President Obama and family will be going to Yellowstone on Friday August, 14 then the Grand Canyon on August 16.  The Obamas will also be rolling through Grand Junction and Phoenix.

Like everyone else, they won’t be charged the admission fee.

Read more about it at Backpacker.

It turns out that weight is not the only concern when carrying a backpack. According to this article, incorrectly fitting a backpack may cause pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back and lower back.

According to a release from the American Chiropractic Association, backpacks are a “leading cause of back and shoulder pain for millions of children and adolescents.”

Find out how to correctly fit a hiking backpack.

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - 95 percent of our province is in high or extreme forest fire danger and could ignite at any moment. That’s from Jeanne Rucker with the Kamloops Fire Centre.

It’s very volatile out there that even a small spark from a camp stove could ignite a huge blaze.

Read more..

Watch CBS Videos Online

Backpacker Magazine, editor in chief talks about Nature Deficit Disorder and the best places in America to raise an outdoor kid:

1. Boulder, Co
2. Jackson, Wy
3. Durango, Co
4. Flagstaff, Az
5. Juneau, Ak

Seven members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light, also known as simply the Raninbow Family have been arrested for camping on the roof of a Public Library in Boulder. They were charged with illegal camping and trespassing.

They were identified as Christine Hodge, 22, Joshua Cole, 21, Aaron Waldeck, 19, Kirstin Humason, 21, Eli Dworkin, 19, Thaddeus O’Hail, 18, and Salvatore Gelosos, 22. The two dogs they have with them were sent to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

This group is a loose-knit -knit group that promotes love and world peace.

It’s called the Rocket Tent and it weighs only 1 lb. 6oz. That’s lighter than some bivy sacks and this has so much more space and can probably 2 people.

Revealed at the Outdoor Retailer, the minimalist winter shelter from Brooks Range Mountaineering is made of tough and ultralight sail cloth and uses trekking poles and an avalanche probe to provide the frame. There are also a few guy-out points.

The canopy is designed to minimize heat loss while blocking the sun. Watch out for reviews soon.

Jason Klass managed to steal some of the latest rain cover prototypes for your internal frame backpack from the Gossamer Gear Laboratories. Check it out (Shhh..)

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New Hampshire -  I think it’s stupid to charge such a large amount of money to be rescued. Even though the cost of rescue last year due to negligence was $42,000. If these criminals were to charge $25,000 (like in the case of the Eagle Scout Scott Mason) per rescue and they make 2 “negligent” rescues per year they would be making a profit- Blood suckers!

This probably won’t reduce the number of “negligent” hikers. My guess is, it would increase even more so since negligence is not clearly defined. It’s wide open for debate. Not checking the weather could count as negligence. Not bringing the GPS could also be negligence. Even a small mistake could count as negligence.

Tax makes me sick. Why can’t the people tax the government instead? See how they like it.

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Lightweight backpacking doesn’t mean that you sacrifice comfort and safety. It’s more of carrying just what you need and nothing more and to be efficient with your gear, among other stuff. There’s a lot you can learn about lightweight backpacking from the above video. Thanks to BackpackingLight.com

According to the stats, people missing beyond 24 hours have about 50 percent survival rate.  Each additional day drops the chances of survival by 25%.

This is not really a surprise but it’s something you should be aware of so that you’d be more careful in your planning. Always plan for an emergency.

According to Examiner, there are 5 things you must do to increase your chances of survival in the wild:

1. Be aware of weather patterns – You don’t want to go on dangerous hikes on a really bad day.

2. Dress appropriately – Cotton is a big NO-NO.

3. Prepare to hydrate – It’s always great to have your own water even when you’re surrounded by sources.

4. Share your plans – Tell someone you can count on about where you plan to go and when you expect to return. The more details the better.

5. Pack survival essentials – Include water purifier, appropriate clothing, pocket knife, waterproof matches, rain poncho, energy bars, rope and whistle.

These guys are amazing! Not only did they set the record for most blind climbers at the summit but also the youngest blind climber ever to reach the top, 13-year-old Max Ashton. Truly inspiring.

All eight blind climbers and their seventeen guides reached the summit (19,340 feet) on June 29. It’s not usual for a whole team to reach the top together so the team deserves some credit.

The way to the top wasn’t easy for them; intestinal bacteria, altitude sickness and near frostbite are only some of the things they had to go through. Check out the SeeKiliOurWay blog.

I almost expected the thing to blow up when he added the catalyst. It’s called Chemfire and looks like this would work pretty well on a windy day.

I love to watch the show “Man vs Wild” on discovery channel.  In case you didn’t know it’s a show teaching you how to survive in just about any terrain. What a kid watches on TV he follows and a boy who got separated from his parents in the woods in Daggett County claimed that it saved his life.

Grayson Wynne and his cousin had been hiking back to his family camper with a cousin when he fell behind and strayed onto a different trail. Family members immediately began a search when they found him missing.

It was Saturday and Grayson was found on Sunday and the first sign of him was found Saturday night about 300 yards from the trail the family had been hiking.

Did you notice anything wrong with this picture? While I believe the show helped the boy survive through the night, he could have been found that same night if he stayed put. He left a lot of clues behind just like in the discovery channel show but the best thing to do is stay put. He even left his backpack behind which contains his sleeping bag, snacks and extra jacket.

He spent the night under a log but he was found in good health and spirit.

“Search teams concluded the boy was following the creek based on the layout of items they found and concentrated efforts on that area. Two searchers on horses, Dave Potter and Rusty Burnside of McKinnon, Wyo., found Grayson at around 10 a.m. in a meadow near the stream. He was waving strips he had torn from a yellow rain slicker hoping to get the attention of the helicopter he heard flying overhead.” – Deseret News

I’ve never used silk as a base layer before but apparently they’re the perfect base layer for hiking because the properties of silk are temperature regulating and it keeps you cool during exercise.

The soft texture and the wicking properties keeps you comfortable as you’re hiking. Sounds about right but this comes from the people who sell silk, Patra Selections. Go figure.

