ENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC ADVENTURE CONSULTANTS

The Fundamental Basics of Hiking

INTRODUCTION

The definition of hiking is to take a long vigorous walk.  Sometimes we will walk for hours and sometimes we will walk for days.  In either case, we usually have an objective for our long, vigorous walks.  Most hikes you hear about are the long distance thru hikes that many people take each year from early spring through to the autumn time.  The most common of these are the Appalachian Trail in the east, the Pacific Crest Trail to the west and the Continental Divide Trail through the Rockies. These three long distance scenic trails are also known collectively as the Triple Crown.  Younger people who are just getting out of school, or retiree’s who are seeking a challenge that they feel they can accomplish usually take these hikes.  In both cases, these people are usually looking to commune with nature and with each other as they run into one another on the trail.  There are thousands of miles of trails throughout the North American continent that is close to most everyone who would like to get out in nature.


Hiking is great for Everyone of All Ages 

Hiking, like walking, is one of the healthiest things that people can do to maintain their basic fitness level.  Lots of people walk everyday to stay in shape.  They will get up in the morning and do a 2 to 4 mile circuit through their neighborhood, Community Park or even back and forth to work because they want to get in shape and stay in shape.  Hiking, like walking, will eventually get you where you want to go. 

Hiking, unlike walking, takes a little more planning and preparation in order to do it well and reduce the risks of injury not normally associated with walking for fitness.  The fundamental difference between walking and hiking is that hiking does tend to be taken longer and may require you to carry additional pieces of equipment to facilitate the long, vigorous walk.  However, before we get into hiking equipment, let’s get into the very basic aspects of hiking.  In order to hike effectively and efficiently, you must be in halfway decent shape.  A normal human being can walk 1.5 to 3 miles per hour over level to moderate terrain.  That same person will slow the pace when carrying equipment on their back and normally walk 1 to 2 miles per hour over the same type of terrain.  The mileage per hour may decrease over moderate to difficult terrain under pack.  Your main focus prior to starting out hiking in the wilderness is to practice those long vigorous walks in stages and graduate to higher levels of achievement.  Take the stair step approach until you feel you are ready to go on an overnight to multi-day hike. 

While walking to get in, or, stay in shape, you may also spend time researching and looking at hiking and backpacking equipment that will best suit your needs and physical body structure.  Everything that you wear and utilize while hiking the trails and camping out in the backcountry must fit you to a T.  Clothing must be comfortable to wear while backpacking, socks and hiking shoes/boots must be especially well broken in and comfortable over many miles per day.  Everything from the type of backpack you need to haul all of your water, food and extra equipment over many miles to the sleeping bag you will sleep in should be tailored specifically to YOU.  That is why there are so many outdoor camping equipment manufacturers and retailers out there.  One pack may fit someone superbly while it would cause another person intense discomfort to wear.  A sleeping bag that may be too small for one person to sleep in may be the perfect size for another person. 

These are but a few of the concerns that people have prior to planning and preparing to get out on a long hike and backpack through the backcountry.  It is important to look at ALL aspects of getting out and hiking from point A to point B, especially if it will take a day or more to hike between points.

There’s just one way for most of us to get up here…hike.

There are thousands upon thousands of miles of hiking trails all over the United States and even more miles of trails around the world.  Looking at the outdoor world through television and outdoor magazines is no comparison to actually being out there amongst nature and really getting a profound feeling of self-reliance knowing that through proper planning and preparation you’re able to get out and really live it up in the backcountry.  Once you have learned all aspects of hiking and camping in the backcountry and have competently completed a hike, you will no doubt want to do it some more.  You will want to hike to other places and probably do it for three to all four seasons.  If you possess the desire to hike through backcountry areas and the determination to properly plan, prepare and execute these hikes, read on… 

GETTING PHYSICALLY READY TO HIKE

Your mind is your most powerful asset to help you achieve your aims toward your future backcountry experiences. Utilize the 3 D’s toward any pursuit.  Your Desire to achieve your dream, the Determination to make that desire reality and the Dedication to keep at it until your desires have become reality. The first thing we must think about prior to getting out in the backcountry and hiking is to ensure that we’re in at least, adequate physical shape to be able to get out there and enjoy our backcountry experiences.  One of the biggest reasons that people quit their thru-hikes is because they were not in good enough physical condition to even attempt a feat of such magnitude.  That’s not to say that they weren’t in good enough shape to enjoy a backcountry jaunt for a few days, but sometimes we might bite off more than we can chew.  Conversely, many, if not most hikers that have successfully completed a thru-hike in a single season are conditioned hikers that have been hiking for a considerable amount of time.  They all started somewhere.

