How To Avoid Getting Lost While Backpacking

If you?ve decided to go backpacking, hiking, and camping somewhere fairly close to home but in the ?back country? (out in the wild), there are a few tips and guidelines you should follow in order to avoid getting lost. Getting lost may seem like a mere inconvenience, but you really can put yourself in a life-threatening situation.

First, while some avid backpackers prefer to go alone to just enjoy nature and solitude, it?s best to take somebody with you in case you run into trouble and need help?or if you do happen to get lost, you can work together to avoid panic, and keep warm, fed, safe, and sheltered.

Second, make sure somebody (a close relative or friend) back home knows where you?re going and for how long you?ll be gone. Even just a general guideline of the area in which you?ll be backpacking and your estimated time of return (?We should be back by the end of the weekend,? for example), will make a big difference for your rescuers in being able to locate you faster should you get lost.

Next, take along a detailed map of the area. An updated topographical map of the area in which you?ll be backpacking, and specifically the trails you?ll be hiking and the sites in which you may decide to camp, will make a big difference in ensuring you don?t get lost. However, make sure you can understand and properly read the map before you embark on your backpacking-in-the-wild adventure. If the area and trails are fairly established, you can easily find maps at park services, ranger stations, and likely on the trails themselves. Maps can also be located online, and use Google Earth to locate a particularly ?wild? patch of land.

Just as important as a detailed map of the area is a compass. You must make sure you know how to use one though. It will not be much good to you if you happen to get yourself lost out in the wild. However, make sure you use your compass right from the moment you enter the wild back country, as it will help you to stay on course and help you avoid getting lost in the first place. A GPS can also come in handy?if you can afford it, that is. However, like a compass, a GPS is only effective if you use it as you go, rather than just pulling it out as soon as you happen to think you might be lost. Don?t forget back-up batteries!

Finally, as you?re backpacking, take keen notice of your surroundings?watch for specific landmarks you can use as a guide if you happen to go off trail or get lost, and you need to backtrack.

Mark Hammond is the marketing manager for National Hotels - a UK Hotel Directory and Travel Resource

Cheap Backpacks

Cheap backpacks can be made, but I don't recommend it. Unless you are extremely skilled at sewing, it isn't likely to come out like you want. Also, even if you are an expert, it will probably take less of your time to pick up an extra day at work and buy a pack with the earnings.

On the other hand, if you have an old backpack frame, you can make a cheap backpack with it. Remove the old pack, and tie a plain nylon duffel bag to it firmly, with the zipper facing out. Small bungee cords will work for attaching it too. I did this using an old aluminum frame that still had straps and a waist belt, and for the cost of a $15 duffel bag, I had an external-frame backpack that not only held a lot, but weighed just two pounds.

Buying Cheap Backpacks

There are several ways to buy cheap backpacks. The most obvious is to just wait for a good sale. A quicker way is to shop for a used pack online. Try Ebay.com, or go to a backpacking or other outdoor forum that allows people to sell their gear, like whiteblaze.net. The forums are nice, because you can easily ask questions about the pack.

You can also buy used backpacks cheap at rummage sales. Watch the ads for any mention of outdoor gear, and call to see if they have a backpack you might want. You may be able to buy it before the sale starts. Otherwise, start shopping early, and negotiate a bit. I recently sold a beautiful Kelty frame-pack for $15 at a garage sale.

Thrift stores sometimes have cheap backpacks. More often they have day packs, but you never know. I have seen big old frame packs that were rough at thrift shops, and it occurred to me that for a few dollars I could just toss the pack, and use the frame with a duffel bag, as described above.

Another way to keep the cost down is to go light. The lightweight backpacks, unlike other lightweight gear, are always cheaper than the big packs. If you have been thinking about lightening the load, you can save money too. Ultralight backpacks are usually under two pounds and frame-less. You'll probably use a sleeping pad as a frame of sorts. The good news is that they are often on sale for under $100.

Go-Lite has several packs that are near $100, and sometimes on sale for less than that. The list price on the Granite Gear Virga Ultra Light Packer may still be under $100, and I have seen it on sale for under $80. It also weighs only 21 ounces, a bonus for me, as I like the idea of light AND cheap backpacks.

