| backpacking, Backpacking, BACKPACKING, HIKING, Hiking,
hiking
Getting StartedI have an inclination to say JUST DO IT,
but I cannot, because the backcountry can be a dangerous place, even for
those who are experienced. Consequently, I recommend a few preliminary
steps as you begin your backpacking adventures.
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- Acquire Backpacking Knowledge thru reading:
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- Acquire Knowledge & Experience thru Courses & Backcountry
Organizations:
- Mountaineering, Backpacking, Hiking, offered by local governments,
schools, and private outdoor groups.
- Join an Outdoor Club (Sierra Club, Mountaineers, Hiking Clubs,
etc.). These groups provide a fast way to learn proven techniques
& make friends who have similar interests.
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- Get in Shape--Stay in Shape:
I recently heard someone referring to backpackers, in
general, as having a T-REX SYNDROME. That is, obsession with exercising
only the legs. In fact, it's important for hiking, and especially
backpacking, that we have strong lower back, upper back, and abdominal
muscles, in addition to strong legs. Find exercises that strengthen
those muscles. For example, a rowing machine--as well as a machine like
the Health Rider--will work the back, leg, and ab muscles. For those of
us who get bored sitting on a machine, get a bicycle and rowboat.
I have found, however, that lifting weights, machine workouts,
jogging, etc., is appropriate and very helpful, but for some reason, the
only activity that really keeps me in shape for alpine hiking,
backpacking, and scrambling--which is what I do--is hiking. You can find
my method of staying in shape for year-around backpacking, here:
Staying in Shape For Year-Round Backpacking
Here are some suggestions for getting in shape, staying in shape, and
staying healthy:
Know your physical condition. Not just the "in shape" or
"outta shape" question, but how's your heart--had a checkup lately ?
Know as much as possible about your current condition before you even
start an exercise program (if not already on one). That knowledge will
also minimize potential problems in the backcountry. If you have a
health condition, of any consequence, understand the implications and
consequences of strenuous exercise and venturing into the backcountry,
beforehand. If you haven't already, get the medical check-up, to find
out--one way or the other--if you have anything to be concerned about.
The backcountry is not the place for medical emergencies. There's no 911
out there !
Already in Shape ? If you exercise regularly, you may already
be in good enough shape to tackle day hikes over easy to moderate
terrain. However, walking (or jogging--not something I would do) on
pavement is not the same as carrying a pack over a rough trail tread. My
suggestion, is to first, at least, put on a pack loaded with 5 more
pounds than you would be carrying on your hike, then truck around the
neighborhood for a few miles to see how it feels. Next, plan a short
hike to see how you fare on a trail with the pack on. Gradually, in
addition to your regular exercise program, take more difficult hikes
that keep challenging you as well as increasing your level of
conditioning and endurance. This method is the least painful, if you
will, because it leverages off of what you already have and gets you on
the trail, immediately. What could be better, hiking yourself into
hiking condition.
Not in Shape ? If you're not in good physical condition, you
should take the time to set up a regular exercise program. It must be
consistent and it must be a priority (or, guaranteed, you will not be
consistent and you'll always be on the brink of getting in shape--but
not quite). Hey, I bin there !
Just Start Somewhere. Swimming, Biking (human powered),
Walking. It's good to have a variety of activities which exercise a
variety of muscles. Machines are okay--Health Rider, Nordic Track,
Stationary Bikes, Rowing Machines, Tread Mill--they all work okay, some
better than others. I use a combination of Health Rider, free weights,
and hiking to stay in shape. Somedays, I don't feel like sitting inside
on a machine, so I just lift a few weights, then strap weights to my
ankles and take a two mile walk. Point is, start a program you're
comfortable with and stick to it on a consistent basis.
Anticipate Level of Difficulty, and Train Accordingly: You
will put yourself and your fellow packers at risk, if you think you can
wait til the trip and then get in shape on the trail. Two years ago, I
went on a five-day trip with a group of Mountaineers. One of the people
used to hike with his sons carrying 50 pounds of gear. He was fairly
active, a skier and such, so thought he would be okay, based on past
experiences. Thus, he went on the hike without training specifically for
it. He lasted half a day. Couldn't go on--he was really hurtin. Had to
go back to the trailhead and wait for us for four additional days
(because he was one of the drivers). At least he didn't get hurt.
