestimated the time they needed for the trip. They also hadn’t prepared for the dehydration dangers.

To get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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Backpacking Checklist

Safety and comfort should be at the top of any hiker's list. This article is a good place to start getting your philosophy of backpacking explained. Visit backpackingforbeginners.net for further information.

A backpacking checklist is usually about the "stuff." Good equipment is nice to have, but even with the best gear you can get into trouble in the wilderness. You might have matches and the latest fire starters, but still not be able to get that fire going. It takes more than good gear to assure a safe and enjoyable trip. Towards that end, then, this is a list of skills you should have or learn.

1. Navigation. Contrary to what many novices think, a compass doesn't tell you where you are. For that matter, a map doesn't either, if you don't know how to use it. Practice close to home if you can't yet use both of these easily. Do the same with your GPS unit.

2. Staying warm. There are tricks to staying warm. Shed layers as you get warm, for example, so you don't have sweat to chill you later. Use wind-blocking shell clothing, and wear a hat. Eating fatty foods before sleeping can keep you warmer. For more hiking tips checkout this page.

3. Pitching a tent. Pitch your tent or tarp wrong and the rain will come in, or the wind will tear the seams. They need to be pitched tight, and you should be able to do it in a few minutes. Practice in the yard. One easy setup I have used is a nylon backpacking tepee. It is functional and a classic design.

4. Cooking over a fire. Making soup over a small fire is not as easy as it seems. Cover the pan, block the wind, and keep the fire small and concentrated. Time yourself when you practice. You don't have to rush normally, but speed can be important in some situations, and it's always possible your stove will break. If so, take advantage of the stainless backpacking cookware lifetime warranty that many manufacturers offer.

5. Identifying edible plants. Learning to identify three or four wild edible berries can make a trip more enjoyable. Learning to identify cattails and one or two other good survival food plants can be very helpful, especially if you ever lose your food to a bear.

6. Walking. If you pace yourself and learn how to move comfortably over rocky terrain, you'll be less tired, and less likely to twist an ankle. Tighten those laces, too.

7. Understanding animals. Is the bear "bluff charging" or stalking you? The latter means you'll be the bear's supper if you play dead. A clue: making a lot of noise usually means he just wants to frighten you (a "bluff charge"), but you need to read up on this one.

8. Sky reading. Are those just clouds, or a lightning storm coming? It would be good to know when you're on a high ridge. In the rockies, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm in summer. Every good philosophy of backpacking will include learning about the weather patterns in the  area, and the basics of predicting weather so you'll be a lot safer.

9. Basic first aid. What are the symptoms of hypothermia? Stumbling and slurred speech are a couple of them. How do you properly treat blisters? You can use duct tape if you don't have moleskin. These and other basics are good things to know for survival in the wild.

10. Firemaking. Start practicing in your yard. Try to start that fire with one match. Also try it the next time it's raining. Get in the habit of collecting dry tinder before the rain comes. Learn what things burn even when wet, like birch bark and pine sap.

This last one can be one of the more important skills in an emergency. Experts can start a fire in almost any circumstances, but you don't need to be an expert in wilderness survival to enjoy a safe hiking trip. For a safer, more enjoyable trip, just do the best you can, and start checking off the skills on this backpacking checklist.

Tips To Make Your Next Hiking Adventure A Safe One

The above outlined hiking safety tips are just a few of the many that you may want to think about practicing. As a reminder, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous as well. By: Jillian Smith

Measures To Promote Hiking Safety

The Government attaches great importance to hiking safety and has disseminated information to the public to promote hiking safety by various means, including: (i) Publishing the Safety Hints for Hiking.

Adventure Travel Wilderness And Hiking Trails Fees Continue

The park service needs more funding to provide education, interpretive and for the safety requirements of their visitors. This is a time of controversy about park fees, and current plans for oil, gas and mineral exploration in our parks.

Safety and Precautions For A Fun Winter Sport

Winter hiking can be a tranquil even surreal experience when done properly. The peace of walking through cold and wintry scenes captured in the outdoors is considered by many to be a great way to spend a day, but beginners should be cautious.

Hiking Safety Tips

When you are out on the hiking trail, there may not be a place to purchase food or water for miles. Consider packing a small meal or snack to take along. Energy bars can help you sustain your fuel needs without feeling full.

