Tremblant Lifestyle

When backpacking or camping you will need a good set of cooking gear. Cooking in the outdoors is a lot harder than cooking at home in a nicely furnished kitchen. So the Backpacking Cookware that you will use outdoors will be quite a bit different from what you use at home.

To make your choice of the right Backpacking Cookware to take, you will first need to know what is available on the market for you to buy. Below is a list of the most popular types, along with their good and bad points.

ALUMINIUM.

This used to be the first choice of backpackers, lightweight campers, and hikers because it is very light. However it is not as strong or durable as some of the other materials used for cookware. Food tends to stick to it making it difficult to clean in an outdoor situation. Also Aluminium has been linked to some health problems, as it tends to breakdown over time and can contaminate the food cooked in it. Having said this, I have used Aluminium for many years with no harmful effects. (I would still rate it as a good choice as you will properly only be using it for a few weeks of any one year.)

STAINLESS STEEL.

The main drawback here is the weight, as it is a lot heavier than other types of backpacking cookware. Also it is not the best at distributing the heat evenly and the food must be stirred or moved constantly to ensure even cooking. Stainless steel is very tough and strong though, and will stand up to almost anything that can happen to it in the outdoors.

LIGHTWEIGHT STAINLESS STEEL.

The introduction of new technology has come up with a lighter weight stainless steel, it has all the durability and strength, but as its name suggests is considerably lighter.

TITANIUM.

The modern first choice. It is very light, it is also very durable and tough, and a better distributor of heat when compared to stainless steel. A good set of Titanium cookware will last a very long time. The only downside is its price, as it can be expensive when compared with the other materials.

A FEW BASIC TIPS.

(1)Are you choosing a solo backpacking set of cookware, or do you want a kit that will do for two or more people?

(2)Pots with a slightly rounded bottom will distribute heat better than flat bottomed ones.

(3)Make sure the pots have a good fitting lid, as this will cut down on your cooking times, saving you fuel.

(4)Try to buy proper Backpacking Cookware as opposed to ordinary cookware, as the former should have folding or detachable handles to make packing it into your backpack much easier.

Backpacking involves walking long distances with heavy gear on your back. That is the essence of the sport, but it does not have to be the reason why you give it up or can no longer do it. You do not have to struggle with heavy equipment. There are things you can do to make your backpack lighter and reduce the strain on your body.

By packing items that has multiple use, you will definitely reduce the number of the items required to pack. In the end, you will also reduce the weight of your pack. This is great for someone who simply can not handle the weight or who is suffering from back problems due to the weight of their backpack.

It is actually quite easy to figure ways to get more than one use out of some typical gear. You can likely use many of the items you already carry and be able to eliminate the use of other items you carry. Additionally, there are other pieces of gear that have multiple uses, too. In fact, you probably already are using pieces of your gear in more than one way without even realizing it.

You may not be parachuting on your backpack trip but a parachute cord is a usefully piece of gear is lightweight and offers a few different uses. It can be used as a clothesline or to tie your food bag up when camping overnight. You can also use it in case of an emergency to tie a splint in place. To pack it you loosely wind it up and hook it to the outside of your pack.

You may have brought candles along just for a little extra lighting, but candles do more than provide light. A candle can be used to help start a stubborn fire and works as a great waterproofing agent. They are lightweight and you will barely even notice if you add them to your pack. In addition they are better than to carry a lantern, which is heavy.

Duct tape is commonly know around the house as the ultimate ‘do-it-all’ tool. Duct tapes are durable and they are very strong in nature. A roll can last you a long time and it has many helpful uses. It can be used to insulate, as a wrap for a bandage and repairing tents, backpacks and almost everything else. Duct tape should always be a part of your backpacking gear.

Safety pins are another great item to pack as it is light and easy to pack. Safety pins can come in helpful to secure bandages, act as clothespins or hooks to hang items and as a stand in fish hook.

Plastic placemats are also lightweight and easy to pack. Plastic placemats can be utilized in many different ways. Instead of sitting on blankets and getting them wet, use a placemat. Use it to set your shoes on, so you do not get dirt and mud in your tent. Be creative and you can find other uses. For example, you can use a fly swatter to prepare food.

You may find that you can cut your gear down by several pieces by simply using multifunctional gear. You can also take out items that the multi-use gear is replacing. The key is to find items that are light and the item can be used in many situations. It takes some creative thinking, but you will be able to do it.

One of the rights of passage for many young people is to save some money and go traveling. It is easy to pack up some belongings into a backpack and go traveling with friends. Whether it’s touring around the world or focusing on a country or a continent, it’s easy to have fun.

