1. Be Wary of Weather
Weather can be intense on the backpacking trail; however, backpacking precautions can get you to safe ground in no time. Dress the part with weatherproof clothing. Turn around if you come up against weather or outdoor conditions you're not prepared for, whether it's heavy snow, ice or flooded rivers. Likewise, beware of thunderstorms that quickly approach the mountains. If you feel or hear the crackle of electricity in the air, get yourself below the timberline fast. Handling inclement weather on the trail is largely common sense. Don't take unnecessary chances, and prepare for the possibility of extreme weather.
2. Take Hiking Precautions to the Trail
Know where you are and where you're going at all times. Bring a map of the backpacking trail, and be certain to check it against your surroundings each time you stop for food or drink. Pack a compass, and know how to use it. If you plan to spend lots of time on the trail, you might want to invest in a watch suited for backpacking. Some specialized watches come with a digital compass, an altimeter to measure altitude, a thermometer to monitor temperature and a barometer for measuring barometric pressure.
3. Drink Safely
You may be traveling in pristine areas, but that doesn't mean the water from the babbling brook is safe to drink. Sadly, safe drinking water in the wilderness is a thing of the past. People and industrial waste make their way to rivers, which branch off into creeks. Another danger comes from campers washing dishes too close to water sources. No matter how water looks, bacteria may be swimming in it. Do your body a favor, and carry some type of water purifying system on your backpacking trip.
4. Sharing Space with Animals
Backpacking in the wilderness means traveling through animal's homes, leaving you confronting everything from insects to bears. Wild animals don't want to be your buddy, so don't think about approaching or feeding them. New research suggests that blending in with your surroundings may dissuade curious bears from approaching. Wilderness researchers believe that camouflage tents can be more effective than bear bells. That is, until bears smell something that might be worth eating.
5. Remember Smokey the Bear's Message
Only you can prevent wildfires. That's the message from Smokey the Bear about the more than 100,000 wildfires that break out each year, destroying over four million acres. Nine out of ten wildfires start because of careless behavior by people. Take these safety tips along with you on a backpacking trip. Check with Forest Service about fire danger and any fire restrictions before stepping on the trail. Build fires in cleared areas in fire rings, and monitor campfires at all times. Better yet, use backpacking stoves and avoid campfires. Know the area, and have an escape route ready in case fire approaches. Another danger during fire season is lightning strikes that lead to uncontrollable fires in no time.
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