So you've got your trail clothes, boots, and hat.
You packed a stash of water and food, and carefully assembled your first aid kit.
You're almost ready, but not yet! You need to make sure you have enough safety equipment to bring everyone home should the worst happen.
Backpacking is wondrous and often exciting, but you never want it to be scary.
Should you come across some kind of danger, ensure you are prepared.
First, I'll go over the basic safety equipment you can't be without.
Second, I'll go over a few specific dangers and a few solutions to mitigate the risk.
The essential safety gear is as follows: Whistle (Manual noise maker) Chem Lights (Night time markers) Radio (With Park Ranger/Sheriff frequency stored) Cell Phone (Kept OFF with full battery charge and kept in watertight bag) First Aid Kit (detailed in previous article) Knife (Serrated, for cutting not slicing) Money (At least $50-$100) With food, water, the right clothing, a good first aid kit, and the above, you should be able to have a nice short jaunt into the wilderness.
Nothing too extravagant, but some items can be easy to overlook.
Here's a few possible dangers you should be aware for.
Some are tailored to a Grand Canyon backpacking trip, but most can happen anywhere: Bears - Some people carry Bear Mace.
This is a chemical repellent that is like super powerful pepper spray in a foam form.
It's relatively inexpensive, around $20.
I recommend it because it could also come in handy if you feel threatened by any other animal on the trail.
It's non-lethal also, which can't be said for certain kinds of "Bear Guns," that I very much do NOT recommend (What if you miss? Apologize?).
Snakes - The best trick for snakes is avoidance.
They generally will let you know if you are getting close to them, and if you come close enough that they really start letting you know they are angry, often you can just back up slowly and they will leave you alone.
Still, anti-venom is a must, and some people carry snake shot in high density snake areas.
Snake shot is a.
22-.
380 caliber pistol round that fits in revolver pistols.
It is a spread shot that is designed to be quickly sent off in the direction of the snake to either cause it pain and make it go away or kill it.
If you plan on carrying snake shot, invest in a good holster so it is secure and easily accessible.
Wolves, Coyotes, etc.
- This is a pretty minor threat.
I've woken up plenty of times with coyote tracks around my camp, and never once had them come near us.
The best policy is to keep your food locked up.
Bugs - Bring repellent spray if you like, and a bite ointment is a must.
Javelinas, Cougars, and other "Boogie Men" - Some animals are so fearsome they hold "Boogie Man" status in backpacking.
Most people never run across one (I haven't) but you'll always hear stories about "that one guy who married someone's friend's sister" who got mauled by a cougar.
Again, the best practice is avoidance.
Seal your food, don't hike in known areas (ask the park rangers) and you'll be fine.
No one ever saved themselves from being eaten by a cougar by staying at home! As you can see above, most of the safety issues on the trail are common sense.
Stay in the area you meant to travel in, stick to your plan, and think things through and you'll be fine.
In my last article, I'll discuss how to plan out your trip.
You packed a stash of water and food, and carefully assembled your first aid kit.
You're almost ready, but not yet! You need to make sure you have enough safety equipment to bring everyone home should the worst happen.
Backpacking is wondrous and often exciting, but you never want it to be scary.
Should you come across some kind of danger, ensure you are prepared.
First, I'll go over the basic safety equipment you can't be without.
Second, I'll go over a few specific dangers and a few solutions to mitigate the risk.
The essential safety gear is as follows: Whistle (Manual noise maker) Chem Lights (Night time markers) Radio (With Park Ranger/Sheriff frequency stored) Cell Phone (Kept OFF with full battery charge and kept in watertight bag) First Aid Kit (detailed in previous article) Knife (Serrated, for cutting not slicing) Money (At least $50-$100) With food, water, the right clothing, a good first aid kit, and the above, you should be able to have a nice short jaunt into the wilderness.
Nothing too extravagant, but some items can be easy to overlook.
Here's a few possible dangers you should be aware for.
Some are tailored to a Grand Canyon backpacking trip, but most can happen anywhere: Bears - Some people carry Bear Mace.
This is a chemical repellent that is like super powerful pepper spray in a foam form.
It's relatively inexpensive, around $20.
I recommend it because it could also come in handy if you feel threatened by any other animal on the trail.
It's non-lethal also, which can't be said for certain kinds of "Bear Guns," that I very much do NOT recommend (What if you miss? Apologize?).
Snakes - The best trick for snakes is avoidance.
They generally will let you know if you are getting close to them, and if you come close enough that they really start letting you know they are angry, often you can just back up slowly and they will leave you alone.
Still, anti-venom is a must, and some people carry snake shot in high density snake areas.
Snake shot is a.
22-.
380 caliber pistol round that fits in revolver pistols.
It is a spread shot that is designed to be quickly sent off in the direction of the snake to either cause it pain and make it go away or kill it.
If you plan on carrying snake shot, invest in a good holster so it is secure and easily accessible.
Wolves, Coyotes, etc.
- This is a pretty minor threat.
I've woken up plenty of times with coyote tracks around my camp, and never once had them come near us.
The best policy is to keep your food locked up.
Bugs - Bring repellent spray if you like, and a bite ointment is a must.
Javelinas, Cougars, and other "Boogie Men" - Some animals are so fearsome they hold "Boogie Man" status in backpacking.
Most people never run across one (I haven't) but you'll always hear stories about "that one guy who married someone's friend's sister" who got mauled by a cougar.
Again, the best practice is avoidance.
Seal your food, don't hike in known areas (ask the park rangers) and you'll be fine.
No one ever saved themselves from being eaten by a cougar by staying at home! As you can see above, most of the safety issues on the trail are common sense.
Stay in the area you meant to travel in, stick to your plan, and think things through and you'll be fine.
In my last article, I'll discuss how to plan out your trip.
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