| Basic Hiking and Camping Gear | | | | one adult. The children can have their own backpacks |
| Once you've decided to try hiking and camping you | | | | to bring a change of sweater and some light personal |
| have to start out with equipment that you can trust. | | | | objects. Start samll and be sensible about overlaoding |
| One of the best things you can do is become familiar | | | | yourself with hiking and camping gear which you don't |
| with the likely need before you try a hike or camp | | | | need. |
| for the first time. There is nothing worse than getting | | | | Basic Hiking and Camping Gear |
| in to a wilderness situation where you have | | | | Once you've decided to try hiking and camping you |
| inadequate equipment or where you are confronted | | | | have to start out with equipment that you can trust. |
| with an equipment failure in a tough spot. | | | | One of the best things you can do is become familiar |
| First of all, do you have an experienced mentor? This | | | | with the likely need before you try a hike or camp |
| person needs to be someone whom you respect and | | | | for the first time. There is nothing worse than getting |
| who has a wealth of experience in the outdoors. If | | | | in to a wilderness situation where you have |
| you have no one that has those attributes, look for | | | | inadequate equipment or where you are confronted |
| a club in your area that you can join and attend | | | | with an equipment failure in a tough spot. |
| some of their meetings. Most good clubs run | | | | First of all, do you have an experienced mentor? This |
| indoctrination level courses that would do admirably | | | | person needs to be someone whom you respect and |
| for you to get started. Probably, some of their more | | | | who has a wealth of experience in the outdoors. If |
| experienced members offer to act a guides/mentors | | | | you have no one that has those attributes, look for |
| to beginning hikers/campers and will impart the basics | | | | a club in your area that you can join and attend |
| to you in the field. This is where some good | | | | some of their meetings. Most good clubs run |
| grounding and tips will pay off handsomely for your | | | | indoctrination level courses that would do admirably |
| first solo or family group adventure. | | | | for you to get started. Probably, some of their more |
| Unquestionably, your camping and hiking gear should | | | | experienced members offer to act a guides/mentors |
| be lightweight and you should resist the temptation | | | | to beginning hikers/campers and will impart the basics |
| to overload yourself trying to cover every | | | | to you in the field. This is where some good |
| conceivable eventuality. Most of the basic items can | | | | grounding and tips will pay off handsomely for your |
| be pressed in to service in more than one role. | | | | first solo or family group adventure. |
| Equipment construction should be examined from the | | | | Unquestionably, your camping and hiking gear should |
| point of view of weight coupled with strength, | | | | be lightweight and you should resist the temptation |
| durability and practicality. While you can concentrate | | | | to overload yourself trying to cover every |
| on the quality of the gear you acquire, the one thing | | | | conceivable eventuality. Most of the basic items can |
| gear cannot overcome is an out-of-condition user. | | | | be pressed in to service in more than one role. |
| Make sure you are in the kind of shape that will be | | | | Equipment construction should be examined from the |
| required for what you contemplate plus a reasonable | | | | point of view of weight coupled with strength, |
| allowance for unforeseen circumstances like an | | | | durability and practicality. While you can concentrate |
| extended duration of the trek itself. Don't join an | | | | on the quality of the gear you acquire, the one thing |
| expedition where all the hiker/campers are in much | | | | gear cannot overcome is an out-of-condition user. |
| better shape than you. | | | | Make sure you are in the kind of shape that will be |
| The next factor to consider is weather. Be ready for | | | | required for what you contemplate plus a reasonable |
| a wide range of conditions. Your gear should be | | | | allowance for unforeseen circumstances like an |
| waterproof as well as light to be effective for | | | | extended duration of the trek itself. Don't join an |
| camping and hiking. Your spare clothing is not much | | | | expedition where all the hiker/campers are in much |
| use to you soaking wet. Look to layer your clothing | | | | better shape than you. |
| and keep in mind wind proofing as well as | | | | The next factor to consider is weather. Be ready for |
| waterproofing. | | | | a wide range of conditions. Your gear should be |
| With the right equipment, you can hike in a wide | | | | waterproof as well as light to be effective for |
| variety of terrains with confidence. Your camping and | | | | camping and hiking. Your spare clothing is not much |
| hiking gear should be suitable for the hike you are | | | | use to you soaking wet. Look to layer your clothing |
| taking and should not be a hindrance to you. How to | | | | and keep in mind wind proofing as well as |
| pack your camping and hiking gear is also important | | | | waterproofing. |
| to ensure that weight is distributed on your body in | | | | With the right equipment, you can hike in a wide |
| the best way feasible. Backpack weight should be | | | | variety of terrains with confidence. Your camping and |
| planned to bring as much of the weight on to your | | | | hiking gear should be suitable for the hike you are |
| hips. Your backpack is key to a good experience and | | | | taking and should not be a hindrance to you. How to |
| you should take a lot of care in making a correct | | | | pack your camping and hiking gear is also important |
| selection. Make sure again that you seek experienced | | | | to ensure that weight is distributed on your body in |
| advice so that you do not make an investment you | | | | the best way feasible. Backpack weight should be |
| will regret. | | | | planned to bring as much of the weight on to your |
| Don't think of hiking and camping as a rugged terrain | | | | hips. Your backpack is key to a good experience and |
| sport for the dedicated enthusiast only. You can bring | | | | you should take a lot of care in making a correct |
| your family to a State or National Park and picnic as | | | | selection. Make sure again that you seek experienced |
| a first step. You can fit all of the items for such a | | | | advice so that you do not make an investment you |
| day inside a basic backpack that can be carried by | | | | will regret. |