Tips For Hiking Solo
Subscribe To Our Feed
Tips For Trips Into The Backcountry
Getting out into the wilderness for a couple of days of hiking and camping can be refreshing, and provide some time for quiet reflection. Having a light weight 2 person tent can be very helpful. Solo backpacking or just going into the woods with a friend can be the basis for lots of terrific memories. There are some very basic rules that you need to observe for both your own safety and that of the environment.
1. Pick The Correct Equipment
What you take with you will determine the success of your camping trip. A 2 man tent is a great way to go backpacking light. Often if you have another person, a 2 man tent isn’t big enough for both of you and your gear. This is particularly true if your hiking companion is very tall or rather large. If you are going solo backpacking, then a 2 person tent will be perfect for you and your gear.
A warm sleeping bag is another necessity for camping in the woods. Although you checked on the weather before leaving it is something you can never count on. Often the temperatures can drop drastically at night or a storm can unexpectedly blow in. After your 2 person tent, the most important thing is that you have a sleeping bag that is adequate for the time of year you are in.
Basic equipment for camping will also include a tough, spacious backpack, a knife, waterproof matches, first aid kit, cooking utensils, seasonable clothes, and items to handle sanitation.
2. Set Your 2 Person Tent In The Correct Location
Many a hiking trip has been ruined because a person set up their tent in the wrong place. A high level location will work best and let you sleep well knowing that there will be no problems from runoff water should a storm hit during the night. Never place your tent near the fire. Small sparks can burn holes in the tent, or completely burn it down. Always pitch your tent with the door facing away from the rising sun. You don’t want to walk out into blinding sunlight first thing in the morning. It is best to angle the tent slightly so that you still can get the warmth of the morning sun but not the intense light.
3. Storing Your Food Correctly
Food is almost as critical as shelter. Storing you food incorrectly can cause it to spoil quickly or become bug infested. Use air tight containers for food to keep animals from smelling it and invading your campsite. If you are transporting perishable items such as fruits, vegetable or bread try to keep it in a cool spot to avoid spoilage. Be sure to keep your food away from your camp site to avoid attracting any roaming animals that may pass through at night. It is also very important not to eat anything inside your tent. Any crumbs will attract small animals into your tent.
4. Pack Carefully
Carefully packing for your trip can help you to avoid a lot of aggravation later. Getting your 2 man tent, sleeping bag, clothes and gear into a back pack can be a science unto itself. Getting it right will help even the load on your back, and help you keep things light while still carrying all you need.
It is just as important to pack out your things as it is to pack for your trip. You never want to leave anything behind but footprints. No garbage should ever be left behind and you should carefully bury any waste away from a water source. Clean all your gear, and especially the tent. Leaving dirt on your tent can cause weak spots and leaks over time. Pack even more carefully was when you leave than when you were going out will pay dividends over time. Taking proper care of your 2 person tent should last for many years of great hiking experiences.
Technorati Tags: No Tags
Related Tags: No Tags
Possible Related Posts