Most hikers that truly enjoy hiking had started out relatively slow on short distances.  That means that they didn’t start out to try to break any speed records or long distance records in the backcountry.  Everything worth getting into is worth getting into nice and easy, cool and breezy.  Don’t overdo it when just starting out.  Take it easy and ease your way into it.  For many conditioned hikers, they started out by simply walking.  Walking here, walking there, walking everywhere.  Nice, leisurely walks and then worked up from there.

Work yourself up to Hiking Long Distances  

Everyone is different and how one person starts their fitness program and progresses through it will be different from another person.  No one knows your body; it’s strengths and weaknesses better than YOU.  Based on that simple premise, only you can determine what parts of your body you need to work on to get in good shape.  Many of you will walk, jog, run, practice hiking with gradual weight on your back, and/or hit the cardio elliptical training machines at the gym. Ultimately, you will want to hike for some distance over the course of how long you think you will need to cover that distance and enjoy your outdoor experience.  The ends justifies the means, therefore, hiking is ultimately what you are practicing to do.  

When getting yourself physically ready to hit the trail for hiking, there are plenty of options to help you achieve your aims.  Check out the internet if you’re online.  Simply googling “getting in shape for hiking” will come back with several options, one or two which may resonate with you.  If you’re not online, you can get information from your local outdoor recreation equipment store about groups that you can join and network with to find out some of your options.  Hit the local bookstore and look for books that you may find interesting and informative that can help you achieve your aims. 

SUITABLE CLOTHING FOR HIKING

 Whether you are going out for a day hike, or for several days or weeks, there are several factors when determining the best clothing options for you while on your outdoor adventure.  The first factor is YOU.  Do you chill easily?  Are you prone to overheat because of your metabolism?  What you need to keep comfortable may differ from someone else and depending on what activity you’re doing.  This takes knowing your body and the best way to determine what you need is by keeping a personal journal whenever you go out.  Day hiking is one of the best ways to help you determine what you need clothing wise.  At the end of your hike, jot down in your personal journal what worked for you and what didn’t.  Be sure to write down all pertinent details such as what you were wearing, time of year, weather conditions and activity so that you have a good idea of what you need in the future. 

There are a couple of common denominators when it comes to outdoors clothing and how to use them.  These are echoed across all outdoor information sources as follows:

*Cotton Kills – Most everyone connected with outdoor wilderness recreation will all agree that cotton is not suitable for backcountry travel and living.  Instead, it is recommended that outdoor enthusiasts utilize a synthetic fabric such as polypropylene that wick away sweat when you overheat from hiking.  Polypro pile and other synthetic insulation have also taken over other outdoor clothing options such as wool.  One of the biggest advantages is if polypro does get wet for whatever reason it dries quickly.

 *Dress in Layers – One of the biggest reasons there are cold weather injuries is because people do not take additional clothing items out in the wilderness with them.  It is important even if you’re planning a day hike to bring a warm layer as well as a waterproof/windproof jacket and a warm hat.  Conversely, it helps to use the layer system to control overheating as well.  One of the best ways to reduce overheating is to remove your hat.

 As you’re going through your physical training regimen, knock out a couple of birds with one rock.  Keep that personal journal up to date with information that will help you not only with your physical fitness program and how you’re progressing through it, but also with the type of clothing that you’re wearing and how it’s wearing on you.  Be sure to jot down as much information as you can so that you can review the information to help you determine what clothing and equipment to pack for whatever time of the year and location you will be going to.

BOOT AND SOCK SYSTEMS

There is absolutely NO WAY that any hiker can enjoy their backcountry hiking adventure without a boot and sock system that they absolutely LOVE.  There are some hikers that have hiked barefooted or with sandals, but that is very RARE.  Happy feet make for happy hikers, so, it’s absolutely crucial that each and every hiker knows what they like and what works for them on their feet.

