ComputerHunter.org

 

Backpacking Trips - Ten Essential Items


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







Google News - Top Stories

Washington Post

Official: Richardson to be commerce secretary
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
NEW YORK (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama has chosen New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary, adding a prominent Hispanic and one-time Democratic rival to his expanding Cabinet.
Video: Richardson Likely Pick for Commerce Secretary AssociatedPress
Richardson expected to be commerce secretary, sources say CNN Political Ticker
FOXNews - Donklephant - Wall Street Journal - San Jose Mercury News
all 619 news articles


FOXNews

Lawrence Summers to Head National Economic Council
Wall Street Journal - 3 hours ago
By JONATHAN WEISMAN President-elect Barack Obama will name former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers the director of his National Economic Council, placing the Harvard University economist he passed over for Treasury secretary inside the White House ...
President-elect Barack Obama pumps up his economic stimulus proposal Los Angeles Times
Obama Sets Expansive Goal for Jobs Washington Post
San Jose Mercury News - Business Mirror - The Associated Press - Chicago Tribune
all 1,404 news articles


CBS News

Gunfire at Wash. shopping mall kills 1, wounds 1
The Associated Press - 25 minutes ago
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) - A young gunman remained at large early Sunday following a shooting at a busy shopping mall that killed one teenager and seriously wounded another.
Video: Police Searching for Seattle-area Mall Shooter AssociatedPress
Police search for gunman in fatal mall shooting CNN International
KBCI CBS 2 - eFluxMedia - CBS 21 - Examiner.com
all 1,277 news articles


Washington Post

World Leaders at APEC Anxiously Await Obama Administration
Washington Post - 37 minutes ago
By Dan Eggen LIMA, Peru, Nov. 23 -- George W. Bush was the US president at an economic summit here this weekend, but many foreign leaders were focused on President-elect Barack Obama instead.
Asia-Pacific economies to act together - Garcia Reuters
Bush Wraps Up Asia Economic Meeting New York Times
AFP - Voice of America - Xinhua - International Herald Tribune
all 4,258 news articles


BBC News

Tibetan exiles at a crossroads
BBC News - 2 hours ago
By Chris Morris The Dalai Lama's temple compound in the foothills of the Himalayas was an appropriate setting for the final session of this week's meetings.
The Dalai Lama and Tibet ABC News
Dalai Lama seeks dialogue with Chinese public eTaiwan News
Wall Street Journal - AFP - The Associated Press - CNN
all 1,678 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base