SneakersPub » Backpacking for beginners

Backpacking for Beginners: All You Need to Know

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:12:35 +0000

By: Jonathan Sin

Backpacking can be a fun and exciting adventure in nature, but surviving in the outdoors with only your gear is a dangerous risk for someone with no backpacking experience. Before even planning your first backpacking trip, become familiar with common terms, the necessary gear and equipment, and outdoor accident response and first aid procedures. Read reputable books and guides to gain a better understanding of backpacking before going out on your own. Outdoor and hiking clubs offer members organized training an outings to gain more experience and a number of government and private agencies hold backpacking and hiking classes to further your knowledge.

Backpacking also requires a great deal of physical strength and endurance. Before starting out on a long backpacking outing, you should train yourself not only for the terrain, distance, and climate, but to bear the weight of your pack on an all day trek as well. Exercise regularly and remember to work your lower back, upper back, and abdomen muscles as well as your legs. You should also be aware of your personal medical condition. Be prepared for any adverse affects you may suffer on your outing or consider an easier trip if your conditions warrant.

Plan your backpacking trip carefully far in advance of the actual date. Decide where you will hike and how many days your trip will last. Get familiar with the climate and terrain of the trail so you can adequately prepare your body and get the necessary gear. Always remember to tell friends and family about your backpacking plans. Leave detailed information of where you will be and how long you will be gone with a loved one so help can be sent in the case of an emergency.

Once you have planned your trip, you can decide on gear and equipment. Weight is the most important factor for backpacking. Consider the altitude and climate o

f the area you will be traveling in, as well as the forecasted weather for the days you will be backpacking. Choosing a tent and sleeping bag will depend on how you personally sleep, the weather, and the number of people going along.

Besides comfortable hiking shoes or boots, a lightweight, appropriate sized pack, and the lightest sleeping gear that meets your needs, there are a few other essential things you should always remember to pack. Most importantly, you will want a relevant, detailed map of the area you will be backpacking in and a reliable compass that you can read. Consider laminating the map to protect from element damage. Carrying all your supplies in Ziploc bags can keep them dry and help you easily find things at the same time.

You will need a flashlight and/or a headlamp. A small, lightweight flashlight is good to carry with you at all times. Remember to bring along an extra set of batteries for your lights. Pocket knives and tools are important for every trip. The Gerber 600 Pro Scout with toolkit is a great all in one option that saves on space and weight.

Pack fire starters and water and wind resistant matches for extreme conditions and emergencies. Fresh water and purifying tablets are also very important backpacking supplies. Always remember to pack a fully stocked first aid kit and a whistle for emergencies. Other items you will want to carry on every trip are a really good bug repellent, especially in summer or marshy locations, sunscreen and a lip balm with sun protection, and at least one pair of high quality sunglasses.

Remember to pack extra food, at least one extra meal, and extra fuel for your stove if the food requires cooking. The final things you need to always bring along on every backpacking trip, even a day trip, are extra clothes and emergency shelter. Extra clothes should include a wool or fleece sweater, waterproof pants and jacket, thermal underwear, insulated gloves and socks, and a warm polypro, wool, or polar fleece cap. Space bags and tube tents are good lightweight shelters.

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Backpacking for Beginners, Making a Backpacking Gear List

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:11:54 +0000

By: mike legg

When planning any backpacking or hiking trip there are certain items that you really should include as part of your Backpacking Gear List. O.k. so there are a load of new gadgets on the market that are supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but you should not forget the traditional, tried and tested essential items. The things that you really should not go without.

A GOOD MAP. One that covers the area that you will be travelling over, and detailed enough to show all the minor tracks, trails, rivers and streams as well as the main roads.

A COMPASS. Using a map alone is not going to work very well without a decent compass. Knowing what direction you are travelling in is vital. Try to buy one that is accurate but rugged enough to stand up to some rough handling in the wilds.

FLASHLIGHT. Not only useful for seeing where you are going, but a must when you are trying to find something in the middle of the night in a pitch black tent. And very handy for signalling in the event of an emergency.