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There are some very good tips on the video on hiking clothing. Some of the key points are:

For men

• Wear pants that can be converted into shorts
• Do not wear any cotton as it absorbs moisture
• Use clothes made of breathable material
• In cold weather wear lightweight clothing in layers

For Women

• One bra is sufficient because you’ll be able to wash it
• Bring along a pack towel
• You can use you unused clothing as pillow stuffing
• No cotton
• Tank top recommended
• Hat recommended
• Wear pants that convert into shorts (like the men’s above)
• Liner socks are important
• Invest in high quality socks and boots
• Fleece for cold weather

My favorite part of Backpacker is the trail chef. This week we’re up for a healthy treat; berries. Here are three tasty ways to serve the berry of your choice:

Couscous in Fruit Sauce
A sweet, hearty breakfast. Serves 4. Recipe adapted from The Wilderness Chef, by Claudine Martin

1 pouch clarified butter
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 cup fresh berries of choice
1/4 cup dried banana, ground
1/2 cup dried pineapple, diced
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In camp: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot with the butter. Add couscous and banana, stir, and remove from heat. Cover and let stand five minutes. Uncover and fluff couscous with a fork, then stir in remaining ingredients.

Berry Compote
Gourmet topping for instant cheesecake or pudding. Recipe adapted from Camp Cooking, by Bill and Jo McMorris.

2 cups fresh berries
4 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
1 tablespoon instant tapioca pudding
1/2 cup water

In camp: Put cinnamon sugar, pudding, and water in a small saucepan and let stand five minutes. Add berries and cook over medium flame until the mixture boils. Remove mixture from pan and let cool completely. When cool, spread on your dessert of choice.

Easy Berry Tacos
A fun twist on the classic pancake breakfast. Serves 3. Recipe adapted from scoutorama.com.

2 cups pancake mix (such as Bisquick)
2-3 cups fresh berries
Maple syrup

At home: Pack syrup in leakproof container.

In camp: Combine pancake mix with 1 1/3 cups cold water and mix well. Heat and lightly grease skillet. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter onto heated skillet and cook 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let cool enough to hold with your hand. Fill pancake with berries and drizzle with syrup; fold like a taco and eat.

Hope you enjoy them.

Careful preparation and the right mindset can go a long way toward ensuring years of enriching and safe adventures.

Alice Hutchison, an avid hiker who routinely visits Glacier National Park, gives an account on how she keeps safe everytime she ventures into the mountains. She is familiar with the wrath of Mother Nature in the mountains and the inherent dangers. Her experience has prepared her for nearly every situation.

In the pouch inside her fanny pack she always have with her some stuff she swears could make a difference between a pleasant experience or a miserable one, including raincoat, windbreaker, gloves, hat, light fleece, lip balm, sunscreen, bug repellent, moleskin, pocket knife, a packet of protein gel and pain relief medicine.

However, the one thing that she relies on most is her ability to stay focused when things turn bad. She is also always aware of her surroundings especially in bear country.

The owner of Kalispell’s Rocky Mountain Outfitter, Don Scharfe, echoes his agreement that your mental state is critical to safe mountaineering. He goes on to say that “Nothing beats keeping a level head and making a plan of attack when a situation in the woods goes south.”

Scharfe goes even further by using visualization techniques to mentally map out where he’s going to be at various times throughout the day, which is particular critical when you’re exposed to the elements high up in the alpine areas.

He also believes in hiking light and only takes with him enough gear to UNCOMFORTABLY survive and nothing else.

According to Glacier National Park ranger, Matt Graves, for safety in the mountains you need to pre-plan your route, know your physical limits, bring food and water, dress in layers, and know what’s out there in terms of hazards, including wildlife. Everything in the wild should be approached with knowledge and respect.

Both Graves and Scharfe agree that while cell phones and global positioning systems may be useful in emergencies, they also give you a false sense of security. For you own safety and the safety of the would-be rescuers, never go anywhere you’re not mentally and physically prepared to go.

Spending time in the mountains is one of life’s most deeply rewarding experiences. I always carry a lightweight bivvy with me on day hikes in the mountains.

I just found out that a powerball can be used to charge up a mobile phone. Pretty cool and pretty useful in such cases where you can’t find any power outlet anywhere. A powerball is a handheld gyroscope. I don’t know what a gyroscope is but I know what it does and it can give you powerful arms if you use it daily. I can almost guarantee it.

Here’s the blue neon version.

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Here’s Akis “The Machine” Powerball world record holder.

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And here’s a contender:

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This guy uses the powerball to charge his phone.

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In a collaboration between Mobile operator Orange and renewable energy specialist GotWind, another kind of charger was set to make its debut at next month’s Glastonbury Festival, the UK’s largest and hippest open-air music bash. The mobile phone charger prototype was unveiled earlier this year and is called the Orange Power Pump.

By treading on what is essentially a standard camping air foot-pump, the kinetic energy created drives a small turbine inside the compact Power Pump. The energy is converted into electrical current, which recharges the mobile phone. The idea is not only simple, it cleverly encourages you to dance and charge your mobile at the same time.

There won’t be any electrical outlet at the four-day music festival in Somerset to charge mobile phones, cameras and ipods.

Last year, Orange launched a mobile phone charger prototype powered by dance energy. Nicknamed the Dance Charge, the 180g prototype – which was about the size of a pack of playing cards – was strapped to the upper arm. As the arm moved, a system of weights and magnets generated an electrical current that charged a battery.

Orange also plans to set up its Chill ‘n’ Charge tent again this year, which will let festival-goers recharge their batteries – literally and figuratively. Some 600 mobile phone charging points, free internet access and live music will be available in the tent.

Orange will be showcasing the Orange Power Pump at this year’s festival from June 24-28. Updates from the field can be found at Orange.co.uk and details about the Glastonbury Festival can be found at GlastonburyFestivals.co.uk.

John Black and Robbie Kojetin planned to reach the summit of Mount Everest by 26th May but instead at 0915 hours on Saturday, May 23, they stood at the summit of Lady Everest, all in tears. Their Sherpa, Lhakpa Nuru, dropped to his knees and thanked Sagarmartha for letting them be there.

Congratulations to both John and Black. Robbie was nice enough to let his nephew and auntie ask questions about life in the mountains which resulted in the following:

Who cooks our food, do we have mountain chefs?

