Camping and Hiking

Hiking will inevitably take you away from populated areas as you take a journey into the wildness or backwoods to appreciate nature.  Getting out into the wild areas is great, especially if you live in a city, or even the suburbs, and allows you to get away from the noise and congestion of modern life.  Those who are planning a camping trip, even a short one, will have to take along gear that will make the outing comfortable and safe.  However, even if you are only planning a hiking trip of less than a day, you would be well advised to take along a 72 Kit that will help you to survive any unexpected emergencies.  Getting lost is easier than you may think, even if you are hiking along well marked trails – a side trip to look at something special, or chasing your dog who has taken off after a squirrel can all cause you to lose your sense of direction.

Purified water is the only water you should drink while in the woods.  Even though the water in a stream or lake may look clear, it can contain any number of harmful pathogens.  Animal waste products and dead animals can contribute giardia, protozoa, cysts, and bacteria that can cause serious gastrointestinal upsets.  Having water purifying tablets, a filter straw, or a LifePack Water Filter along with you can assure you of a safe drink wherever you are.

Emergency food will also be included in your kit, in the form of granola bars, dehydrated or freeze-dried food, or emergency rations such as MayDay Bars. These emergency supplies will help to keep your energy levels high.  These emergency rations are easy to carry along and most will supply complete daily nutrition and calories.

Emergency blankets will help to keep you warm should you need to spend a night in the woods unexpectedly.  These blankets come in a packet about the size of a deck of cards and can not only help to keep you warm, but will keep you dry should you be caught in the rain.  If an emergency tent is also in your 72 Kit, you will be able to construct a simple shelter.

Heat will be needed if you are going to be in the backwoods longer than anticipated.  While a folding emergency stove can be used primarily to heat up freeze-dried meals, it will also throw a little heat.  However, if you do find yourself stuck in the forest for a day or so, having the means to be able to light either a fire or your stove will be important.  You can carry waterproof matches or carry a fire-starter, which is generally considered to be more dependable. 

Light should not only include a flashlight (although I recommend having two in the kit) and some light sticks.  The latter will burn for up to 12 hours once activated and make an excellent signal at night. 

Signaling for help can be done in a number of ways – with a mirror, flashlight or light stick at night, with fire (the blaze itself at night, and smoke during the day), or a whistle.  The sound of a whistle is very penetrating, and will carry much farther than will the human voice.

Bear spray is a very good idea when you are going camping or hiking anywhere that you can meet large animals such as bears, wolves, bob cats, or cougars.  The best kind to get is one based on pepper spray; it is better at stopping an attacker than Mace or Tazers.  You should also bear in mind that many herbivores can be dangerous when defending their young or during the seasonal rut.