The first thing you want to think about is how your feet, ankles and legs are on you.  Do you think they’re strong enough to do what you want them to do in the backcountry?  Do you have strong bones?  What is the history of your legs, ankles and feet?  Physical fitness will condition your legs.  Your own knowledge of your ankles and feet will help you determine what type of hiking boots or shoes will help you enjoy your backcountry experience.  If you have muscles of granite and bones of titanium than you can probably get away with hiking miles each day in Teva sandals, but, if you require a little more support for the bottoms of your feet and maybe your ankles too, you may need some help. 

 A good outdoor recreation equipment store can help.  They will usually have the latest technological breakthroughs and styles in hiking shoes and boots.  They will also have knowledgeable sales people who themselves are avid hikers and know the basics about shopping for hiking footwear.  The outdoor shoe department should also have a foot measurement device as well as a way to determine what type of foot bed will be most suitable for the shape of your feet.  Last, but not least, there should be a ramp that you can try your hiking shoes or boots for walking up and down.

Leather Boots with Gaiters	Goretex Hiking Boots	Low Cut Hiking Shoes

In this day and age of modern technology, synthetic fabrics and more modern ways of mass-producing footwear has all but rolled over traditional shoe and boot makers.  Leather is beginning to yield to Gore-Tex impregnated synthetic fabric type shoes and boots.  More and more today you see synthetic footwear outnumbering leather.  There’s much to be said about that.  In the past, leather was, and to an extent, still is today the hiking footwear of choice, but people today don’t want to fuss around with the maintenance that leather requires.  Also, compared to leather, the synthetic footwear is easier to break in and get ready to hike in than leather is.  Leather hiking boots are still available on the market, but you will find more and more synthetic fabric footwear at outdoor recreation retailers. 

When you are trying on hiking footwear, do so in the afternoon hours as by this time your feet will have swollen or expanded a little bit through the day.  Also, know your feet and what type of socks you should use when trying on new hiking shoes/boots.  Avoid cotton.  Look for socks with wool/wool blends. Many hikers have utilized socks with a nylon/rayon blend that allows feet free movement within the hiking shoe reducing friction.  A good rule of thumb is when you have found your ultimate sock; it should be socks that you can comfortably wear inside every shoe or boot you own. When you have identified the ideal sock, wear them when trying on your new hiking shoe/boot.  It is ultimately YOU who will decide whether a pair of hiking shoes or boots feels right on you.  Take your time and walk around the store, up and down the ramp, roll your ankles around in them, do squats while wearing them, and basically feel for what may be wrong with them rather than how good they initially feel.

FINDING THE ULTIMATE BACKPACK

The second most important piece of gear that you need to successfully realize your adventure quest in the backcountry is a backpack.  The most important piece of gear would be your shoes/boots.  Before getting into more details about backpacks it is important to cover some crucial aspects about the weight we carry on our back in our backpack. 

The first important point is physical fitness.  Being fit will allow you to enjoy the outdoors.  The more physically fit you are, the more you will enjoy your backcountry experience…GUARANTEED!!!  You don’t have to look buff like the ultimate picture of health.  It’s not how you LOOK…it’s how you DO that counts. 

Another thought provoking; albeit debatable point is how much weight a person can handle on their back.  It is often said by medical experts that people should avoid carrying more than 20 to 25 percent of their individual body weight on their backs for extended periods.  It is obviously true that the lighter the load, the more enjoyment we get from our outdoor experience…or do we?  This is a debate that goes on between dedicated traditional, lightweight and ultra-lightweight backpackers.  All backpackers whether traditional, lightweight or ultra-lightweight have valid points that work for THEM.  I personally am a traditional backpacker and have been for a long time.  I backpack during the entire year and in different environments and sometimes my backpack weight is heavier in the mountain and cold weather environment than it obviously will be in the sub-tropics or jungle.  Being a traditional backpacker works for me and that is all that matters.  Each backpacker as well as aspiring backpackers needs to find what works for him or her

Internal Frame Pack	External Frame Pack	Hybrid Pack

With that said, let’s cover backpacks.  There are so many manufacturers, sizes, and styles out there one could go nuts trying to find the right one.  First of all, identify what type of backpacker you aspire to be.  That starts out with what your own vision of your outdoor experiences will be.  Once you have determined what your vision for your outdoor experiences will be, than you can narrow down your focus on the backpack that will best suit your needs as follows:

