Читать книгу One Night Wilderness: Portland. Quick and Convenient Backcountry Getaways within Three Hours of the City онлайн

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Step two is to gather together all the gear you’ll need. You remember, it’s that pile of musty stuff in the basement that you haven’t looked at in years, but which you haven’t had the heart to give away since you always told yourself you’d be using it again. Pull it all out, clean things up, and check for and repair any damage, such as seams that have torn out, places where mice have chewed through the shoulder straps, and instances where the tent seams are no longer waterproof. Make sure things still fit properly (no offense, but that hip belt might need to be let out some). Finally, decide if you have everything you need and if what you have might be significantly improved. I am not suggesting that you spend a fortune on new gear. It is not necessary and, especially for the first few trips (until you decide you want to do this regularly), it is probably unwise. However, for a few items, especially the bulkiest and heaviest ones, you might consider upgrading.

With the extra load, backpacking usually requires better foot stability than dayhiking, so good boots are your first priority. For most trips, all you need are a sturdy pair of those new lightweight but still waterproof ones that are made partly of fabric and partly of leather. For longer and tougher outings, it is usually better to go with all-leather boots.