| Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a | | | | food to a bear. |
| disaster - even though you brought everything you | | | | 6. Learn how to walk. Learning how to pace yourself |
| needed? Maybe you had matches, but couldn't get | | | | and how to move comfortably over rocky terrain |
| that fire going. You need more than good gear to | | | | means you'll be less tired, and less likely to twist an |
| assure a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience. | | | | ankle. |
| You need to know how to do a few things, and the | | | | 7. Learn about animals. Can you tell if a bear is "bluff |
| following list will get you started. | | | | charging" or stalking you? If it's the latter, playing dead |
| 1. Learn firemaking. Practice in your yard if you have to, | | | | will make you a bear's supper. Hint: lots of noise usually |
| but try to start that fire with one match. Try it the next | | | | means he just wants to frighten you, but you need to |
| time it's raining too. | | | | read up on this one. |
| 2. Learn to pitch a tent. Do it wrong and the rain will | | | | 8. Learn to watch the sky. Is that a lightning storm |
| come in, or the the wind will tear the seams. Tents | | | | coming or not? It might be useful to know when you're |
| should be pitched tight, and you should be able to set | | | | on that ridge. Learn the basics of predicting weather, |
| your tent up in a few minutes. | | | | and you'll be a lot safer. |
| 3. Learn how to stay warm. Practice camping in the | | | | 9. Learn basic first aid. Can you recognize the |
| yard, to see how blocking the wind, wearing a hat, and | | | | symptoms of hypothermia? Do you know how to |
| eating fatty foods before sleeping can keep you | | | | properly treat blisters? Good things to know. |
| warmer. | | | | 10. Learn navigation. Maps don't help if you don't know |
| 4. Learn to cook over a fire. It's not as easy as it | | | | how to use them. The same is true for compasses |
| seems. Block the wind, cover the pan, keep the fire | | | | You don't need to be an expert in wilderness survival |
| small and concentrated. Practice, and time yourself. | | | | to enjoy a safe hiking trip. It can help to know a little |
| Faster is better in a jam, and it's always possible your | | | | more though. Use the backpacking skills list above, and |
| stove will break. | | | | learn something new. |
| 5. Learn about edible plants. Knowing how to identify | | | | Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate |
| cattails and three or four wild edible berries can make | | | | of ultralight backpacking. |
| a trip more enjoyable, especially if you ever lose your | | | | |