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Backpacking (Part three)

© Nicholas Bittner

Hello again. Today we should be finishing up on the backpacking merit badge. Last time, we left off by finishing number four. So, on number five, it says to describe two ways to purify water. The first is easy, just set it to boil. The next, take an extra pair of pants, and tie off one of the pant legs. Find sand that is relatively clean (Such as no animal waste, etc.) And fill the closed leg with it up to the knee. Next, pour even the dirtiest water through and catch it in a bowl or pan. This takes all of the excess dirt out of it.

Now, let's skip to number seven. Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather while on a backpacking trek. Well, the most serious weather conditions are rain, snow, or hail. With each brings potentially dangerous situations, such as avalanches, flash floods, etc. For rain, you don't want all of your stuff, yourself included, to get soaked. For your pack, try a big black trash bag, and but two slits in the bags running down, so you can put your straps through. This will keep the major rain off, keeping your pack as dry as it can probably get. Now, to keep you dry, I suggest a small one dollar rain poncho you can get at most stores. They fold up very small, and will keep the rain from soaking your clothes. Also, to keep rain from your face, wear a baseball cap. For hail, there isn't much you can do except take cover. If the hail gets steadily worse, you should find any cover possible. Even if it's only a small pine tree, use it, because hail can tear through skin and clothes. For snow, get as warm as you can, but if you start to sweat, take a layer off. If you sweat, then when you cool off the sweat might freeze, and that could be dangerous.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel. Ok, my favorite is the zip stove. It's small, lightweight, and uses wood, not fuel. Next is the small canister style, which has a small burner and a small gas tube. The next is the Micro Stove. It's small, light, and has fuel and burner, with starter, all in one. The only problem with the latter two, is fuel is heavy. And with the first one, you need wood to light it, and that can be an issue.

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