Moral: get in shape to carry your anticipated 40 pound load before
the trip. Several weeks before a trip, I anticipate how much weight I
will be carrying, then prepare a pack that weighs 10 pounds more than
that. That, then, becomes my training pack for the next several
weeks--about four or five nights a week--right up to two or three days
before the trip. In addition, I continue with my normal exercising
routine. That way, I'm confident I will be successful on the trail and
that my fellow packers can count on me to be strong and healthy.
Stretching is important. Stretching muscles reduces muscle
tension and allows better, more flexible movement. Prior to your daily
workout, whether in the backcountry, or at home, take some time to
stretch your lower back, legs, torso, neck, etc. If you're not sure how
or what, do some research--there's plenty of material available on the
subject. The point I want to make here is that stretching is necessary
and will help prevent soreness and injury, both on and off the trail.
Prevent "Pack Lifting" Injury. Jerking a 35 pound (or more)
pack off the ground and swinging it onto your back is a good way to
injure your back. There's several popular, and safe, ways to do it. The
one I use the most is to place my pack on the ground with shoulder
harness facing me; next, I grab the shoulder straps--one in each hand--,
and with straight to slightly bent back and slightly bent knees, I put
my knee into the backpadding of the pack and pull the pack up my leg to
the upper thigh. With my leg now under the pack for support, I slide my
right arm thru the shoulder harness and then turn and do the same with
my left arm. Next, I tighten the hip belt and proceed to secure pack as
usual. This may have taken a lot of words to explain, but it's
relatively fast and safe. Another method is to rest the pack on a tree
stump or embankment and squat down to slip into the shoulder harness.
Yet another method is to have someone hold the pack while you slip into
the harness.
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The Most Important Essential--Common Sense
- "Common Sense"--one of those abstract concepts that we use
when talking to employees, students, and children, with the assumption
that everyone understands what it means, when if fact, we don't. Well,
here's what it means when I use it:
- Common-Sense Glossary: (from the Oxford Modern English
Dictionary):
- Sense: (n) .....4.a/ quick or accurate
appreciation, understanding, or instinct regarding a specific
matter....b/ the habit of basing one's conduct on such
instinct. 5/ practical wisdom or judgement, common sense;
conformity to these....
- Common Sense: (n) sound practical sense, esp. in everyday
matters.
- Practical: (adj) 1/ concerned with practice rather
than theory. 2/ suited to use or action.....5/
concerned with what is actually possible.
- Pragmatism: (n) ......2/ a philosophy that
evaluates assertions solely by their practical consequences and
bearing on human interests.
- Intuition: (n) 1/ immediate apprehension by the
mind or by a sense. 2/ immediate insight.
- Instinct: (n) b/....propensity in human beings to
act without conscious intention; innate impulsion. 2/
unconscious skill; intuition.
- Sixth Sense: (n) ....facility giving intuitive or
extrasensory knowledge.
The exercise of common-sense is a requirement for the entire
"backcountry-experience life-cycle", from initial thoughts, thru
actual planning, transportation to, execution of backcountry trip,
and return trip home.
- Plan Carefully. Plan your backcountry trips, thoroughly,
before you leave home. Be as knowledgeable about what lies ahead as
physically possible, and you will be much better positioned to achieve
and maintain a healthy attitude, perceived and actual security, as well
as a darn good time. The following link gets into the details of
planning out a trip:
The
Trip Planner
- Communicate Your Plans to Friends & Family. Make a
hardcopy of the destination and time table for your trip and give it to
friends or family. Draw on a topographical map where you will be, how
long you will be there, and when you should be back home. This may be
your link to survival should you run into trouble in an isolated area.
This is also covered in The Trip Planner page.
- Know When to Turn Around & Go Back. Follow your
knowledge, training, and gut instincts (the "sixth sense"). If you are
unsure about a traverse, a climb, a trail, exposure to
weather--whatever--back off, live another day, and contemplate your
alternatives. Select a different route; Pitch your tent and layover
until the storm passes; Wait til morning when the river's water level is
lower, before crossing, etc. Keep in mind, ignoring your "sixth sense"
and pushing forward into a questionable situation might be challenging
and macho, but it can also be called stupid and have deadly
consequences. Remember, many of the climbers who've been killed on
Everest were the victims of their own inability to turn around when
their guts were telling them to do so.
