Although lightning is a common and spectacular weather phenomenon – the power is extraordinary. I was reminded of its awesome power when a storm suddenly formed while hiking the summit of the Mount Mitchell mountain range. Luckily, I quickly descended to lower ground and took cover before the cloudburst was released. Within a few minutes of descending, the jagged bolts rapidly lit up the sky. We later learned that a nearby backpacker was struck and killed that same day. The following week, a 20’ tree branch collapsed in a strike and missed my head by a few seconds. Storms can […]
Backpacking Tips
68 posts
Many hikers rely on GPS equipment for navigation in the wilderness rather than a compass and physical map. If something goes wrong with your device, it is prudent to know how to apply the necessary navigational skills. Using the sun is the most fundamental lesson in navigation. Roughly speaking, the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. Using the Sun for Navigation The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. The earth spins towards the east, which means all the planets, the sun, moon, and […]
That cold fast moving clear mountain spring appears pristine to the naked eye, but microscopic organisms are thriving in its water by the millions. If ingested, some of these microorganisms can cause severe gastrointestinal infections resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. Two such common microorganisms you might encounter in wilderness waters are Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Here we discuss why you should always treat wilderness water and the type of treatment method you should use based on your location. Biologically Contaminated Water Biologically contaminated water is water that contains microorganisms such as protozoa, bacteria, or viruses that can lead to gastrointestinal infections. These […]
When you get overheated and sweat, your skin appears pinkish because the capillaries open up near the skin and release water and salts. As the sweat evaporates, it transfers internal heat from the core to the surface of your skin for rapid cooling. The blood near the skin’s surface becomes cooler as it releases your body’s heat into the air. This cooler blood then recirculates through the body. The perspiration and evaporation process is the primary method used by the body to cool itself down; however, it is effective when sweat can evaporate. The rate at which water or sweat evaporates depends […]
If you are planning to travel to the United States to go backpacking, you might be wondering what items you can bring with you. We’ll cover what backpacking gear is permitted in your carry-on and checked luggage so you can quickly get through U.S. customs without a problem. Backpacking Food & U.S. Customs Generally, the U.S. allows entry of processed food that is shelf-stable and free of pests – this includes dehydrated, freeze-dried, roasted, baked, cured, and candied food. All food must be commercially labeled (with an ingredient statement in English) and unopened in its original packaging. Meat and animal […]