There is a lot to be said for exploring the world and becoming immersed in different cultures and practices. This means that as well as having a break from their working and studying life, they can learn about other cultures and their lifestyle. The very nature of backpack travel means it should be as simplistic as possible to travel. It is simple but people have to be aware of basic backpacking tips to make the best of a trip.

Every traveler is different and they need different tips and advice. How long you stay and where you are going makes a difference. There cant be just one guide for every backpacker but there are some constant rules. Some of the key essentials for any traveler should contain the following:

- Keep a note of where you will be staying in a secure place

- Always ensure your passport is stored safely

- Be aware that not everyone who offers advice will be genuinely friendly

- Make yourself aware of local customs before you go

- Try and learn the basics of a foreign language if you are going abroad

- Have fun, obviously!

One consistent element of backpacking involves a lot of traveling. Whether it is by foot, bus, train, air or sea, there is a strong need to remain comfortable throughout your travels.

Any experienced backpacker will tell you that a sturdy and comfortable pair of footwear is vital. For any amount of walking, the need for a pair of shoes that provides a sturdy grip on the road and proves security and comfort. These should be bought before traveling and broken in before the trip. This is definitely on the major backpacking tips that would be offered by an experienced traveler.

Backpacking is a trip predominantly undertaken by the young and perhaps inexperienced traveler. This means there is a massive need for information to be passed to potential travelers.

A collection of backpacking tips would be a great addition to any person who is looking to travel around. They should be used before and during the trip to ensure they have a great time.

Those who like to travel light in the wilderness are always looking for the lightest backpacking food they can take. Of course, light doesn’t mean crackers or other things that have little weight for their volume. When hiking you need calories above all, so the lightest foods are those that provide the most calories for the weight. Here are some to consider, as well as two other ways to cut the weight of the meals you carry with you.

Nuts And Seeds

By far, one of the healthiest and most calorie-packed foods you can take with you are nuts and seeds. Mixed nuts, for example, typically have 170 calories per ounce, as well as the protein and amino acids you need. Sunflower seeds are similar (a bit lower in calories if raw). That compares to only 110 calories per ounce for pure sugar, or 75 calories for bread.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is not only one of the healthiest (and most delicious) oils you can eat, but it comes with 240 calories per ounce. This is the most calories you can carry for the weight, making this the lightest of the backpacking foods. It can be carried safely in a small plastic bottle, and used for salads made of wild greens, on pasta, or just for dipping bread into. An added advantage in cooler weather is that fats produce heat as they digest.

Other Lightweight Backpacking Foods

Some crackers have 120 calories per ounce, and chocolate has about 150. Look at the nutritional label and try to carry foods that have more than 110 calories per ounce. That is the average, by the way, for any basic carbohydrates, whether in the form of sugar, pasta or potato flakes. You can certainly mix the higher energy foods like nuts with a few carrots or other low-calorie foods brought for health purposes, but try to keep the overall average up there if you want to go light.

What should you aim for with your calorie count? I try to keep my average above 120 per ounce. With a pound and a half of food per day that means around 2,900 calories. You’ll likely burn a little more than that each day on the average hiking trip, but losing a pound or two is no disaster for most people.

Skip The Backpacking Stove

Another way to save weight with your backpacking food is to bring only meals which don’t have to be cooked. This will be a problem for those that can’t get comfortable without a hot dinner, but some of us enjoy the break from cooking and washing pots. There is no reason you can’t have a healthy diet without cooking, and most backpacking is done in the warmer months, so why not try a no-cooking trip?

You will save the weight of the stove, as well as the fuel. There is a compromise that gets you one hot meal, without carrying the equipment. Just put a few frozen hotdogs in a sealed plastic bag and wrap them in the clothing in your pack to insulate them. In this way it should take them a full day to thaw out, so on day two you can cook them over a fire.

More Radical Weight Savings

If you really want to go light on your backpacking food, there are two other tricks to use. The first is called carbo-loading. You essentially avoid carbohydrates for a week or so, and then eat a lot of them in the two days prior to your trip, causing you body to store them. With this routine, your body can store up to 1,800 calories of carbs in your blood, liver and muscles, in the form of glycogen. That means you can pack less food (okay, it only gets you half-day’s worth).

The other less extreme and perhaps more enjoyable technique is to learn enough about wild edible plants to supplement your diet. I have eaten hundreds of calories of wild raspberries in a twenty-minute break while hiking in the Colorado mountains. If you know the seasons of the various plant foods where you’ll be going, you can essentially replace some pack weight with your knowledge. Even if you don’t want to plan on eating wild edibles, knowing them well means you can more safely carry the minimum amount of backpacking food you think you’ll need.