Our food at Base Camp is prepared by a team of really great Sherpa staff, headed up Tacchi and Lacchu. They are also helped by a chef from New Zealand name Haydn. They make all our food while we are here. When we go up the mountain, we have to cook for ourselves with camp stoves and pots. When we get up to Camp 2, there is a kitchen there with a three-man team to cook and boil water for us. they live up there for the three weeks while the teams make their attempts to get to the summit.

Do you sleep on the ground or raised off the ground?

In our tents we sleep on the ground, but we have a thin foam mat with a 6cm thick foam mattress. On top of that, I brought an nice thick blow up mattress and then I put one sleeping bag under me, and one really warm one on top of that. So I am really warm in there!

Are there any plants or animals at Base Camp?

The temperature up here makes it nearly impossible for anything to live up here. We see a few really small birds and a couple of crows around camp, but they usually disappear around Three o’clock when it starts getting cold.

There are no plants here. There are some small grasses and tough shrubs about three hours walk down from here.

Do you have used a rope to climb up and does the rope freeze?

Well yes, and yes. The entire way up the mountain from BC is solid ice so we have to use ropes where ever it is steep and dangerous. The ropes are attached to the ice with big ice pickets. They long steel spikes that get hammered deep into the ice. We are then attached to the ropes with our harnesses to keep us safe. The ropes lie on the ground all day and the snow and ice soaks into the ropes. Sometimes when it is cold enough, the ropes freeze solid and make it very hard to feed through the safety devices.

What time does the sun rise and set?

Well, the sun here rises really early and the first signs of daylight start around 4am. In the afternoon, because there are high mountains all around us, it gets really cold at about 4pm when the sun dips behind Lobuche. It is then dark by 5.30pm.

Do you have mirrors?

Well some days I wish I didn’t, but there is one in the toilet tent and I have a small one to help put my contact lenses in. Its not a pretty sight with my thick beard and sunburnt and peeling lips! Scary stuff.

Do you have fresh fruit and veggies?

Yes we get fresh fruit and veggies all the time. The expedition boss, Russell, makes sure that there is fresh food and supplies brought up to the camp every 12 days or so. People bring from very far away, and so we are really happy to have it.

How do you weigh yourself?

Well, as part of the team, we have a really nice doctor named Monica Piris. She does regular check ups with us and she has a scale in the “hospital” tent. She is ready to handle anything from a headache to serious stuff.

What water do you drink? Mineral water or melted ice?

All our water up here is melted from the glacier we are living on. The kitchen has giant pots that are constantly boiling lots of water for the whole team to use. We boil all the water we drink or cook with to kill the germs and they melt some water for the showers.

Mineral water is available down in the valley but its expensive because it arrived on the back of a Sherpa or a yak (R40 for a 1 litre bottle). We wash our clothes in a plastic bucket with some warm water from the kitchen and a squirt of shower gel.

Do you have Coca Cola on the mountain, and if so do you put ice in it?

Good question. I would not be alive if there was no Coke up here! We can get it from the social tent, along with fanta, sprite, beer and espresso. But everything comes at a price. A can of Coca-Cola is $4 and a 1.5 litre coke bottle is $12.50. We don’t have a fridge to keep it cold, but we don’t need one. Sometimes stuff freezes overnight if it is left outside… so no ice.

Have you made a snow angel yet?

I haven’t made one yet. I have been a bit scared to, but when I put on my down suit I will. I fell over the other day coming down the snow slope, but the mark I made in the snow looked more like a chicken on a bicycle. My down suit will make sure I don’t get ice down my neck and will keep me nice and dry.

How many Sherpas per climber and do they speak English?

Well depending on the type of climbing we do, the number of Sherpas vary. Tomorrow when we leave for Camp 2 and 3, we will have 2 or 3 climbers to one Sherpa to help us. On summit day, each climber will have 1 “guardian angel” each to the summit and back. Their English varies, but we are able to communicate with simple words and actions. Should we have any trouble communicating, we can use our radios and get Phurba to help translate.

How eco-friendly will your trip be?

Maintaining a minimal impact is a great priority for Himex, the expedition company and the climbers themselves. The team comprises of people who love this sacred environment and are extremely conscious to preserve it. This expedition is 70 percent powered by solar energy, using a solar farm of panels to charge batteries throughout the day. In case of bad weather, there is a generator which is run for two hours a day when needed.

Air travel obviously has its disadvantages in terms of carbon emission, but I feel it is offset well if the other factors are considered.

All transport from Lhukla airport to BC is on foot or on yaks. Yak dung is burnt as heating in the villages. Most climbers power their electronic equipment with solar blankets, waste is well managed, home luxuries like heaters, hot showers daily, regular toilet flushing and the like impact more heavily than the lifestyle we lead up

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When a panel of veteran campers and backpackers were asked about the essential equipment for camping and backpacking they made quite a good list. But they don’t cover all of the ten essentials below:

1. Navigation
2. Sun protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter

Here’s what the veterans came up with:

Camping

Food and water:

• Ice chest.
• Camp stove with two burners.
• Containers, including cooking pots, utensils and a container to carry water to the campsite.
• Water filter.

Tents:

• A large tent is ideal if you have to wait for weather to clear, but purchase a design that fits the size of your family.

Sleep gear:

• High-quality sleeping bag rated 10 degrees colder than the weather in which you plan to camp.
• An air mattress or a cot for softness and to protect from ground chill.
• Folding cot, under which items can be stored.

Camp comfort:

• Lantern or flashlights strong enough for reading.
• One Frisbee per person and brightly colored trail-marking tape to place around tree trunks for Frisbee golf games.
• Hammocks made of lightweight nylon string.
• Folding card table.

Safety:

• First-aid kit that contains antiseptic, adhesive bandages, tape, ibuprofen, scissors, tweezers, a sling and gauze pads.
• Map and compass.