*External Frame Backpack – Perhaps the oldest style of backpack for outdoor enthusiasts in the history of backpacking, this is still a diehard for many traditional backpackers.  Lightweight and some ultra-lightweight backpackers have taken to using a packframe and strapping their gear to it in order to carry it in an external frame-backpacking mode.  Many backpackers, traditional and lightweight alike prefer the feel of the external frame backpack for their own reasons.  Most cite the more equal distribution of pack weight between their shoulders and hips as well as the free flow of air that passes between the pack and their back, which reduces overheating and sweating on their backs.  Most external frame backpackers hike on trails where they can walk and rock steady avoiding scrambling over difficult terrain because of the unwieldy shifting of the pack on their back.

*Internal Frame Backpack - This is most definitely the most popular style of backpack around today.  The internal frame is most commonly made up of aluminum stays that are inserted or sewn into the back of the pack that is molded along the curvature of each backpacker’s back.  Most backpackers, traditional and lightweight prefer the amalgamation of the pack to their bodies because of the feel of oneness.  They come in virtually any size you need for whatever your outdoor vision may be.  For ultra lighters, there are very small frameless pack bags that hold fewer than 1000 cubic inches, which hold probably less than 10 pounds or less.  Whatever trips your trigger.

*Hybrid Packs – This is the only way I can think of to describe some of the modern technology coming out in the area of combining some of the qualities of both external and internal frame packs.  There are two notable pack manufacturers, (maybe more), that have developed packs that appear to be internal frame packs but also boast the ingenious feature of an air space between the backpacker’s back and the pack, (like a external frame pack). 

When shopping for a backpack(s), you should have a list of requirements you think you will have concerns about in regard to your potential purchase. 
A suggested list that may help you is as follows:

What time(s) of year will you hike?  

Where will you be hiking?

Do you identify yourself as traditional, lightweight, ultralightweight?

What will be the average duration of your outings?

What type of equipment will you pack (minus food and water)?

These are but a few of the points you need to keep in mind when trying to identify the type and capacity of your potential backpack.  Once your target pack style and size, (e.g. internal frame/2500 to 3000 cubic inch) has been identified, now you can narrow down the manufacturer, the pack fit to your body and any personal features that you think you will need or like to have.

 Many outdoor equipment retailers will first suggest that you get measured for the size backpack you will potentially be purchasing.  Let them measure you to determine the size of the backpack that will most likely fit you. Most backpacks will come in basic small, medium or large sizes.  Utilize your personal backpack size as a guide because sometimes one pack manufacturer will differ from another pack manufacturer when it comes to the exact sizes of their packs and how they fit on YOUR back.  Nothing beats trying on the packs and making your own mind up about how they fit on YOU.  Most outdoor equipment stores that are reputable will have stuff sack simulations of various weights and sizes that mimic sleeping bags, clothes bags, food bags etc. to mimic the actual weight in your potential backpack.  As in trying on shoes/boots, do the same when trying out a backpack.  Ideally, try on the backpack while wearing the hiking shoes/boots you will be hiking in.  Try the pack on with the requisite amount of gear in it.  Walk around the store, walk up and down the ramp, squat with the load on, and utilize any and all movements and positions you think you would utilize out in the backcountry.  Move your head up and down and all around.  Move your arms around, mimic using trekking poles if you think you will use them on your hikes.  Think about it as intensely as possible to ensure your choice will be good for you.

SHELTER AND SLEEPING BAG SYSTEMS

Besides food and water, a shelter and sleeping bag system are the most important items you will use while out on an extended excursion in the backcountry.  Your shelter and sleeping bag system is probably your number one concern for comfort.  Rest is of paramount importance when it comes to extended stays in the wilderness and comfort is a big percentage of genuine rest.  There are several important points in regard to your shelter and sleeping bag system as follows:

 *Protection from the elements – The elements being everything and anything that
Mother Nature can throw your way such as wind, rain, sleet, snow, bugs and temperature extremes. 

*Ease of use – Your shelter and sleeping bag system should be quick and easy to erect and utilize especially when it’s dark.

