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1 |
File a trip
itinerary, including route, number in the party, estimated
return time, destination and emergency contact information with a friend
or family member. Make sure that the person knows to look for you if you
don’t check in by the agreed-upon time. |
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2 |
Obey all
private property signs and get permission to cross private land. Close
gates after you pass through them. |
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3 |
Line your
backpack with a heavy-duty trash bag. Put your sleeping bag and clothes
inside the bag and roll it closed to keep the water out. Once your gear
gets wet in the backcountry, it will never dry out. |
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4 |
Mosquito/Bug repellent. When you repack your backpack each
morning, keep often-used items high in the pack, and put items you’ll only
use at camp that night deeper inside. |
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5 |
Layer your
clothing. Wear synthetic or wool long underwear as a base layer (you can
get different weights depending on the climate), an insulating sweater or
fleece layer, and a windproof, water-repellent layer on top. Add or remove
layers as you warm or chill. Just avoid cotton clothing during cold, rainy
weather, since it provides no insulation once it gets wet.
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6 |
Wear
synthetic, wicking sock liners under your synthetic or wool socks. They'll
keep your feet warmer and dryer, and they’ll reduce blisters. |
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7 |
Unless your
route sticks to well-marked trails, know how to use a map and compass
before you start on your trip. |
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8 |
Make sure
your boots fit properly. Improper fit causes blisters and may contribute
to frostbite by limiting circulation. Don’t start your trip with new
boots; break them in at home. |
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9 |
Begin and
end your days with a hot meal. But during the day, stick to ready-to-eat
snacks and simple-to-prepare cold lunches (unless it’s really cold out).
You'll save time and hassle by not having to unpack your stove and pot.
And when you stop, remember to add an extra clothing layer to keep warm. |
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10 |
Never feed
wild animals, no matter how cute and cuddly. They won’t be so adorable
when they gnaw through your new backpack after you go to bed. |
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11 |
Purify all
water before you drink it, either by heating it to a rolling boil,
treating it with iodine or other purifying chemicals, or pumping it
through a filter/purifier. |
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12 |
The best
water sources are bubbling springs or tributaries that flow after rain or
snowmelt. Major rivers are often contaminated with industrial and
agricultural pollutants. |
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13 |
If you find
yourself getting cold and tired, eat an extra snack and drink water.
Digesting that food will generate energy and warm you up. |
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14 |
On longer
trips, take a freeze-dried meal as a quick and easy dinner. If it’s rainy
or you’re especially tired, you’ll appreciate having an easy to prepare
meal. |
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15 |
If you get
really lost, stop, start signaling and wait. Wandering makes you harder to
find, wears you out and leads to panic. |
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16 |
If you must
cross a stream, it’s safer to cross in a pair or threesome, with group
members circling up like a football huddle. Shuffle your feet as you move
across to avoid getting a foot caught, and loosen your pack’s shoulder
harnesses and waist belt. If you fall, drop the pack immediately. You
don’t want to weigh yourself down midstream. |
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17 |
Don’t
traverse moving water that is deeper than your waist – you’re in danger of
being swept away. Move up and down the bank – maybe up to a mile each way.
You’ll probably find a better, shallower spot. |
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18 |
Don’t
traverse streams barefoot. Wear camp shoes, sandals or hiking boots
(they’ll eventually dry out). |
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19 |
If you feel
yourself getting a blister, stop immediately. Cover the hotspot with a
piece of duct tape or athletic tape. If a blister’s already formed, cut a
donut of moleskin to tape around it. |
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20 |
Walk through
puddles instead of going around them, to reduce the amount of trail
damage. Likewise, don’t cut across switchbacks. |
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21 |
A headlamp
makes a great hands-free light source when hiking after dark or doing
night time camp chores, such as preparing dinner, setting up tent or
writing in a journal. |
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22 |
Drink plenty
of water. In fact, drink more than you think you need. Your urine will be
almost clear, and you’ll have to go frequently if you’re properly
hydrated. To answer the call of nature in the wild, find a spot that’s at
least 200 feet off the trail and farther than 200 feet from a water
source. |
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23 |
When
defecating in the wilderness, use a camp shovel to make a six-inch-deep
hole. Do your business, bury the toilet paper and cover the hole. Brush
ground covering back over the spot to return it to its undisturbed state. |
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24 |
When setting
up camp, pick a flat, leafy area for the tent. It’ll be softer and will
drain better, so you won’t wake up damp. |
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25 |
If you’re
going to build a fire, use an existing fire pit. Collect fallen wood for
burning, and avoid cutting live wood. If there is no pit, build your fire
in a shallow hole and bury the ashes when you break camp. |
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26 |
Store food
and snacks overnight only in food bags – not in your pack, pockets or
tent. Hang your food bags from tree branches so wild animals won’t pilfer
them at night. |
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27 |
Have a pair
of sacred socks and shoes for camp. Put them on in the evenings, once
there’s no chance you’ll get them wet or dirty. Your feet will thank you,
and your mood will brighten, no matter what the weather. |
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28 |
If you sleep
cold, eat a snack before bed, sleep in a light layer and wear a stocking
cap. |
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29 |
Don’t use
soap in a body of water, like a stream, creek or lake, even if it’s
biodegradable soap. |
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30 |
Wash pots
with water and a small amount of biodegradable soap. Dump them out
by broadcasting the water over a wide area, away from your sleeping and
food prep area. |
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31 |
When you
brush your teeth, spit out the toothpaste in a mist – like giving a
”raspberry.” That allows it to biodegrade quickly without making a gooey,
soapy mess. |
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32 |
Unzip your
sleeping bag in the morning to remove moisture, and shake the bag to
restore loft. |
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Check back here now and again. We’ll be adding tips from
time to time. |