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Has someone you know shown interest in an outdoors activity but doesn’t know how to get started? Let us show you the basics of getting out in new ways! Our primer in outdoors adventure covers a few of the sports people often think about trying but are reluctant to jump into. With a little help from Hooked, you’ll find it’s easier than you think to pursue new activities.
For all adventures, you’ll need the following:
Complete and updated first aid kit
Your first aid kit should be able to handle most backcountry emergencies, including cuts, soft tissue injuries, sprains and broken bones. Internal medicines such as laxatives, Ibuprofin, medicine to settle stomachs, and antacids are all standard fare. Rubber gloves, tampons, iodine, butterfly stitches, and clean syringes for cleaning out wounds round out a solid backcountry kit. Kits range from basic first-aid to fully stocked adventure kits for expeditions. Adventure Medical Kits makes a good basic kit with the daytripper. More advanced kits are available from AMK site.
Compass, map, and an understanding of how to use them
Maps are readily available from most outdoor stores or online at stores like mytopo.com. A good map will show topography, trails, and easy to read features such as rivers and streets. Brunton makes compasses for all levels of users, but their basic models such as the classic will work fine and not break the bank. Finally, books like Staying Found by June Fleming will give you an understanding of how to properly use a map and compass.
Appropriate clothing
You’ll need to dress for the occasion when in the outdoors. Warm, non-cotton, base layers that insulate should be complemented with water-proof shell layers. Gore-Tex and similar fabrics are great for waterproof gear because they are breathable, meaning you won’t melt from the inside.
Backcountry Camping
When you’re ready to spend nights in the wild away from the shelter of prefabricated campgrounds, these essentials will take you to places off the beaten path.
GETTING STARTED
Backpack with at 5,000-7,000 cu inches of space
These days very few people still use the old-style external backpacks, mainly because they do not offer as much support and you must store a lot of your gear on the outside of the pack. Internal packs have better back support and give you room to keep everything safe within their chambers. Good starter packs will run about $150-200 dollars such as the EMS 5500, the REI Star 75, and the Kelty Red Cloud 5600. Most outdoor stores will fit the pack for your trip. Make sure you simulate the weight you’ll be carrying when you actually get out on the trail.
Sleeping bag that is temperature rated for your camping conditions
A good bag is part of a good night’s sleep. An all-around bag with a temperature rating of 20 degrees will serve well for all but cold weather camping. In summer or warmer climes, a 35-40 degree bag will do the trick and help shave some weight. If you are in a moist or rainy climate, a sleeping bag with a synthetic fill will keep you warmer and dry faster when wet than a down-filled bag. If you are in a dryer environment, down will offer a better warmth to weight ratio and will still function if damp. Slumberjack’s Glacier (+20° F) bag is a great synthetic, while The North Face’s Kilobag (+32° F) is a good choice in lightweight down sleeping bags.
Sturdy boots
The best boots for backcountry adventures should have solid, grippy outsoles, water resistance, and most importantly, a good fit. It’s best to try on boots at your local outfitter before investing in pair. Classic all-leather boots, such as (Garmont’s Synchro) still work extremely well, while blending materials (such as Hi-Tec’s Ascent) can make a boot lighter and infuse a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex.
Sleeping Pad
A good night’s sleep means you need to be protected from the cold air and the cold ground. A small investment (Campmor’s basic closed-cell foam pad is only $7.99) not only serves well for sleeping, but as a sitting pad and an emergency sling. Inflatable mattresses, such as Thermarest’s Basecamp mattress, are more expensive but offer a bit more cushion and tend to be a little warmer.
Tent
Your backcountry shelter should be ready to handle the elements, light enough to carry, easy to assemble, and suitable for the number of people who will be using it. Eureka’s Zeus EXO and EMS’s North Star are two good examples of tents that will perform in the backcountry.
Water filter/purification tablets
A cardinal rule of the backcountry is never trust the integrity of any water source you might come across. You will need to clear the impurities out of your water before drinking. MSR’s Miniworks is a good backcountry water filter that is easy to use and gives you clean, potable water. Iodine tablets are cheaper and lighter but take longer to work (about a half an hour) and some people do not like the taste. They are very effective at purifying the water however, and many tablets come with a taste neutralizer to restore the natural flavor of water.
