Wise Choices in Hiking Tents

The first thing you should be thinking about is weight. Specifically, you should be thinking about light weight. Serious hikers carry as little as possible, and this is no exception to sleeping gear. So always start with the smallest you can carry.

After any time spent on the trail, you will be considering every ounce on your back, believe this to be true. Shelter is no different in this regard. So regard the lightest of them all, the tarp. This can weigh just a few ounces, but can be turned into a serviceable sleeping quarters in nothing flat.

But since the weather is highly likely to be an issue, you will some more protection. For the solo act, or a close couple, a tiny two-person tent or personal bivouac bag are ideal. These have floors and walls, can be fully enclosed, and do a fine job of keeping the weather off of you and your gear.

If you are out with the family or a group, of course the shelter size will increase. But the weight does not necessarily have to increase with it. Take the construction material, the pole and stakes and such, and dole them out evenly amongst your crew. With everyone carrying his or her fair share the load can stay comfortably light.

Hiking tents come in more shapes and sizes than you can imagine, and there are many very good brands to choose from. Just remember to go with the lighter every time, and your body will thank you when it lays down to rest in one.

Backpacks for Camping, Scouting, Hiking, or About Town

There are many different types backpack styles and brands. Consumers may feel a bit 'overwhelmed. So, let's take a look at the backpack type the beginning and the way I say a series of recommendations.

Backpacks

The main feature of this type of packaging is that it closes with a drawstring top. Otherwise, it's like any other small backpack. There are many fashionable rucksacks for everyday use, but not so many these days designed for hiking andBackpacker. So, let's move on.

Day Packs

This applies to almost all backpack that is too small to be used for overnight backpack. Children these days often use them to use their textbooks, the mothers wear them as diaper bags, and I know quite a few software engineers who use them instead of briefcases. They are very versatile.

The choice of a backpack for use on hikes and walks is not difficult. Basically, you want something that can easily carry a few wordsWill be on your trip, together with a kind of water.

These days there are backpacks that have built in bubbles of water or a bag, add a water bladder. This is a nice idea, but remember that water is rather difficult. So, if you do not share your water with another person, you probably do not really need a total of 2 liters of water per day for a walk.

The Kelty Blanca 2000 Hydration Fastpack is a really good choice if you decide to go with one of them. For theCost concious Stan sells the Slick Rock sports hydration backpack.

Frame Packs

If you walk in the forest at night and then there are some camping, you need a backpack bigger. This frame packs on the "frame" is the word refer to the fact that there is something inside or outside of the package, the package helps maintain their shape. There are two types: internal and external structure.

Internal frame backpacks are the most popular variety. Usersoften say that the external frame packs are cheaper, because they conform to the body. This can be a problem, although in warm weather. External frame packs tend to be more air between you and the package you can afford to be more fresh.

The Kelty Tornado 4900 Hydration Backcountry is an internal frame pack with a breathable back so he tried the best of both worlds. This is a very nice package with a 3-liter hydration system.

ProductWeight

You can even backpacks for smaller people, like the Coyote 4750 Trail Internal Backpack. This package is compatible with hydration, which means that you add a water bladder, while the Tornado has built

There are also very light bags, such as hydration-compatible Kelty Illusion 3500 Ultralight Backpack, which is only 3 pounds 7 oz

Brands

I mostly mentioned Kelty backpacks, because they are among the best, but there are many other brands worth a look.

Personally, I have a Jansport external frame pack, and I have a friend who owns a sports package that Stan. I have no problems with the Jansport pack, although I have read on some models, had shoulder problems.

Stan Sport is a cheaper brand, but the quality of their products seems good.

There are many other manufacturers, including Coleman. Too many to mention by name here.

Conclusions

Some people avoid> Camping and outdoor activities because of the cost of such equipment. Fortunately, there is a wide range of possibilities in different price categories.

In any case, a good backpack will last many seasons, so if the right thing is a good investment in your health to buy. Backpacking and hiking are a great way to get fit and enjoy God's country

Mountain Safety Tips That Will Keep You and Your Team Alive When Mountain Hiking

The following article will tell you the minimum precautions you will likely need to consider and take whilst adventuring, hiking or camping out in mountains and other wild, remote terrain. They will also maximise your enjoyment of camping and improve your survivability rate (making sure you are back in the office after the weekend!)

