Fourteen year old, granddaughter, Sarah is about to embark on a “trip of a lifetime” with her camp group into the Canadian and American Rockies, and National Parks and now, ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and my advice doesn’t seem so lame to her. If there is a hiking, trekking or camping mistake to be made (with the exception of backpacking), we’ve been there, done it and perhaps these tips for Sarah will help you avoid some of our many boners. With that in mind:
Number 1 – Pack everything in big, plastic garbage bags. In your duffel, backpack and make sure your sleeping bag is in a waterproof stuff sack. If your sleeping bag gets wet, it will never have time to dry out. Trust us on this.

ex-Marine lounging among smelly clothes in the tent
Number 2 – Stuff your tomorrow clothes each evening in the foot of your sleeping bag to keep everything toasty, warm. I don’t care of it stinks up the sleeping bag. Your clothes will be warm-er when you put them on instead of cold and clammy. A favorite story is how my friend, Margie’s wet bra froze solid during the night!

Number 3 – Always carry raingear and warmer clothes in your daypack. Mountains make their own weather and you never know until you’ve been there, how quickly the weather can change. We began hiking one day in the Spanish Pyrenees under brilliant sunshine and heat in shorts, that turned into rain, that turned into a snow storm. Extremely happy that Goretex was stowed in our packs.

Number 4 – If you want to look around, take photographs or just admire the scenery, STOP! It can be very dangerous to lose concentration and fall. Don’t think you need serious exposure or terrain to break an ankle, leg or even worse.

80-year old Mary crossing a log bridge in Japan
Number 5 – Carry enough water and drink even if you aren’t thirsty. You don’t know you are dehydrated until you get thirsty and then it can be too late.

Number 6 – Buy quality hiking boots if hiking and/or trekking on mountain paths. You need good ankle support and traction.

Sheila was not happy with this scary trail in the Tatra Mountains – thank goodness there were chains to hang on to 

one of the easier trails in Mount Rainier National Park
Number 7 – Stick with your leader/guide. Don’t even think of taking a little side path to explore without telling them. And if you must go off-trail to pee, leave your daypack at the side of the main trail so others know a hiker is missing.

If you hike without a guide, carry a good topographic map, plan the route and don’t underestimate the time it may take.

this is not the way to put a flysheet over the tent unless you want a flood inside
Happy camping, Sarah…

 
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