Articles Tagged with: backpacking

Backpacking sleeping sack ratings have undergone a bit of a revolution lately.

A mummy sleeping bag is the most appropriate choice for wilderness backpacking. Mummy sleeping bags are considered the most efficient for weight and warmth. These bags are cut wider at the shoulders and taper down to the feet, which remove the unused space around your body resulting in a smaller area to keep warm.

A bag with an adjustable hood that can be closed around the face is a must have option, because a large part of your body heat escapes from the head and neck area. Hoods come in a variety of styles: some are simply made and others may be insulated and offer other features to help keep the rest of you warm.

A sleeping bag’s overall ability to keep you warm depends on its insulation fill. The insulation fill is sandwiched between the sleeping bag’s shell and lining via enclosed channels, layers or baffles. Fill basically comes in two types of materials; natural down, typically goose or duck feathers, and synthetic or manmade fibers. Specific sleeping sack measurements (shoulder, hip and foot measurement) are available for each bag as part of its individual specifications.

Season ratings are an approximate guide to use when you can expect a sleeping bag to keep you warm. A four seasons rating indicates that a sleeping bag has a high enough specification to be used year round. Temperature ratings provide the lowest temperature at which the bag should keep you comfortable. However, as individuals have different tolerances to cold, and bags are used in different conditions, sleeping bag ratings are only a rough guide.

Here’s a list of sleeping bags you can choose from:

Best sleeping experience even at 0º F.

Water-resistant shell, light weight and versatile no matter what weather is out there. This type of bag keeps you warm in temperatures as low as 20 degrees, but the bag stays light because less insulation is used on the bottom of the bag. During the warmer months, you can lay the hood flat to keep yourself from getting too warm.

Lighten your load without sacrificing comfort. Traveling light is more fun!

A mummy bag that make a room for two.  Feel comfortable since there is less heat loss and less weight to carry than there would be if you simply zipped two bags together.

Yes, you can take your little ones backpacking with you! This miniature mummy is sized just right for a child, and it designed with fewer ties and cords in the neck area for extra safety.

Designed to fit a woman’s curves. The hood has enough room for a pillow, and handy pad loops keep you from getting separated from your sleeping pad. Typically weighs only 20 ounces and will keep you warm down to 30 degrees Celcius.

Less insulation means you can save on weight and doesn’t lose comfort either. Commercial bags are designed to unzip footbox to catch a nice breeze.

There are the usual backpacking survival kit ideas that have stood the test of time. Almost everyone agrees that some way to start a fire, some medical supplies and some kind of blade are necessary. Other items, ranging from saws to signal whistles can be very useful, but their necessity in a basic kit are argued.

The following are the usual things that survival kits may have. After that you’ll find a few new ideas. The usual survival kit items: Fire starter (like a magnesium stick), waterproof matches, signal mirror, sewing kit, foil blanket, water purification tablets, fishing line and hooks, compass, fire tinder, plastic bags, duct tape, knife, bandana, nylon cord, paper, pencil or pen, dental floss, and a condom (the latter for carrying water in a wilderness emergency).

First aid items usually include bandages, aspirin or other pain killers, gauze pads, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment. More extensive first aid kits might also have splints, medical tape, sun block, safety pins, and a snake bite kit. Of course, any crucial medications you need are a good addition as well.

New Survival Kit Ideas

Here are some ideas you may not have heard of. First, why not have two survival kits? Make one for all-around use on easy hikes and when using a vehicle (ATV) or bicycle. These are the times when it is easier to carry a little extra weight. Of course, the problem is that we tend to leave a kit behind – or even leave a whole backpack behind – when we want to avoid the weight, like when you see a summit you want to climb up to. That is where the second kit comes in.

The second survival kit can be kept inside the first, so there is no unnecessary repetition of items. The point of this one is to have the most crucial items in the smallest lightest package. It can include bandages, a razor blade or small knife, aspirin, water purification, duct tape, pencil stub and paper. It should comfortably fit in the pocket of your pants or jacket. An altoids container can hold all of this, and has a mirrored surface inside as well, for signaling rescuers in the case of getting lost.

Another good idea for a survival kit is a couple small photos of those who are important to you. Survivors of wilderness disasters often report that thinking of their loved ones kept them alive. A photo or two to look at makes this even more of an inspiration.

Notes are a good survival kit idea too. First aid kits have tiny guides to help you in medical situations, but  you might also want a reminder of survival techniques. My own notes have the most common edible and useful wild plants listed, so I’ll remember what to look for and why. You can fit a lot of information on one piece of paper.

Then there is your “mental survival kit,” meaning the knowledge and practiced attitudes of your mind. Practice thinking of how to survive, for example, rather than about how bad a situation is. Read and recall a few good true survival stories, too. You’ll feel more confident in your abilities and chances, and telling such stories to others in your group might lift everyone’s spirits.