Backpacking

• Internal frame backpack
• Collapsible canteen. Nalgene makes a 32-ounce wide-mouth collapsible plastic canteen.
• Collapsible cup, spork and knife.
• Compass and maps of all areas you will be visiting.
• Cotton bandanas. They’re all-purpose and dry quickly.
• Firestarters, including waterproof matches and a lighter. Coughlin firestarters can be broken into 1/2-inch sections with a pair of pliers.
• Headlamp. The Petzel Tikka Plus headlamp has three levels of light intensity and is reported to work even when the batteries are down to a 10 percent charge.
• Knife sharpener. The GATCO sharpener weighs1 ounce and sharpens both straight and serrated edges.
• Leatherman crunch tool, with vise-grip pliers.
• Stove. Esbit makes stoves that use fuel tablets instead of gasoline.
• Safety kit with antiseptic, adhesive bandages, tape, ibuprofen, scissors, tweezers, a sling and gauze pads.
• Survival kit with a signal mirror, knife, space blanket, parachute cord, toilet paper, zip-lock bags, cell phone and a loud whistle on a lanyard.
• Shower curtain hangers. Outfit one with 15 medium-sized safety pins, and one with 12 wire clips for hanging wet clothes on a braided nylon cord in camp.
• Tarp. Go with a lightweight tarp such as the 8-ounce Mountain Laurel Designs Grace Duo Cuban fiber 8-by-10-foot tarp.
• Trail food high in carbs and protein, such as dried fruit, nuts and seeds. Meals are available to which you just add water.
• Trekking poles.
• Water filter.

So what’s missing?

Sun protection and extra clothing are left out in the combined list. Sun protection includes sunscreen and sunglasses. The extra clothing will help you keep warm at night or as a spare in case your clothes got wet.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/DONATIONS NEEDED

Backpack project | Packs of Hope will launch a backpack drive from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. May 6 at 8270 W. 80th Ave, Arvada. The Denver non-profit donates backpacks filled with clothes and supplies to foster children in Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties. Each backpack is filled with new clothes, including a pair of pajamas, socks and underwear. There are supplies such as a toothbrush, toothpaste or soap. Packs are provided by volunteers who donate their time and resources. It costs between $25 and $50 to fill a backpack, depending on where the volunteer shops. Info: packsofhope.org/.

Community Pride day | Westminster needs volunteers to help with Community Pride Day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9. Volunteer groups will pick up trash along designated sites, including trails, streets, open space and parks in Westminster and the Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District Trash bags and pickup of the filled bags from the sites are provided. After the event, volunteers will be treated to a free barbecue at City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. Register: 303-658-2201 or e-mail pwright@cityofwestminster.us.

Run/walk and pet fair | The Larimer Humane Society needs volunteers for the 19th annual Fire Hydrant 5K Race, 3K walk and Pet Fair on May 9 in Eudora Park, Fort Collins. Volunteers are needed for event set-up, participant registration, race course marshal, start-finish line and more. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Shifts are between 3 and 6 hours and times vary throughout the morning. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and snacks. Info: volunteer@larimerhumane.org or 970-226-3647, ext. 146.

Blankets/blanket-making material | Project Linus is a non-profit organization dedicated to “bringing comfort and hope to those in need through the donation of handmade blankets.” They are seeking donations of homemade blankets and materials for blanket-making. The following types of materials are needed: 100% cotton fabric, flannel fabric, polar fleece fabric and acrylic yarn. Please follow these guidelines when making homemade blankets to donate: blankets should not have buttons or similar decorative items attached to them (choking hazards for young children); do not use paint on the surface of the blanket; keep the blanket in a non-smoking environment and away from pet hair (to avoid giving kids allergic reactions); and do not make blankets out of tapestry, burlap, upholstery fabric, felt, vinyl, wool or wool yarn. (Also, donations of those materials will not be accepted). Homemade blankets and materials can be donated at the following Greeley locations: Kenton Manor, 820 27th Ave.; Fairacres Manor, 1700 18th Ave.; Sterling House, 1999 W. 38th Ave.; and Life Care Center, 4800 25th St. Info: 970-356-3922.

Outdoor gear collection | Homeless Gear is seeking unwanted outdoor gear (backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, coats, boots, socks, blankets, etc.) to distribute to Denver’s homeless population. Gear donations can be brought to the following locations: St. Francis Center, 2323 Curtis St., Denver, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday; or to Urban Peak, 730 21st St., Denver. For drop-off hours, contact the Outreach Coordinator at 303-974-2900. For information on the St. Francis Center, call 303-297-1576 or visit sfcdenver.org. For information on Urban Peak, call 303-974-2900 or visit urbanpeak.org. For information on Homeless Gear, visit homelessgear.com.

Kids clothing drive | Clothes To Kids recently opened a new storefront in University Hills. Their mission is to provide low-income families a chance to allow their school-age kids to “shop” for a weeks worth of school clothes every 6 months free of charge. The Clothes to Kids store is open by appointment only. Silk Road is helping with the clothing dive by being a designated clothing drop-off point. Silk Road is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Info: clothestokidsdenver.org.

Donations for at-risk women | Women’s Business Link Dreaming Big project is seeking donations from local individuals and business. Five areas of need have been identified: scholarships, personal services, mentorship, cash and gift cards. Many at-risk women are in need of basic services and items such as hair cuts, bus passes, Internet access, diapers, flu shots and vitamins. Info: wendy@womensbusinesslink.org or 720-261-1940.

Disaster program | The Aurora Volunteers In Disasters (AVID) program manages dedicated and highly-motivated volunteers who are trained to help their fellow residents in times of emergencies. “Emergency Response Volunteers” receive training and guidance through AVID when a disaster strikes and they are called to respond. AVID is recruiting volunteers for the “Four Wheel Driver Response Group,” who provide critical transportation during a snow emergency. Info: 303-326-8964 or e-mail shackett@auroragov.org.

Website research | Compass of Larimer County is a website containing current statistics, reports and studies about Larimer County. Larimer County’s Health and Human Services Division needs Compass research specialist volunteers and interns to provide research and data analysis to update the Compass website. Specialists set their own schedule and work at home. Apply online at larimer.org/compass/volunteer_application.pdf. Info: awolsey@larimer.org or 970-498-6877.

SouthWest Improvement Council | SWIC needs volunteers in several areas. Class Leader volunteers plan and coordinate classes in the Westwood Community Center. Reception Ambassador volunteers will work at the reception desk answering phones and welcoming patrons. Office Assistant volunteers will do computer data entry and assist with staff projects. Fitness Center Monitor volunteers will use the fitness office to monitor open times in the weight room and check out balls for use in the gymnasium. Info: 303-934-4780.

