Few hikers or backpackers want to ponder the possibility of getting lost or the need for acquiring survival skills. But, as in many endeavors in life, there lurks behind the pleasure of this sport the possibility of an unforeseen emergency. And, it is always in your best interest to be prepared for an emergency that you hope will never materialize. (Photo Author: nicholsphotos)

AN ILLUSTRATION FROM AVIATION

Let me illustrate.

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I loved my hiking experience Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It’s gorgeous place. Here is an eight-day itinerary for hiking in this park.

This is the itinerary we actually followed, as opposed to the planned one; as a few adjustments were required:

Day 1 – Tuesday, June 29th – Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Louise, Plain of the Six Glaciers, Lake Agnes and Mirror Lakes (not the smartest choice as a first day hike) Read more.

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Hazards of Hiking

Hiking Tips for High Altitude Climbs

Learn to identify edible wild plants with Edible Wild Plants Cards.

Lightweight Sleeping Bags

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Outdoors and Hiking Tips

I’m sure I don’t have to convince you that hiking offers major benefits. First of all, this enjoyable and inexpensive sport can be practiced almost anywhere, in urban, rural or wilderness environments. It is noncompetitive and can be enjoyed by any age group, gender or fitness level. Each participant can set their own limitations.

Hiking is an aerobic exercise that offers major health benefits. These include physical, social and mental health benefits. Here is a list of some of the benefits of hiking:

Physical Health Benefits of Hiking

1. Increases fitness;

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Lightweight backpacking is a philosophy and a journey.

Traveling lighter in the wilderness is a philosophy in the sense that you must change your way of thinking about what to throw into your backpack. Instead of thinking, “What else can I fit in?”, you start thinking, “What can I get along without and leave at home?”. Thus your philosophy is changed, in minimal terms, from inclusion to exclusion.

Oh yes, I also said that lightweight backpacking is a journey. I’ll use a journey by foot as an instructive metaphor. When you attempt to reach a destination by walking, you must proceed step by step.

Just as taking a journey by foot is a gradual undertaking, one step and then another and another, so becoming a lightweight backpacker is best accomplished gradually. Also, a step at a time. Let your philosophy of finding ways to leave things at home guide you on your step-by-step journey to becoming a lightweight backpacker.

One of the first steps you can take is finding ways to multipurpose things that you normally take backpacking. If you can find two purposes for one item, it’s likely that you can leave another item at home. For instance, you can use trekking poles to hold up the awning of your tent. Instead of bringing a cooking pot, a bowl and a cup, you can use the cooking pot for all three. In the place of moleskin for hotspots and blisters, use duct tape, which has many other uses, for dressing your blisters.

Once you adopt the exclusion philosophy and decide to take the journey towards lightweight backpacking, the process of planning and packing a lighter backpack can be just as fun as the backpacking trip itself.

By Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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A Double Whammy against Insects

Safety Features and Injury Decline: The Disconnect

Acquire survival skills quickly with Survival Playing Cards.

Double Sleeping Bags

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Outdoors and Hiking Tips

The United States is the first nation to designate wilderness by law. We who love hiking and backpacking have, therefore, lawmakers to thank for much the beauty, serenity and physical challenges of trekking in wilderness areas.

Last year, on March 3, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. This law, Public law 111-11, added 52 new wilderness areas and 2 million acres to the existing 26 wilderness areas in the United States. The resulting 78 areas are a legacy that we must preserve for our children and grandchildren to enjoy as we do.

Here is a link to a page that lists all the areas affected by Public Law 111-11. This page also provides additional links to more information about these wilderness areas.

Barack Obama was not the first president to sign a wilderness act. Lyndon Johnson, on September 3, 1964 signed the original Wilderness Act that defined wilderness as “…an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man…” Section 2(c).

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Your feet, your lowly feet, your humble feet, deserve your respect and most attentive care while hiking or backpacking. They do a yeoman’s job as they carry you and whatever you hang on your body over long distances and rugged trails.

Here are some tips for keeping them content:

1. Learn Blister Prevention and Care: If your feet complain of an impending blister by sending your brain messages about a hot spot, fix it immediately. Cover the spot with moleskin or duct tape. The best treatment for a blister by far is prevention.

