Backpacking Tips for your Soul!

Backpacking is a fun and refreshing activity that can be fun for the whole family! You may be near the Mountains or in your back yard! No matter where you are it can be a great experience.

There are two types of backpacks, external and internal framed! Each pack has its own advantages and disadvantages! The internal frame is great for hiking through heavy vegetation because it is protected from being snagged!

A lot of people think that the external frame sits more comfortable on the back! It honestly really depends on how you built though! One thing that an external frame will do is trap more heat and sweat when your hiking!
The external frames are wider and allow for more space to hold things! They also sit further off the back giving more room for breathing, that'll keep you cool!


Here are some are some great Hiking tips for you!


1. Try not to carry very much weight! Not only will it Hurt you and wear you out, it is dangerous. Try to find clothes that are light and will dry fast also! Try to stay away from cottons and try to wear Polyprop or something like it! It is super light and dries out very quick. The best thing to do is go buy the lightest gear that you can get! When you are hiking always put the heavier weight up toward the top so that it balances out more.
2. Carry a little med kit with you and be sure to carry a lightweight knife also!

3. Carry your water in the lightest thing you can! I prefer bottled water and there are a few companies making very light bottles for conserving the environment. You need to also carry a good amount of dried food! I like to go to Wally World and get the dried Fruit packs! They are full of Energy and donÕt weigh very much.


4. Keeping you gear dry can be tough to do if you are on a long hike! I have heard of a few things that can be done to help keep the wet out! I have heard of lining the pack with plastic! It works ok but not the best solution. I knew this one guy that used Wax! He melted it all over his pack and said it worked great! I guess if you have an old pack or you think the purpose is more important than looks. They also sell some different kind of sealants that work great!

5. For cooking there are some great products out now that get the job done fast and easy! It is always safer not to build a fire if you don't have to! But if you do here are a few tips. Bring Matches as well a lighter! You should not have a problem finding dry wood and leaves if you look in the right places. Try to find a cave or overhang if thing are wet! It really is hard to get wet wood going. What I always do is build a little pyramid around the fire with the wet wood; the heat dries it out over time. Remember to put out your fire completely before you leave you site! If you can't find water rake a lot of dirt and cover it as well as you can.

6. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather. When it is very cold out it is essential to wear headgear! It will save you life! Most body heat is lost through the head, so keep it warm.

7. Be sure to wear some ankle supporting boots! Finding the right boot can be tricky! You want to make sure your foot fits nice and snug and not have too much room to play. I bought some waterproof boots awhile back and discovered that they were waterproof both ways. They didnÕt breath at all, but they do keep the water out! So there is a fine balance in finding the right boot.

8. Always carry a map and compass they can save you life! A GPS device is great to carry and a cell phone as well! They make some great waterproof cases at Wally world very cheap! Be sure to study the area that you are going so you know what you are expecting! I have been hiking in the Smoky Mountains and was overwhelmed by how many miles of trees there were and how they all looked the same!

9. Always hike with someone else! Never hike alone and if you do let someone know where you're hiking and when youÕre coming back!