Even a crystal-clear wonder spring cannot provide perfect safety and purity as it can contain lots of microorganisms to make one sick: protozoa, bacteria, viruses – you name it! Fortunately, there are very good backpacking water purifier systems that can make even the water from a marsh safe to drink. A backpacking water purifier is presently considered an essential element of any survival kit and it is widely used all over the world. The necessity for such a product became clear given the alarmingly high number of people who get infected with microorganisms from unsafe waters they drank from when camping or hiking.

Made of light materials and easy to carry, the backpacking water purifier has become a must-take item on the list of things you should have on a hike or a camping trip. Water is incredibly important for a traveler as  hikers will always need a higher energy level to satisfy the needs of physical effort; moreover, in hot climates the need for water is double or triple, and you’ll have to cope with that somehow. There is a difference to be made between filters and backpacking water purifiers; the former are devices that eliminate contaminants by forcing water through a special materials with pores in it.

On the other hand the backpacking water purifier is a lot safer as compared to filters since it protects the user against germs that are too small to be caught in the filtration screen. Make sure you learn everything on the usage specificity of the backpacking water purifier in order to benefit from maximum results: thus you should never fail in the effort to maintain a safety level for everyone that accompanies you on the hike or camping vacation. Thus, you may have to wait at least twenty minutes between the moment you put the water in the backpacking water purifier and the moment you drink it.

Last but not least, a complex backpacking water purifier that relies on ozone formation for instance is a bit more expensive than simpler models. Nevertheless, the diversity of designs available online for instance makes sure there is a backpacking water purifier for every pocket; after all, if you are not going camping all the time, there’s no point in buying a very expensive item. On the other hand if you spend lots of time in the open air, and you don’t have access to a clean source of water, you should be able to rely on a quality product that would not require too frequent changes of replaceable components.

If you really love scenic locations with plenty of wildlife, then you should plan to spend your vacation backpacking through Costa Rica. The best time of year to visit depends on whether or not you like crowds. From December to April is peak tourist season in this country with crowded beaches and attractions and higher prices. The rainy season during the months of June to September, which is also hurricane season is not a good time to visit because the roads often become impassable. The best time to plan your backpacking trip is from mid-October to mid-December because the temperatures are just right and you still have sunny weather.

You do have to plan your trip carefully because it is not an easy task to find your way around Costa Rica unless you have some idea of the layout of the country. The road system is very poorly maintained. Even though it is only 100 miles wide at the widest point, this journey can take a very long time. The country is made up of five regions, so the best advice is to choose two of these regions for your first visit and them make plans to return for another backpacking vacation to see the others.

It will take you about two days to backpack through San Jose and the Central Valley. This region is home to the majority of the population of Costa Rica. In this area you can visit a volcano, hike through a cloud forest and engage in whitewater rafting on rivers classified as Class 1v. Some of the Olympic kayaking teams actually train on the rapids in the rivers of this region.

In order to backpack through the Alajuela And Northern Guanacaste Region, you need to allow yourself four or five days. This region is located inland from the Pacific and contains one of the last dry tropical forests in Central America located in an inland area. Here you will find clear areas where there are scattered umbrella-shaped conacaste trees standing alone, under which the Brahman cows seek shade from the sun. Climb up the Monteverde Range to backpack through the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve of Puntarenas. You can also take a four-hour drive from San Jose to reach this forest.

The Nicoya Peninsula and Quepos will take you about four-to six days depending on how much time you want to spend in the various locations. This area is the domain of surfers, international tourists that own houses here and the tico farmers of the country. You can spend time on the beaches and trekking inland to see the wide variety of wildlife and birds. As a side trip you can take the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will meet other backpackers resting on the beach.

The Osa Peninsula is located in the Southern part of Costa Rica. Allow yourself at least five days for backpacking in this region. This area has one of the most biologically dense rainforests on the planet and was one of the first ecological reserves to be built in the world. Here you will glimpse many of the elusive animals that inhabit the rainforest, such as howler monkeys and scarlet macaws. There are many public and private reserves in this area.

The accommodations you choose when backpacking in Costa Rica depend on your finances. There are cheap hostels and hotels as well as expensive resorts in all regions.