Recording for the blind and dyslexic | The Rocky Mountain Unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) is recruiting volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include: reading, directing, bookmarkering, tape checking, duplicating, outreach, fundraising and more. Volunteer orientations are at 10 a.m. every Monday and 6 p.m. every Thursday. Info: 303-757-0787or e-mail cskoff@rfbd.org.

Animal shelter | The Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, 678 S. Jason St., needs volunteers to walk dogs and to socialize with cats. Volunteers are also needed to work in the administrative office doing filing, proof-reading Dog/Cat Licenses and assisting with other administrative duties. Items accepted for donation to the shelter are: blankets, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer and treats. Info: Contact Lisa Sanchez at 303-698-5553 or visit Denvergov.org/animalcontrol.

Animal foster homes | The Larimer Humane Society in Fort Collins needs volunteer foster homes to help take care of animals they receive. Foster care volunteers give temporary off-site care to homeless animals. A volunteer orientation will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Larimer Humane Society, 6317 Kyle Ave.Register: volunteer@larimerhumane.org. Info: larimerhumane.org. or e-mail foster@larimerhumane.org.

Coyote protection | WildEarth Guardians, a conservation nonprofit, needs volunteers to help protect coyotes in Greenwood Village by writing e-mail letters and doing outdoor field work in Greenwood Village Parks. Info: e-mail barbJAdams13@aim.com.

Canine Partners of the Rockies | Canine Partners of the Rockies, Inc., (CaPR) needs puppy raisers. The base requirements for puppy raisers include raising the puppy for 18 months and attending scheduled training classes with other puppy raisers. Info: 303-364-9040, Linda@caninepartnersoftherockies or caninepartnersoftherockies.org.

Animal sanctuary | Denkai Animal Sanctuary needs volunteers to help feed, water, drain hoses, clean pens and repair fencing for the many animals housed at the sanctuary. Dog-walkers are also needed. Info: 970-897-3122 or e-mail info@denkaisanctuary.org.

Colorado Division of Wildlife | Volunteers are needed to help with activities including: transporting sick and injured wildlife to rehabilitation centers, helping spawn fish, monitoring nest sites for ospreys and eagles, being tour guides at fish hatcheries, State Wildlife Area clean-ups, and a variety of other hands-on projects. Projects are seasonal and vary by region of the state. Info: In southeastern Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Lamar, contact Jena Sanchez at 719-227-5204 or jena.sanchez@state.co.us; in southwest Colorado, including Montrose, Gunnison, Durango and the San Luis Valley, contact Jennifer Kleffner at 970-375-6704 or Jennifer.kleffner@state.co.us; in northwest Colorado, including Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Craig and Steamboat Springs, contact Linda Edwards at 970-255-6145 or linda.edwards@state.co.us; and in northeast Colorado, including Denver, Castle Rock, Sterling and Fort Collins, contact Mary McCormac at 303-291-7369 or mary.mccormac@state.co.us.

Bird education and science | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, with offices in Brighton and Fort Collins, conserves birds and their habitats through research, monitoring, outreach and education. Volunteer are needed to help plan or staff various public events, such as festivals and RMBO’s annual member event. These events are at various locations along the Front Range at various times between April and October. Time commitment is variable and no knowledge of birds is necessary Info: rmbo.org. or 303-659-4348.

Raptor program | Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, based in Fort Collins, needs volunteers. RMRP encourages preservation of our environmental and cultural resources through excellence in raptor rehabilitation, community education and research. Info: 970-484-7756 or e-mail info@rmrp.org.

Railroad museum | The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden needs volunteers to work in the office, on the track crew, in restoration projects in the roundhouse, in the library and as tour guides. Contact volunteer coordinator David Williams at 720-274-5147 or e-mail david@crrn.org.

Airport ambassadors | Denver International Airport needs volunteers for its Ambassador Program. Candidates must be outgoing and able to work directly with the public, and be physically capable of standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. Prospects must be over 21, pass a background check and complete a day of training. Info: corinne.christensen@diadenver.net or 303-342-2242.

Travelers assistance | The Travelers Assistance Program at the Denver International Airport needs mature volunteers to provide comfort; information and referrals; lending of wheelchairs, car-seats, strollers; assistance for people with disabilities; and provide social services to the DIA traveler. Shifts are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Flexible schedule and stations. Once a week or twice a month would be great. Volunteers undergo a complete background check. Training is provided. Contact TAP at 303-342-0400 or dentravler@aol.com.

Visiting Nurse Association | The Visiting Nurse Association needs volunteers to assist with their Senior Wellness Clinics. Each month, the VNA conducts more than 80 clinics providing foot care and basic health assessments to seniors across the Denver-metro area. Volunteers assist clinic nurses by serving as receptionists, assisting with client paperwork and scheduling appointments. Also needed are volunteers to visit home-bound patients to help prevent isolation, loneliness and provide respite for caregivers. Info: Contact Nora Simmons Daly at 303-698-6387 or e-mail VNAvolunteers@vnacolorado.org.

Alzheimer’s residents | Volunteers are needed to spend time with Alzheimer’s residents at Bear Creek Nursing and Rehab in Morrison. Volunteers spend time with residents, talking to them, helping to read and write letters, sending holiday greeting cards, playing cards and more. Info: Karen Fletcher, 303-697-8181.

Elder care | Life Care Center of Aurora, an elder care facility, needs volunteers in the areas of administration and activities, flexible to volunteers’ personalities and schedules. Info: Contact Kim at 720-222-4242 or visit the Center at 14101 E. Evans Ave.

Hospice | Evercare Hospice, 6455 S. Yosemite St., needs volunteers to support people with life-limiting illness and their families. Opportunities include companionship for patient, caregiver support, pet visits, massage/Reiki/healing touch, and more. Hours are flexile. Info: Contact Lynette at 303-741-2376.

Hospice | Sol Amor Hospice needs volunteers who are compassionate, have transportation and can attend a comprehensive volunteer training course. Info: 720-200-1036.

Hospice | The Visiting Nurse Association needs volunteers to work with VNA’s Hospice at Home program. Volunteers provide support to patients, respite for family members, child care assistance, bereavement support, fundraising and administrative work. Info: Nora Simmons Daly, 303-698-6387.