Plan, plan and plan again BEFORE you set out on your wild camping or hiking adventure.

If you are in a group of people then ensure that the capabilities and experience of each individual is upto the required level. Enthusiasm is great but you'll need to check that it's tempered by an understanding of what is involved.

Assess your camping equipment and of those around you. Is it old and tatty or is it brand new and unused (and more importantly untested).

Do you have escape routes of high level mountains in the event of an emergency? Do you know what to do in an emergency. Are your first aid skills up to the task if someone (including yourself) goes down whilst out in the mountains?

Are you aware of the weather conditions in the area you intend to travel in? Are there any local hazards you should know about? (Hint! Look at a map!)

Don't forget that days during Winter, in the Northern Hemisphere, are shorter... have you allocated enough time to come off the mountains at the right time... don't forget it gets darker earlier in Winter!
You may need to consider starting your walk earlier in the day to ensure that when you come down you are not on difficult, steep and undulating terrain in darkness.

If you review many mountain accidents you will note that a lot of accidents happen in the later parts of the day when your energy levels are lower, which can affect your thinking and reasoning.

Is your GPS charged up fully and are you carrying up back up batteries for this and for your cell phone?

Do you have torch to hand, ready to use if you have to climb back down a mountain in the dark?

Do all members of your group know how to read (and use) a map and compass?

Adequate Footwear and Walking Clothing

Your hiking boots should have decent support to offer a high level of protection from potential twisted or broken ankles on rough ground. Additionally boots should have a treaded sole for help with grip in slippery or wet conditions.

Is your clothing and camping equipment colourful? If not you might find that dark clothing makes you harder to spot if Mountain Rescue teams have to be deployed to find you in an incident.

Will all members be carrying waterproof and windproof clothing to protect them from fierce mountain weather? Remember that a light drizzle down in a sheltered valley can be a torrential and scary downpour on the top of a mountain so be prepared to expect the worst and turn around if the elements are beyond your skills or capability. Sounds cliched but better to be safe than sorry!

Do you have enough warm clothing and survival gear (i.e storm shelters or survival bags) that in the event you get stuck on top you can stick it out in some comfort. Once you stop moving you will lose a lot of body heat which can quickly bring on exposure, so make sure you have plenty of protection to cope with extreme cold and wind high up on a mountain.

Use of Equipment

We can't say enough you should know how to use all of your camping and walking gear - its no point having if you have no idea how to use it... gadgets are there to help you, not make you look cool.

Make sure you have a watch, do not rely on your electronic equipment (like phones or GPS) to tell you!

Supervision

Your party leaders should be experienced (and should be passing that experience on!) and encourage the slowest member of the group to walk at the front. In misty or foggy conditions make sure EVERYONE stays together. Carry out a regular headcount if there are quite a few of you to make sure no-one has gone missing.

If walking alone have you left a route map and an expected time to return with someone so that person knows where you are and can contact Emergency Services if you do not show up?

Dealing with Emergencies

A sudden emergency can be a frightening experience. The trick is to stay as calm as possible and think rationally. If someone is injured or exhausted then (if possible) find somewhere out of the wind and keep them warm as possible. Contact the emergency services (UK: 999 or US: 911) and advise of the situation and your location via Grid Reference and description of surrounding terrain (if possible, it might be dark). If your mobile has given up the ghost or cannot provide a signal then you will need to use 6 blasts on your whistle or 6 flashes of your torch repeated at 1 minute intervals.

Mobile phones are great but signals in mountain areas (even up on top) can be atrocious so it is best not to rely entirely on them. If your signalling is also not working and your casualty is facing potentially fatal consequences then you may need to consider sending someone else on to bring the emergency services to you.

Choose someone in your group who is fit enough and knows how to proceed. If possible try to send 2 of your group ahead and make sure they are equipped if they happen to have an injury themselves. If conditions are just too dangerous it is best not to risk other members (including yourself). Sit tight, keep signalling and checking your phone.

If you make contact with the outside world with your phone do NOT turn it off. You may find Mountain Rescue will want to speak with you so they can reach you far faster.

Finally remember it may take some time to find and reach your location so be prepared to tough it out - it may require a night on the mountain itself.