Do's
Do practice low impact camping
techniques!
Do pack out everything you pack in--even toilet paper, matches and
cigarette butts!
Do dig a 6 inch cat hole in the backcountry for human waste.
Do hike with at least one other person.
Do carry your map at all times.
Do return to camp before dark!
Do carry at least 2 quarts of water.
Do bring a fanny pack to carry raingear, water, food, map and flashlight
with you at all times.
Do stay hydrated.
Do be prepared for freezing temperatures and rain.
Do remember that once you get wet it is hard to get dry out in the
wilderness.
Do pack everything in plastic--including your food.
Do bring a backpack cover.
Do bring good raingear, and put it on before you get wet!!
Do secure your food by hanging from a tree branch or in containers
provided in the backcountry Don't leave food in your tent or pack!!
Do dress in layers to adjust to changing temps.
Do bring bug repellent.
Do bring sunscreen.
Do bring extra plastic bags.
Do bring your camera with film.
Do bring a good flashlight with extra batteries.
Do recognize that a Touch the Earth trip is a group experience!!
Do explore and enjoy!!
Don't build a fire in the backcountry-especially if it is not permitted!
Don'ts
Don't wear cotton next to
your skin--long underwear should not be cotton--polypropylene, capilene
or silk are best. Sock liners should be synthetic as well.
Don't sleep in anything you wore during the day.
Don't harass the wildlife.
Do not feed the wildlife.
Don't trespass on private property.
Don't waste good water.
Don't leave your tent open when unattended.
Don't wear jeans!!
Do not discard any food in natural areas--including fruit peels. Food:
Pack all food in one self-contained bag with some sort of strap that
will make hanging it easy.
Pack all food in resealable plastic bags. Take food out of its shelf
packaging before leaving home.
Use a cook stove for preparing hot food or drink- do not expect to
cook over an open fire.
Carry out all uneaten food.
Easy food suggestions:
Breakfast:
Bagels
Muffins
Poptarts
Breakfast bars
Granola bars
Oatmeal
Fruit
Tea/Coffee/Hot Chocolate
Box Juice Drinks
Lunch:
Crackers and cheese
Peanut butter and Jelly
Pita bread
Bagels
Tuna
Fruit
Trail mix
Granola bars
Cookies
Box juice drinks
Candy -chocolate
Dinner:
Instant soup
Minute Rice
Stove-top stuffing
Canned chicken
Raman Noodles
Soup mixtures in cups
Canned stews
cookies
Keep it simple--food should be light and packable. Take out of store
bought containers at home. Use Ziplock Freezer bags. Remember that
there is limited good water for clean-up and you probably don't want
to spend the whole trip cooking and cleaning up. Stay hydrated and
do eat for energy during the day and warmth at night.
