New Hiking

By the far, the question most often asked by hiking newbies is: “How should I pack my hiking backpack?” Well, there are several ways to doing it actually. And the method of packing your hiking backpack depends on what type of backpack you are using. For one, an external frame pack sits the weight differently on your back than an internal frame pack. Take an external frame hiking backpack, for example. For these, you want the weight to sit low as this helps you balance better as you are hiking. Internals, on the other hand, are made to hug the body more. And because of that, you naturally want to place the heaviest items in an internal frame pack where it can be close to your center of gravity. This make it easier for you turn around because with most of the weight near your center of the gravity, there is less momentum when your pack whips you down as you turn. Now, besides the basic items you’ll be stuffing inside your hiking backpack, there are also your tent and your sleeping bag, which are by far, the two bulkiest items in your gear list. The great thing about sleeping bags though is that you can put them in a separate compression bag. A compression bag is basically a stuff sack with straps on the side to cinch down the size. The reduced size makes it easier for you to stuff your sleeping bag in the bottom of your internal frame hiking backpack. External frame hiking backpacks have less room in enclosed compartments than internal frame packs. That means you probably need to lash your sleeping bag in the outside bottom of your pack. Other large items are also tied outside an external frame hiking backpack. Now, on to your tent. The best way to pack a tent is to split it into parts – tent body, poles, and rain fly. That way, the weight can spread out evenly in your pack or among a few people in your group. The tent body and tent fly are made of waterproof material. This makes them excellent items to stuff in the top of your hiking backpack as their coating of waterproofing will help protect the rest of your items in your pack. There is also another reason why stuffing the tent body and tent fly is the best method of packing tents. Have you noticed how folding a tent the same way over and over, the waterproofing can crack along the creases? By stuffing the tent and fly, they are never folded the same way twice and creases do not form. Another reason for placing the tent and fly in the top is for easy access. The first thing most people do when they get into camp is to put up the tent. With the tent being at the top of your hiking backpack, you save time from having to unload the rest of your pack just to get to the tent. This may not seem like much of a time saver, but if it is raining, you’ll be grateful that your tent is in the top of your pack.

Anyone who’s gone on a 5 or 10-hour day hike know that hiking is all about adventure. Whether you’re going in a day-long excursion or a trek for weeks, you can expect that nothing is to be expected when you go on a hike. There are a number of things that could happen, and you never know which one of them would happen to you on a given day. That’s why to better prepare you for the various situations you may find yourself in on the trail, hiking equipment are about as necessary as the air you breathe. Below is a list of hiking equipment must-haves to take on your next hiking trip: Backpack and Rain Cover Well, the backpack is obvious. No one would dare go hiking without a backpack. Your pack contains your everything – things you need in order to survive out there in the wilderness. But while we never forget to bring with us a backpack, we never even think about including a rain cover among our list of hiking equipment to bring. We think that, “Hey, if it’s raining, why go out?” But you will son realize that rainy days actually are the best way to get accustomed to rains that would inevitably occur when you go on longer hikes. So, you might want to get a rain coat for that day hiking equipment as well. Food What’s the purpose? You’ll only be out for a couple of hours or more. What’s the idea? Well, the idea is it’s always a good idea to have some food on hand when you go day hiking. Even if you’re hike is only supposed to last 2 hours, but you never know when something interests you in some side trail and you end up tooling around in the woods for 5 hours. Sooner or later, you’re bound to get hungry. So food among your hiking equipment? Definitely a good idea. Boots This one is a given. One rule of thumb to remember when choosing this hiking equipment is that every pound of boot is like adding 5 pounds to your back. Yes, the body works in a funny way like that. When you put too much weight on one part, the other part complains. Your boots should depend on the type of trail you have. There are many trails that can be hiked with a pair of sneakers while there are trails that can only be traversed with a pair of heavy hiking boots. So, choose well. Gaiters If you want to get used to the rain, this goes without saying. It’s the same with rain cover. What this hiking equipment accomplishes for is you is to prevent water from running down your legs and into the tops of your boots. Just think about how much time you’ve spent waterproofing your boot only to find that all your efforts have been foiled by forgetting to seal that big hole where your legs go in. Socks Two pairs of these are recommended. And having an outer wool sock and an inner polypropylene sock combination to drain the moisture from your feet is a valuable practice that every hiker should get in the habit of doing.

