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Back country hiking requires a lot of knowledge and skills to be learnt, but if they are achieved, then your trip will not only be safe, but enjoyable for you and everyone else. One of the most important, yet basic things to remember is proper packing. The weight in your backpack should be evenly distributed. The heaviest stuff should be at the bottom, for example, the stove, pots, pans, fuel, etc. In the middle, can be the food, sealed properly. Your boots can also be packed in the middle. Something to know is that ANYTHING that should not or cannot get wet, should be stored inside a garbage bag to insure that water wont get into it. At the top can be your bag of clothes (in a garbage bag). Your sleeping bag and insulate pad can be rolled inside garbage bags and tied to either side of your pack. When traveling in a group, things such as stoves, pots, and fuel should be divided equally among hikers. Now lets talk about clothing. You must be prepared for ALL types of weather. Remember to have all the layers covered; the wicker layer which is to take the moisture away from your body, the insulate layer which is to prevent heat from leaving your body, and to keep it close so you can keep warm, and the outer shell, which keeps the elements such as wind, rain, or cold from getting at you. When planning for a 3 day, 2 night camping trip, you should have enough clothing to last you for the total trip, with a little extra just in case. Here is a basic guide for what to bring. Change of underwear Wool socks (2) Light socks (2) Long underwear, top and bottom Long pants or sweats (2) NO JEANS* Long sleeved shirt (2) A few T-shirts Thick sweater Warm Jacket ( a 3-in-1 would be good) Toque, Mitts, Gloves Runners Hiking boots Rain Jacket (shell) *Jeans should never be worn while hiking, because once they get wet, they become VERY cold and VERY heavy, and take forever to dry.
Approximate Word count = 1149
Approximate Pages = 4.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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