Posts filed under 'Backpacking'
May 3rd, 2007
spryken
I always try to do my due diligence before buying new gear. I read the magazines, talk with friends and search the Internet. I even belong to a couple of Backpacking forums. I try to leave no stone unturned.
I had found a great site and then promptly forgot it. I don’t even remember what I was researching (sigh). But I ran across it again. BackpackGearTest.org It has a wide variety of gear reviews done by owners of the equipment and by testers. The reviews by testers are detailed; including an Initial Report, a Field Report and a Long Term Report. The testers really give the gear a good going over and repeated tests. Multiple testers review the same equipment, giving a better overall view of the gear in question.
I have found it to be a good resource. Check it out!!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Gear
May 2nd, 2007
spryken
Previously, I had posted a series of 5 articles on Water Treatment. Since that time, I have discovered (thanks to Glenn at Scoutmaster Blog) the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine a site where they review commercially available water treatment options. They tested for bacteria, viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium using both mechanical (filtration) and chemical options.
Based on their findings, I need to review and update my recommendations.
First, let’s look at the Chemical options.
The only chemical treatment option that effectively treated all 4 pathogens was the Katadyn Micropur tablets. All of the other chemical options had trouble with Crypto and Giardia. One of the treatment options that I was thinking of getting was the Steripen UV treatment, it rated lowest for all 4 pathogens. The other “new” technology that I was looking at was the MSR MIOX purifier. It did well for bacteria, viruses and Giardia but not Crypto. Based on cost ,ease of use and effectiveness, the Katadyn Micropur tablets get my nod for the recommended chemical treatment option. We used them on our Philmont trek in 2005 and I noticed no chemical taste. Prefiltering is recommended to remove the “floaties”.
Now let’s look at the filters. The only filter tested that equaled the Katadyn Micropur tablets in effectiveness was the MSR Sweetwater Purifier. There were other MSR filters that did not do as well, be sure you look for the Purifier. The MSR Sweetwater Microfilter failed for viruses.
Katadyn had 2 filters that were effective against bacteria, viruses and Giardia and were also acceptable against Crypto: The Exstream Water Bottle and the Exstream XR Water Bottle.
HTI and GenCol had several filters that were acceptable for all 4, see the website for details
From my previous posts, the issue I have with filters is that you have to keep them cleaned and maintained properly in order to get optimal results. Once contaminated on a trek, you have no water treatment options other than boiling unless you carry additional weight and treatment options.
My recommendation:
For price and effectiveness - Katadyn Micropur tablets
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Gear
May 1st, 2007
spryken
My Troop is planning a 50 mile combination Backpack/canoe trip in June. We will be hiking approximately 34 mile on the Appalachian Trial, from Clingsman Dome to Fontana Dam, then canoeing on Fontana Lake. In preparation for this trip, I have been trying to walk 3 miles at lunch most days. Yesterday, I hiked the Loblolly trail in Raleigh, NC. It is approximately 6.5 miles long.
The Loblolly trail is a bit unusual in that it crosses 3 different jurisdictions, William B Umstead State Park, Schenck Forest (NCSU) and the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Greenway system. Each section is reserved for hiking with bicycles, motorized vehicles and horses prohibited. One end of the trail is in the State Park and the other in the parking lot of the RBC Center, where the Carolina Hurricanes play hockey.
I started in the State Park. There the trail travels through forest, up and down to cross Richlands Creek. This section is the most strenuous, but is still only moderately strenuous. Most hikers would have not trouble at all. It travels 2 1/2 to 3 miles in the State Park.
The trail then crosses into Schenck Forest, a research forest for the Department of Forestry at NC State University. The trail follows Richlands Creek. While the trial in Umstead State Park is wide and appears well traveled, here it is narrower and looks less used. Following the creek more closely, the trail is more grassy and ticks are a concern. The trail circles a small lake and there is one of the few signs of civilization. There is a neighborhood that backs up to the lake.
Leaving Schenck Forest, I traveled through a tunnel under Wade Avenue. The trail is now part of the Raleigh Parks Greenway. This section is only about 1/2 mile long and travels along Richlands Creek. More grassy fields and even traveling. I crossed another tunnel under Edwards Mill Rd and up a hill into the parking lot of the RBC Center. All total 1 hour 50 minutes to travel 6.4 miles according to my GPS.
Wildlife spotted:
- 2 black snakes
- 1 copperhead
- 1 egret
- small herd of deer
- 1 red fox
This is all in a “civilized” area!!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
January 8th, 2007
spryken
Most people are aware of common dangers associated with winter sports. You know injuries due to slipping on wet and frozen surfaces, frostbite, hypothermia, etc.
These are all serious dangers and precautions should be taken to prevent or avoid them. But what about dehydration? Backpacking is still an aerobic exercise. It is strenuous. You may not realize how much moisture you are losing. Besides what you sweat out and the many layers of wick-away fabric absorb, you are also losing moisture with every breath you take. Do you see your breath? That is precious body moisture slipping away.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include:
- dark urine
- nausea or loss of appetite
- irritability
- thirst
Symptoms of moderate dehydration include:
- headache
- dizziness
- labored breathing
- tingling in the extremities
- lack of salivation - (no spit)
- cyanosis (bluish or grayish skin color)
Symptoms of severe dehydration include:
- swollen tongue
- dimming vision and impaired hearing
- shriveled or numb skin
- painful urination
- delirium
- unconsciousness
How can you treat dehydration? Drink liquids and keep warm. The best treatment is to never let it happen! You may not feel thirsty, drink anyway. Some people like the “sports drinks”. I like water. I think the sports drinks are sugary and am not convinced the aid in preventing dehydration any better than water. I bring along salty snacks to stimulate thirst. And as most backpackers, I graze all day on the trail.
Using a hydration system, such as the Platypus, you can drink water without having to pull out a water bottle or drop your pack. I like the Platypus system because the plastic “bottles” are extremely light weight and you can roll them up or fold them when empty. Most traditional packs now include a hydration pocket with openings for the drink tube.
Drinking water is the key to avoiding dehydration. However, you have to be able to get the water. In cold weather the drinking tubes of hydration systems can get blocked by the very water they carry, that is ICE. I keep my water in my tent where body heat can keep it thawed. If it is extremely cold, I keep it in my sleeping bag. I had a scout on a winter 50-miler, who learned this lesson the hard way. It had gotten down to 13 degrees F and he had left his water outside his tent. Unfortunately for him, he did not tell anyone that he could not get any water from the drinking tubes. He had severe leg cramps by the end of the days hike. He is a tough guy and made it through. Lesson learned!! He is now my biggest advocate for staying hydrated.
It is easy to think “I need to drink some water, stay hydrated” in the summer when you are coated with sweat and really hot. It is not so easy in the winter. Dehydration is still a very real danger though. Keep drinking, even if you aren’t thirsty. The guideline is 8-12 glasses (8 ounce) of water a day. While backpacking or doing any strenuous activity, you need to increase that amount.
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December 11th, 2006
spryken
Crow, at As The Crow Flies, has posted an article listing the items carried in a backpacking wallet. One of the items was a “data card”. Included on the data card:
phone card number and pin, phone numbers of people I want to call, and
phone numbers of outfitters that I might have to order replacement gear
from, and my bank’s phone number
While I think these are good things to have on the data card, I would also include emergency contact numbers and any existing medical conditions.
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