- Listen to Your Body--Undress Before Overheat, Dress Before
Chills--Drink Often--Eat Regularly.
Not only does our pyschological and spiritual being speak to us, but
our physiological parts send us loud messages, as well.
Hypothermia is a real concern in the backcountry. It's a condition
resulting from your body's core temperature dropping below normal. The
symptoms you'd likely experience are lack of coordination, chills &
shivering, slow speech, and acting out of character. It's important to
recognize and even anticipate these early warning signs, and respond to
them, accordingly. Several of the mild cases that I've seen resulted
from persons exerting high-energy, getting wet with their own sweat,
then getting chilled when they stop. For mild hypothermia, get the
person into warm, dry conditions--clothes, tent, sleeping bag and
provide and encourage consumption of warm drinks.
Hyperthermia is also a problem. It can occur, mainly in hot, dry
summer temperatures, when your internal body heat can't be released fast
enough and you overheat.
The Mountaineering First Aid book, suggested earlier, covers in
detail, both hypo & hyperthermia. You can also go here for links
which deal with both conditions:
Links for Hypothermia & Hyperthermia
I automatically put on a jacket when I stop, even if the sun is out.
Once I dry off a bit and my body temperature stablizes, I can take off
the jacket. The point is this, try to avoid dramatic body temperature
swings, one way or the other. When you first start out on a hike, it's
typical that you'll want to stop after about 15 minutes or so, to take a
"clothes break". Take off your jacket or long underwear bottoms so that
you don't overheat on the trail. When stopping for breaks, either (1)
make the breaks short enough that you don't get chilled or (2) put some
clothes on. Repeat this cycle of putting clothes on and taking clothes
off, forever.
Drink much fluid, eat much food. Many times, I get so caught up in
"truckin down the trail" that I forget to stop and eat and drink. On
several occasions, I've experienced dehydration and got a little sick. I
usually recognize the need to snack on the trail, though, as I start to
lose energy after awhile, so I must grab a little snack to refuel. The
point here is that it is critical to replace the fluids that are gushing
out of your body, as you exercise, as well as a steady supply of
nutrition, via snacks & meals, in order to maintain health &
energy.
- Carry Gear That You Perceive Will Maintain Your High Level of
Security: Determine the gear that YOU NEED to maintain your personal
level of security and then seek out the smallest, lightest,
highest-quality manifestation of that gear.
Don't be overly influenced by "lightweight gear freaks", but, also,
for your own safety, avoid the "everything but the kitchen sink
syndrome". Explore the equipment links below, then decide what makes you
feel safe and comfortable, then start out with that as a baseline. As
you become more experienced, you will discover that your gear
configurations will evolve toward more efficiency and, hopefully,
lighter weight. Remember, though, as you determine your gear needs, a
too-large pack makes a person more vulnerable to falling down as well as
to back, leg, knee, and foot injuries, and a too-small pack may
compromise your personal security, due to lack of necessary gear. Read
carefully the "CREED" section in the "Tips" link below.
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Equipment
- Strive for a Simple, Light Load on your back. A light, but
efficient load, will allow you to have a more enjoyable time with energy
left over to celebrate when you reach your destination. For additional
packlight philosophy, go here:
- Know Your Requirements. Before embarking on a gear shopping
trip, have your pockets full of information related to:
- What kind of trips you will be taking:
- how many days ?
- how many miles ?
- in what kind of terrain--on trail, off trail ?
- at what altitude--desert, subalpine, alpine ?
- in what seasons--Summer, 3-Season, 4-Season
- in what kind of weather ?
- how many people--solo, 2-person, etc. ?
- Do you sleep hot or cold ?
- Do you rock & roll in your sleep ?
- Are you a heavy breather, in your sleep ?
- What's your torso measurement ?--(see gear planning link, below)
- What side of the bed do you get out of in the morning. (you'll
probably want to get out of your sleeping bag on that side, also).
- Do you have weak hips or weak lumbar ? (most packs put majority of
weight on hips--some put more weight on the lumbar region (my personal
preference).
This information will be critical when talking tents,
boots, clothes, backpacks, sleeping bags, and virtually all the other
gear items you will need--some of which you don't even know you need,
yet. Trust me, an experienced salesperson will ask about and use every
one of the info items I mentioned above, and probably more.