Apply these new survival kit ideas – they’re cheap wilderness emergency insurance for your next backpacking trip.

As backpacking and hiking equipment has become more sophisticated, people have gotten more daring, and at times even reckless. Humans, it seems, have an inherent need to prove they can survive in the wilderness. More and more hikers and rock climbers are backpacking deeper and deeper into the unknown wilds. These are not your weekend campers. Rather, these are serious nature lovers who look and find there own truth, each time they venture outdoors. There is obvious gear and equipment they utilize, both traditional and futuristic. This article will attempt to verify some of the accepted items to pack, as well as some new options to think about. When packing, it doesn’t matter what type of activity you are going to undertake, there several unwritten rules one has to abide by. First, you must pack  light, and include the basics of food, water and a way to purify it, first aid kit, and some kind of fire starter. A map and compass, so you have an idea on where you’re going and how to get there. Include some type of multipurpose knife or tool that can perform a number of tasks, from cutting branches to removing splinters. Don’t forget your sunglasses and some sun screen. A flashlight and extra batteries, even if you are taking some type of lamp. Now, this is very important. Even though you are trying to keep it light, you must take extra food, as well as rain wear and extra clothing, including a hat.There are two schools of thought when it comes to the use of futuristic equipment. I’m referring of course to GPS and beacon technology. Purists don’t want anything electronic, and the other camp feels they should take advantage of anything that will get them home safely. The current expense of these devices does make them cost prohibitive. Also, in the case of an injury, these units don’t give the precise location of a victim, so you will still need some sort of signaling device, like a mirror or whistle.

I don’t feel that the future must all be electronic. I have come up with a patent pending concept that will satisfy both camps, and is so cost effective, anyone that backpacks, hikes, rock climbs, and camps, will be able to afford. In this day and age of electronics, I have devised something that is completely mechanical. There are no batteries or bad reception to worry about. Surviving in the wilderness should never come to mean survival. In this day and age, someone who is lost should only be thinking about being rescued.That is why we needThe LifeTracker.The LifeTracker makes it possible for people to be found before panic on both sides will ever set in. It not only will save lives, but millions of dollars in search and rescue man hours. The LifeTracker is a device that in case of an emergency will, with the pull of a cord, jettisons a heavy  gauge red balloon attached to a 1000 ft fishing line up high enough for searchers or a rescue plane to see. The LifeTracker is a series of 3 different products designed to locate anyone lost in the wilderness, in hours rather than days. The LifeTracker Belt is…4″ wide with pockets on the outside to store a thermal blanket and other survival supplies.The LifeTracker Vest…Using the same concept as the “Belt” the vest inner side unzips to release a folded lean-to tent complete with telescopic 3 ft poles. Some people will prefer a vest and are willing to pay extra for the complete survival package. This offers a great option, and like the “Belt”, is very marketable.The LifeTracker Flare Gun…Flare guns are very expensive and, of course, the flare only has a short life. With a small adjustment to the LifeTracker Device, it can easily be kept in a lightweight pistol, that can be stored in any backpack, vehicle, boat or plane.  It might even have military use.The LifeTracker Series can be manufactured and sold inexpensively enough so that anyone who camps, hikes, rock climbs, or just ventures into the wilderness, will want to include it as part of their gear. Even if the rescue device is never activated, the gear becomes part of  everyday wilderness attire. Please help my dream come true. Go to:  The LifeTrackerand click on Contact and let me know what you think.

The greatest challenge of all when backpacking is getting a good quality night’s sleep. By getting enough sleep you will feel refreshed and alive the next morning so that you can take on the day ahead. So what steps can we take to get that perfect night’s sleep? When sleeping outdoors, this is a different experience for many people and there are several considerations to planning your expedition.

1. Where do you plan on going for your backpacking expedition? You will need to consider the climate and anticipated weather conditions. Research for the locations where you will be camping so you will know up front what the expected weather will be like. Be aware of what the temperature will be at nightfall and take the most appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions.

2. Know your budget for your backpacking expedition The main areas where you do not want not want to scrimp on when it comes to backpacking equipment is your tent and sleeping bag. Never buy a cheap tent or cheap sleeping bag else you will be sorry and will make the trip miserable. Always buy the best you can afford but don’t get the bottom of the range just to save money.

3. Knowing how comfortable you really need to be when sleeping We are all different and all sleep differently. But we all know how well we normally sleep at home and what makes us comfortable. For example, some people may suffer from arthritis so may need extra cushioning.

4. Consider the weight of the equipment You might need additional materials to sleep on so consider this when you are looking around to purchase your outdoor gear. A sleeping bag can weigh anything from 1 pound to around 10 pounds so be mindful when looking around for one. A better quality sleeping bag will pay dividends in the long run and will be much easier to carry. Make sure you test out whatever sleep method you buy before you go on your trip. Be sure you are 100% comfortable as it’s difficult to change things when you have commenced your trip.