Camping and Hiking

As the weather gets warmer, and the kids slowly get out of school, people begin to pack their backpacks  and lace up their hiking boots.  It's time to go camping! Lock up the house, say goodbye to air conditioning, and put the "Gone Fishing" sign on the door. 

Where to go camping or hiking

The first thing you'll need is to know where you are going, unless wandering aimlessly in the woods is your thing (which should only be done by experienced campers with proper equipment  and food supplies). Here are some ideas for where to go camping or hiking.

• Your own backyard: If you live in a suburban or rural environment, often times the backyard is a great place to camp out or go hiking (if you have an especially large and wooded backyard). Kids who may be too young to handle camping without a nearby bathroom or their trusty nightlight  would be better off camping out in their backyard. Try building a small campfire and roasting marshmallows with your children, or tell scary (but not too scary!) ghost stories.
• A local or state park: Often times local parks allow camping. There are usually signs posted at the parks that specify if camping is allowed. Usually, during the summer months, the parks that allow camping are easy to spot: they're the parks with hundreds of tents  pitched already!
• National parks, hiking trails, or mountains: Feeling adventurous? Try taking a trip to popular national hiking and camping spots, such as Palmetto Trail in Charleston, South Carolina.
• Global backpacking: If you have the means, try trekking the globe! Backpack across Europe, see the Great Wall, and go to the outdoor markets in India.

How to Plan Your Hike

• Analyze the terrain you will be hiking on. Is it too difficult for your hiking skill level? It's better to do trails you are comfortable with if you are just starting out than to push yourself to master really difficult terrains. Find out as much about the trail, route, and terrain before you go. Ask local authorities how the trails are affected by seasons and weather conditions. Analyze a recent map  of your route. Don't make the mistake of calculating distance based on a 2-D map! A mile long trail could take you days if the terrain and weather conditions are terrible, while a ten mile long trail could be enjoyable and refreshing if it is flat and well maintained.
• Don't take the weather for granted. Find out the forecast for that area. Call local authorities and ask for any information on how the trails are affected by weather conditions. Remember, in most cases the temperature decreases with altitude. Pay close attention to the sky as you hike. Take note of any clouds or colour changes in the sky. Bring a barometer and check for changes in pressure. Tingling on your hairs or skin can mean a lightening storm is headed your way! Keeping a battery powered radio  on hand (with spare batteries ) is a good way to stay up to date with any sudden weather changes.
• Pack lightly. Pack as light as possible, but take as much water as you can. You'll need at least 3-4 liters a day. Food will be another 1.5-2 pounds.
• Everything is related. What this means is that you can't just randomly assign lengths of trips to trails that you don't know. If you'll be handling easy terrain, easy weather conditions, and you've gone hiking before, an eight day trip is realistic. However, don't expect to last eight days on freezing cold, stormy, rocky terrain if you are a beginner. Plan your packing around what sort of terrain and weather conditions you are likely to encounter. Longer trips are generally harder to do as they require more food and water rations, so if you aren't ready to carry extremely heavy bags while walking or climbing rocks for over a week, don't try it.
• Always let someone know where you are. Beginners should go hiking in a group or with an instructor. For longer trips, leave a trusted friend or family member with the location you plan on reaching each day. In case you get lost or the worst happens, this will make it easier for help to reach you.

Related Products

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External Links

• Backpacker-- A magazine dedicated to bringing you information on hiking and camping destinations, equipment, and activities.
• ABC of Hiking-- Contains information on how to start hiking and camping.
• American Red Cross-- Important safety information for hiking and camping.
• Knowledge Hound-- Information on camping and hiking with kids and pets, along with basic camping and hiking tips.