| Backpacking is a fun and refreshing activity that can | | | | worked great! I guess if you have an old pack or |
| be fun for the whole family! You may be near the | | | | you think the purpose is more important than looks. |
| Mountains or in your back yard! No matter where | | | | They also sell some different kind of sealants that |
| you are it can be a great experience. You may be a | | | | work great! |
| photographer, a nature love, or just trying to get | | | | 5. For cooking there are some great products out |
| away from busy hectic city life for a while! | | | | now that get the job done fast and easy! It is |
| Backpacking is a hobby (sport) that can be awesome | | | | always safer not to build a fire if you don't have to! |
| for anyone! | | | | But if you do here are a few tips. Bring Matches as |
| There is no greater place to get connected to earth | | | | well a lighter! You should not have a problem finding |
| more than taking an inspiring hike in the hills! My | | | | dry wood and leaves if you look in the right places. |
| favorite place to hike is the Smoky Mountains! There | | | | Try to find a cave or overhang if thing are wet! It |
| are places to hike in every state and it is pretty easy | | | | really is hard to get wet wood going. What I always |
| to find info on-line these days! I have a directory full | | | | do is build a little pyramid around the fire with the |
| of Alabama Hiking Trails on my Alabama Rock | | | | wet wood; the heat dries it out over time. |
| Company site (down below)! | | | | Remember to put out your fire completely before |
| Not only is hiking fun and refreshing it is also very | | | | you leave you site! If you can't find water rake a lot |
| good for you! I admit hiking can be very tough on | | | | of dirt and cover it as well as you can. |
| your legs and back and I have almost not made a | | | | 6. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather. |
| few of my hikes. So always be prepared and try to | | | | When it is very cold out it is essential to wear |
| get into shape before you take on to big of a trail! | | | | headgear! It will save you life! Most body heat is lost |
| Be sure to stretch before you go and take break | | | | through the head, so keep it warm. |
| often! | | | | 7. Be sure to wear some ankle supporting boots! |
| There are two types of backpacks, external and | | | | Finding the right boot can be tricky! You want to |
| internal framed! Each pack has its own advantages | | | | make sure your foot fits nice and snug and not have |
| and disadvantages! The internal frame is great for | | | | too much room to play. I bought some waterproof |
| hiking through heavy vegetation because it is | | | | boots awhile back and discovered that they were |
| protected from being snagged! | | | | waterproof both ways. They didn't breath at all, but |
| A lot of people think that the external frame sits | | | | they do keep the water out! So there is a fine |
| more comfortable on the back! It honestly really | | | | balance in finding the right boot. |
| depends on how you built though! One thing that an | | | | 8. Always carry a map and compass they can save |
| external frame will do is trap more heat and sweat | | | | you life! A GPS device is great to carry and a cell |
| when your hiking! | | | | phone as well! They make some great waterproof |
| The external frames are wider and allow for more | | | | cases at Wally world very cheap! Be sure to study |
| space to hold things! They also sit further off the | | | | the area that you are going so you know what you |
| back giving more room for breathing, that'll keep you | | | | are expecting! I have been hiking in the Smoky |
| cool! I always carry just a regular tech pack and I | | | | Mountains and was overwhelmed by how many miles |
| love the way it sits and feels! | | | | of trees there were and how they all looked the |
| It will soon be the perfect time to get into woods | | | | same! |
| and watch nature bloom once again! Just watch | | | | 9. Always hike with someone else! Never hike alone |
| those hungry waking beers! So grab you a new pack | | | | and if you do let someone know where you're hiking |
| and reserve a cabin before they get sold out and | | | | and when you're coming back! |
| head to the woods! | | | | 10. Carry some Parachute Cord! It can used for a |
| Here are some are some great Hiking tips for you! | | | | few different things! Use it to dry your clothes or |
| 1. Try not to carry very much weight! Not only will it | | | | make a shelter with it! |
| Hurt you and wear you out, it is dangerous. Try to | | | | 11. Change you batteries in your flashlight! Go with |
| find clothes that are light and will dry fast also! Try to | | | | the Lithium AA batteries! They weigh half as much |
| stay away from cottons and try to wear Poly-prop | | | | than an alkaline and last about three times longer! |
| or something like it! It is super light and dries out very | | | | 12. Instead of carrying any kind of Soda or sugar |
| quick. The best thing to do is go buy the lightest | | | | drinks switch over to some kind of pack that you |
| gear that you can get! When you are hiking always | | | | mix with water! There are all kinds of great natural |
| put the heavier weight up toward the top so that it | | | | alternatives out there! |
| balances out more! Be sure to carry enough to stay | | | | 13. Get lost in the woods? Know where you are |
| warm! I always carry a cotton top that doubles as a | | | | going before you get there! If dark fall on you it is |
| my pillow! | | | | best to find a cave or natural shelter build a fire and |
| 2. Carry a little med kit with you and be sure to carry | | | | plan to camp! Wondering in the woods at night isn't |
| a lightweight knife also! A multi-tool knife is the ticket! | | | | suggested! You may fall in a cave or off a cliff! Just |
| Also carry some fishing string and a hook if you are | | | | wait to daybreak unless you got a full moon with |
| on a deep mountain hike! Nothing like fresh mountain | | | | plenty of light! Pretend to be an Indian! You are not |
| fish over the fire! | | | | lost it is the teepee that is lost! The next day if you |
| 3. Carry your water in the lightest thing you can! I | | | | can't figure where you are at, try to find higher |
| prefer bottled water and there are a few companies | | | | ground and see if you can a visual of the area! If you |
| making very light bottles for conserving the | | | | are very lost and have no idea where you went |
| environment. You need to also carry a good amount | | | | wrong? Find a creek and hike beside the creek going |
| of dried food! I like to go to Wally World and get the | | | | downhill! The odds of seeing people will greatly be |
| dried Fruit packs! They are full of Energy and don't | | | | increased! Plus you are near a food and water source! |
| weigh very much. | | | | Keep that fire burning and stay dry! You may also |
| 4. Keeping you gear dry can be tough to do if you | | | | try the a SOS signal with your fire! Smoke has save |
| are on a long hike! I have heard of a few things that | | | | many lives! Good luck to you and I hope that some |
| can be done to help keep the wet out! I have heard | | | | info here might save you life one day! |
| of lining the pack with plastic! It works ok but not | | | | Well thanks for reading my Mountain Hiking tips! My |
| the best solution. I knew this one guy that used | | | | next Article will be focused more on "How to survive |
| Wax! He melted it all over his pack and said it | | | | Lost in the Mountains? |