Category: hiking

How To Get Fresh Water On Hiking Trips

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by Chris Channing

It’s chilling to think that simple drinking water can contain the virus or bacteria that could make one incredibly sick. This is especially true on camping trips, where access to purified water is going to be extremely limited. Thankfully there are ultraviolet water purifiers for those who like to stay safe on their vacation.

Ultraviolet light works based on the principle that a virus or bacteria isn’t going to function very well if their DNA is scrambled. Ultraviolet light is going to essentially penetrate the weak membrane of the organisms, alter their DNA in ways that will render them useless, and keep the purified water around 99.9% free of harmful organisms.

Water purification is commonly done through chemicals and tablets, as can be seen with many survival kits supplied to different armies of the world. But these tablets and chemicals can be harmful if not mixed correctly, and they can also be more expensive in the long run. Thus, consumers are recommended to stick with UV water purification.

Another downfall to the chemical alternative is the fact that chemicals will often take longer to work. This may be a poor prospect for those who are dehyrdated and need water quickly. The ultraviolet purification process, however, is seen as very quick- usually not taking more than a couple of minutes. This will depend on the specific model being obtained, however, and one should look around for the best solution if possible. Don’t be scared to spend extra money for a better product!

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Posted in hiking on Aug 7th, 2008, 3:35 pm by Chris Channing   

Find the Right Tent for Your Hiking Trip

by Guy Morris

Getting out to enjoy nature and the outdoors can be a great way to relax and escape the demands of day-to-day life, whether a hiking trip during the day or a weekend getaway. For the person planning to camp and sleep on a tent floor, purchasing the right camping tent is an important part of an enjoyable outdoor excursion. It takes a little research. You will want to find the best tent for the type of area you will camp in and one that, generally, meets your camping needs.

When purchasing a camping tent, you will want to check the climate in the area you will pitch the tent in. Also, it is important to determine if there is a danger from wildlife in the area and what recreational facilities are available.

Tents are a great alternative for those who do not want to sleep outside in sleeping bags. The size of the tent is important, though, or you may very well find yourself sleeping outside the tent while others sleep inside. The tent should comfortable hold the number of people using it. With this in mind, though, be sure the larger tents can be pitched where you will be camping. If you will mountain climbing, while the mountain is ideal for climbing it is not when it comes to setting up camp and pitching your tent.

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Posted in hiking on Aug 1st, 2008, 8:17 am by Guy Morris