2. Purchase Properly Fitting Footwear: Spend plenty of time making sure that you have the right boots or shoes and that they fit your feet really well. Try them on with the type of socks or combination of socks that you plan to wear with them. Your toes need adequate room, at least a finger’s width between the end of the boot and your longest toe.

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Kolob Terrace Zion National Park

Best Viewed Large on Black

Storm building over the Kolob Terrace area of Zion National park. This is a spectacular but little-visited section of the park.

Author:Bill Wight CA (In Montana)

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Rattlesnakes: Don’t Tread on Me

Mountain Sickness and Gingko Biloba

Acquire survival skills quickly with Survival Playing Cards.

The North Face Backpacks

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Outdoors and Hiking Tips

As any sport, backpacking and hiking require a core of essential gear. I’ve included my hiking gear list here. Include these 11 items in your backpack or day pack.

1. Water and Water Purification Gear

Plan your water needs carefully. Take enough water to stay hydrated. The amount depends on a number of factors including length of your trip, available water sources on your route, the weather, the climate and the terrain. Also take equipment designed to purify water that can be found in the wilderness. This equipment could be a good water filter or chemicals like iodine or chlorine.

You might also consider adding electrolyte-supplementing products.

Take extra water for emergencies.

2. Food

Take enough food for your planned trip . Include meals and snacks plus extra food for  emergencies or unplanned delays.

3. Sun Protection

This includes sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen and a hat. The air at higher elevations, being thinner, allows more damaging ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth and your skin.

4. Map and Compass

Even if you carry a navigation device like a GPS, don’t go into the wilderness without a good topographical map of your target area and a reliable compass. Learn how to use them before hitting the trail.

5. Headlamp or Flashlight

Look for quality, light weight, water-resistance and a good beam. Carrying such a lamp will give you peace of mind for a contingency such as having to unexpectedly spend a night in the wilderness or having to hike in the dark.

6. Extra Clothing

Pack rain gear and an extra layer for an unexpected situation or change in the weather.

7. First Aid Kit

Look for or make up a kit that will fit your planned hike or backpacking trip.  Having prior basic knowledge of wilderness first aid is also a plus.

8. Whistle

The sound from a loud, high-pitched whistle will carry a long ways – hopefully to the ears of rescuers if you are lost or in an emergency situation.

9. Pocket Knife or Multipurpose Tool

Make sure your tool has at minimum, a high-quality blade. There are many other features you can choose from such as needle-nose pliers or scissors. Don’t go overboard and increase your weight unnecessarily. Analyze your anticipated needs and choose a tool or knife that best balances weight and features to meet those needs.

10. Fire Starting Equipment

This can include waterproof matches, flint and steel, magnesium blocks and/or chemically-treated fire sticks. Just make sure you include fire starting equipment that will start a fire in any conditions including rainy weather. One more thing, learn how to use your equipment before leaving for the wilderness.

11. Insect Bite Protection

Include in your gear insect repellent appropriate for your neck of the wilderness. Find out beforehand what you might encounter by way of nasty critters along the way and take repellent or proper clothing to take care of them.

I hope this hiking gear list will help you plan for next hiking or backpacking venture.

by Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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Wear Hydrophobic Fibers next to Your Skin

Don’t Invite the Bears to Supper

Acquire survival skills quickly with Survival Playing Cards.

Ultralight Backpacks

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Outdoors and Hiking Tips

Backpacking is a fat-burning exercise. If you’re looking to lose some weight, taking up backpacking just might be the ticket.

Here are five advantages of losing weight while carrying your own food, shelter and other essential gear through the wilderness:

1. You won’t be required to restrict your eating. You can eat normally and still lose weight.

2. You will likely burn calories and thus lose weight.

3. Your stress will diminish.

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Even though a rattlesnake bite is seldom deadly, especially for adults, it can cause extreme sickness and even lead to an amputation. So, knowing how to avoid rattlers can help you stay safe and healthy while hiking in their habitat.

Knowledge of the following ten facts about rattlesnakes can help you avoid getting bit.

1. Since we are too big to swallow, rattlesnakes don’t consider us food.

2. Because we’re not prey for rattlesnakes, they’d just as soon slither away and search for another smaller meal.

3. Your shadow falling on a rattlesnake can confuse it and cause it to act unpredictably.

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