- When trying on hiking shoes and boots, take the socks you would wear
during your backcountry adventures--as well as orthopedic inserts
(orthodics). If you don't know what socks you'll be wearing, then that's
where you should start. If you change thickness and design of sock
subsequent to purchase, that good boot fit you work hard for, may be
history.
- Shop at stores with reputable, experienced salespeople. This may
surprise you, but my advise, if you are just starting out -- UNLESS YOU
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED -- is to stay away from outdoor chain stores
(you know who they are)!
My suggestion is to go to shops like Marmot, Wilderness Experience,
Feathered Friends--all stores I frequent in my part of the world--and
get help you can count on from experienced backcountry folks. Marmot and
Feathered Friends also do mail order. Check your local area for the best
outdoor shops. If the chain stores are all you have, then make darn sure
you've done your homework--for your own good--and get a second and third
opinion.
More and more I do my shopping over the internet. A lot of good
quality shops on the net - for example, The Lightweight Gear
shop. This is a great alternative especially if you have a good idea
of your required specifications. Even it you don't, many online shops
will work with you to ensure you get what you really need.
- Plan your gear inventory & purchases. Using the
information that you just supplied yourself--from above, as well as
knowledge you gain from studying the following four links and links on
the "Gear Links" page--identify, as much as you can, the types
and specifications of the gear you desire. This approach to acquiring
gear will reduce your (1) dependence on sales people to figure out what
you need and, (2) subsequent need to buy, sell, & buy gear multiple
times before you get what you actually, really need.
- Consider three or four wheel drive:
- Strive to Lighten Your Load ! You don't need to be a
"lightweight gear" neurotic to know that this makes sense. Here's some
old methods and some new innovations intended to lighten the load. If
you don't already know, every ounce is heavy, therefore, every ounce
removed from your back, lightens your load. You might want to explore
these pages before purchasing gear--there's some good weight-reduction
to be had via acquisition of specific kinds of gear.
- Use a Checklist, like the one below, for (1) trip planning
purposes and (2) ensuring that you've remembered everything.
- Know Your Gear. Acquiring the right gear is the first step.
You must then gain a keen knowledge of how each piece of gear works, how
it is assembled, and how to maintain it.
Practice using each gear item, before you leave home. Visualize
having to repair each item in the field (and be prepared to do so). The
more you know about your gear and the more comfortable you are with it,
the more secure and comfortable you will be while on the trail.
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Where to Go ?Backcountry shops, bookstores, libraries all
carry books that will provide information about hikes in your area, as
well as in other areas. Also, a great way to learn about hikes is to join
a hiking club. Not only will you learn about available hikes, but you'll
meet people with the same interests as you. The internet is a good place
to look--State Parks, National Forests, etc.
Here are some trail links:
Internet newsgroups provide a way to make international inquiries about
hiking:
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On The Trail
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Understand the Backcountry Culture.
- Study the information found at the link, below. It will give you a
good baseline of knowledge & tips for what is generally-accepted,
ethical behavior & practices, in the backcountry, as well as provide
helpful tips related to campsites, sanitation, pet dogs, and so on.
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Walking on the Trail.
- Maintain an efficient posture, while walking on the trail.
First of all, you need to make sure your pack is packed correctly-- (the
Gear Planning & Purchasing page provides instruction on how
to properly load a pack). Assuming your pack is relatively lightweight
and properly packed, you should be able to walk only slightly leaning
forward under the weight of the pack. Try to maintain the posture you
would normally have while walking--head up; shoulders back; relaxed,
swinging arms--in order to reduce muscle strain and make you a more
efficient backpacker.
- Discover Your Hiking Pace ! This is very important. Everyone
has a preferred pace, and to deviate from that pace is somewhat
annoying, uncomfortable, and even injury producing. When first starting
out, don't concentrate too much on your stride and pace, just do what
comes naturally and comfortably. It's important that you hike at your
own pace to maintain that comfort level. You're out there to have fun
and achieve enjoyment, not to keep up with someone else. If you hike
with a group--most groups, if properly guided, will allow for this, and
even encourage this. Eventually, you may want to concentrate on
quickening your pace or even slowing down. Over time, I have learned to
comfortably quicken my pace or slow my pace, depending on the situation.