There are lots of stuff you can bring along on your backpacking trip. Remember that you have to carry all of it so think twice before bringing a bulky heavy item. Here are some miscellaneous items I have found useful to bring along:

• Universal bath plug/sink stopper There are plugs which fit a variety of sinks which are very useful when you want to do laundry in your room.
• Water porter A bag designed to carry water bottles, quite handy when you are out on day trips and do not want to carry a backpack around.
• Luggage protection bag To put around your backpack to save it from being damaged while traveling.
• Luggage straps To tie around your backpack to help hold it together.
• Luggage label Attaches to the outside of your luggage and gives your contact details in case your bag gets lost.
• Plastic bags Bags to put around bottles with liquid and also to organize the rest of your stuff. Use white bags without print since some coloured plastic bags tend to rub off colour on other items in your backpack.
• Candy Binoculars Great for spotting wildlife.
• Deck of cards/games To kill time and have fun with people you meet along the way.
• Sewing kit Safety pin Swiss army knife Scissors Backpack Daypack Rubber bands To be used as bookmarks in your guidebook.
• Locks To lock your daypack and backpack.
• Money belt/leg pouch Put the documents/money in a protective plastic case in case the money belt gets wet (e.g. from rain).
• Pen and paper (notebook) The notebook can be used for tracking expenses, collecting e-mails, keeping a journal etc.
• Mask, snorkel and fins For diving or snorkelling.
• Sports equipment Surf board, golf clubs, diving equipment etc.
• Mosquito net Make sure you have a nail or similar to be able to attach the net to the wall or ceiling.
• Wire Used to tie your backpack to your bed or the luggage rack to prevent people from walking away with your bag.
• Camping equipment Tents, stoves etc.
• Knife, fork, spoon, jug, plate If you plan to cook a lot.
• Compass Get a small one which you can keep on you all the time.
• Extra bag to check in An extra bag to store your souvenirs if they do not fit in your backpack. Used to bring home souvenirs you buy during your trip. While traveling this can double as a bag to store dirty clothes.
• Water bottle for the plane These days there are restrictions on what you can bring on board including liquids. You can go through security with an empty bottle and fill it up in the bathroom before boarding though (if the water is drinkable).
• Presents If you plan on visiting people a small gift from your country will be appreciated.

There is nothing better for a freedom lover than backpacking. It is the ultimate dream being outside and at one with nature, there is so much to take in – walking about on the rough terrain, the unpredictable weather and also coming across bugs. The experienced backpacker will have left nothing to chance, by well prepared for just about everything as one slip up can make the simplest trip a dangerous one at that. This doesn’t mean that they are afraid of getting hurt, but the thought of not being able to get about in nature to enjoy it and the views it offers. Special attention is paid to all aspects of the type of gear that they need to bring for their trip.

An essential part of the gear that a backpacker needs to consider bringing is a good sleeping bag. An excellent sleeping bag must be ideal for the backpacker to carry. It should be lightweight, easy enough to stow away and carry, to ensure a good night’s sleep. What determines this will take some thought and research, looking at one’s preferences, so that it’s relatively easy to decide on the right choice of bag.

A person should look at the itinerary for their backpacking to consider what type of sleeping bag they will require. The area they are travelling to needs to be looked at – will it have warm or cool temperatures? What is the temperature going to be like once the sun has gone down? Will it be a rainy environment or is it likely to have some humidity? A sleeping bag has more insulating quantities when it gets wet if it is insulated with synthetic material compared with natural material, or bags that are filled with down, so that is important to think about if you are to stay warm. Shell linings that are made of nylon are ideal to cope with humid environments as they are quite durable, but for cold and windy environments they do not as well for this type of weather. Microfibre is a material that is suitable for resistance to water and wind, though you will find them more expensive and heavier to carry in comparison with other materials. A bag that has less material will be lighter to carry and easier to stow into a backpack. It is always best to travel light when you are backpacking and have to take everything with you.

The concept of a sleeping bag that will fit everyone sounds good in theory, but we all have different tastes in sleeping bag. People all have different metabolisms some manage to keep ‘warm’ as they sleep at night; others require some extra protection even if the climate is quite warm. There are guidelines as to the temperature of a sleeping bag when it is subjected to differing climates and what temperatures would still make them comfortable. A person will also need to consider whether they require a hood for added warmth for their head, or draft tubes that will allow the body heat to vent.

Once you have found the correct sleeping bag for yourself, think about buying a sleeping liner which minimises the need to wash the whole of the sleeping back, and will also help to cut down on its wearability. By choosing a good quality bag, the backpacker, with care, will be able to get a lot of use over the years – the perfect investment.

Thinking about going backpacking in Europe alone, with your sweetie, or a buddy? Instead of just grabbing your backpack and hopping on the first plane out to a random European country, it’s worth your while to plan a little bit ahead and figure out what you need in order to have a successful, hassle-free, and exciting European backpacking trip.