Author: Steven Gillman

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations and a free book can be found at http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman

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Backpacking Tents

There is no doubt that a backpacker needs a quality tent to make the hike more comfortable. I found this article provides a number of practical tips for choosing a tent. If you want more information go to BackpackingForBeginners.net.

When there is a plan for backpack hiking, camping out and a taste of the world away from the city, an inevitable part of your inventory, has to be an easy to carry, lightweight backpacking tent that can be easily set up and eventually packed. This is what makers of backpacking tents have to consider. There was of course a time, up to the 1950s when you would not have found a tent aptly suited for the weather conditions you would face during your hiking trip, and nor would you have much variety and options in designs or size.

Quality would have been of a standard prototype. You may have been  better off in the 1960s when urethane rubber coating treated nylon came into the picture and added to the sturdiness and quality of backpacking tents. The 1970s saw the development of the famous geodesic design that makers of backpacking tents readily adopted, and is used extensively even today. But if you're a hiker of the present day, you have a line of options available, suiting your requirements of comfort and shelter from the vagaries of weather conditions, with almost absolute precision.

The first thing to keep in mind when making your purchase is the kind of climatic conditions that you would be faced with. This would in turn depend on whether you are a summer hiker, a two season, a three season or an all season backpacker. For summers, an A frame, nylon, waterproof, moderate tent would just work fine. Not every hiker will find they need an alps mountaineering mystique one person backpacking tent, but a little research will narrow the options. Find out more backpacking info here.

You may also use a plastic tube tent or a bevy bag. However, in case of three-season hiking, you ought to be more careful about your pick. You would need a stronger backpacking tent that doesn't give away easily. A four season backpacking tent must be preferably made of nylon, weighing about 8 to 15 pounds. If you find yourself backpacking around Alabama or other moderate climates, a four season tent is definitely overkill.

Tents catering to your camping needs are often provided with cook vents and extendable frames. A moderate backpacking tent would generally cost you around $150 to $350. But there are of course, more expensive options available with prices up to $900 or maybe even more.

A backpacking tent can make your camping trip enjoyable and a small investment can bring you several years of enjoyment in the outdoors.

Author: Peter Emerson

Tents provides detailed information on Tents, Camping Tents, Party Tents, Pop Up Tents and more. Tents is affiliated with Alaska RV Rentals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

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Tips For Backpacking and Hiking

I came acros this article that fits in with the theme of BackpackingForBeginners.net. It is always good to review some of the basics every so often, make a backpacking hiking list,and set up a backpacking exercise routine before heading out.

Here's some tips about what to wear and consider before going out camping. Dress for success! Adding multiple layers of clothing will keep you warm in the winter, and will keep you from overheating in the summer. Do some research on the area you are going to so you will know how big the temperature differences are between day and night-time.

Cotton should be avoided, because it becomes cold and chilly when wet and it dries slowly. If you want to keep moisture away from your skin, polyester is a good choice as underwear because it moves the moisture to your outer layers of clothing.  When making your backpacking hiking list, be sure to put on any extra layers of clothing you will need. Midlayers such as fleece and other polyeste fabrics are great, because it keeps your body warm, while moving the moisture away. It is also a good idea to be leery of closeout backpacking equipment. The price may cause you to overlook flaws that will become apparent on the trail.

As outerwear you may want to consider water and wind-resistant clothes depending on the weather conditions. Always be prepared for changing weather conditions; bring extra socks, a hat(protection from the sun), and good quality rain clothes. It can be smart  to bring a foot-moisturizer or balm, when your feet suddenly can become sore when backpacking and hiking. Bring different types of socks, it makes it easier to find your favorite type.

When you are resting, take your shoes and socks off, and let your feet breathe and relax (if the weather is appropriate for it). Be prepared, always be sure that your shoes are comfortable and walk in them days before you take them out hiking and backpacking. A good backpacking exercise routine will help work out the kinks without injury. Research, and preparation is always important when going out camping. Doing this right, your journey can turn out to be a wonderful experience!

Ryanair Hidden Travel Charges

Ryanair flights can be a great way to travel cheaply and quickly when backpacking Europe, but one must be careful of the hidden extra costs that can really add up.

Backpacking With Family

Hey all. Just back from the Ishi Wilderness. Had a great time. Nice to be on the trail with my son. We where able to sit around the fire and make some plans for JMT. Even better to get the time to spend with him.

