Trailspace Blog June 2008
The 10 Essentials: Emergency Shelter
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number ten:
#10. Emergency Shelter
Shelter is a new addition to the classic 10 essentials list and what you carry will depend on the season and conditions. If you’re backpacking, you’ll probably already have a tent, bivy, or tarp, but even on day hikes you need to be able to fashion a shelter from rain, snow, and wind.
Consider carrying an ultralight tarp, emergency blanket, or lightweight emergency bivy sack. In winter conditions, emergency shelter becomes even more important and may mean carrying a four-season bivy or small tent, even on day outings.
Tips:
- Each person in a large group can carry a heavy-duty plastic trash bag.
- In winter, know how to safely build a snow cave.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
The 10 Essentials: Hydration
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number nine:
#9. Hydration (extra water)
Carry enough water per person and know where water sources are located on your route. A general rule of thumb is to have 3 to 4 liters (or 1 gallon) of water per person per day. The amount of water needed varies widely though, based on factors like temperature, humidity, and personal fitness and exertion levels.
Water availability is another factor. A water filter, purifier or chemical treatment
(like iodine tablets) will allow you to treat water on the trail and
carry less on your back. Always treat water, even if it looks clean,
unless you want to experience Giardia or other unpleasant bugs.
Tips:
- Drink your fill and top off water bottles before starting out from the trailhead.
- Leave extra water in the car for your return.
- Monitor hydration through urine output—volume, clarity, and frequency should remain normal. Clear and copious is a good sign.
- On longer, more strenuous hikes and backpacks, sports drinks and gels help replace electrolytes.
- Dry air dehydrates you faster in winter.
- Have a way to melt snow for water in winter conditions.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
Bill to Ban BPA Introduced
From the Outdoor Industry Association's WebNews:
Building on concerns raised over the use of bisphenol-A (BPA), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has introduced legislation that would ban the use of bisphenol-A in all food and beverage containers. BPA, a chemical used to harden plastics and prevent corrosion in metal cans, "is associated with a broad spectrum of hazardous effects" and "has been shown to leach out of the containers into liquids and foods," according to a press release from Rep. Markey's office.
The proposed legislation, The Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2008, seeks to completely eliminate the use of BPA in all food and beverage containers introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce on or after the date that is 180 days after the bill is enacted. Legislation to ban BPA in children's products as well as food containers is currently pending in the Senate. Its supporters are working to add it to the final version of a larger consumer product safety reform bill currently under consideration in Congress.
Health Canada answers FAQ's about BPA: www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/faq/bisphenol_a_qa-qr_e.html
And here's the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's take on the chemical: www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bpa.html
The 10 Essentials: Nutrition
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number eight:
#8. Nutrition (extra food)
Even on day hikes, bring along extra food, like energy bars. That’s in addition to adequate food supplies for your outing. Your group may move slower or eat more than expected. For overnight trips you’ll want an extra day’s worth of food. Extra food should be easy to prepare, store well, and be high energy.
Tips:
- Hungry people can be cranky people. Don’t skimp on snacks.
- Choose foods you and your partners enjoy.
- Carry out all trash and food scraps.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
The 10 Essentials: Repair Kit and Tools
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number seven:
#7. Repair Kit and Tools
A
pocket knife or multi-purpose tool can be used to repair broken gear,
cut rope, prepare food, remove splinters, assist in first aid, and
tackle other unforeseen challenges. Multi-tools include a range of
implements beyond a blade—screwdriver, awl, pliers, and scissors—but
each tool means more weight. You don’t need three screwdrivers, two
wire strippers, and a corkscrew. Choose a multi-tool with a good knife
and only the implements you’d reasonably expect to use.
Tips:
- Wrap duct tape, the all-purpose fixer, around a water bottle.
- Zip-ties are small and light and can be useful for gear repairs.
- A sturdy sewing needle and thread, or even dental floss, can help you repair critical gear in the field.
- Consider carrying a maintenance and/or repair kit for stoves and other gear on longer expeditions.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
Just Follow Me...D'Oh!
“You are lost in the woods and a storm is coming, who would you choose to lead you to safety?”
When faced with this question on something called The Great Outdoor Survey, American respondents voted for Homer Simpson more often than for President Bush. Sen. Barack Obama reportedly came out on top, Sen. Hillary Clinton was second, and Sen. John McCain was third. Apparently there was not a write-in option, nor could you choose yourself.
The first choice for a conversation partner on a long day hike was Oprah Winfrey. Bill Gates came in second, the Pope third, and George Clooney fourth. Last choice, yet again, was President Bush.
Both of these scenarios just beg for bad jokes. "Homer Simpson and George Bush walk into a forest..."
Alas, the full results of this enlightening survey, sponsored by USA Today’s new lifestyle publication, Open Air, and a public relations firm, won’t be published until the fall issue of Open Air. In the meantime, I won't hold my breath waiting for Oprah, Bill, the Pope, or George Clooney to call and invite me on a hike, though I'd do my best to hold up my end of the conversation if one of them did.
Via SNEWS
It's June: Get Outside Now
It's never too early—or too late—to take a friend on his or her first hike. We recently took our month-old daughter on her first hike, a short walk up a local trail to the ledges overlooking a chain of lakes.
We followed that up by tackling a brand-new trail that runs along an old mill stream in a nearby town. Both hikes were beautiful, sunny, and rather buggy, just about right for this time of year in New England.
June is a great month to introduce someone to the outdoors.
- Saturday, June 7, is National Trails Day.
- Saturday, June 14, is the first ever National Get Outdoors Day.
- And, Saturday, June 28, is the Great American Backyard Campout.
But,you don't need to wait for a national event. Just find your own special hiking partner and get out there.
The 10 Essentials: Fire
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number six:
#6. Fire
Being able to start and sustain a fire, even in wet, cold, and windy conditions, is essential. A fire can help prevent hypothermia by providing heat for survival, allow you to make a hot drink, illuminate surroundings, act as a signal, and boost morale. Because fire starting is so important, but can be difficult to do in emergency conditions, especially if you’ve never practiced, you may want to carry more than one type of fire starter for back-up systems.
Windproof pocket lighters are easy to use, but don’t dismiss the value of having waterproof, windproof matches. A fire starter,
as the name implies, helps ignite wet wood quickly. You can buy
commercial fire starters or make your own from lint or cotton balls
soaked with Vaseline. Store any matches and fire starters (even water-
or storm-proof ones) in a waterproof container.
Tips:
- As their name implies, strike-anywhere matches don’t require a special striking surface; safety matches do, limiting their usefulness.
- Don’t rely on flimsy packs of matches.
- Know how to build a sustainable fire beyond the first step of lighting the tinder.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
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