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 Back Packing and Tent Information |
First of all, back packing is when you walk ~ hike to the camping sites from the parking lot. Back packing ~ hiking to the camping sites may vary from 3/4 of a mile which will probably take about 1/2 an hour ~ but some people may take up to a week of back packing ~ hiking from one camping site to another in the wilderness. When a person goes back packing they take a backpack, and inside the backpack contains the following items; a change of clothing, bags of dried food, first aid kit, a snake bit kit is also advisable, a servivel blanket which is very light, a Coleman backpack single burning stove and a Coleman backpack lantern - both are very light, and a backpack container that holds fluid for the backpack stove and lantern. Also whats placed in the backpack are light weight backpack cooking pots and pans to cook in, and a mess kit to eat from with knife, fork and spoon. Under the backpack is placed a sleeping bag and on top of the backpack a light weight backpack tent. Camping manufacturers produces back packing equipment to be light. Remember, the key word for back packing is "light". While you are back packing you want to travel light.
About Tents:
A regular tent is heavier than a backpack tent. For example a regular two man tent is a little heavier than a two man backpack tent. Tents are made in various sizes. Single man tents, two man tents, three man tents and four man tents, and these tents are made as regular tents and as back packing tents. Remember that back packing tents are much lighter than regular tents and thats way when people go back packing they utilize the back packing tents because they are much lighter then regular tents. And of course tents are made to take up to eight or more people but these type of tents are inappropriate for back packing because they are to large and to heavy for back packing.
Planning A Safe Back Packing TripFirst Things First:
The best way to plan a safe, enjoyable backpacking trip is to start with the basics:
Step #1: Decide Who Else will be Going
The people you choose to backpack with should:
Have similar goals and interests -- this will make trip planning easier and cut down on disagreements out on the trail. Get along well with one another -- attitudes may improve and spirits may rise out in the wilderness, but basic personalities don't tend to change much. Enjoy short trips and a slow pace. Remember -- you're just getting started! Traveling with experienced backpackers is a great way to learn new skills. But avoid traveling with people who want to conquer the world in one weekend.
Hint -- Limit your group size
Start out with small groups (2 to 4 people). They are easier to outfit, manage and squeeze into small camping areas. For safety's sake, avoid solo trips until you've gained some experience.
Hint -- Leave the kids and pets at home
Children and animals require extra attention and supervision in the wilderness. Hold off on trips with kids or pets until you've mastered your own basic skills. If you have to bring the kids along, plan very short trips close to home.
Step #2: Decide on a General Location
Before you consider any specific trip routes, you first have to decide on a general area to explore. To do this, ask yourself the following questions:
What kind of wilderness sounds most intriguing (forest, alpine highlands, coastal areas)?
What kind of activities are you most interested in?
What kind of activities are your traveling partners interested in?
How much time is available for the trip?
When choosing general locations for your first few trips, stick to well-traveled areas, preferably close to home. This will give you a chance to practice basic skills in relative safety.
Step #3: Take a Look at your Route Options
Once you've decided on a backpacking group and a general area to explore, it's time to decide on a specific route. Think about:
The terrain - Stick to easy terrain as much as possible, with no steep climbs or big changes in elevation.
The trail conditions - Choose well-marked and well-maintained trails for your first several trips. Also, check before you leave home to make sure bad weather hasn't affected trail conditions.
The length of the route - Choose a route that can be easily completed in the time you have available.
Attractions and activities - There's more to backpacking than simply walking all day! Keep your eyes (and ears) open for routes with interesting side trips or recreational opportunities.
How far you are from home - The further away your route is from civilization, the more self-sufficient you'll have to be. Start out close to home!
Where the established campsites are - It's far easier to camp in an established campsite than it is to make your own. Most established sites have basic amenities like nearby water supplies and flat sleeping areas. They also help you limit your impact on the wilderness. But beware -- in popular backpacking areas, you may have to reserve a site (or sites) well in advance of your trip.
The weather - Avoid surprises by researching the prevailing weather conditions. Keep in mind that conditions can change significantly from season to season.
Restrictions/rules/permits - Most popular backpacking areas have rules and regulations relating to wilderness visitors. Make sure you're familiar with these guidelines, as well as any permits and/or fees that are required.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Trip Length
Experience is the only way to know for sure how far you can travel comfortably with a pack on your back day after day. Until you have a few trips under your belt, plan conservatively. Remember -- backpacking is not about how far you go. It's about having fun while you're getting there.
As you consider the general pace estimates listed below, be sure to keep these three things in mind:
The number of days you have to travel Start with trips of two to three days in length. This gives you enough time to get out into the wilderness and enjoy yourself without the planning headaches of an extended trip. If you do go out for more than a few days, plan a rest day or two along the way so you can relax, recuperate and enjoy the rewards of your labor.
The amount of time you want to spend hiking Your goal is to get outside and have some fun. So base your trip plans on how far you want to go, not how far you can go. There is more to backpacking than just walking all day. Include time off for exploring, resting and other non-backpacking activities.
Other factors that might slow you down Bad weather, sore muscles, poor trail conditions, your health and the terrain you'll be crossing should all be considered.
Flat or almost flat, with well-marked, well-maintained trails. Beginners: 2-2.5 miles per hour when carrying medium weight backpacks.
Moderate terrain:
1 or 2 large hills - less than 500 feet in elevation gain - or a number of small ones, with reasonably well-marked/maintained trails. Beginners: 1-1.5 miles per hour when carrying medium weight backpacks.
Difficult Terrain:
Lots of elevation gain and loss - more thanc1,000 feet - rough and/or hard-to-follow trails. Not recommended for beginning backpackers.
To learn more about tents and back packs go to the Camping Equipment section to link with the Eureka Company's web site. A great web site to learn about various types of high quality tents, back packs and accessories.
 Go to the "Low Impack Environmental Camping"area for very important information on camp fires
and camping stoves. |
You can download this web page. This document contains graphics. Use your MicroSoft
 Down load the "Safe Back Packing" document. |
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