*Weight and compact ability – You certainly do not want to pack and carry something that will be too huge to fit in your pack and too heavy to carry on extended hikes.  If you’re hiking with a partner, you will most likely split the shelter up between the two of you.

There are many different options depending on the time of year you’re hiking and whether or not you will be sharing a tent with a partner.  Several options for shelters as well as pro’s and con’s.

Bivouac Bag/One Man Tent	Hammock	2 – 3 Person Dome Tent

In this day and age, however, there are hybrid, lightweight and ultra lightweight tents, shelters and hammocks that, depending on the time of year and location you’re hiking may be perfectly ideal for you. 

Sleeping bags slip into bivouac bags, tents, tarps or hammocks and will be key to providing you with the rest that you need to keep cracking on with your hike each day.  A crucial part of your sleeping bag system is the ground pad.  Many hard core hammock hikers may dispense with the ground pad, but, it can still be crucial to have depending on the time of year and also as a back up in case there are no trees to hang your hammock between.  The two major types of ground pads are the closed cell foam type and the inflatable type ground pad.  Although inflatable ground pads tend to be more comfortable, they are inflatable and possess the possibility of being punctured, hence, you should pack a repair kit in case that happens.  Both the inflatable as well as the closed cell pads offer varying degrees of comfort and insulation, however when it comes right down to the meat of the matter, it will depend mostly on YOUR wants and desires for your ultimate sleeping bag system.

Sleeping bags come with two types of fill for insulation.  Synthetic or goose down, (feathers).  The major differences between the two types of fill are lightweight versus effects when wet.  Goose down is lighter but when it gets wet, it loses its insulation qualities.  Most hikers that start out will go with synthetic fill sleeping bags because it will still retain warmth even after being wet.  If you store your goose down fill sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack and take care to keep it dry while using it, the goose down bag is the better choice, both for light weight and good insulation.

One of the best ways to shop for a sleeping bag system is to go to a reputable outdoor gear retailer that has a huge selection of sleeping bags and ground pads.  There should be sales people that are knowledgeable and can answer all of your questions.  To start out, identify a good ground pad, inflate it (as applicable), and lay on it. Once you have chosen your ground pad, keep it with you so you can try it when you try on your potential sleeping bag.

When shopping for your sleeping bag, have a good idea of what temperature range you will be hiking and camping out in.  Sleeping bags come in different fill categories that correspond with the temperature range you’ll be camping out in.  The salesperson will help you determine, based on your size and weight, what size bag will be optimum for you. Once you and the salesperson have determined the temperature range and proper size of the sleeping bags then start trying them on.  There are many opinions, assumptions and presumptions in regard to how a person should fit into a sleeping bag.  This is based on heat conservation within the bag versus outdoor conditions…etc.  The most important thing for you to consider is overall COMFORT, which is what you need after hiking several miles in a day and just need to relax and rest.  If you have opted for a bivouac bag or one-person tent as your primary shelter, be sure that your ground pad and sleeping bag will fit inside it.  Try on your potential sleeping bag by getting in it.  Zip it up and move around in it as if you would when asleep.  Move from side to side, move your legs within the bag, your arms out and in, etc.  You will know when you’ve found your ideal sleeping bag.  Make sure your ground pad stays where it’s supposed to be.

EXTRA CLOTHING

Depending on where you’re going and when will determine the extra clothing you will pack for your backcountry adventure.  At a minimum, regardless of the time of year and location, you should always pack a windproof/waterproof jacket, a warm top (medium weight polypro sweater minimum) and a warm hat.  Rain and wind can crop up anywhere and if the temperature drops, trouble ensues.  Be prepared for ANYTHING. 

 ALWAYS bring extra socks.  3 pairs minimum is optimum because you’re wearing one pair, drying one pair and should always have a pair as a backup or to switch out midway through your day’s movement.  You should definitely have a dry pair to switch into after the day’s hike when you’re in camp.  Most seasoned hikers have their own system for foot care, which will determine how many extra pairs of socks they pack.  Many backpackers will carry only 2 pairs…one for moving for the whole day and then a dry pair to change into at the end of the day in camp.  They will wash the “movement pair” and hang them up to dry.  In the morning, they will swap the dry “camp pair” and put back on the “movement pair” to hike in the following day.  Another option is for 3 pairs of socks.  A lot of backpackers will still have a “camp pair” of socks that always stay dry and then they will swap out 2 pairs of “movement socks.”  One pair is on their feet, while the other pair is hanging out attached to their backpack drying in the sun and/or breeze.  At midday, they will kick back, eat lunch and prior to afternoon movement, swap out their socks.

