Tips For Trips Into The Backcountry

September 27, 2009 · Filed Under Camping 

4 Tips For Backcountry Hiking Success

Going hiking into the wilderness for a couple of days can be good for revitalizing yourself and finding time for peace and quiet. 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. Picking The Right Equipment For Your Trip

Taking the correct equipment with you will make for a much more enjoyable 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 spacious enough for both of you and your gear. This is especially true if your hiking companion is very tall or rather large. If you are going on a solo backpacking trip, then a 2 person tent will be enough room for you and your gear.

Having a warm sleeping bag is a necessity that should not be overlooked. You never know what the weather may do, even if you checked it before leaving. Often the temperatures can plummet at night or a storm can blow in from no where. 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, a change of clothes, and items to handle sanitation.

2. Place Your Two Man Tent In The Correct Location

Many times a person can have a miserable camping experience because they placed their tent in the wrong spot. By setting up your tent on a high and level area you will be able to sleep better knowing that you will not wake up soaked from runoff from a sudden storm. You should never put your tent close to a fire. Small sparks can jump from the fire and burn holes in the tent or even burn it down completely. Always set up your tent with the door facing away from the morning sun. You don’t want the morning sun glaring in and waking you or blinding you 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. The Correct Storage Of Food

Having food is almost as important as your shelter. If you don’t keep it stored right, it could spoil, or become infested with bugs. Use air tight containers for food to keep animals from smelling it and invading your campsite. Find a cool place to store your perishables like fruits, vegetables and breads. Be sure to keep your food away from your camp site to avoid attracting any roaming animals that may pass through at night. Another caveat is to never eat in your tent. Any crumbs will attract small animals into your tent.

4. Pack Up Carefully

Carefully packing for your trip can help you to avoid a lot of problems later. Packing your two man tent, sleeping bag, clothes, and camping gear into a backpack is a science of its own. Proper technique will keep you load even and not strain your back while at the same time keeping it light enough that you can carry everything you need.

However, packing up after your trip is also very important. 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. Always carefully clean your tent and all your camping gear. 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 camping experiences.

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