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Hiking 101
So your headed on a hiking trip, these are usually big fun! Well, that is if you remembered some of the little things that can make or break your adventure. Usually when people plan they think “big”, in other words they remember all of the big stuff but very often it is something very small that you might have overlooked that can be the determining factor of whether or not your trip was a success or another hiking nightmare.
When creating your checklist for the backpack it is important not to forget the little things that at the time may not seem important but later you may really regret that you forgot them. Forgetting some of the little things can really ruin your trip even if you did remember the big stuff. What if you went out and bought a great new pair of boots but because they were new you got some blisters when you wore them? If you don’t have something in your backpack to treat your blisters then you remembered the big thing, which was the boots but forgot the little thing that you overlooked and now you are likely miserable. Make sure that you throw in a pack of moleskins next time!
Have you ever been hiking and forgot the bug spray, if so then you are fully aware of what a disaster that can be. Even the most successful trips can turn into a nightmare. The last thing that you probably want to do is try to keep annoying bugs off of you all day long. The bug spray will stop all of those worries and it will stop you from getting bit by these little buggers and then possibly contracting some disease that could have been avoided.Iodine tablets can be a genuine lifesaver and should always be included in a backpack. Unfortunately these are often one item that is forgotten but they are never forgotten more than once because of the potential that they offer. Hiking and water just seem to go together but even if you come across the most sparkling stream that you have ever seen, drinking that water could be a very bad idea. The iodine tablets will allow you to treat the water so that you can drink it without having to worry about getting ill. Drinking water under those conditions can cause you to become seriously sick. Iodine tablets are cheap and the perfect way for you to be able to enjoy clean drinking water in no time.
Never leave home without the flashlights and some extra batteries, even if you just put new ones in, bring extras. No flashlights means darkness, darkness means that you are stuck and unable to move around because you can’t see where you are going. You could easily trip and fall or slip, especially in areas that you are not familiar with. Never assume that all areas are flat. So as you can see, clearly the big stuff is awesome but forgetting the small stuff can literally ruin your hiking trip.
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Finding Light Gear For Your Backpacking Trip
There are two ways that you could potentially remember your backpacking trip. You might remember the peace that comes with solitude, the connection with nature that comes when you remove civilization from your life and head out under the sky. You might remember the stars over your campsite each night, and how it brought about deep questions about your life. Or, you can remember how uncomfortable the experience was, how heavily your backpack weighed you down, and the blisters on your feet.
Needless to say, we want to avoid the latter backpacking trip. Which is why it’s so important that your backpacking gear be as lightweight as possible – the more it can get out of the way of your experience, the better. It’s one thing to pack one lightweight item, but once your supplies add up, you realize just how quickly twenty pounds turns into forty. If you want to make sure that you carry as little weight as possible, you’ll have to consider all over your supplies and their impact on your traveling weight.
What supplies will you want to consider?
Your backpack (and how it distributes weight) will be important, as will cookware and your water. Necessary items like first-aid kits can be lightweight but you’ll want to make sure to err on the side of safety. For some more help, here are some supplies that can help you travel lightweight.The North Face Ion 20 Backpack weighs under two pounds and has a suspension system and molded foundation that provides for comfort. The less backpack you’re carrying, the more supplies you can bring: that’s the idea behind a backpack like the Ion 20.
Other features include a rain cover, a front “stash” pocket, and water-friendly options. Needless to say, you’ll want a backpack like this if you’re interested in staying as comfortable as possible during your backpacking trip.
MSR DuraLite Classic Cookset. This cookset registers at over half a kilo or just over a pound (20.6 ounces, to be precise), which means that you won’t have to notice that you’re carrying so much cookware. If you plan on having some nice hot meals at night before you rest, you’ll want to make sure that you have a set of cookware that is lightweight.
Remember that backpacking doesn’t have to be all about the supplies. Instead, you’ll want to make sure that your supplies simply stay out of the way as much as possible. The experience is about you, not your supplies, which is why you shouldn’t let them weigh you down.
Photo Credits: kevindooley
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