About the Author: Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos, gear recommendations, and a free book can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Austin Luxury Apartments

Rich in natural beauty, Austin is a popular tourist destination and a great place to live. It offers a wide selection of economical to expensive luxury apartments for rent, lease, and sale in a variety of neighborhoods.

Set against the backdrop of beautiful landscapes with hill views, the condominiums, town homes, and duplex luxury apartments are designed to meet varying lifestyles and tastes. Austin luxury apartments engage twenty-first century concepts, spacious floor plans, and an ecologically compatible environment to foster physical, mental, and spiritual well being. Every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, unique living space, and spacious dining area. Some have Berber carpet, a Roman soaking tub, Texas-size walk-in closets, built-in bookshelves and desks, washer/dryer connections, a utility room, and French patio doors leading to a private garden or balcony.

Common facilities include a sports park and clubhouse with lighted tennis and volleyball courts; professional, multi-level putting greens, big-screen TV and billiards room; computer and Internet access; fitness center with aerobics classes; indoor and outdoor games; parking spaces; a swimming pool and spa. Celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries, business meetings, and conferences may also be held.

Many Austin luxury apartments have a serene atmosphere, ideal for senior citizens. Independent living and assisted-living luxury apartments are also available. Independent gated villages are interconnected with a series of greenbelts, parks, and lit pathways as well as hike and bike trails.

Information about Austin luxury apartments may be obtained from professional apartment locators, realtors, or real estate agents. Many online sites also assist in buying, leasing, and renting apartments.

Austin Apartments provides detailed information on Austin Apartment Associations, Austin Apartment Guides, Austin Apartment Locators, Austin Apartment Stores and more. Austin Apartments is affiliated with North Dallas Apartments.

Real Estate Investing The Perfect Business Opportunity

So, you decided to leave the 9 to 5 rat race, that awful commute, or your unappreciative boss, but have quickly become overwhelmed by the many business opportunities available to you. Late night infomercials can give you a clue of what is HOT right now and Real Estate Investing is it!

People everywhere are discovering the secrets that afford them to live the lifestyle that you only dreamed of having. Real Estate Investing is the Perfect Business Opportunities out there.

Seeking out a sound business opportunity is not destined for failure. Real estate investing has always been a reasonable business opportunity avenue for income creation. History shows that real estate investing is the most profitable business in America. Real Estate Investing has created over 70% of all millionaires.

Of all the highly searched terms, you will find that Business Opportunities to be at the top. It is highly searched by stay-at-home moms and entrepreneurs alike who need extra earnings. In return for this tremendous demand for business opportunities, there will also be schemes and strategies that usually cost money rather than make money. Some of these business opportunity schemes are endless financial depths of despair that devours their innocent victims.

As long as there are people, there will always be a need for housing and businesses. There is a variety of ways for Real Estate investing. Here are just a few:

Construction of residential subdivision.

Commercial development.

Natural land improvement.

Overseas investments.

Worldwide, there is the accessibility of housing in need of repair. Abandoned and distressed properties have lost their primary value, so the business opportunity is to invest modestly in renovations in exchange for major revenue potential. Since devalued property is easily attainable everywhere at a discount, closing the gab with enhancements creates the high margin for revenue as a business opportunity.

Of course, there are many business opportunities out there other than Real Estate Investing. However, I assure you that the ordinary individual exploring ways to make extra income will conclude that real estate investing is one of the easiest, simplest, and most valuable alternative of any business opportunity.

I began real estate investing 5 years ago. My first investment was for a golf front lot purchased for an unheard off price of $25,000.00. That investment quickly turned into $100,000.00, giving me a profit margin of $75,000.00. Today, I own two rental properties and a residence and am looking to invest in a condominium in the near future.

Imagine living the lifestyle, that only the rich and famous live. It can be yours with real estate investing. Real estate investing is the perfect business opportunity.

The Author, Bill Weisenberger, is a Real Estate Investor as well as a business owner passionately dedicated to helping people create for themselves the lifestyle they choose. Click here...and learn how to make YOUR real estate deals count!

