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- <h1>Traveling in the Backcountry</h1>
-
- <ul>
- <li><a href="#intro" alt="Introduction">Introduction</a></li>
- <li><a href="#prepare" alt="Preparation">Before You Travel</a></li>
- <li><a href="#lost" alt="In To Trouble">When Things Go Wrong</a></li>
- </ul>
-
- <p><a name=intro>Walking in the woods,</a> whether as a hiker, camper, backpacker or hunter, provides
- plenty
- of opportunities to practice the skills of a backcountry traveler. With the proper
- preparation, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to meet the challenges of a variety
- of outdoor adventures. This page is intended to provide you with some hints and tips to
- help you create a successful experience.</p>
-
- <p>Before you read on, we'd like for you to hear a brief message from our lawyers....</p>
-
- <blockquote>
- <p>This is in no way intended to be a course in backcountry safety or survival.
- Information provided is from a variety of sources, and is to be accepted at the user's
- risk. <strong>The authors of this page assume no liability whatsoever as to the
- suitability of this information to any specific situation or person</strong>. It's you
- against the world, and we're not taking any responsibility for the outcome. </p>
- </blockquote>
-
- <div id="div_0" title="Preparing">
- <h2><a name="prepare">Before you travel</a></h2>
-
- <h3>How far can you go? </h3>
-
- <p class="h3">When choosing a location and route, take into account your physical
- condition, the reason for hiking, and the terrain and weather you could possibly
- encounter. As a general rule, an average hiker can walk about 1 1/2 to 2 miles an hour on
- level trails. Steep ascents require considerably greater time allowances. One hour for
- every 1,000 feet of elevation gain is a good rule of thumb.</p>
-
- <h3>What should you wear?</h3>
-
- <p class="h3">Proper foot gear is one of the most important parts of your journey. Sturdy
- running shoes are good for hiking on relatively smooth surfaces, such as maintained
- trails. You'll want something with a little more tread for rugged trails or cross-country
- travel. A ten mile hike in the woods is not the best place to break in new shoes.</p>
-
- <p class="h3">You should also consider what clothes to wear. Your location and the time of
- year will be key factors, but a general rule of thumb is to have at least one layer
- available for each surface of your body -- a sweater if you're in a T-shirt, pants if
- you're in shorts, and gloves and a hat. The more versatile your clothing can be, the more
- comfortable you'll be. It should also fit your style. If you don't like a bunch of stuff
- banging around in your pockets, then consider wearing a fanny pack for essentials such as
- a compass, pocket knife, lighter or matches, and adhesive bandages.</p>
-
- <h3>What should you carry?</h3>
-
- <p class="h3">For short trips, a fanny pack or day pack should include at least one quart
- of water per person, map, flashlight, first aid kit, rain gear, high-energy snack, and toilet
- paper, in addition to any optional items such as sunglasses, camera, binoculars, and
- nature books.</p>
-
- <h3>What else should you do?</h3>
-
- <p class="h3">Make an itinerary and stick with it. Make sure someone knows when and where
- you're expected back, and how long they can allow. </p>
- </div>
-
- <div id="div_1" title="Getting Lost">
- <h2><a name=lost>When things go wrong</a></h2>
-
- <blockquote>
- <p>The worst thing you can do is to get frightened. The truly dangerous enemy is not the
- cold or the hunger, so much as the fear. It robs the wanderer of his judgement and of his
- limb power; it is fear that turns the passing experience into a final tragedy ... Keep
- cool and all will be well ... Use what you have, where you are, right now. </p>
- <p class="cite">Ernest Thompson Seton, 1906</p>
- </blockquote>
-
- <p class="h2">So you've planned, you've prepared, and now you're on the trail. And the
- worst part is, you don't know where you are. There's a four-step process to follow, and
- all you have to do is <em>STOP</em> -- <strong>S</strong>tay-<strong>T</strong>hink-
- <strong>O</strong>bserve-<strong>P</strong>lan.</p>
-
- <h3>Stay!</h3>
-
- <p class="h3">At the first sign of trouble, STAY WHERE YOU ARE! The urge to walk faster or
- run blindly to escape the situation is difficult to resist, but rushing about only leads
- to more confusion. Stopping helps you fight panic and increases your chances of survival.
- If you're on foot, sit down. If you're in a boat, get to shore. If anyone is injured,
- apply first aid and rest. It may take a little bit for the panic to go away, but be
- patient. You probably got yourself into this mess, you can certainly get yourself out of
- it.</p>
-
- <h3>Think!</h3>
-
- <p class="h3">As you relax, think. If you're lost, study a map and look for landmarks. How
- long ago did you know where you were? Are there footprints to show where someone has gone
- before? Can you hear traffic from a highway? Do you see or hear a river heading down
- stream? If you give all the clues time to sink in, chances are you'll get yourself back on
- course. If you have any doubts, sit still and observe.</p>
-
- <p>...Yadda, yadda, yadda...More useful information here...</p>
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