The material that your socks are made from is also an important factor.  Avoid cotton!!!  Most hiking socks are wool or a wool blend of various thicknesses.  Some hikers utilize socks made of nylon/rayon blends that do not absorb sweat and move freely around the foot, which reduces friction. 
When packing extra socks, take all of this into consideration. 

Other extra clothing you may need to pack will be in direct correlation to where you will be hiking and at what time of the year.  Many traditional backpackers will take the same amount of extra clothing regardless of location or time of year.  The only difference will be the thickness of that clothing.

As with your sock system, you should develop a clothing system that will determine the extra clothing you pack for your wilderness trek.  A popular system that is similar to the common sense sock system is the “movement clothing” and “camp clothing” system.  When a hiker is done with the day’s movement and in camp, they will swap out their wet sweaty clothing for the dry clothing that they’ve packed.  They will then wash and/or hang their “movement clothing” to dry overnight.  In the morning, they will swap out their “camp clothing” for their “movement clothing” and drive on with the next day’s hike.

PACKING AND PURIFYING WATER

When out in the wilderness, water is the number one commodity to not only survival, but also enjoying your outdoor experience.  One of the most important aspects of getting the most out of your wilderness trek is planning and preparation when it comes to water procurement.  You must first find out not only where the water is but if it is flowing and available.  Sometimes weather conditions can preclude water collection from what would otherwise be known as reliable sources.  When planning your hike routes and where your tentative campsites will be, you need to identify water sources on the map along your routes and near your campsites.  Once you have identified those sources you need to determine the reliability of those sources by contacting people that can tell you, e.g. forest rangers, park officials…etc.

After you have confirmed that adequate water sources exist for your outdoor trek, you should determine how you will re-supply which will be directly proportionate to how you’re carrying your water supply.  Most hikers will carry a water bladder with a drinking hose contained in the backside of their backpack.  These bladders will carry 1 to 3 liters of water.  As a backup, in case the bladder leaks or to use for water collection, many hikers may also use a large mouth lexan or plastic water bottle.  These bottles vary in size from one pint to one liter.  These bottles are handy for collecting water from shallow streams and transferring that water to the water bladder.

Water Containers and Purifying Methods

It is advisable to purify ALL water in the backcountry no matter who says otherwise.  There is nothing worse than having a diarrhea attack ANYTIME during your hike.  Using a water filter pump and/or water purification treatment tablets/drops are the most common ways of purifying water.  Some old diehards will still just boil their water, which is another common way of purifying water.  Many hikers will either carry a water filter pump or they will carry just drops.  Some carry both.  Hikers that filter their water with a pump like it because you can pump the water from virtually any source and directly into a water container.  This method can be time consuming and sometimes the pump can malfunction.  The water that is successfully filtered through a pump is clean and clear.  Hikers that use water purification tabs or drops like it for the dependability, ease of use and because it’s lightweight.  The only drawback to using tabs or drops is that you may be adding it to water that may be cloudy or have sediment in it.  Those of us that use tablets or drops will usually use a bandanna or cheesecloth to reduce the amount of floaties from collected water prior to adding purification tablets/drops.

A lot of hikers will carry an emergency 2 to 5 liter capacity water bladder in their pack. These bladders are usually lightweight, (until you have to fill them), and come in handy when you will be hitting a long stretch of trail that has no water re-supply.  It is also handy to have that extra water bladder when you’re in a camp that has a plentiful water supply.  It is quite a luxury to have extra water to wash your body and your hiking clothes with.  Many hikers either use a collapsible washbasin or pack along a solar shower so that they can bathe in the great outdoors at the end of the day’s hike. 

