Posts Tagged ‘backpacking supplies’
Whether you’re hiking high in the mountains, exploring a wilderness trail or off the beaten path completely, potable water remains the most vital consideration. Humans can only live a few days without fresh water, so it’s important to keep a fresh supply in stock at all times. Still, space is limited in knapsacks and camping backpacks. Are there any options beyond toting water by the gallon?
Backpacking water purifiers provide a potential solution. Unless you’re drawing hydration from a clear-running stream or mountain spring, natural water sources often contain harmful contaminants and chemicals. Purifying the water rids the water of small, dangerous particles at a microscopic level; bear in mind, however, that large contaminants will need to be filtered out by some other means.
When I was a much younger man, about twenty-five, I decided to take about a month off work and do a portion of the Wonderland trail, which stretches from Mexico to the Cascade Mountains in Canada. It was a great backpacking experience, and definitely one of those experiences you remember forever. One of the purposes of the trip was to maintain a minimalist existence, so I brought along only the most basic backpacking equipment. I saw all kinds of wildlife, met fun people, and learned a lot about myself.
In the end, I think I felt a little like Thoreau at Walden! When I returned from my trip I felt much better about life as a whole, and I noticed that my performance at work increased. I guess it’s true what they say about taking vacations!
There’s nothing better than taking a backpacking trip with your significant other. Imagine just the two of you together and surrounded by a vast wilderness; there’s nothing else quite like it! Despite what people might think, backpacking tends to be straightforward regardless of your experience with the outdoors. More than experience, you need the right equipment. Purchase a tent for backpacking, a couple lightweight packs, get some comfortable shoes, and make sure you’re not carrying too much weight, and you’ll be set! If you are unfamiliar with life in the great outdoors, you may want to consider investing in some backpacking books as well.
There is lots of lightweight equipment made for backpacking, but most of it’s not necessary unless you’re planning to trek across the country. For overnight or three day trips, you can take standard household items, just make sure you keep the weight down as much as possible.
Whether you’re going camping, backpacking, or hiking, there are a few essential pieces of equipment necessary to ensure safety and an enjoyable wilderness experience for all involved. The most important is your camping first aid kit; it’s essential just in case of injury, snakebites, or infection. It’s also important to have a compass and map, or if you want to go modern, a hiking gps unit. When venturing into the wilderness apparel like warm clothing, rain gear, gloves, and hiking boots can help you to stay dry and warm if you happen to become cold. Hypothermia can be a real danger in the outdoors, even in warmer locations where you wouldn’t think it.
It’s also important to notify a close family member or friend where you are going and when you intend to come back. If you are lost or injured in the wilderness and no one knows about it, you run the risk of not being found until its too late.
It’s important to scout out the climate and weather conditions for a camping trip well ahead of time, but altitude is a consideration that often goes overlooked. That’s unfortunate because hikers are drawn to the splendid vistas and picturesque scenery unique to mountainous regions. In a high-altitude camping situation, one needs to bring a suitable set of backpacking supplies.
Obviously a weather-resistant backpacking tent is the first and most important thing to bring, but a sleeping bag is close behind. Nights cool down quickly in the mountains, so you’ll want to have a cold-rated sleeping bag. Sleeping bags stuffed with down or a comparable synthetic material work best. Most bags will advertise their weather rating right on the packaging, but you can also get an idea by checking the thickness of the material.
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