Good morning jacquelinerogers-ga and thank you for the fun question.
Being an avid camper and having done quite a bit of backpacking
growing up, I am able to tell you through experience some of the most
important things to consider when planning short, or long, backpacking
trip. (And from experience, I can tell you backpacking through Europe
is the best backpacking adventure you could ever hope for!)
1. BACKPACKS: Exactly what type of backpack you need really depends
on what type of backpacking you will be doing. There are many things
to consider before choosing a backpack:
Type of backpacking (day v. weekend v. longer trips)
Backpack frame style and the differences in frames.
( http://www.bigskyfishing.com/Gear-Technique/camping/backpack_overview.htm )
* * * * * * * * * *
2. HIKING BOOTS: Poor quality or ill-fitting boots are the leading
cause of painful blisters and also contribute greatly to sprained
ankles, twisted knees and even broken legs. Choose your boots wisely!
Men?s Boot guide:
http://www.bigskyfishing.com/Gear-Technique/camping/hiking-boot-men.shtm
)
Women?s Boot Guide: (
http://www.bigskyfishing.com/Gear-Technique/camping/hiking-boot-women.shtm
)
* * * * * * * * * *
3. FOOD: Planning menus for a weekend trip isn't difficult. You
could get by with whatever you happen to have on hand that will keep
unrefrigerated. But for trips much longer than a weekend, food
becomes more important.
( http://www.backpacking-guide.com/backpacking-food.html )
* * * * * * * * * *
4. WHAT TO PACK: In the 1930s, the Mountaineers, a Seattle-based
hiking, climbing, and conservation organization, came up with a list
of 10 essential items that no climber should be without.
( http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/skills/teness.htm )
The Mountaineers website can be found at ( http://www.mountaineers.org/ )
* * * * * * * * * *
5. HOW TO PACK YOUR BACKPACK: When packing your pack the first thing
you should put in it is the last thing you will take out.
( http://www.outdoorplaces.com/gear/equipment/packing/ )
Weight reducing tips: ( http://www.backpacking.net/tips.html )
* * * * * * * * * *
6. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU GO (i.e., immunizations, costs,
general safety, etc.)
( http://www.travelindependent.info/b4yougo.htm )
* * * * * * * * * *
7. CHOOSING WHERE TO BACKPACK: This could make or break your
backbacking experience. Research the area you want to go, before you
go.
( http://www.travelindependent.info/topplaces.htm )
( http://www.travelindependent.info/countries.htm )
* * * * * * * * * *
8. GUIDEBOOKS: Modern-day backpacking bibles - where to go, how to
get there and what to do when you are there.
( http://www.travelindependent.info/ontheroad2.htm#Guidebooks )
* * * * * * * * * *
9. BACKPACKING ETHICS: To ensure that we have the opportunity to
enjoy quality outdoor experiences, each one of us must share the
responsibility of making it so.
( http://www.backpacking.net/ethics.html )
* * * * * * * * * *
10. SAFETY:
Plan your trip well. Know where you're going & how to get there,
how difficult it will be, where you will get water, where you might
camp, etc.
Leave your itinerary with someone you trust to call the
authorities if you don't come back when expected. Sign all trail
registers.
Don't travel alone. If you must, stick to well-traveled trails or
at least let someone know exactly where you're going. Being stuck a
million miles from nowhere with a broken leg ain't no fun.
Drink plenty of water & eat high-energy food. Carry an extra meal or two.
Carry a first aid kit, sun screen, chapstick, insect repellent,
matches, knife, whistle, flashlight, warm clothes, extra food,
raingear, & tarp.
Be alert. Watch out for rattlesnakes, poison oak, sudden storms,
& other hazards.
If you think you are lost, STOP. Sit down, relax, get calm, don't
panic. Try to figure out where you are by looking for landmarks, using
the position of the sun for direction. Check your compass & map (you
did bring them didn't you?). Do not start traveling again until you
have a pretty good idea of where you're at & where you're going.
If you really are lost, STAY PUT. Put out a distress signal
(mirror, yelling, whistle, smoke). Three of anything (shouts,
whistles, smoke signals, etc.) signifies an emergency. If you left
your itinerary with someone, people will be looking for you within 24
hours after you fail to show up. If you get really desperate, an old
Boy Scout adage advised to follow water downhill -- a stream leads to
a river & people build cities next to rivers.
Sudden storms are common in the mountains. During lightning
storms stay off high, open ground & away from isolated trees. Find
shelter among small trees in low areas or lie on the ground. Carry a
tarp or groundcloth to make shelter from the rain.
Avoid Hypothermia by staying dry & being aware of the wind.
Prevent Altitude Sickness by keeping in good physical condition,
eating a well balanced diet, & drinking plenty of fluids.
Avoid Giardia (intestinal disorder caused by a microscopic
organism) by filtering, boiling or treating water.
Make camp well before dark or at the first sign of a storm.
Encountering wildlife: Never feed any animal in the wild. They
can become accustomed to handouts and human food, neglecting their
regular diets and encouraging them to visit populated areas. There is
also a very real danger of being bitten. Don't harrass animals by
throwing rocks or sticks at them, chasing them or in any way cornering
them. Harrasment also includes photographers who don't respect an
animal's boundaries or territory-this can lead to painful (or lethal)
consequences. Handling animals in the wild is another thing that
should never be done, even if an animal appears sick or 'abandoned.'
Many times, an animal will be ostracized by its herd or pack as a
result of human contact.
* * * * * * * * * *
I hope this answers your question. If anything needs clarification
before rating, please let me know!
Nenna-GA
Google Researcher
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