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Backpacking is a term used to describe a low-cost, independent international travel. Whether it's traveling on foot, --though one may occasionally hitchhike, depending on how long the trip is, --carrying all necessities in a backpack, for multiple days or longer at a time. This gear must include food, water and shelter, or the means to obtain them and very little else. Many backpacking trips last a night or two but long-distance trips may go on for weeks or months at a time. In areas of regular backpacking traffic, there are typically many hike-in camps available to backpackers to stay the night in before continuing on in the morning. Some of these areas even give access to lodging for backpackers. Examples of this are "bothies", --which are basically shelters, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use without charge, --in Great Britain which provide simple and free accommodation. Many remote areas have no established areas for backpackers and the travelers must choose appropriate resting areas themselves. A rule of thumb followed by most backpackers is to purposely "Leave No Trace". That is to avoid impacting the land through which they are traveling, leaving no trash, or campfire marks, and so on. This would include following established trails wherever possible. Backpacking is an excellent opportunity to explore places which cannot be accessed in any other way and to increase wilderness awareness. It is easy for a backpacker to travel deep into remote areas away from other people to see incredible views that can take one's breath away. Backpackers face many risks including poor weather, river crossings, wildlife and challenging terrain. They must be on alert for dehydration, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, injury, altitude sickness and other illnesses. Since backpackers must carry their gear with them at all times, it is important that only the bare necessities are packed and these must be as lightweight as possible. The most essential item to bring along is a backpacking map of the specified desintation. A great new way to plan a backpacking trip is to actually store the coordinates of your route stages in a GPS device. GPS is a satellite based navigation system which displays your location in latitude and longitude as well as your position on your backpacking map. With ease you can get the direction and distance to any of your stored coordinates. With this kind of modern device, navigation can be a breeze. Many GPS devices also allow the user to download backpacking maps and trail maps directly online. Also, when it comes to a backpacking GPS device, its battery life must be lengthy. If a backpacker were to become lost the GPS device would most likely be required to remain active for a long time. Another must-have in a backpacking GPS device is that its water-proof, as changes in weather conditions are typical and you don't want your GPS unit to become damaged while you're out in the wilderness. The device must be able to store at least twenty maps at any given moment, and have compass capabilities. Camping is an outdoor recreational activity used by people to escape from their homes, civilization, and just enjoy nature, usually at a campsite. Camping can involve the use of a tent, trailer or no shelter at all. People who love camping often enjoy other activities in conjunction with camping such as canoeing, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, hiking and climbing. Campers range in age and ability and so campsites are designed in many ways. Many campgrounds are equipped with facilities such as laundry, bathrooms, utilities, fire rings, or, a campsite may just be a patch of dirt, --for those who prefer to really "rough it", and forego all the conveniences of life at home. These minimalist campsites tend to be less costly than campsites with full utilities available and most allow direct car access to the site. Walk-in sites may lie only a short walk away from the nearest road. Those seeking a more rugged experience may choose to camp with only a tent, or "under the stars" with no shelter. Popular items usually brought on a camping trip are boats, canoes, and touring bicycles. GPS devices may be a necessity when camping, especially when camping at "walk-in" sites, such as those located off a hiking trail. When looking for a GPS device for the use of camping it is important that it is a 12-channel device. They can connect to more than one satellite at a time which is critical when you are in an area where reception may be problematic such as under trees, in the mountains, etc. It is also essential that the GPS device is waterproof as it will be used outdoors. Accuterra provides superb campground maps for your outdoor excursions! Walking and Hiking are great sources of exercise for the body, and a great way to enjoy the outdoor. Hiking generally means walking for long distances, not just a trip around the block. Though, some hiking trips can be short of course – a short hike could be a nature trail in a campground less than a mile long, while others can take days. Hiking is one of the most basic outdoor pastimes on which many others are based. There are many beautiful places in the world that may only be reached overland by hiking and is considered by many to be the best way to see nature. Long-distance hiking or hiking over difficult terrain demands physical ability and knowledge. However, hiking can be dangerous, and there are personal safety threats such as getting lost, poor weather, and hazardous terrain. In order to help minimise these threats it is a good idea for a hiker to always carry a few essentials such as sunscreen, first aid kit, a trail map, as well as a GPS device to help navigate. Used in conjunction with a hiking trail map, a GPS device can be very valuable to hikers to help determine their position on the trail. Other popular outdoor activities similar to hiking in that they allow you to see remote areas include snowmobiling, off-roading and mountain biking. These activities when combined with the use of GPS devices and snowmobile maps, off-road maps or biking maps can be fun and safe. |