PACKING, PREPARING AND EATING CAMP CHOW

There are so many opinions on this that it can take up a good number of books.  The fact of the matter is that YOU must determine how you will pack your camp food, how you want to prepare and eat your camp food and how you will pack out the trash.  The major factors when determining all of the above is as follows:

            -What do I like to eat?  Make a list of the foods you like to eat on a regular basis…make it a long list so that you’re able to break it down and discard some of those items in case it doesn’t make sense to pack it out.  From your list of favorite foods you have a basis to do some research on what you can pack out, close facsimiles of freeze dried varieties, packaging options ideal for backpacking and ease of preparation in camp.

            -How do I prepare and consume my camp chow?  Some of this may be in direct proportion to how your camp food is prepared and packaged or how you package it prior to heading out into the backcountry.  Probably the most popular camp chow is the freeze-dried variety in which hot water is added to the bag containing the freeze dried food and once reconstituted can be eaten straight from the bag.  You may wish to dehydrate many of your favorite foods and package them in vacuum-sealed bags.  This may require a lot of trial and error on your part, but once you get it down, it may be the way for you to go.  You may want to carry prepared food with little or no need to heat up…(hard core).  In any case, use your list of favorite foods as the foundation for what you would like to eat in the backcountry and begin researching.

            -Camp stoves – Which camp stove is best varies from hiker to hiker.  Time of year, ease of use, efficiency in heating up whatever you’re heating up, (water usually), weight of stove and extra fuel, fuel efficiency and fuel availability.  This is but a few of the factors you need to research when picking and packing your ultimate camp stove.  The most popular stoves across the board and who is prone to use them is as follows:

Canister Stove	Alcohol Stove	White Gas Stove

Work out a system for preparing your food using your stove to help you determine how you will pack all of your food you need the stove to help you prepare.  These foodstuffs are usually packed away until you stop for an extended period in order to be able to break out your stove to prepare your meals.  Many hikers will only cook the evening meal in camp before lights out or prior to hitting camp to rest.  They may also prepare breakfast prior to moving out on the next day’s movement or just after they have broken camp and hiked down the trail.  During the day’s movement most hikers will snack on trail food from zipper lock bags during rest breaks.  Some hikers like to stop for an extended period midday in order to take a good rest and use their stove to prepare a hot lunch.  Determine the best system for your daily chow routines and carry them out during your backcountry trek.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

Health, hygiene, litter and waste management should be thought out, tried and tested.  When preparing your food for consumption, think about how you will prepare it, how you will eat it out there, and what you will do with the litter.  Keep it as simple as you possibly can.  Some of us transfer everything we will eat to freezer zipper lock bags because freezer zipper lock bags are so strong and durable and can withstand hot boiling water without busting.  They come in all sizes from 1 pint to 2 gallon sizes.  If you’re packing freeze-dried chow, you can transfer it from the traditional foil type packaging to the freezer zipper lock bags.  Once the meal is consumed, you have an empty lightweight plastic baggie to pack out.  That goes for all foodstuffs that are packaged in zipper lock bags.  It starts out relatively lightweight and ends up REALLY lightweight when empty. 

Health and hygiene is a crucial part of enjoying your backcountry experience.  Preventing internal illnesses, problems with teeth and gums, and other little maladies and injuries that can turn into major illnesses is the name of the game in the wilderness.  Think about how you live and do in the “rear with the gear” (A.K.A. at home or in civilization), and what you can do that is similar while you’re on your backcountry adventure.  Take the same health and hygiene precautions or closely replicate them in the backcountry. 

Hand sanitizer is a HUGE part of preventing undue contamination from ruining your outdoor hoot.  Use it often.  If possible and your water supply exist, wash your body and your clothes daily (as possible) to get yourself and those clothes clean.  Check yourself for ticks and/or other skin issues that may crop up and deal with them immediately.

Carry a first aid kit that will address all the ailments that you think you might encounter while in the outdoors.  A little anti-biotic cream on a superficial cut will work miracles in making sure you’re not pulled out of the backcountry on a stretcher because of an acute case of cellulites.  Be sure to include multi-vitamins to supplement your backcountry diet and pain relievers for relief of sore muscles at the end of a long day of hiking.

