Hiking Gear: Packing Tips
Kathryn Whittaker
More and more people today enjoy the simple, wholesome fun of
hiking. Hiking is an affordable, yet healthy and emotionally
rewarding way to spend a vacation or a long weekend – and you
don’t need to visit a travel agent.
Experienced hikers will always tell you that every detail
matters when you pack hiking gear, especially tents and camping
stoves. The right hiking gear and clothing, a properly and
ergonomically packed backpack, positive mood and good fitness –
all these elements play an equally important role in the success
of any hiking trip.
Hiking boots are the most important part of your hiking gear.
The right footwear will serve you longer and take you farther
and safer than any training shoes or sneakers will. You can
wear a cheaper pair of pants or an old t-shirt, but a good
reliable pair of hiking shoes or boots should be as expensive
as you can afford.
Many people consider their jackets as another important
clothing item for a hiker, especially in the colder periods of
the year. A hiking jacket can be a true lifesaver if you choose
well. A Gore-Tex top layer will shield you from cold, wet, and
windy weather. Many hiking jacket manufacturers use a layering
approach in their jackets, so that an outer shell layer becomes
not insulation, but goes over insulating clothing. Underneath a
Gore-Tex layer your can wear a lightweight and even trendy
fleece jacket, which you can use in warmer months and for other
sporting activities too.
Hiking tents are a must if you plan to camp in mountain regions
in all three hiking seasons - spring, summer, and fall. Hiking
tents can be used for protection from storms, winds, small
animals and insects. Along with a tent pack a sleeping bag and
an insulating ground pad which also brings warmth as well as
ironing out bumpy ground.
A lightweight, dependable backpacking stove is much easier to
use than campfires which are often prohibited in certain areas.
A camping stove manufactured by such trustworthy brands as
Primus and Coleman are basically a fuel container and a fire
faucet with burner grates. These grates can collapse for
compact storage. More expensive models even have electronic
ignition so you won’t need matches or lighter. Although it is
always a good idea to pack matches anyway in case of ignition
failure. Another version of a camping stove is a storm cooker
which basically consists of a spirit burner with windshield and
handle and a pot or pan for cooking. These stoves are
lightweight because you don’t need a propane container, but are
sufficient for one or two people only.
The newest models of camping stoves are environmentally
friendly, odor-free, and very accommodating. To cook and eat
take a pot, spoon, and a cup. To start the camping stove, if
you don’t have an ignition feature, lighters are more reliable
than matches. Take more fuel than you initially planned –
camping stoves “eat” more fuel in cold weather.
To fully enjoy your hiking trip you must prepare beforehand.
Even a small mistake in selecting your hiking equipment may
result in an injury or at the least in discomfort and a
negative experience. Check and fire up your camping stove while
still at home and double check your hiking gear and equipment
using a hiking checklist before you head out.
About The Author: Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number
of different topics. For more information on Camping and Hiking
please visit http://www.camping-hiking-guide.com and for
additional Camping and Hiking articles please visit
http://www.camping-hiking-guide.com/campinghiking-articles/
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