Hospice | Affinity Hospice of Life, 2121 S. Blackhawk, Ste. 110, Aurora, needs volunteers to visit with patients. Hospice volunteers are offered a free training program and are involved in a wide range of activities including writing letters, supervising visits with pets, grocery shopping and support for primary caregivers. Info: affinityhospice.com. or 303-745-3197.

Hospice | Trinity Hospice of Colorado seeks volunteers to offer companionship and support to terminally ill patients and their families. By offering just one hour per week, you can serve as a source of encouragement and compassion by visiting someone in the Denver metropolitan area. Info: contact Jill Fabrizio at 303-799-5096 or e-mail jill.fabrizio@trinityhospice.com.

Assisted living facilities | Denver Regional Council of Governments Aging Services needs ombudsman volunteers to serve as advocates for residents in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The program requires a commitment of one year. Extensive training is provided. Info: contact Nancy Ferrier at 303-480-5638 or Nferrier@DRCOG.org.

Hospital | Saint Joseph Hospital needs volunteers for the afternoon/evening shifts at its “Welcome Desks.” Volunteers will greet and assist patients and visitors by answering questions; direct visitors to patients’ rooms, department locations and meeting locations; look up patients’ room location for visitors and provide accurate information to visitors as directed by staff. Volunteers should have good interpersonal customer service skills; a positive attitude and ability to maintain a high level of professional composure under stressful conditions; ability to work with little supervision and flexibility in determining and meeting customer needs. Info: Contact Jordan Frost, volunteer coordinator, at 303-837-7667 or visit sjhfdenver.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities | Volunteers are needed to help support the Ronald McDonald Houses in Denver and Aurora by becoming a “Volunteer House Manager,” cooking meals, donating services, cleaning, doing office work and donating supplies. Info: rmhc.org/volunteer. or 720-324-2404.

Seniors/finances | AARP ElderWatch needs volunteers to help fight fraud and to protect older adults from financial exploitation. Volunteers are needed to work with the AARP Foundation and Colorado Attorney General’s Colorado Consumer Line in the Denver Call-Center. References and background checks are required. Info: Contact Amy at 720-947-5306 or visit aarpelderwatch.org.

Consumer Fraud education | AARP ElderWatch needs volunteers with public speaking experience to educate seniors about financial security, fraud and scams. Documented speaking experiences and references are required. Info: Contact Amy at 720-947-5306 or visit aarpelderwatch.org.

Foreclosure Prevention Program | SouthWest Improvement Council needs volunteers to assist with the Foreclosure Prevention and Housing Counseling Program. Volunteer activities include answering phones, returning calls to clients, setting appointments and faxing and filing documents. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one 4-hour shift one day each week. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Info: 303-934-2181.

Money management | Seniors Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps people maximize their personal independence, needs volunteers for its Money Management Program – Bill Payer Service. After training, volunteers will go into the residences of low income disabled or elderly persons, at no cost, to assist them with organizing and paying their bills, balancing their checkbook and providing guidance on personal budgeting and related matter. Info: Tim Cusick at 303-300-6933 or tcusick@seniorsinc.org.

Volunteers of America | RSVP, a program sponsored by Volunteers of America, assists over 80 agencies in Denver, Douglas and western Arapahoe counties recruit volunteers. Participants must be 55 or older and can sign up for volunteer positions at partner agencies during RSVP’s “Inside Scoop” meetings. Info: Jan Munoz at 303-297-0408, ext. 13128.

Food donations | The Jeffco Action Center, 8755 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood, needs soup, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, cereal, powdered milk, and baby food and formula for its food bank. The Jeffco Action Center is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency services to needy residents in Jefferson County. Info: 303-237-7704 or jeffcoac.org.

Food bank | Food Bank of the Rockies needs volunteers in the Distribution area of the warehouse filling orders, packing boxes, sorting products for delivery and more. FBR can accommodate groups from 1-30 individuals for two shifts per day as well as one Saturday morning per month. Info: Contact Olive at 303-371-9250, ext. 236 or e-mail volunteer@foodbankrockies.org.

Medical relief | Project C.U.R.E. delivers donated medical supplies and equipment to people in need of medical relief around the world. Project C.U.R.E. Corps needs groups of volunteers to sort items, load containers and for warehouse organization. Individual volunteers are needed to work as truck drivers, volunteer coordinators, couriers, sorting team leaders, and in procurement and general administration. Info: projectcure.org. or 303-792-0729.

Child assistance | CASA of Adams and Broomfield Counties is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that trains, supports and supervises community volunteers who advocate for the physical, emotional and educational needs of abused and neglected children. Volunteers attend 30 hours of training in order to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected. Info: casa17th.org., 303-654-3378 or rhea@casa17.com.

Victim assistance | The Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office needs volunteers for its Victim Assistance Program, which provides 24-hour a day, 7-day a week crisis response to crime victims and other individuals involved in traumatic events or persons in need. Volunteers are trained to provide crisis intervention and short-term support. Additionally, the program provides referral information as well as information on victim rights, victim compensation and case status. Following initial training, there are monthly training meetings held the first Monday evening of each month. Advocates sign up for two days a month for either a weekday night 12-hour shift or weekend 24-hour shift. Applicants will be required to submit to a background investigation including an integrity interview, polygraph examination and fingerprint clearance. Successful applicants must attend all academy trainings. Info/request application packet: 720-874-4038 or 720-874-4190.

Adult/family education tutors | The Learning Source for Adults and Families needs volunteer tutors for its adult classes in the Denver Metro area. Areas of instruction are English language, reading, writing, math and GED preparation. No prior teaching experience is required. Evening (6-9 p.m.) and morning (a.m. to noon) orientation and training sessions for volunteer tutors are scheduled for Feb 9 and 11. For info and training location, contact Tom Oatts, 303-922-4683 or tom@coloradoliteracy.org.

English tutors | Central Denver Language School (CDLS) is a non profit English language program that teaches English to non English speaking adults. The school was founded by a group of volunteer teachers and has been in operation for one and a half years. CDLS’s student population has grown from thirty to over 70. CDLS needs more teachers. If you enjoy interacting with foreign students, in a classroom setting or one-on-one as a tutor, become a volunteer. Training and guidance will be provided. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, located near Broadway and 1st Ave. Info: call Bud at 303-520-4466.