When urinating in the backcountry, just find a tree off the trail.  When defecating, find an area at least 100 feet off the trail and away from water sources on as flat terrain as you can find.  Using your lightweight trowel, or a tent peg or a fixed blade knife, dig at least a six inch hole…the deeper the better.  Squat, aim and get it in the hole!!! Wipe yourself using leaves or other natural debris and drop that in the hole.  Finish cleaning yourself with a moist baby wipe and deposit that used baby wipe in a large zipper lock freezer bag and pack that out.  This is merely one option but in any case, pack your paper products out.  Use hand sanitizer after you’re done and definitely anytime before you start handling food.

EMERGENCIES

When out in the backcountry, you have to review what COULD go wrong while you’re out there and determine how to 1) Prevent, and 2) Deal with it if it does happen.  An effective way to plan and prepare for emergency situations is to break down your backcountry trip into phases and review how you envision the trip to go and what contingency situations could possibly crop up.  A basic format for your phase diagram would be as follows:

PHASE ONE – Travel to the Trailhead

Situation – Getting Lost on the Road

Prevention – Careful map and route study.  Build your primary and secondary routes with plenty of reset points that will be easily recognizable.  Cross-reference your points on the map with a good GPS backup.

Contingency Plan – If you get disoriented or temporarily lost, go back to your last known point, do a map study and cross-reference with your position on the GPS.  Get back on the right route.

Situation – Vehicle Trouble

Prevention – Inspect your vehicle and make sure that all the fluid levels are good, tires are properly inflated, you know where the tire jack equipment is and how to use it and that you have an emergency car kit and know how to use the contents.

Contingency Plan – Know how to perform any emergency car care steps that may be required.  Have dependable emergency car care such AAA that you’re able to call if you’re broken down and can’t deal with it.

Situation – Bad Weather/Road Conditions

Prevention – Identify points along your travel route where you can pull into and wait out the storm.

Contingency Plan – If you’re between points and depending on the severity of the weather and/or road conditions, have an emergency plan with what to do.  The equipment that you have in your car will aid in your survival.

PHASE TWO – On the Trail

Situation – Getting disoriented or lost on the trail or in the wilderness.

Prevention – In this case, knowledge is the best preventative medicine.  Everyone in the group should at least know how to read a map and have a good working knowledge of basic land navigation using a map and a compass.  Even if you and your group are hiking on a well-established and well-marked trail, it is still important to be able to read a map in case of an emergency.  Knowing how to use a GPS can be a bonus in most cases because when the GPS does work, it can pinpoint your position, which you can quickly identify on the map.

Contingency Plan – Stop.  Get oriented with the map to the ground. If you have a working GPS, use it as a back up in determining your position. Determine where you are and what you need to do to get back on track.  

Situation – Someone gets injured and requires immediate medical attention

Prevention – Talk with each other about the backcountry routes, the possible threats or risks involved and the precautions you will all take.  Discuss the contents of the group first aid kit and what may be necessary to pack in case of possible injuries.  Make sure everyone in the group knows how to use the emergency equipment.  Leave a detailed itinerary with both family/friends and the forest/ranger service for your route(s) and the area you’ll be hiking in. Know about the ways to be able to communicate while you’re out there either by cell phone or VHF walkie talkie radio.  Have a communications plan to include what to do in the event of no communications ready and what you all will do in the event of a medical emergency from anywhere on your route.

Contingency Plan – Know where you are.  If you have communications, get on it and report as much detail as possible to get a medevac in there. If there are 3, (ideally 4) of you in the group, talk about exactly what should transpire based on your location on the ground while on your hiking route.  In the event of no communications, one of two things will usually happen in a life or death situation depending on the injury.  1) One person stays with the victim while the other, (ideally two) people go for help.  2) The group stays together and constructs a litter and carries the victim out.

These are but a few of the situations you need to think about and discuss when dealing with emergencies.  During the course of putting together your emergency plan, determine as a group what skills each of you individually as well as collectively you need to become proficient in to increase your as well as your groups self-reliance in the wilderness.  Some of the backcountry skills ALL potential hikers should know are as follows:

            *Basic Land Navigation using a map and compass.

            *Basic First Aid.

            *Basic Survival Techniques to include where to find and/or build expedient survival shelters, water procurement, and how to safely build a fire.

            *Knowledge of the location, terrain and precautions to take during a certain time of year that your potential hiking trip(s) will take place.

Do you have your outdoor clothing, equipment, and these basic skills down? Are you ready to start planning your outdoors backcountry adventure in the areas you want to explore?

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