FIRST AID KIT. Possibly one of the most important items in your backpack. Accidents can happen at any time anywhere, from minor cuts and scratches to sprains and more serious injuries. You should always carry a first aid kit that is well stocked with a variety of supplies, plus any personal medication. And ALWAYS replace anything that has been used as soon as possible.

WATER. Always carry as much water as you possibly can, hiking is thirsty work. Also if you can include a water purification kit ( one that will filter and than sterilise the water,) this means that you are able to re-stock along the way.

EXTRA FOOD AND CLOTHES. Try to pack some spare clothing as well as some extra food. You never know what is going to happen on the trail, so always be prepared to expect the unexpected and carry enough for an extra day or two, in case of

emergencies.

KNIFE. It doesn’t have to be a huge hunting knife, but a good pocket knife or multi-tool can be invaluable for many uses and should be included in your kit no matter how short your trip may be.

FIRE. You should carry a spare lighter or waterproof matches, and keep them in a waterproof container. (Imagine not being able to cook your food or have a brew up, just because you cannot light your stove).

These are just a few ideas of what to include in your Backpacking Gear List, you can of course add to them, but always think through what you are going to take. There is no need to pack your backpack full of items that you will never use, so try to stick to the essentials.

Get Active on Your Backpacking Trip – Try Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, Trekking and More

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:04:09 +0000

By: Peter Siljerud

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.” – Anatole France

General

If you decide to do an activity such as going on an organized trek you will usually find that there are several different companies offering the activities. When you make your decision do not only decide based on price, there may be big differences in the quality of the equipment and the food and how much the local porters get paid. Ask for references from other travelers. Sometimes you find that even though you book with one company they pool their customers with customers from other companies in order to make more money. If this is a problem for you then ask before you book.

Make sure that you are physically prepared for the activities you plan to do, bring the right equipment or rent it locally. Make sure you have enough water and food and beware of the sun.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is a good way to get some adrenalin going. In most countries there are local climbing clubs that usually can assist you with advice on where to go. Or they might come along as climbing partners if you ask them. If you do not have proper training and do not know how to handle the equipment securely there are usually commercial companies offering guided tours on beginner routes.

If you end up climbing in areas rarely visited you might want to check when the area was last rebolted. Bolts are affected by the wear and tear of water, especially if they are close to the ocean.

Note that different crags have different rules of what protection to use. In some places chalk is forbidden too. Make sure to stick with the local climbing rules.

A good place to find route maps (topos) on the Internet is Wikitopo.

Personal Experience – The Mont

Blanc Misery

I was in Chamonix and decided to climb Mont Blanc. As this was not part of our schedule we were in a rush to bring something to eat with us. We brought some cans of food but as we were pretty tired on our way down there was not enough time to stop to cook it. Sandwiches or energy bars would have been more convenient. Preparing alpine climbing is a must as the risk increases when you get tired and hungry.

Trekking

Trekking in the mountain gives you fresh air and builds your character at the same time. When you trek to higher altitudes the air pressure gets lower. At sea level the oxygen percentage is about 21% with an air pressure around 760 mmHg. As you climb higher the oxygen percentage remains the same but the air pressure gets lower. This means that your body gets less oxygen with each breath. You will lose your breath and get more tired than you perhaps anticipate.

At 6 000 ft (1 828 m) the air pressure is 609 mmHg. At 12 000 ft (3 658 m) the air pressure is 483 mmHg. At 18 000 ft (5 486 m) the air pressure is only 380 mmHg.

People are affected differently at high altitude. Already at 3 000 meters you can get a severe headache. It is important to listen to you body as you can get brain oedema and lung oedema if you keep on pushing on to higher altitudes.

The usual recommendation is modest altitude gains of not more than 300 meters per day above 3 000 meter and to spend 2 nights in the same place every 1 000 meters.

Another thing when you are at high altitude is that water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. You may therefore have to cook food for a longer period of time.

The temperature can change drastically during the day. It may be freezing cold in the morning, extremely hot during they day and cold at night again. If you change altitude it gets colder the higher you get, around 10 degrees Centigrade (=5,5 degrees Fahrenheit) per 1 000 meters. As an example, if you start out at 10 degrees Centigrade at sea level, this can mean a temperature of -20 degrees Centigrade at 3 000 meters. The chill factor from the wind can make it even colder.