Headlamp
Headlamps are superior to standard flashlights because they free up your hands to do things like set up tents, prepare meals, or make the inevitable late night bathroom runs. Petzl’s Tikka is extremely light and has long battery life thanks to bluish LED lights. For a bit more lighting power (for example, if you’re night hiking in tricky terrain), Pelican’s Heads-Up 2600 provides both LED and standard Krypton bulbs in one headlamp.
Flatwater/Recreation Kayaking
GETTING STARTED
Ready to hit the rivers? Recreational boats are versatile enough for mild rivers, day trips, and give you a good idea of where you may want to progress in your kayaking: whitewater, touring, or expedition.
Kayak
The boat itself is going to be your main investment. Recreational boats are considerably less expensive than specialized kayaks. An open cockpit, a stable flat bow, and lightweight body are the trademarks of a good recreational boat. Wilderness System’s Pungo 120 is a stable boat with a sealed storage compartment, suitable for flatwater and low-class river trips. Most outfitters will let you try out a boat before purchasing; you should take them up on this offer to ensure you’ll be comfortable in your boat.
Paddle
Paddles can get expensive but a basic model that will be perfectly functional can be found for about $20. Sevylor makes a quality intro paddle for recreational kayaking. As you begin to develop a personal style of paddling, there are a plethora of paddles you can choose from when the time comes.
PFD
PFD is a fancy way for saying “life-jacket”. Personal Flotation Devices are less bulky than traditional lifejackets and give ample room for your arms to move without rubbing. Kokatat has a full line of boating-specific PFD’s that are perfect for kayak trips.
Dry bag
Dry bags are air-sealed bags usually made out of waterproof rubber. Use these pouches to keep food, electronics, and any other gear you have dry. SealLine makes a complete line of drybags for all your boating needs.
Rock Climbing
GETTING STARTED
Before leading your way up the rock, it’s highly advisable to take a few lessons from a reputable instructor. When you first get into climbing, bouldering (climbing low-to-the-ground problems with no ropes) and indoor gyms are great place to start your journey into the vertical world.
Rock shoes
Rock climbing shoes are made from ultra-sticky rubber and are intended to be very tight on the feet when worn. A basic pair of shoes can run from $60-$110. The Five-Ten spire and La Sportiva Cliff are great intro shoes that will perform well indoors or outdoors. Those new to climbing will be amazed how well these shoes stick to the wall.
Harness
It is very important your harness fits snugly and can be easily and safely taken on and offf. Petzl makes some of the best in the business, such as the Calidris harness. A comfortable harness will give a sense of security and make taking those first few inevitable falls a lot less scary!
Chalk Bag
A chalk bag is simply a pouch that holds powdered chalk, used for keeping sweaty hands dry. Dry hands provide better grip on rock or plastic holds. Metolius makes a line of bags suitable for holding chalk or chalk balls.
Belay/Rappel Device
With a little training, you’ll be able to belay your partners with ease by using a belay device. A belay device provides enough friction on the rope to hold a fall or allow rope passage during a rappel. Black Diamond’s ATC is a light, easy to use belay device. Petzl’s Grigri is a good beginner device for belaying thanks to an integrated lever system for easy operation.
Helmet
You will not need a helmet if you start off indoors or with easy bouldering problems but you should never climb outdoors without one. Petzl’s Ecrin Roc is a comfortable, strong, adjustable helmet that can also be used for mountaineering and caving.
Snowboarding
GETTING STARTED
Snowboarding has exploded in popularity in the past ten years. There is nothing like surfing on snow! It’s a good idea to take at least one lesson to learn exactly what to practice as your skills improve.
Snowboard w/ bindings and boots
When starting, it’s best to buy your board as a package complete with boots and bindings. As your skills improve you can change out any of these parts to suit your needs. Beginners should look for a good all around board and comfortable but stiff boots. Salomon offers nifty complete packages and has some of the best snowboards around. Chuckiejones.com also has affordable packages ideal for those new to snowboarding. For a little more on how to select a snowboard, check out this article.
Helmet
Beginning snowboarders are going to fall a lot more than beginning skiers. A helmet is essential for those early spills and highly encouraged when you get around to trying more tricky maneuvers. Boeri makes a line of helmets that are light and strong enough for the conditions you’ll encounter when snowboarding.
Last Updated: Feb 24th, 2006 - 14:18:11
© Copyright 1999-2006 by Hooked on the Outdoors
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