Rush 2 ExploreCamping, Hiking, Climbing and Survival Equipment and Accessories

Hydration Backpack

Six Good Backpacking Habits

When backpacking, habits matter. A better Sleeping Bag may keep you a bit warmer, and a cell phone or Gps Unit definitely makes a trip safer, but the things you regularly do while on the trail are just as important. Here are six habits you should develop for wilderness travel.

1. Foot Care

Blisters and other foot problems are not always just painful inconveniences. If they happen far enough into a trip they can slow your hike out to the point where food runs short or you just can't continue. You may know how to treat a blister or trench foot, but good habits can prevent these from ever happening.

Make stopping several times daily to air out your feet a part of your routine. Take off your shoes and socks and set them in the sun. Pull out your insoles if you can. Soak your feet in a cold stream if they are very hot, but be sure the skin is entirely dry before putting the shoes back on. Change socks if necessary, and let the wet pair hang from the pack to dry. Cover and "hot spots" with moleskin before they become blisters. This regular attention to your feet may seem time consuming, but it will allow you to travel more miles more safely.

2. Water Planning

Dehydration is always a possibility when hiking in the wilderness. It is dangerous in hot weather and it can even lead to hypothermia in cold (we need enough fluids for our bodies to heat themselves properly). Plan ahead so you never get the point of being thirsty and without water.

Carry two water bottles, and develop the following good backpacking habit. Anytime you cross a stream or are near a water source, if one Water Bottle is less than half full, finish it off and fill it. If you are using a water treatment chemical like iodine, while it does its job you will still have the other bottle full of water. If there is a long stretch coming without opportunities to collect water, drink up both water bottles if practical, and fill them both. Also be sure to start each trip fully hydrated. One more habit is to watch your urine. Unless you are taking vitamin pills it will usually only be bright yellow when you aren't drinking enough fluids.

3. Watch The Weather

It is a good habit to watch the weather reports before you go backpacking. You can get the forecast for anywhere in the world now online. But you also should be looking at that sky from time to time, and be aware of any changes. It is common to have lightning almost every afternoon in some mountain areas, for example. If the trail you are on is heading up high and you see the clouds forming, you might want to wait where you are until after the storms.

Learn to observe the skies in the direction where the weather is coming from, and also where it will affect you. If the streams you are crossing are fed by the mountains in the distance, and you see heavy rain clouds there, you might soon see a rise in water levels. Also, if you see the whole sky clearing out at sunset, you may be in for a cold night. Learn and observe.

4. Cell Phones

When backpacking, it's a good habit to fully charge your cell phone before you leave. Then turn it off. The primary reason to even bring it is to have a way to call for help. Preserve the batteries for just such an event. It's not fun to continually hear the phone ringing in the wilderness anyhow.

5. GPS

If you have a Gps Unit, put fresh batteries in it before every trip. Then "mark" your car or the trailhead just before you hit the trail. A GPS can walk you right back to the vehicle if you remember to enter it as a landmark. Otherwise, it may not help much to just know your coordinates.

6. Leave An Itinerary

One of the backpacking habits most important to your safety, is to let someone you trust know where you will be and when you expect to return. That way if all else fails, help will be sent out there to look for you. Just be sure to notify that person as soon as you do return, so they don't think you are still out in the wilderness.

 

 

About the Author

Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

CamelBak Watermaster Hydration Backpack $53.99 The CamelBak Watermaster Hydration Backpack is built for the tough jobs, delivering on-the-go hydration. The pack features a 70-ounce (2 liter) OMEGA Water Beast Reservoir.

CamelBak Linchpin Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $193.5 The CamelBak Linchpin Cargo/ Hydration Backpack features the Futura Harness, allowing the user to custom-fit the harness to a specific torso length. The pack can also be adjusted for wearing with or without armor.

CamelBak BFM Black Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $225.45 The CamelBak BFM Cargo/ Hydration Backpack is CamelBak's biggest system with a capacity over 45 liters. The BFM pack keeps you mobile, comfortable and efficient on even the most intense missions.