Steel Toed Hiking Boots 

Do steel toed (construction/hiking)boots feel much heavier when being worn ? Best Answer - Chosen by Asker Yes!!!! I have to wear them, and they’re not bad at first, but as the day goes on you feel lead footed. They are really overkill on most hikes.

Hiking And Summer Camping

I want to exercise if only to loose the spare tire. It took years to get it so losing it will take time. The high altitude and hiking trails help. (now if I can just give up the cheese and sweets).

Good luck!
Mic,
family tents

Author: Mic Arnesen

http://www.online-familytents.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mic_Arnesen

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Backpacking Gear

Found this article while surfing and thought you might find it informative. If you want more infomation on lightweight backpacking gear, go to Backpacking For Beginners.

A backpacking trip is enjoyable and adventurous. It enables you to explore nature and have a wonderful time outdoors. However, you need to be very careful while choosing your backpacking gear. You need to carefully think about the items what you need to carry (on your backpack) and what you can manage to leave behind. Lightweight backpacking gear lets you include some items that may otherwise be excluded.

Of course, there are some things that you must definitely carry in your backpack camping gear . Since, you will have to bear the entire load on your back, so make sure that the items you carry are light and multi-functional. It is a great idea for someone who cannot carry so much of weight or is suffering from back problems due the weight of the backpack. While purchasing the backpack equipment, one should consider the duration of the trip and the type of activities that one needs to carry out.

Some of the well known names in the backpacking and outdoors industry are: Patagonia, Gregory and Black Diamond design, which help the camping aficionado to find an ideal backpack, with side mesh pockets and zippered pockets to hold items that are needed throughout the trip such as water, snacks and first aid supplies. When planning longer stays, your choices in backpacking camping gear are even more important.

There two basic types of backpacks or hiking packs designed for the backpacking enthusiast are: an attached and a detached backpack. The attached backpack is quite common and gets attached to the body with the help of straps and buckle supports. Unlike an attached pack, the detached version allows the backpacker to carry heavy equipment and bulkier supplies.

Other important equipments that you need to carry while going for a backpacking trip are: appropriate clothing, food supplies, hiking boots, raincoats, camping tent, map of the area, foldable furniture (if possible), utensils and a camp heater or stove. These are some of the essential equipments that you definitely need to carry along, but make sure that they are light-weight and reusable.

Do some research into what is available in backpacking camping gear and you will be prepared. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and have a wonderful camping trip!

Lightweight Backpacking Gear

A person with a serious interest in lightweight backpacking has to purchase lightweight backpacking gear. With traditional equipment, it is almost impossible to keep the weight of the pack within the ten to twenty pound range required on most overnight hikes.

How to Buy a Backpacking Or Camping Tent

Discount backpacking gear is much easier to find as the sport becomes more and more popular. There are many different companies today that supply discount backpacking gear, as well as trade shows where the gear is sold at a discounted prices.

Backpacking Gear Test

There is a really great site that is totally focused on gear tests. If you have not been there, recommend that you visit Backpacking Gear Test, or simply BGT. They have been around for several years.

Backpacking Gear Wish List

So whats on your gear wish list or are u contented with what you are using? For me i would like a ULA Relay and a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag, im not sure which one but it has to be light! I am over the standard bags I have been using.

Author: John Q Morris

To read more about Between The Meals visit Between The Meals Learn more about Cool Pics

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Solo Backpacking - Four Reasons, Eight Tips

I prefer backpacking with a group, but have hiked on my own several times over the years. The solitude is great and gives you time to appreciate natures beauty. I found this article expressed a good part of what backpacking alone is about. Tips for survival backpacking are always welcome. For more information visit BackpackingForBeginners.net.

Why solo backpacking? To be honest, one of the reasons I sometimes go alone is simply that it's tough to find people to go with, especially on short-notice. So reason number one is just the sheer necessity. But that is not the only reason to enter the wilderness by yourself.

Another reason to backpack alone is related to the first: simplicity. For example, if you like to go light, you may have conflicts with friends who want to share the weight of heavy cooking gear and tents. You may prefer cheaper trips, rather than joining others on a flight to some distant locale that isn't any more beautiful than the trails within hours of you. In other words, you might not want to trade three affordable adventures for one expensive one.

