Comments on: Questions & Answers on Hiking – Backpacking – Trekking & Walking http://www.tripadventure.org/blog/questions-answers-on-hiking/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:35:06 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Lois http://www.tripadventure.org/blog/questions-answers-on-hiking/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Lois Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:39:13 +0000 http://www.mandalatrek.com/blog/2008/01/03/questions-answers-on-hiking/#comment-37 Hi, You have developed a good and helpful list. You might consider adding more information about socks for hiking, because there are now many good choices , especially from Smartwool and Thorlo. Others thoughts include more information about a new GPS and personal messenger (the Spot Satellite Messenger), more information about water carriers, such as CamelBaks, and water sterilizers including the Steri-Pen. Here are some links to the points suggest above: Smartwool: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/equipmentsuppliesgifts/fr/SmartWool.htm Spot Satellite Messenger: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/equipmentsuppliesgifts/qt/SpotMessenger.htm SteriPen: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/survivingadventuretravel/gr/SteriPen.htm CamelBaks: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/bicyclingtouringmountain/gr/camelbak.htm Lois About.com's adventure travel guide Hi,

You have developed a good and helpful list. You might consider adding more information about socks for hiking, because there are now many good choices , especially from Smartwool and Thorlo. Others thoughts include more information about a new GPS and personal messenger (the Spot Satellite Messenger), more information about water carriers, such as CamelBaks, and water sterilizers including the Steri-Pen.

Here are some links to the points suggest above:

Smartwool: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/equipmentsuppliesgifts/fr/SmartWool.htm

Spot Satellite Messenger: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/equipmentsuppliesgifts/qt/SpotMessenger.htm

SteriPen: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/survivingadventuretravel/gr/SteriPen.htm

CamelBaks: http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/bicyclingtouringmountain/gr/camelbak.htm

Lois

About.com’s adventure travel guide

]]> By: Jamie A. http://www.tripadventure.org/blog/questions-answers-on-hiking/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Jamie A. Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:03:37 +0000 http://www.mandalatrek.com/blog/2008/01/03/questions-answers-on-hiking/#comment-36 Weight Distribution The only things that I can comment on, or have something to add, is with 'packing your pack' and 'training'. I took a class in university on trekking (believe it or not!) and I found the advice very helpful about packing, with great emphasis on even weight distribution, with the 'base' of the weight as low as possible, as when something heavy, say, a stove, or fuel, is higher in the pack, it creates pressure, or strains the back. Itinerary and Water.....2 Essentials Also, when organizing a hike, at least in North America, it's always a good idea to leave an itinerary with friends. So, if somethings goes awry, it won't go unnoticed. I try to make sure I have a water source mapped out, as well as packed water in advance, when trekking in arid regions, such as the American Southwest (Arches National Park, for example). Or, when traveling in pairs, one person would carry tent,food,stove, etc....while the other person carried 2-3 gallons of water. Layering Clothing I've found from personal experience, that it is best to layer clothing, limiting clothes to those which allow your body to 'breathe'. Neoprene, thermal long underwear as a base, used with a 'shell' gore-tex jacket for inclement weather, such as rain or snow. I save space by packing two pairs of socks, a heavy and light pair, using them as gloves as well. I usually skimp on clothing if I am making a longer, multi-day trek, saving space for more food! Another thing, try to avoid cotton shirts, as they absorb moisture, and are less than ideal in winter conditions. Well, that's about it!. On a personal note, I'm moving to Bulgaria sometime next year, and cannot wait to go trekking in Europe. I've done a great deal of trekking already in 'the Americas'....Keep up the good work with your blog!! All the best, Jamie Weight Distribution
The only things that I can comment on, or have something to add, is with ‘packing your pack’ and ‘training’. I took a class in university on trekking (believe it or not!) and I found the advice very helpful about packing, with great emphasis on even weight distribution, with the ‘base’ of the weight as low as possible, as when something heavy, say, a stove, or fuel, is higher in the pack, it creates pressure, or strains the back.

Itinerary and Water…..2 Essentials
Also, when organizing a hike, at least in North America, it’s always a good idea to leave an itinerary with friends. So, if somethings goes awry, it won’t go unnoticed. I try to make sure I have a water source mapped out, as well as packed water in advance, when trekking in arid regions, such as the American Southwest (Arches National Park, for example). Or, when traveling in pairs, one person would carry tent,food,stove, etc….while the other person carried 2-3 gallons of water.

Layering Clothing
I’ve found from personal experience, that it is best to layer clothing, limiting clothes to those which allow your body to ‘breathe’. Neoprene, thermal long underwear as a base, used with a ’shell’ gore-tex jacket for inclement weather, such as rain or snow. I save space by packing two pairs of socks, a heavy and light pair, using them as gloves as well. I usually skimp on clothing if I am making a longer, multi-day trek, saving space for more food! Another thing, try to avoid cotton shirts, as they absorb moisture, and are less than ideal in winter conditions.

Well, that’s about it!. On a personal note, I’m moving to Bulgaria sometime next year, and cannot wait to go trekking in Europe. I’ve done a great deal of trekking already in ‘the Americas’….Keep up the good work with your blog!! All the best, Jamie

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