Saturday, February 7, 2009

Top Essentials When Backpacking or Hiking For an Extended Stay

By Shawn Stanley

When choosing an outdoor sport to spend some time in the great escapes of the world, backpacking and hiking are the best of all possible choices. Getting in touch with nature and viewing the world from a spot that is secluded and wonderful are great choices for individuals and families. When preparing for backpacking or hiking, it is important to being along some true essentials in order to make for the safest possible trip one can prepare for.

The suns rays. The sun can be very damaging to many parts of the body. When backpacking or hiking, the sun can be in contact with the skin and eyes the entire day spent walking. Sunscreen that is waterproof and of an SPF of 30 or more can provide just enough protection for the skin. The eyes, on the other hand, are the body parts left unprotected. Including a pair or two of sunglasses in every pack will help to make the trip easy to see and safer for the eyes.

Safety First. Many people forget about safety when backpacking or hiking, but there can be problems and when there are, a whistle can help. Depending on where you are backpacking or hiking, a whistle with no "pea" (the small ball in the center) may be the best choice. If the backpacking or hiking is taking place during cold months, the "pea" could freeze. Along those same lines, a plastic whistle will be sure to never stick to your lips in the cold.

The fluid of life. Water will be the largest part of the backpacking and hiking trip. With constant movement comes the constant need for water. Every team member will be packing water for the trip, but for safety, a constant water supply will need to be assured. An outdoor water filtration device can turn any water into drinkable water in a few minutes.

Starting a fire. For those overnight trips, a firestarter or set of waterproof matches are ideal for a little warmth and a warm meal. But, many backpacking and hiking trips are only day trips and the backpacking and hiking team feel they may not need these things. One the contrary, as a safety measure, every member should include a way to start a fire in their packing essentials.

First aid first. A first aid kit should be prepared for every backpack used during the backpacking and hiking trip. If only one packer has access to a first aid kit, the other hikers will be unable to provide first aid in the case that the group loses touch with each other. A first aid kit should include a pocket knife and a set of pocket tools for everyone.

Know Your Way. A map and a compass are two things that no backpacking or hiking can do without. These will keep you going in the right direction when things get turned around. Each pack should have their own set for guidance. On a more advanced tip, many backpacking or hiking trips are being centered on the new GPS technologies making getting lost even more difficult.

Choosing backpacking or hiking as a sport is a great choice and a fun choice, especially when friends and family come along for the hike. When new to the sport, it is important to keep all of these items in every pack in order to keep the team safe and productive during the backpacking or hiking trip.

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