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Informative Articles

Choose The Perfect Fishing Trip Destination
One of the first things you must do to plan a great fishing trip is to identify your priorities. You need to be more specific than just saying you want great fishing. Great fishing may mean different things to each person in your fishing party. ...

Cloudy Day Photography: Taking Advantage of Nature's Diffused Lighting
Cloudy days are nature's softbox. Cloudy days can present many opportunities for great photographs. In fact, once you discover how easy it is to get great results, you'll look forward to a cloudy day as much, if not more, than a sunny day. ...

Funky, Fun Garden Plants
I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try. It's called Sea Holly, and it's actually in the thistle family. Sea Holly is a perennial garden plant, which means you plant it once and it comes up year after year,...

Gearing Up For An Outdoor Winter Activity
Winter sports and activities can be a lot of fun. It’s a splendid time of the year when it seems like you are enveloped by the pristine whiteness of the snow. But it is also a hazardous time of the year for the outdoor adventurer. One has to keep...

Why Orienteering Is Hot!
So, you didn’t know it was hot did you? Do you even know what Orienteering is? It is one of the most thrilling activities available for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and here’s the good news – it’s inexpensive. If you enjoy spending time out...

 
Getting Ready For Your Backcountry Adventure

Much of your hiking gear is only used when hiking or backpacking. And for many people, once you get home, it gets tossed into the closet until the next trip.

Prepare For Your Trip
If this is you, you have to be certain that all of your gear is in working shape before you leave on your next adventure. Even if this isn’t you, you still need to check everything out before you leave home. This should be done a few days before, just in case you need to do some cleaning or replace parts. There's little worse than having something vital, like your stove, break down on the first night or, even worse 20 miles into the backcountry.

Prepare For Weather
Having the proper equipment for inclement weather is absolutely necessary when backpacking. You need to be prepared for rain, cold temperatures, and even the sun.

In wet conditions, you’re going to need raingear. The best option is a waterproof breathable jacket. Rainpants are great, especially when the weather is cool or in higher winds. In warmer conditions, they may not be needed if you have hiking pants made of a quick dry material. Even with the best gear, you shouldn’t expect to stay completely dry, if you are hiking all day in the rain. Purchasing clothing made from synthetic, quick-dry materials, helps because when you do get wet, it'll dry faster. A raincover for your pack is also a necessity. A lightweight alternative to carrying a jacket and pack cover is to carry a hooded poncho to cover yourself and your pack all at


once.

No matter what weather you are expecting on trip, you need to plan for the worst and always have the following: raingear, hat, gloves, extra dry clothes, extra pair of socks, and waterproof boots. Even if you’re planning on staying in trail shelters, you should always carry your own shelter. You should also be prepared by packing two fire sources. Obviously, this is just a quick, basic list; backpacking in extreme conditions requires extra equipment.

After You Return
When you get back home, remember to clean everything thoroughly. Vacuum the zippers of your pack, sleeping bag, and outerwear to minimize wear caused by dirt. Make sure your boots are clean and, if needed, (re)waterproofed for your next hiking trip. Clean your stove to prevent buildup. Spend a little time doing the proper maintenance and the life of your gear will be extended and help to make sure that your gear will be ready when you need it.


About the Author: Michael Savio is an avid outdoor adventurer and owner of Compass Monkey, which is dedicated to help other outdoor adventurers get the information they need about places, skills and gear. Featured activities include backpacking, hiking, mountain biking and road cycling. Visit http://www.compassmonkey.com for more tips and advice.

Source: www.isnare.com

 

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  • enjoy the view use a binocular

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