Plan your trip accordingly and allow plenty of slack in your schedule to be able to get down before dark.

If there is snow it is important to wear alpine sun glasses to avoid getting snow blind (or a severe headache).

Scuba diving and snorkeling

Going under water gives you new perspectives of the world. If you intend to get your diving license abroad it makes sense to do some research beforehand. Try to go for the two big certificates: PADI or CMAS.

Renting equipment has it pros and cons. On the upside you do not have to carry your own heavy equipment all over the world. On the downside the rental equipment in many parts of the world is rather poor. Bring your own mask, snorkel and dive watch as a minimum if you intend do some serious diving.

The quality of dive companies and liveaboards also differ greatly. In Australia it is usually very well organized and the instructors show respect to the sea and its inhabitants. In other places dive masters start chasing fish or bend up corals just to show you something “extra”. Do not encourage this behavior. Other people want to see the stuff too!

In some places, such as the Red Sea, the snorkeling is almost as good as the scuba diving. Even though scuba diving increases the chances of seeing “big”animals.

Personal Experience – The Zanzibar Snorkeling Zest

I was staying on the east coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. I was going for a dive with a bunch of people, but before we got to the dive site we spotted some dolphins nearby. The boatman took us there and I was so eager to get into the water that I forgot my fins. Meanwhile the other people had entered the water and were swimming towards the dolphins. Back on the boat the driver said: “Do not worry. The dolphins have moved. I will take you there.” When I jumped into the water the second time I was all alone with 8 dolphins for a few minutes before the rest of the crowd came and scared them away for good. Magical.

Riding

Horseback riding is fun. And camel riding too. Being a novice is usually not a problem. If you are a skilled rider you might find rental horses non-responsive and pretty dull. This is what happens when hundreds of kids pull them in the ears all day.

If you are going on a longer tour, make sure that you get a proper inspection of the horses, camels or whatever you are going to ride.

Personal Experience – The Jaisalmer Jeopardy

In Jaisalmer, India we signed up for a 3-day camel tour out in the desert. We paid a bit extra to get “premium camel” and “premium food”. Well, it turn out my camel (nicknamed Ernst) were the slowest one in the Rajastan desert. And the special food – served every lunch and dinner – was Alu Gobi, which is a mix of potato and cauliflower. Probably the cheapest they could offer. So, it makes good sense to try to check what you are really getting if possible. Or talk to other backpackers or just browse the web.

Your First Hiking Backpack – Interesting Tips For Beginners

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:53:12 +0000

By: Abhishek Agarwal

If you’re going hiking, having backpack is the most essential item that you need to carry with you, even for the most casual of hikers. Whether you choose to walk on a well used trail that is known for hikers, on a planned trip with a group or a guide, or are taking a more serious hike for many miles, a good hiking backpack is an absolute must have. All backpacks are different as you have a multitude of choices that face you when you go into a store. Salespeople are very good at making things sound tempting or even confusing, so it may not sound so easy to choose a backpack. By doing some research and with some preparation as to what you are looking for, you should have a fair idea when you shop as to what you need. Focus on what you really need and what would be handier and easier for you for your trip.

There are many styles of backpacks available which come in a variety of sizes. Depending on the type of hike you are going on, will determine what would be the most useful backpack to have. By doing your research, you will have considered what things you need before deciding to buy a hiking backpack. If you are planning to just walk during the daylight hours, your bag will just need to be big enough to carry some food and drink for the walking trail; for those unexpected accidents a small first aid kit comes in handy; for warm weather some sunscreen and insecticide, and other neccessities that you may need. For hiking overnight, you will need to bring extra items with you, so a different type of backpack will be needed altogether.

What is most important when choosing a backpack, is one that is comfortable to carry and easy enough for you to carry. You want to avoid aching shoulders and a sore back, straps that will rub and cause blisters, which will make you feel uneasy, anything too heavy, or a bag will not fit all your neccessities. Having to leave

something behind which you might find useful later would not be good.