English tutors | The Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language program needs volunteers to teach English to recently-arrived refugees. Tutoring takes place in the student’s home. Info: Sharon McCreary at 720-423-4843 or sharon_mccreary@dpsk12.org; or refugee-esl.org.

Natural areas | The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program needs volunteers for the following programs: “Adopt a Natural Area,” which involves monthly litter clean-ups in natural areas with flexible time commitment; “Volunteer Ranger Assistants,” serving as a friendly face on the trail to greet visitors, promote safety and assist rangers; “Master Naturalists,” learn how to lead fun hands-on field trips on a flexible schedule; and “other opportunities,” which are scheduled in the warmer months. To volunteer: Contact Susan Schafer, Natural Areas Volunteer Coordinator at 970-416-2480 or sschafer@fcgov.com. Info: visit fcgov.com/naturalareas/volunteers.php.

Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative | BCWI needs volunteers to help with forums, to work on StreamTeams to protect local waterways, to write articles and take photographs, to help with general clerical duties and more. Info: KeepItCleanPartnership.org. or 303-413-7365.

Trail guides | The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks needs trail guides to visit trailheads and hike trails on OSMP lands six-10 hours per month, providing visitors with information on area features, seasonal changes and local and natural history. Free classroom and field training is provided in four sessions. Info: osmp.org. or 720-579-4161.

Wilderness environmental service programs | The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Colorado Springs, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of wildlands and key natural areas. RMFI accomplishes its mission through environmental service, education and research. RMFI programs are developed around comprehensive, multi-year or long-term projects developed in concert with land management agencies to meet critical preservation and restoration goals. Summer projects include restoring the old trailhead and putting in campsites at the new trailhead for South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Dates are July 10-12; July 17-19; August 7-10; and Aug. 29-Sept. 5. There will be an annual work weekend at Shelf Road Oct 10 and 11. Info: 719-471-7736 or rmfi.org.

Weed district | Larimer County Weed District needs a volunteer to donate about 12 hours a week assisting with general office responsibilities. Duties include answering phones, responding to questions, and preparing mailings and invoices. A six-month commitment is required. Info: 970-679-4552 or ccullins@larimer.org.

Park weeding and trail maintenance | Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, needs volunteers to work with trained crew leaders to pull, snip and collect noxious weeds and help maintain the hiking trails. Info: 303-973-3959.

Trailwork | The Continental Divide Trail Alliance needs volunteers to do trail work and camp in scenic landscapes ranging from arid desert to high alpine wilderness in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Volunteers will need to take camping gear. A crew chef will be on hand to provide most meals, and federal land managers and CDTA crew leaders will explain tool use, provide safety training and information on proper trail building techniques. Many projects included a guided hike or other educational outing. Projects range from one day to one week. Most project locations are car-camping accessible, however some backpacking options exist as well. Volunteers on the five Clear Creek projects can take part in prime time fly fishing, wildlife viewing and visiting Winfield, a mining ghost town. Register at cdtrail.org/getinvolved. Info: 303-838-3760, 888-909-2382 or cdtrail.org.

Trailwork | The Department of Community Resources and the City of Lakewood’s Regional Parks division needs individuals, community groups and businesses to adopt a section of trail at William Fredrick Hayden Park on Green Mountain. The Adopt-A-Trail Program encourages volunteers to “adopt” a half-mile section to be inspected three times a year. Once a year, each Adopt-A-Trail team will join other teams in the park to clean up and maintain trail sections. Everyone who adopts a section of trail will be recognized with a sticker on the trail mile marker of the adopted section. Info: Lakewood.org., 303-697-6159, or e-mail erinil@Lakewood.org.

Morrison Museum | The Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colorado 8, needs volunteers to teach about local fossils and rocks using hands-on exhibits and interactive demonstrations. Training and mentorship provided. Volunteers are also needed to assist with reptile collection care, fossil molding and casting, and information desk/gift shop operations. Info: 303-697-1873 or mnhm.org.

Museo de las Americas | The Museo de las Americas is recruiting and training volunteers for art, programs and events. Contact Kristi Martens at 303-571-4401, ext. 28, or e-mail Kristi@museo.org.

Air and Space museum | Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., needs volunteers to help with youth and adult education programs offered by the Museum’s Education Department. Volunteers conduct tours, assist with hands-on activities, teach in the flight simulator lab and conduct our Project Pilot course. Project Pilot is a team building course in which students learn the basics of flight planning and then fly a mission in the Museum’s Flight Simulator Lab. Wings offers progressive training for all of these volunteer positions. Aviation experience is a plus, but is not required. Info: Education Department at 303-360-5360, ext. 106 or 116, or education@wingsmuseum.org.

Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitor Center | School field trip program guides and docents are needed to serve as hosts and conduct programs appropriate for school groups, youth and scouting organizations, senior citizen and civic groups at the Department of Energy’s NREL Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. Info: Ivilina Thornton at 303-384-6566 or ivilina_thornton@nrel.gov.

Zoo | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., needs volunteers to assist with special events, to assist zookeepers and to work in the zoo’s membership, education and administration departments. Info: denverzoo.org. or 303-376-4894.

Dinosaur Ridge | Volunteer tour guides are needed to teach people about the paleontological, geological, natural resources and history of Dinosaur Ridge. Applicants must be at least 18 and must complete required training. Info: 303-697-3466 or dinoridge.org.

Science Museum | The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., needs volunteers to work with visitors in the Museum’s diorama halls, galleries and activity areas. Also needed are volunteers to be guides, interpreters, collections assistants and classroom prep assistants. Info: Volunteer Services Office, 303-370-6419.

Nature Center | Bluff Lake Nature Center, East 30th Avenue and Moline Street, needs volunteer naturalists to work with kids, using games, science experiments and hands-on activities to teach them about nature. No experience is required. Info: Sue Schafer, 303-468-3245.

Butterfly Pavilion | The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, needs volunteers to work with visitors and to help in its tropical butterfly conservatory, tide pool, touch cart, and garden areas. Info: butterflies.org. or Kris Desmarais, 720-974-1868.

SATURDAY

Trailwork event | Join Larimer County Horseman’s Association to maintain the Mill Creek Trail at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, west of Fort Collins on County Road 38E. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space parking lot. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register at 970-679-4489 or e-mail jscharton@larimer.org.