His Plan & My Efforts Make The Best Combination

By : Nitin Kulkarni

Often, thing do not work as per the plan and we are left wondering, what went wrong. Quite often, we do not get to know the reason and most often we end up attributing such happening to bad luck , fate or wrong timing. I have observed that many of us carry the unnecessary burden of these incidents as an unsolved mystery, as an extra luggage all through our life.

Here are just a few of such incidents from my life which were a part of extra luggage, I use to carry till recently.

All set to join my schoolmates for an educational tour, I developed chicken pox and had to be contended at home. I was unable to understand, what went wrong ? Why did it happen to me alone ? Why couldnt I go with the school team as planned ? I had many questions but no satisfactory answers.

Couple of years later, when in college, I was one of the 20 probables, who were to receive specialized cricket coaching and had a chance to make it to the University team.

My joy knew no limits. I was practicing very hard to make it to the team, when one fine morning, I broke two bones of my left arm, while attempting to complete a diving catch. Heavens came crashing down and I was holding my left arm in a cast, through a sling, for the next three months.

Cricket was now for a while a thing of past. I had the same questions hovering over my mind. And yet again there were no satisfactory answers. Why me, of all people in this world had to go through this?

Then came the time in life, when it was like a dream come true. I got married to my longtime sweetheart in a grand wedding ceremony. We moved to our own dream home, i.e., our rented apartment in the city where I was posted. Time was just flying and we felt like being at the top of the world.

Then, one night I woke up with a severe abdominal pain, only to be operated upon two days later. I was saved, but developed some postoperative complications , only to undergo another major life saving surgery, a couple of months later.

I was away from active life for about seven months. Didnt know, why a perfect looking and love blessed life had to go through these hurdles ? Why did it not happen the way we planned ? Why did it happen only to me ? Yet again, I had only questions, no answers.

A couple of years back, I was surfing through TV channels, when I happened to watch Indian movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan having an informal chat with some school children. And there he was narrating an incident from his childhood life , that answered all my questions listed above and made me free from the burden of that extra luggage, I had been carrying on my mind, so long & till now.

Here is what Amitabh said .

Amitabh was in boarding school, called Sherwood School, located in the hill town of Nainital, U.P., India. The Annual Day celebrations were just a few days away. Amitabh was to play the lead role in the play that was one of the major attractions of that evening.

Amitabhs father, Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a well-known poet of national and international fame, had also come to town to witness his sons performance. Things looked set for a wonderful evening.

Amitabh developed high fever just a couple of days before the annual day and had to be admitted to a local hospital. Doctors ruled out any possibility of his attending the function, leave aside participation in the play.

The D-day arrived. Amitabh spent the Schools Annual Day, confined to the hospital bed, with tears in his eyes, his father by his bedside and a question on his lips as to what wrong had he done to have missed the chance to perform at the Schools final function.

His father replied Amit, it would have really been very good if things had happened the way you planned, but consider it to be the best, if things have happened otherwise.

Amitabh could not understand what his father wanted to explain and how a missed chance could be the best thing to happen. He asked his father, why does he say so?

His father said, Amit, you had decided to act in the play and participate in the Annual Day celebrations. It would have been good if things had worked your way.

But, he, the Almighty GOD had decided otherwise. As per his plan you were not to do so. And what he decides for you has to be nothing but the best.

As the words made sense, the meaning was clearly understood. As per Amitabh, this was one of the learnings that helped him keep that extra luggage out, all his life.

As I listened to Amitabh, I had found answers to many such unsolved questions of my life. As I looked back, I found that GOD has been very kind to me. I had got much more than what I expected. Every unexpected and unforeseen turn of events in life had turned out to my benefit in the ultimate analysis.

Well, now I know it had to be that way, because it was a combination of his plan and my efforts !

In gratitude,

Nitin Kulkarni
mailto:nitinkulkarni@nascentdewdrops.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nitin Kulkarni is the facilitator of Nascent Dew Drops, a free Bi-weekly e-zine of inspirational and motivational stories based on real life experiences.

His other articles can be viewed at his web site http://www.nascentdewdrops.com through his e-zine which can be subscribed simply by sending a blank e-mail to mailto:nascentdewdrops-subscribe@listbot.com

Baby Strollers What You Need To Know Before Buying One

Corporate Baby Gift Ideas