When making a backpacking gear list, try to break it down into individual sections. I.e. section 1 would be SHELTER and SLEEP, which would include your tent, sleeping bag, kip mat, etc. This way each section can be made personal to you.

Every backpacking trip you take will be different from the previous one and will depend a lot on, where you are going, what type of terrain you will be travelling over, what time of year you will be going, and of course the weather you are likely to expect.

What are the best games for backpackers? Apart from being ones that you will actually enjoy, they need to be lightweight and easy to carry. Here are some suggestions, some for games that don’t even need to be carried anywhere but in your head.

Chess – Years ago I took a white handkerchief and used a ruler and pen to draw lines on it, making an eight-by-eight grid of squares. I darkened in the appropriate ones with a permanent marker to create a chess board. Then I bought chess set, threw out the board, and put the lightweight chessmen in a small plastic bag with my folded up cloth board. I have taken this 3-ounce game with me to other countries and on many backpacking trips over the years.

Card Games – A deck of cards weighs just a few ounces. You can even get a miniature deck if you want to really cut that weight. When it comes to lightweight games for backpackers, this is a great idea, because there are perhaps a hundred different ones which can be played with one deck of cards. You probably already know a few, including games like solitaire that don’t require another player.

Americans love the outdoors. Hiking and camping are great activities the whole family can enjoy. While outdoors you must handle food properly as indicated; otherwise, you may experience food spoilage during hiking and camping trips which can cause illness and spoil your vacation.

Seems simple enough. Bring along a cooler for the cold foods. If you are hiking or camping it’s easier to cook the food at home, cool it, and then bring the food along in the cooler. Food that is cooked on the fire or camp stove should be eaten when cooking is complete and then stored appropriately.

Never depend on there being fresh water available. When starting out bring bottled water or tap water with you. Replenish your water supply from tested water systems along the way whenever possible. If you run out of water and are not near a shelter on the trail you can boil water from the stream. It should be at a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.