Pick a Destination
Some people choose to go into Europe blindly without a plan or destination in mind, but it’s best if you have an idea of where you’d like to go backpacking. Some stick to Western Europe, some to Eastern Europe, some traverse the entire continent on a rail pass, and others explore one or two countries more intimately. Your destination(s) will also determine your budget, gear, and other factors.

Budget
Make sure to plan an overall budget for your backpacking trip. Your budget will include your flight, your gear (all the stuff you need to buy before you go), and your “living expenses” by the day, which will include food, accommodations, and activities. Around $40 USD is fairly realistic, but this will vary from country to country and even city to city. Do some research to find out how much it will cost you in the countries/cities you wish to visit. Find out the exchange rate as well, and keep a journal of your expenses.

Get your Gear
Think you can go backpacking in Europe with nothing but the shirt on your back? Think again. There are a few fundamental elements you’ll need to take with you on your backpacking trip. First and foremost, a durable, high-quality, side-loader backpack that fits you is a must. You’ll also need several travel shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking), a money belt (with your money), all your necessary travel documents, a European guidebook and phrasebook, a journal, a camera, a water bottle, camping gear (if applicable), and more (neck pillow, basic clothing, a few toiletries).

Accommodations & Transportation
Hostels are the accommodations of choice for backpackers in Europe. Try to make arrangements (at least some) ahead of time. This way you’ll be able to find the best deals and you’ll have a spot reserved for you.

Look for cheap flights to Europe (search online or go through your travel agent)-student travel agencies and student airfare finders are great places to start. Get a rail pass when you’re in Europe, especially if your backpacking adventure takes you through several countries. Subways make a great option, too.

Learn Lingo
Although much of Europe speaks English as a second (or third or fourth or fifth) language, it’s helpful for you to learn a few key phrases in the languages of the countries you’ll be visiting.

Backpacking light, sometimes called fastpacking or ultralight backpacking, doesn’t mean leaving anything important behind, or sacrificing comfort. My seventeen-ounce down sleeping bag keeps me warmer than my previous four-pounder did. I used to use a five-pound backpack, and now have a more comfortable fourteen-ounce one. I still bring all the necessary safety gear and food when I head into the mountains – I just have lighter versions. Why? Here are six reasons.

1. More Comfort

It feels much better to have 15 pounds on your back than 50. No asking for help to struggle into that heavy pack. A heavy load leaves you sore at the end of the day, and you sweat a lot. My light backpack can be slung from one shoulder and then the other to let my back cool, and I never feel sore from carrying the weight.

2. More Range

A long day with a heavy pack might be 10 miles. With my running shoes and 15-pound load I have often gone more than 20 miles in a day without suffering. That means I have a whole lot more range. Areas of wilderness that were out of reach for a weekend trip are now possible.

3. Fewer Injuries

Some will tell you that light backpacking is dangerous because you carry less gear and less durable gear. The latter may be true, so baby that sleeping bag. But it is also true that with less weight on your back you are less likely to twist an ankle, hurt your back or lose your balance. On balance, my experience is that I have less of a chance of an injury when going light.

4. More Freedom

I used to carry an extra day pack for climbing to the summits of mountains when I was backpacking. Who wants to scramble up those steep sections with a 45-pound load? Then, I had to return to my big pack – even if I saw a better route down. Now my pack is so light that it goes everywhere with me. I hardly ever notice its weight, and I like that freedom.

5. Faster Travel

You may not like to go fast all the time when backpacking, but isn’t it nice to have the option? That’s what going light gives you. It means you can speed up to reach that waterfall, or speed up to make that campsite after playing in the waterfall too long. If there is a storm coming in, you can move to safety more quickly when you are carrying less weight. Also, if have an emergency and need to hike out to the car or a town, you can do so much quicker with 15 pounds on your back than with 50.

6. Simplicity

Have you seen that Corona Beer commercial where the couple brings a load of equipment to the beach and begins laying out towels, opening coolers and setting up umbrellas that are almost blown away by the wind? Then another couple walks to the beach with nothing but an icy bucket of Coronas and they sit down to enjoy the view. That’s simplicity.

Some people get a thrill from finding ways to cook the fanciest meals while in the woods, and from having folding furniture and electric socks, but not me. Backpacking light means simplifying things a bit, which is not a sacrifice, but a pleasure. I often go without a stove, for example, relying on foods that don’t need cooking. Not cooking? I like that. It also means no dishes to wash, and more time for swimming in that alpine lake.