Backcountry Attitude Home >> Hiking and Backpacking Skills
Backcountry Attitude Home >> Hiking and Backpacking Skills
We all hope that we can find the perfect backpacking campsite when we are ready to set up our camp at the end of the day. The campsite is an important part of the backpacking experience.
Most backcountry campsites are compromises of the "perfect campsite". A good camping site will have a minimum impact, will allow you to relax and enjoy your surroundings, and will be safe.
Remember... good campsites are found, not made.
Seeing a bear on a backpacking trip can be an amazing experience. Bears are a fact of life in many areas and we should be aware of bear safety topics and know how to deal with bears if we will be hiking thru bear country. It is also very important to use a bear bagging system or other methods to protect your food from bears and other animals when backpacking.
Navigation skills are extremely important for hikers and backpackers to learn. Knowing how to navigate with map and compass is an essential outdoor skill. When hiking off of marked trails more than a general knowledge of map and compass is needed and backcountry navigation skills would be good to have.
One thing that some hikers seem to misunderstand is that some steep trails are purposely designed with zig-zags instead of going straight up or down. These switchbacks prevent trail damage from erosion by keeping the trail at a constant gradient. Taking short-cuts can damage the hiking trail.
Ultralight or lightweight backpacking is about prioritizing and simplifying your gear allowing you to carry less weight which in turn allows you to travel lighter and faster.
We all love our favorite backpacking spots. But the problem is that we are loving the outdoors to death. It is up to us to do our part to protect the outdoors from overuse and abuse by practicing Leave No Trace methods & following the 7 Leave No Trace principles.
Fire is one of the most destructive things that backpackers do when camping. Fire builders typically leave behind blackened rocks and unsightly coals. One of the easiest ways to minimize the impact of fires is to use a portable fire pan. A fire pan allows you to have a fire that doesn't leave behind any of the telltale signs of fire.
When camping or backpacking people with good intentions are using biodegradable camp soap thinking that it is good for the environment. What we need to help our fellow backpackers understand is that even biodegradable soap can pollute water sources.
You can reduce your visual impact by choosing natural earth tone colored gear to help you blend into the outdoor environment. Bright colors can be seen from miles away and give those who seek solitude a crowded feeling.
Seasoned backpackers that hike in a low impact manner most likely have a firm grasp on the Art of hiking on muddy trails. They stay on the trail even if it is muddy or wet because walking around the mud widens the trail and it becomes even muddier in the future.
It's not hard to limit our impact from footprints when beach hiking. We can easily reduce footprints by walking below the high water mark on beaches so waves will wash them away. Footprints in remote areas can make people backpacking feel crowded even if there isn't anyone around for miles.
When backpacking or hiking in areas with sand dunes care must be taken to protect the fragile dune environment. It is important when hiking on sand dunes to hike between the fragile dune grasses because vegetation that is trampled can take a long time to recover.
Ropes from hammock camping or clothes lines can sometimes damage soft barked trees and girdle them from the pressure of rope pulling tight. Spare socks or bandanas can help protect tree bark from rope marks.
Many campers believe foil packaging can be disposed of in a campfire. But contrary to popular belief aluminum or tin foil doesn't burn completely when placed into fire. Instead small, messy, non-biodegradable foil fragments are left behind. Foil should be packed out with other trash.
Camp shoes can be a foots best friend and are very useful to have when backpacking or camping. They let you air your feet out and relax by ditching your heavier hiking boots. Plus they are important because they can minimize impact in camp and reduce damage to fragile vegetation. Water or river shoes can also protect your feet when swimming or crossing streams.
A wilderness emergency could possibly happen to anyone hiking or backpacking. The best tip I could give anyone planning a hike would be to expect the best but be prepared for the worst. Wilderness survival and primitive skills would be very useful if you were ever lost or in a survival situation.Adopting a survival attitude by maintaining a positive mental attitude is the biggest factor in surviving. You have to decide to live at all costs.
The next step for survival is to prioritize your survival actions and think carefully before doing anything.
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