To publicize volunteer opportunities/donations needed notices, mail details at least two weeks in advance to Andrea Labak, Volunteers Needed, The Denver Post, City Desk, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail Scispeak@denverpost.com.

I wonder how the hotel business is doing right now? More people taking up camping instead of staying in luxury hotels due to the economic crisis. I’m guessing they’re not doing very well.

Hotels are being replaced with camping tents and caravans in big numbers. While camping stores are getting richer, hotels are getting poorer. We are indeed in bad situation right now but people still need to take a break and camping is the obvious answer to their holiday needs.

Everywhere from the States to Australia people are in a craze for camping and fishing. According to Ray’s Outdoors media and marketing manager Jacques de la Porte, fishing gear, camping stoves, cookware, tents, sleeping bags and backpacks are hot sellers despite the economic slowdown. Even the wealthy are starting to take up camping.

More people are investing in caravans that would quickly cancel out in accommodation savings. Instead of spending $300 a night people are now paying $60 for a camping site that includes a pool and jumping pillow for the kids.

We see a lot of first time campers mostly made up of families with young children and retirees affected by the stock market crash. People are starting to go back to basics and the new lifestyle a go.

People who aren’t camping are staying in motels to save pennies. Dromana Holiday and Lifestyle Village manager Gloria Paice said bookings had steadily climbed in the past year. “We had a really busy month before Christmas and it really hasn’t let up,” Ms Paice said.

You’ve seen it in the Discovery Channel and you’ve heard people talk about it. This is one place every hiker should go. It’s a place of wonder, culture and beautiful sceneries.

It was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 which was later dubbed the “lost city”.

“When Hiram Bingham stumbled upon Machu Picchu on a 1911 expedition, it took him days of travel by foot and mule to get from Cusco to the general vicinity. Then he crossed a rickety bridge on hands and knees before climbing several hours up a steep slope to reach the hidden ruins.”

Now you can get there in 3 1/2 hours, dining luxuriously on the famous Hiram Bingham train while listening to a pan pipe group and sipping pisco sours. While many take this option to get to the ruins of Machu Picchu, you can also hike all the way from Cusco and feel like an explorer making discoveries in the Andes Mountains. Much of the landscape you’ll see remains unchanged since the conquistadors arrived in 1532.

There are four hiking trail you can choose from to get to Machu Picchu by foot:

The Classic Inca Trail

This is the original used by the Incans to reach the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. This trail is known as one world’s greatest travel experience.

If you take this route, you will be walking on stone paths built hundreds of years ago by the Incans and marvel at impressive ruins along the way that cannot be reached by any land vehicle. In 3 days and 3 nights you make the grand entrance to the main attraction at sunrise, a truly wonderful experience. You then explore the citadel in the early morning.

The trail is well maintained and hikers must follow the carry-in/carry-out rule meaning you must carry just about everything you have with you at the beginning of the trip, including garbage.

Since this is a highly popular hiking destination, you would need to book at least 4 months in advance. Only about 200 hikers and 300 porters are allowed per day. Since there are more porters than hikers, you can have someone carry your camping gear for you, set up you tent and cook for your group.

The Salkantay Trek

This is a totally different experience to the Classic Inca Trail. In some ways, the sights are more spectacular. Among the main attractions are the waterfalls, the glaciers and the view of the Salkantay peak.

This trail is much more physically demanding even though you don’t actually walk all the way to the entrance of Machu Picchu. At the end of the trail you need to take the local train a short distance to the entrance. Be prepared for high altitudes of up to 15,000 feet.

You can stay in comfort at lodges that provide hot showers and a comfortable bed if you want to avoid camping.

Choquequirao

This is a great mountain hiking experience for hardcore hikers only. Dubbed the “Ultimate Trek” through the Andes, it starts near the largest set of Inca ruins on the South American continent, Choquequirao. Only take this route if you are an experienced in good physical shape.

The Lares Trek

Take this route if you want to know more about the local people. This is probably the least demanding route and takes about two days to reach the end of the trail.

You can then take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu and spend the next day at the archeological site. There are no daily limits for this route and you can book it on short notice.

This list is made by Erin George at Examiner.com:

#10: Space Blanket (Mylar) – This is for emergency use only so why not keep it in your backpack all the time. Space blankets are used to battle hypothermia. People don’t use it to prevent hypothermia. Hypothermia can be prevented by wearing adequate clothing for cool conditions. A warning sign of hypothermia is prolonged and uncontrolled shivering. When this happens, action must be taken immediately to prevent fatalities.

#9: Compass and Whistle – These are definitely emergency essentials. A map would make the compass even more useful so can have an idea of where you are and where you’d want to go. Whether in a group or not, everyone should carry a whistle to get attention when needed, especially children.

#8: Intant Heat Warmers – It may be difficult to find a source of heat when you hike the mountains. There are no fuel around and you are in trouble if you don’t have a camping stove. Your sleeping bag may also be inadequate in keeping you warm and some people with cold feet may find it hard to sleep. Throwing in a couple of hand warmers at the bottom of your sleeping can probably help you sleep well at night.

#7: Waterproof matches and flint – You need these to build a campfire or a signal fire for emergencies. It is also used to light up the camp stove. Carry one or two extra just in case.

#6: Pitch Chunk – This is a good one to have. Pitch is very effective in starting fires. A small chunk of pitch makes a surprisingly big fire. Pick some up as you go through the woods.

#5: Rope – For hanging your food in bear sacks up high and out of reach from wild animals. You might also need it to rig up your camping tent or poncho. The rope is probably the most used tool in rescue efforts. Erin recommends that you carry 20 metres of a 5 mm nylon rope.

#4: Sweetwater filter pump – Even the clearest, coldest stream can yeild little parasites that will run havoc on your internals. Diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, fever, headache, fatigue are just some of the symptoms of waterborne diseases.

#3: Camelback: While I agree that something like the camelbak mule is very useful for keeping hydrated, I don’t think it is essential. You can use bottles to store water.

#2: Film canisters and Altoid – This one is interesting. It’s not essential you carry this but it is useful. You can put your small personal items here and keep them dry.

#1: Duct tape – This one works for undeveloped blisters and for general repairs for your sleeping bag, tent, boots or just about anything.