- Finding A Hiking Partner. You may have visions of yourself
and your spouse or best friend truckin up a storm thru the mountains. If
your goal is to hike with your spouse and/or best friend--and still be
friends when its all over--then you must conform to the pace of the
slowest person. That's the potentially annoying, uncomfortable part I
previously mentioned. If your goal is to hike at your own pace, for as
far and as long as you like, you, most likely, will need to seek out a
hiking partner with similar, if not identical tendancies. If that's your
wife or best friend, then lucky you. Hiking partners can be found thru
hiking club activities & newsletters, acquaintances, and even over
backpacking bulletin boards like this one:
- Watch where you're going. Especially nowadays, many trails
are in a bad way--roots, ruts, wash-outs, rocks. Keep your eyes and mind
on the tread in front of you. Plan each step, carefully. Your eyes,
mind, and foot placement must be in coordination with your feet. That is
why its important to travel at your naturally comfortable pace. If you
go too fast, your foot placement may become uncoordinated Accidents can
occur--and do. Even on well-kept trails, footing can be treacherous when
wet, especially. Be careful going downhill on wet tread. Use your
walking stick for added support and stability (see The Walking
Stick) page.
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Stay healthy.
- Drink much, eat much, and maintain a stable body heat, as
previously mentioned. When you plan your daily mileage, take into
consideration water, fuel, & clothes breaks. Also take into
consideraton the terrain you'll be traveling in and make the appropriate
clothing and supplies readily available in or on your pack. If the
garments, sunscreen, food, etc. are readily available, you'll be more
likely to stop and use them-- as opposed to the hassle of digging around
in the pack looking for things.
- Rest occasionally. Whenever you or someone in your group gets
weary, it's important to stop and rest. It's actually best if you rest
before anyone gets weary. A tired backpacker, is a backpacker who is
more prone to injury. When planning your daily mileage, be flexible. Be
prepared to stop for the day when you and/or your group gets weary and
wants to stop, rather that pushing on to a pre-determined goal and risk
someone getting injured.
- Protect yourself from sunburn. Carry and use hats with wide
brims which protect the eyes and face and with shrouds that cover ears
and neck. Frequently apply sunblock--at least, spf 15-- in the
mountains, try spf 25 or higher.
- Prevent & treat blisters. If your boots fit correctly,
you'll be less likely to encounter blisters. A good boot fit will be
snug in the heel area and long enough that toes don't jam up against the
front of the boot when going downhill. Also, if you're wearing socks
like Thorlo Hiking, with padded bottoms. Those are the three areas in
which blisters occur the most. If you have a history of blisters, then
apply moleskin or 2nd skin or whatever to that area prior to hitting the
trail. If already on the trail, stop immediately upon feeling a "hot"
spot. When you feel the hot spot, the blister is already forming. If you
stop right away and apply moleskin to the reddened area, you'll most
likely have little more that a sore spot for a couple days. If you don't
stop and take care of it, it could develop into a condition too painful
to walk on.
If a full-blown blister does occur, you can drain it by lancing it at
its base and then applying first, an antibacterial gel, and second, a
cushioned, adhesive bandage. Another solution, is to leave it, as is,
undrained, and cover it as follows: cut a section of 1/8" thick molefoam
which is larger than the blister by 1/2" on each side. Then cut a hole
in the middle of the molefoam a little larger than the blister and place
it over the blister. Next, Cut a piece of moleskin the same size as the
molefoam and place over the top of the molefoam. You've now encased and
protected the blister from further abrasion. You should be able to
continue on your journey.
- Bugs. You'll have to deal with bugs, one way or another.
Especially biting black flies and mosquitoes. There are many bug-off
solutions--juices, creams, gels, sprays--most of which are DEET based.
You can also purchase bug-net clothes. This is probably the main reason
that I carry a tent. If there were no bugs in the world, I'd be happy
carrying, at most, a bivy for many of the outings I go on. There's no
magic solution, you just have to discover a way to deal with it.