CamelBak Motherlode Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $201.15 The CamelBak Motherlode Cargo/ Hydration Backpack features 2258 cubic inches of cargo space and a 100 ounce (3 liter) water reservoir. The pack also features an Air Director Back Panel for superior ventilation.

CamelBak Ambush Low-profile Hydration Backpack $94.05 This CamelBak Ambush Low-profile Hydration Backpack holds 102 ounces of liquid and is the perfect pack for shorter missions. The pack optimizes the area on a user's back with a wider platform, shorter torso length and reduced stack weight.

CamelBak H.A.W.G. Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $143.1 The CamelBak H.A.W.G. Cargo/ Hydration Backpack is a favorite of the Navy SEALS. This pack comes in Black or Foliage color options.

CamelBak ThermoBak 3L Hydration Backpack $70.99 The CamelBak ThermoBak 3L Hydration Backpack has been battle-tested by hundreds of thousands of troops worldwide. They pack features a 100 ounce (3 liter) water reservoir.

CamelBak H.A.W.G. Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $148.05 The CamelBak H.A.W.G. Cargo/ Hydration Backpack is a favorite of the Navy SEALS. This pack comes in Army Universal Camo (AUC) and Coyote color options.

CamelBak Motherlode Army Universal Camo (AUC) Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $206.1 The CamelBak Motherlode Cargo/ Hydration Backpack features 2258 cubic inches of cargo space and a 100 ounce (3 liter) water reservoir. The pack also features an Air Director Back Panel for superior ventilation.

CamelBak ThermoBak 3L MultiCam Hydration Backpack $75.94 The CamelBak ThermoBak 3L Hydration Backpack has been battle-tested by hundreds of thousands of troops worldwide. They pack features a 100-ounce (3 liter) water reservoir.

CamelBak Urban Transport Admin/ Travel Hydration Backpack $143.1 The CamelBak Urban Transport Admin/Travel Hydration Backpack is essential when you need to carry water and electronics, but you don't want to short-circuit your technology or risk electric shock. The pack features a separate padded laptop compartment.

CamelBak Ambush Black Low-profile Hydration Backpack $91.8 This CamelBak Ambush Low-profile Hydration Backpack holds 102 ounces of liquid and is the perfect pack for shorter missions. The pack optimizes the area on a user's back with a wider platform, shorter torso length and reduced stack weight.

CamelBak M.U.L.E. MultiCam Cargo/ Hydration Backpack $135.45 The CamelBak M.U.L.E. Cargo/ Hydration Backpack is ideal for short, sharp missions. The pack holds 100 ounces (3 liters) of water and 488 cubic inches (8 liters) of cargo.

CamelBak ThermoBak 3L Army Universal Camo (AUC) Hydration Backpack Kit $78.99 The CamelBak ThermoBak 3L Hydration Backpack features a 100 ounce (3 liter) water reservoir. This hydration kit includes 8 reservoir Cleaning Tabs and 12 Elixir Hydration Drink Tabs in your choice of Berry, Lemon/ Lime or Orange Alert flavors.

CamelBak Sabre 2 Liter Hydration Backpack and Bushnell Backtrack Digital GPS Compass $100.99 This CamelBak Sabre 2 Liter Hydration Backpack includes a Bushnell Backtrack Digital GPS Compass that stores up to three locations and standard features that make it ideal for anywhere you go. The backpack also offers a 70 ounce (2 liter) water reservoir.