Going solo gives you freedom as well. Even the best hiking partners will not need breaks at the same time, get hungry at the same time, want to hike the same distance each day or do the exact same things. When you're alone in the wilderness, there is a natural rhythm that can never be there when several people's needs have to be taken into account, and you are free to follow that rhythm. Just remember that safety in numbers does apply to novice backpackers.

Finally, if you have ever wanted to "commune with nature," or have a more spiritual experience in the wilderness, backpacking solo is the way to go. Most of us cannot help but talk too much when we're with others. Of course, that scares off wildlife, but it is also true that when alone most people just plain notice the environment more.

Being alone can deepen certain experiences. There is nobody there to define you - just you and the nature around you. If you've ever sat quietly and enjoyed a great view, you know that it is a different experience than when you sit there talking with someone about it. And while some friends can sit in silence for long stretches while sharing the sun set or the cloud-shadows passing over the mountains, it isn't common.

Alone, you begin to realize how entirely indifferent - but not hostile - the wilderness is. Whether you take this trail or that one doesn't matter to anything or anyone but you. Whether you stay warm or get cold, live or die, is a matter that is mostly irrelevant to everything around you. Yet as a human we are actually equipped to survive here.

On a solo backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevadas, I ate my fill of wild currants at 13,000 feet. As I walked by small lakes the trout scattered. Sunshine warmed me as I took naps on soft grass, and moonlight lit my way during night hikes. It is true that a misstep here or there could lead to death, that lightning could strike me down, or rain could soak me and make me hypothermic. But because of this I pay attention when I am alone out there.

Alone, you become very aware of your surroundings, of the clouds forming in the sky, of any little pain in your foot or back. It is an awareness without worry. This in-the-moment experience is worth having.

Solo Backpacking - Some Tips

I am always looking for backpacking equipment tips that add to my safety. Fortunately it has become much safer to get out there alone. This is because of technologies that can turn what would have been a disaster in the past into an inconvenience. Lose your maps? Just turn on the GPS unit on and find the landmark setting for your car to get out. Break your ankle? Turn on the emergency locator beacon or get out your cell phone.

To make it safe without giving up the experience of solitude, then, start by leaving the cell phone charged but off. Don't allow calls to you and don't call a soul unless you have a serious problem. As mentioned, a locator beacon is another safety option, but don't let such safety devices lure you into a false sense of security that gets you into trouble. Leave your basic itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, so they'll know when to call for a search if you don't return.

If you have a GPS unit, be sure to "mark" the car or trailhead before hiking in isolated areas - especially in difficult terrain. I recently was in an area where it took three hours (no trails) to travel a bit over a half-mile to the car. Without the GPS it would have been easy to get lost.

Finally, learn some skills to make solo backpacking safer, and yoiur backpacking needs will become much simpler.  Being able to make a fire in any conditions is a good place to start. Knowing how to construct a few different kinds of emergency shelters is a good idea too. Also, while food is not usually the first concern in a wilderness emergency, it can't hurt to be familiar with a few wild edibles. And learn how to treat the most common injuries and illnesses you might encounter out there.

Winter Backpacking Tips And Safety

If you’ll be hiking in potential avalanche terrain, first, reconsider your plan and two, make sure you take a class in preparation. Never go out unaware of the snow dynamics around you. Read more on winter backpacking tips and safety.

Solo Backpacking Safety

Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk to means no words are put between you and the beauty around you. The miles just flow. It's entirely up to you to say when you eat or take a break. Want to jump in that alpine lake? Go for it!

The Essential Needs For A Backpacking Or Hiking Trip

Before you head into the wilderness this season make sure you’re ready to go by checking out our tips on hiking safety and backpacking safety. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service.

Colin Fletcher Book Raffle Winner

If you haven’t read this book, it is a backpacking classic about the experience of a solo hiker on a long distance hike and provides practical information about how to plan a long distance backpacking trip, if that’s something you’d like to try.

Embarking On A Solo Backpacking Trek

Have you ever thought of backpacking solo? Dear O Dear, it can be real fun, as well as challenging! Yeah, it is true that you may need some motivation to embark on one, or at least some reasons to do it on your own.

Author: Steven Gillman

Copyright Steve Gillman. To learn more Solo Backpacking Skills, and get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman

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