The cost of hiking backpacks vary from as little as $20 to as much as $400, which is dramatic. If you are a beginner at hiking then as a casual hiker, a backpack that is not so expensive would be more ideal. It is early days for you to know whether you will become a regular hiker or not – as some people find that it doesn’t suit them after all. Once you become more of an enthusiast, you can think of investing in a backpack that will accommodate all your essentials for a longer hike.

When hiking, you will be doing a lot of climbing so you need to consider something that is lightweight for you to manage those steeper climbs. Having lots of different compartments for all the little items is handy and you will find backpacks to suit both genders. Men and women are different so we all like to carry different items that we consider are needed. The construction of backpacks are usually designed for the varying builds of men and women as their centre of gravity differs. They need to be good to keep a hiker balanced. Women need shoulder straps that are more curved and comfortable, a shorter torso and a hip belt that is more contoured for their figure.

The ideal size for a backpack to accommodate gear should be approximately 4,000 cubic inches which should be ample enough. By choosing the ideal model that is also light and versatile, it should suit any hiker regardless of gender and size; and for hikes of varying durations and the degree of difficulty. By doing your research and planning ahead, it should be easier to make a decision when you walk into a store and see all the arrays of backpacks, the various sizes and styles, and understand what the sales people are trying to sell you. Make the right choice for yourself.

Beginner Quilting – Learn the of Applique Quilt Making

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:39:07 +0000

By: Jennifer Walter
This is the fun part of all quilt-making techniques. You can engrave the entire world on these quilts. Appliqué quilt are the quilts that represent certain time in memory.

These quilts can be easy as well as hard to make, hard because there is no certain pattern that you have to follow so those who are accustomed to copying certain patterns will find it hard to do while those who are creative and let imaginations guide their work will find this pattern fun to do.

Another great advantage of appliqué quilts is that they are inexpensive to make as material required is sourced from scrap like things, and the patterns are not defined or limited any mixture of patterns can result in a appliqué quilt.

Appliqué quilt making in its process teaches you all the other methods of quilt making as well. Be it stuffing batting in for creating 3-D effects , or yoyo quilts, embroidery designs or picture quilts all these methods can be learnt and perfected while learning the art of appliqué quilts. And in all this the fun part will always be there.

These quilts could be used by anyone, for a newborn baby or young kids or something you like to use to comfort your pets. Itching to learn this quilt type, well here is the method.

Normal Stitching Machine

* Sewing needles – Common size 12

* Iron

* Cutting Board

* Rotary ruler

* Spray starch

* Rotary Cutter

* Needles

* fabrics as per preference of color orscraps of fabrics.

* Pattern for appliqué quilt

* Quilt batting

* Pins- beaded head

* Fabric for lining or backpack

* Some decorative material and pictures

Learn The Art Of Applique Quilt Making :

1) Readying the fabric: You must prewash the material. This will ensure that color is not lost or material doesn’t shrink later on. Let the material get dried up fully and then iron it firmly. The material should be sans any wrinkles.

2) Cutting of fabric: Choice of pattern could be customary or your own unique one. My idea at the first experience was a black color background and with a printed flower fabric that I cut to add to the black fabric.

So it won’t be a bad if you would like to replicate my idea to make your appliqué quilt, girls especially would like it. If have some other pattern in mind then start with that pattern.

3) Build a Block: Take all the square you have and stitch them into a large square. If you have a guidebook or whatever ensure the instructions are followed as written. These steps indicated here is a general step-by-step procedure for all.

4) Piecing: Take all blocks and sew them till you have in hand the size of your quilt. Here in you can add a few decorative thing like old ornaments or fancy bookmarks that will enhance the beauty of the quilt.

5) Batting: Put your batting material over the piecing. The upper side of piecing should be one on one with the mat while the side stitched should run besides the batting. Then put selected lining material above it. Batting is available in different types and thinkness, select one that suits your fabric the best.

6) Quilting: Once done you have 3 different layers with you, stitch all these 3 layers with one another using a sewing machine. Like said before a lot can be done with pattern variations but sticking to a basic easy pattern is advisable for starters to begin with.

7) Binding: Binding is the last step where in all sides are stitched with material like piping.

Here you have your appliqué quilt ready for use.