MIST HYDRATION BACKPACK $34.99 MIST HYDRATION BACKPACK

CamelBak Watermaster Hydration Backpack $112.24 The CamelBak Watermaster Hydration Backpack is built for the tough jobs, delivering on-the-go hydration. The pack features a 70-ounce (2 liter) OMEGA Water Beast Reservoir.70 ounce (2 liter) OMEGA Water Beast Reservoir Easy-to-fill and clean wide-mouth OMEGA fillport and integrated handle allows you to add iceInsulated multi-layered PureFlow drink tube keeps water tasting fresh with no plastic tastePatented Big Bite Valve: bite and sit to drink with self-sealing medical grade siliconeBite Valve Cover keeps Big Bite Valve clean from dirt and debrisHydroLink Drink PortHydroLock valve provides secure, positive lever-action flow shut-off when not drinking and is easy to use with glovesOne-handed flow controlsHydroGuard Technology inhibits the growth of bacteria on reservoir and tube surfacesInsulation keeps water and beverages either cool or warm for hoursTear-away harness helps prevent accidents while workers are in close proximity to machinery and equipment with moving partsIntegrated cover keeps OMEGA Access Port clean and protectedSternum strap provides immediate torso stability while you're on the moveConvenient strap managementAbyss BluePack weight: 1.3 pounds with empty reservoirDimensions: 17.5 inches long x 10 inches wide x 3 inches deep

Ultimate Direction Diablo Hydration Backpack $94.95 Feature-rich and engineered to move with you, the Diablo Hydration Backpack from Ultimate Direction is the perfect long-distance companion. Its SportVest shoulder harness system fits like a garment, balancing weight distribution, and resulting in a more comfortable fit. With a 96 oz reservoir and 20 oz. kicker bottle there is ample capacity for liquid refreshment.

Everest 18.5-inch Hydration Sling Backpack $56.11 Dont get caught wuthout this hydration backpack from Everest. This backpack gives you ample packing space for your hiking essentials and your hydration pack. Color options: Black, oliveStyle: Sling backbackMultiple zippered compartmentsSide mesh pocket and main zippered compartmentSpace for hydration pack insert behind padded back panel(not included)Padded air mesh sling strapAdjustable waist strapAluminum carabineer attachmentSingle shoulder strap and buckle locking adjustable handle strapStrap measurement: 30-48 inches longMaterials: 600 Denier polyesterDimensions: 18.5 inches high x 13.5 inches wide x 6 inches deepWeight: 1.4 pounds

Backpack $71.99 Cortech Backpack 1680 Denier ballistic nylon construction A built-in, padded helmet house allows for convenient helmet carrying and storage, even if the backpack is full The padded helmet house stores in a hidden pocket when not in use Ergonomic shoulder and waist straps with a mesh padded backing provides ventilation An interior pocket is designed to hold a hydration reservoir or personal media player, with a rubber gate to pass sip tubes or cords to the exterior Dependable Duraflex buckles, toggles, hydration guides and attachments throughout TPR zipper pulls for ease of use, even with gloves on Reflective Cortech logos by 3M

Coleman Max 8L Lightweight Hydration Backpack with 2L Hydration Bladder Green $39.99 The Coleman Max hydration backpack is perfect for those short day hikes. Keeps your favorite beverage handy and allows for extra storage.Perfect for hiking, backpacking, sporting events, or field trips-Easy Access,slide lock 2L Hydration bladder with microban anti-microbial treated bite valve.-Zippered storage compartment with organization-Cool airflow shoulder strap design-Side compression straps help stabilize load-Adjustable sternum strap-dimensions with empty bladder: 16"x9"x1"You may choose from the 2 colors available - Green/Lime or Red/Black Color: Multi-Color

Coleman Max 8L Lightweight Hydration Backpack with 2L Hydration Bladder Red $39.99 The Coleman Max hydration backpack is perfect for those short day hikes. Keeps your favorite beverage handy and allows for extra storage.Perfect for hiking, backpacking, sporting events, or field trips-Easy Access,slide lock 2L Hydration bladder with microban anti-microbial treated bite valve.-Zippered storage compartment with organization-Cool airflow shoulder strap design-Side compression straps help stabilize load-Adjustable sternum strap-dimensions with empty bladder: 16"x9"x1"You may choose from the 2 colors available - Green/Lime or Red/Black Color: Multi-Color

camelbak-Motherlode Hydration Pack 2100 cubic Inches