How much does a typical pair of hiking shoes cost? A good pair can cost anywhere from $80 to $130. That’s rather expensive for only a pair of shoe, right? But while it’s true that hiking shoes are expensive, every hiker knows that they are a necessity. Buying a good pair of hiking shoes takes more than just getting a pair that you like. It’s not like buying a pair of Manolos where everything is about appearance with nothing to do at all with the sturdiness or the “solid” feel of the soles. When you buy a pair of hiking shoes, you need to consider several factors, among them the kind of hiking you’ll be doing. What’s Hiking Shoes Should I get? The terrain and distance you’ll typically cover and the amount of protection from the elements are all factors in buying shoes for hiking. Hiking shoes are bought for a purpose and that purpose is to withstand as much rough backcountry hiking and trekking as they can in order to protect your feet. A smooth trail for instance, typical in most light hiking, requires little more than a pair of what people call “day hikers.” These are a slightly more rugged version of your everyday sneakers used for running or walking. However, for longer trips, you may need something sturdier. Uneven trails or hikes often mean that you will be carrying extra weight on your back. So you are better off with a higher, stiffer pair of hiking shoes than mere day hikers. Your hiking shoes should also contain a hard plastic or steel shank for better protection against jagged surfaces and keep the boot from twisting. Not only that, but these added features will give your feet and ankles more stability. If you’re only out on a short backpacking trip or long day hikes, you can probably do with lightweight boots constructed of nylon or other synthetics. Does brand matter? The rule is that you get the durability you pay for. So the more expensive the hiking shoes are, the better suited these shoes are for rugged terrain and backcountry trails. However, there is a far more important thing than brand or price, and that is finding a shoe that fits. Aim for comfort when trying on hiking shoes. Also, make sure that the pair has all the features you want. For instance, the trail is someplace where there’s intermittent rain. That means you may get your feet wet from time to time. This may cause foot blisters if you’re not careful. So be careful to look for a pair of hiking shoes that keeps water out and dries quickly. If, on the other hand, you’re going to hike a lot of slick or rocky trails, choose a boot with a stiff sole and a deep Vibram tread. These will help improve your foot grip on slippery surfaces. How can I be sure of a good fit? Try these tips for help: * Go shopping late in the day, or after you’ve walked a considerable distance. That’s when your feet are most likely to be swollen – the way they’ll be after a few miles on the trail. * Wear the same socks while trying on hiking shoes or boots that you plan to wear while hiking. * Don’t get caught up in numerical sizes. These differ greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from style to style within the same company’s name. It’s not unusual for hiking shoes to run a full size larger than dress shoes, for example.

For some, it started on a family vacation to some town in the backcountry when to keep themselves occupied for the whole eight-hour drive, their parents or family members must have handed them a copy of Backpacking: One Step at a Time. Or it could be that they’ve been doing it for so long it was hard to remember a time when they haven’t been strapping on boots and walking for miles in the wild outdoors. Whatever’s the case, one thing is certain: We go hiking for only one reason. And that reason is to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. You always recognize a first time hiker the minute you see him or her approach, hobbling under at least 50 pounds on the back (for a two-night trip!) comprised of a backcountry pack that is the equivalent of the Beverly Hillbillies’ flatbed, a 10-pound tent, a pair of running shoes, a dozen bagels, and lots more watchamaccallits which he insists might come in handy during the trip. It’s an amusing picture, to be sure, but true for almost every hardened backcountry veteran out there the first time they started hiking. Not to worry though. If you’re one of the newbies to hiking, it won’t take long for you to put enough miles on the boots. As time goes, you’ll find yourself picking up some decent sense of fine-tuning your art along the way, until your pack finally no longer resembles a truck and you no longer carry nearly as many bagels. In the meantime, here are some hiking tips and advice for you live by before you decide to learn under Experience when your degree from On-the-Trail University. Have Fun That’s what hiking is all about. Sure, there are a number of reasons why you put on those boots, but in the end, all of that boils down to one thing – fun. Without that, then it’s not worth it. Who wants to endure so much the hardships of hiking when all they get out of it are countless bug bites and maybe a few scrapes here and there? If it wasn’t fun, would anyone even bother? So take this advice: have fun. Take your time. Watch a cloud form. Breathe the air. The number one rule in the woods is “No Stress.” Breaking that rule is not an option. Be Prepared Just because hiking is fun doesn’t mean that you can forget about safety all together. Remember: this is the outdoors. Anything could happen. Ill-preparedness is the cause of too many backcountry disasters and near-misses. Inadequate clothing, lack of route-finding ability, bad judgment calls – all of these have led to life-threatening situations in hiking. The best way to be prepared while backcountry hiking is knowing what conditions you’re going into. Once you do, figure out a way to deal with them and pack accordingly. You may also inquire at park management who could give you valuable advice on local conditions and permitting procedures. Know Your Equipment Being a trail dork isn’t so bad, especially if your life is on the line. And knowing which insulation your sleeping bag uses doesn’t ruin your “cool” image in anyway if it turns out a storm is brewing and the night is going to be most likely freezing cold. Knowing your equipment is always a good idea because your gear may well be called upon to save your life one day.