| By :
Stewart Wrighter
As kids, our passage into becoming responsible and more confident with our lives often took the course of putting up blankets and sleeping bags in the garden, under some sheets, wood and rope structures to see who could stay outside all night long. Although most of us did not make it on the first couple of tries, later on in life this became like a ritual when we went up into the mountains or into the countryside to get away from the noise of the city. These days though, outdoor camping gear and camping supplies have taken on a rather high-tech feel since they are made from materials which were developed with the space program. We surely do not need every new gadget or invention that hits the market, but some of them are necessary if we want to get the best out of the experience. One of these must be the clever little compass which can clip onto clothing so that it, or the wearer, does not get lost. Although these can range anywhere from one dollar upwards, it must be on the list of necessities that the erstwhile wanderer should not go without. Lightweight tents have also become very popular since their design takes only a few minutes to put up. Gone are the days when one had to have a PhD to work out where every peg and string went and in comes the lightweight tube and net contraptions which means that people can set up in just a few minutes. Indeed, so light are these tents that most people can carry one on their backs without too many problems occurring. The ones which house two people, for example, can weigh just four pounds. Clothes too have gone high tech and the erstwhile mountaineer is well aware of the advent of the thermal underwear which allows skin to breathe while keeping the heat in. No longer do we have to wear thick layers to keep warm since a full set of these should do the trick for sure. Since it is the wet and cold which really puts lives at risk, having something to cover the head is also a good way of ensuring safety. SWAT hoods are just the right thing to keep people dry and warm which goes a long way to making the trip more comfortable. Over the years, this rugged pastime has really taken off. With the effect of this, most articles of clothing and equipment have come down as well. Indeed, since most of this stuff is now available online, and at good rates, there really is no excuse going off into the wilds under prepared. People should, however, always travel in pairs if possible, and always inform people of when they will be back and which route they are taking. Responsible people will surely see the sense in this and, should anything go wrong, rescuers will know just where to look for them if they do not come back in time.
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