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