Camping

B

Drinking Water

Water in the backcountry must be properly treated before drinking to remove contaminants. Microscopic water-borne parasites can cause giardiasis, an illness whose symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Boiling water for at least one minute kills these microbes.

Besides boiling, several other methods of purifying water are available. Hand-held, pump-action filters force water through porous ceramic or carbon-filled filters, which screen out tiny parasites and other debris. Iodine tablets, which are easy to carry, also purify drinking water, though some campers dislike the aftertaste. Filters and iodine tablets both allow campers to carry less fuel for boiling water, and therefore less weight. They also provide cool drinking water in a matter of minutes, which can be refreshing on a hot day.

C

Food

Car campers and RV campers have the luxury of refrigeration for storing food. In the backcountry, however, campers must carry their food, and so lightweight, dehydrated, just-add-water meals are preferred. These meals also create less garbage for backpackers to carry out of the backcountry. Outdoor stores sell many varieties of dehydrated food.

Many campers augment their diet with fish from a lake or river, with berries growing near their campsite, or with other available foods. But they should be aware of local fishing regulations and be familiar with wild plants and their fruits, as many of them can cause illness.

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The key to staying healthy and strong when backpacking is to eat large quantities of energy-rich foods. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fat all help a camper’s body produce the necessary energy for a strenuous trip. Carrying a pack consumes many calories—up to 4000 a day—that campers need to replenish in order to maintain energy levels. In general, 0.9 kg (2 lb) of food per person per day should be enough. In winter campers should consume 1.1 kg (2.5 lb) per day because staying warm burns even more calories.

Regardless of the time of year, always take enough food to last an extra day. Additional food makes it easier to deal with an accident, an injury, or simply a desire to stay another night in a serene location.

VII

Safety

Safety should be at the forefront of every camper’s mind. Each year the National Park Service warns that sunburn and sprains are the most common injuries sustained in the backcountry. Being prepared is the key. A wide-billed hat and a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt offer protection from the sun. Proper sunblock or suntan lotion is also necessary. Frequent rest stops are important on the trail. Fatigue causes campers to pay less attention to the trail, their location, and their own body, leaving them more vulnerable to accidents or injuries.

Several potentially serious conditions can occur when camping. The most common are hypothermia, dehydration, and altitude sickness. All of these are preventable with proper planning and precautions.

A

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body becomes too chilled to generate enough warmth for vital organs. Most campers understand that hypothermia is a danger during cold weather, but it also can occur when temperatures rise well above freezing. Most cases occur when the outside temperature is between 7° and 10° C (45° and 50° F).

Avoiding hypothermia requires several simple precautions. Stay dry and do not wear cotton clothing next to the skin, as it dries slowly and sucks away precious body warmth in the process. Eat, drink water, and rest frequently. Food helps campers maintain energy levels and stay warm. Overexertion can make campers wet with perspiration and weak.

B

Dehydration

Dehydration, or the loss of bodily fluids, is a concern in both hot and cold weather. The condition may occur as a result of excessive sweating, overeating, vomiting, diarrhea, or heat exhaustion. It causes muscles to become weak and thinking to become confused. Campers need to drink large quantities of water before they become thirsty, because thirst is not a reliable indicator of the body’s needs. Drinking large quantities before hitting the trail helps provide the body with sufficient fluids.