| A backpacking checklist is usually about the "stuff." | | | | your food to a bear.6. Walking. If you pace yourself |
| Good equipment is nice to have, but even with the | | | | and learn how to move comfortably over rocky |
| best gear you can get into trouble in the wilderness. | | | | terrain, you'll be less tired, and less likely to twist an |
| You might have matches and the latest fire starters, | | | | ankle. Tighten those laces, too.7. Understanding |
| but still not be able to get that fire going. It takes | | | | animals. Is the bear "bluff charging" or stalking you? |
| more than good gear to assure a safe and enjoyable | | | | The latter means you'll be the bear's supper if you |
| trip. Towards that end, then, this is a list of skills you | | | | play dead. A clue: making a lot of noise usually means |
| should have or learn.1. Navigation. Contrary to what | | | | he just wants to frighten you (a "bluff charge"), but |
| many novices think, a compass doesn't tell you | | | | you need to read up on this one.8. Sky reading. Are |
| where you are. For that matter, a map doesn't | | | | those just clouds, or a lightning storm coming? It |
| either, if you don't know how to use it. Practice close | | | | would be good to know when you're on a high ridge. |
| to home if you can't yet use both of these easily. Do | | | | In the rockies, afternoon thunderstorms are the |
| the same with your GPS unit.2. Staying warm. There | | | | norm in summer. Learn about the weather patterns |
| are tricks to staying warm. Shed layers as you get | | | | of an area, and the basics of predicting weather, and |
| warm, for example, so you don't have sweat to chill | | | | you'll be a lot safer.9. Basic first aid. What are the |
| you later. Use wind-blocking shell clothing, and wear a | | | | symptoms of hypothermia? Stumbling and slurred |
| hat. Eating fatty foods before sleeping can keep you | | | | speech are a couple of them. How do you properly |
| warmer.3. Pitching a tent. Pitch your tent or tarp | | | | treat blisters? You can use duct tape if you don't |
| wrong and the rain will come in, or the wind will tear | | | | have moleskin. These and other basics are good |
| the seams. They need to be pitched tight, and you | | | | things to know.10. Firemaking. Start practicing in your |
| should be able to do it in a few minutes. Practice in | | | | yard. Try to start that fire with one match. Also try |
| the yard.4. Cooking over a fire. Making soup over a | | | | it the next time it's raining. Get in the habit of |
| small fire is not as easy as it seems. Cover the pan, | | | | collecting dry tinder before the rain comes. Learn |
| block the wind, and keep the fire small and | | | | what things burn even when wet, like birch bark and |
| concentrated. Time yourself when you practice. You | | | | pine sap.This last one can be one of the more |
| don't have to rush normally, but speed can be | | | | important skills in an emergency. Experts can start a |
| important in some situations, and it's always possible | | | | fire in almost any circumstances, but you don't need |
| your stove will break.5. Identifying edible plants. | | | | to be an expert in wilderness survival to enjoy a safe |
| Learning to identify three or four wild edible berries | | | | hiking trip. For a safer, more enjoyable trip, just do |
| can make a trip more enjoyable. Learning to identify | | | | the best you can, and start checking off the skills on |
| cattails and one or two other good survival food | | | | this backpacking checklist.Steve Gillman is a long-time |
| plants can be very helpful, especially if you ever lose | | | | advocate of lightweight backpacking. |