Backpacking Tips:
How to Prepare & Pack for
Hikes Beginner Backpacking Made
Easy
In this award-winning guide, Backpacking Expert Chris Townsend has the low-down
on what you must know before you ever leave for your backpacking trip. Get essential advice on
trip planning, skills, techniques & gear, long and short distance hikes, worldwide adventure trekking - from
beginner to advanced backpackers, this is probably the best investment you can make. What you'll find
out >>
- How to prepare for your trips, avoid backpacking hazards and easy cooking advice
- Tips for choosing the right backpacking equipment and the right way to carry your
load
- Keeping warm and dry: dressing for the wilderness, best footwear & travel gear,
shelter
- Adventures backpacking abroad & more
 Backpacking
Made Easy
- Backpacking
Checklist
Backpacking Trips & Trails: Where Should You Go?
 Hiking, Trekking
and Walking Tour Packages
Review a wide selection of hiking, trekking and walking tours worldwide, including dates, location, cost, length of
trip and trip highlights. If you like adventure and unique travel experiences, you'll like these vacation packages.
Get a Free
Brochure!
Hiking
& Trekking Vacations
Hiking Half Dome at Yosemite National Park
Although I am afraid of heights, I wanted to challenge myself by climbing to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite
National Park. The hike is incredible and really rewarding, even if you don't make it to the very top. Here are
some good tips and things to know, if you haven't done this trek before:
According to the Sports & Fitness Editor at eHow, you want to begin training for your half Dome excursion 2
months in advance. Take 8+ mile hikes or walks at least once a week, try including elevation gains of 3,000+ feet.
(Half Dome is 17 miles round trip).
Climb stairs whenever you can, take 2 stairs at a time if you can. Do pull-ups or other upper body exercises for
the last 700 feet of the Half Dome hike, where you are pulling yourself up cables on the side of the Dome. This
requires lots of arm strength. Work on your grip by squeezing tennis balls, you need a good grip climbing up the
cables.
Wear good gripping hiking boots or shoes and carry a day pack with water. When you hike Half Dome, choose a day
that has a lot of daylight and leave early in the day. If you can, arrive in Yosemite a day or 2 before your climb
so you can acclimate yourself to the higher altitude. Try to avoid the high season, holidays or weekends when lots
of people will be crowding the cable line up the dome. And lastly, dress in layers, bring food, water, a raincoat
or waterproof jacket, sunscreen and gloves for the cables.
Backpacking Clubs - Who Can You Hike with?
- Hiking & Backpacking Clubs that you
can join across the USA, conveniently categorized by state. Become a regular member or participate in single
hikes.
- Volunteer Hiking Vacations with the
American Hiking Society and REI. Help revitalize trails on organized day trips or overnight backcountry
camping trips. Do what you love, explore new territory, discover more friends and make a worthwhile
contribution all at the same time!
- Find
People to Backpack With
Find people in your area who are interested in backpacking, and make new friends who enjoy spending time in the
wilderness as much as you do.
Backpacking Articles
Backpacking Gear - What Should You Get?
Backpacks on Sale on eBay
 Backpacks Daypacks to Expedition Packs, Hydration, Camera, Dog Packs
Men's Hiking Clothing
Women's Hiking Clothing
Children's Outdoor
Gear Camping Tents + Tarps, Screen Rooms
Navigation GPS, Pedometers, Altimeters, Compasses,
Maps, Binoculars
Camping Stoves + Fuel Canisters
Camping Cookware Pots & Pans, Utensils,
Lanterns, Food Storage
Sleeping Bags Down, Synthetic, Liners
Nighttime Hiking? Get the
LED Micro Headlamp
See and be seen during nighttime activities - whether you're hiking, jogging, biking or simply wandering around
in the dark, this multi-use lightweight headlamp is really convenient and comfortable. It has an adjustable angle
headlamp so you can put the light where you need it.
The light is super bright while being almost 10 times as energy efficient as standard lights. Conveniently water
resistant and shockproof - plus with up to 100,000 hours of service from this high-intensity LED, you'll have to
wait quite a while before you have to buy another headlamp! I love mine!
Oh, did I mention it comes with a neoprene carrying case? Online Special >> LED Micro
Headlamp
Hiking & Backpacking Organizations: American Hiking Society | Sierra Club | National Parks
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