- Ticks and Lyme disease. Lyme disease has become a serious
problem and one of the main ways it is transmitted to humans is by Ticks
(Mice also, so stay away from them, as well). In tick country, make sure
feet, legs, arms are covered with clothing. Wear light-colored clothing
so ticks will be more visible. Check often for ticks on clothes and in
hair and on exposed skin. If you do find a tick embedded in your skin
the recommendation is to remove it immediately by pinching your skin
with special tick-removing tweezers just below the head of the tick and
lift the tick straight up and out. It is very important to not squeeze
or twist the tick during the removal process since this can cause the
tick to regurgitate germs into the wound. Also, do not try to burn or
otherwise harrass the tick because it may burrow deeper. After removal,
apply first aid to the wound, and it wouldn't hurt to save the speciman
and take it and yourself to see a physician, upon your return to
civilization.
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Stay Found.
- Carry & know how to use map & compass. Even if you
always stay on the trail and have no intentions of leaving it, it is
important to carry a map of the terrain that you're in. For a brief
moment, you may not be paying attention or may get distracted and,
consequently, take an incorrect fork in the trail, the tread of which
gradually fades away. You turn around and see no trail--you're
disoriented and probably lost. In my opinion, the map is the most
important tool you have because even if you don't know the intricacies
of using a compass, the map (assuming you know how to read it) will
allow you get re-oriented. You can climb to a high place pick out some
outstanding land features then find them on the map (or vice versa) in
order to approximate where you're at. With this knowledge you'll have an
easier time finding your way back to the trail. If you know how to read
the compass--which you should-- you'll have an even better chance of
finding your way back. No matter how careful you are, if you're out
there long enough it will happen to you, too. Be prepared.
- Be familiar with & Pay attention to, the terrain you're
in. Before you venture into an area, become familiar with the
terrain by studying your map. As you travel, pay attention, stay aware
of where you are--don't just blindly follow the trail. Periodically,
stop, turn around and look behind you. See if you can approximate where
you're at on the map. Stay alert, don't space out, and you'll stay
found.
- Stay on the trail. Use your map to become familiar with the
trail, including intersections with other trails. It's not uncommon to
come across side trails which are well traveled by wild animals,
climbers, fisherman, and soon-to-be-lost hikers. Again, pay attention to
the map, pay attention to the trail. Stay on the right one. If you have
a question about which way to go, refer to your present location on the
map, pull out your compass, take a bearing and follow the appropriate
trail. Not all trails are well-defined, be prepared to use map, compass,
and common sense to validate the direction you travel.
- Keep track of Each Other. If in a group, the rule of thumb is
don't lose sight of the person in front of and/or behind you. If each
person has this attitude and practice, persons will have a better chance
of staying found; those who become lost can be retrieved before they
become "too lost"; and injured individuals can be quickly located and
administered to.
- If lost, don't panic. Once you realize that you're lost, stay
calm, relax, and evaluate the situation. Stay where you are at,
continuing on may just take you farther from help. Use your emergency
whistle to signal distress, or if you don't have your whistle, make loud
noise however you can. Get to the highest place in the immediate area,
and using your basic map and compass skills approximate your location,
and begin working your way back to the trail, continuing to make noise,
until you are found, again.
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Hiking Year-AroundHiking & Backpacking is really a
four season activity. My observation is that there are three seasonal
categories of backpackers--those that go out only in Summer; those that go
out in three-seasons; and those that go out all year around. A person can
backpack in the same locations, for the better part of three seasons, with
pretty much the same gear (see Seasonal Gear Lists link above).
In Winter and, potentially, in early Spring and late Fall, there are
other considerations in terms of gear, technique, and places to go (and
not to go).
Whenever snow and ice is present, a hiker/backpacker needs, at a
minium, an ice axe and the knowledge of how to use it. From late Fall,
through much of the Winter, snowshoes are a necessity. From late Winter
thru early Summer, the snow pack generally hardens and snowshoes are no
longer required, but the ice axe and sturdy boots continue to be a
requirement. One needs to know how to kick or chop steps in hard snow
(sorry, running shoes can't do this), how to self arrest with the axe
(stop yourself from sliding down the mountain), and, for your own fun, how
to glissade (sliding down the mountain on your bottom using the ice axe as
a rudder/brake). If you want to become a successful year-round backpacker,
you must become skilled using snowshoes and ice-axe.
For further, more detailed information on Winter Hiking and
Backpacking, spend some time at the following link:
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Other www Beginner Links
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