Outdoor enthusiasts have a staggering array of hiking GPS units from which to choose. These are great tools for navigating difficult terrain, and finding your destination without having to worry about getting lost.

Handheld GPS navigators are signal receivers. They rely on the satellites known as the global positioning system to calculate the user’s precise geographic coordinates.

Basic units give location in latitude and longitude, allowing the user to locate his or her position on a map. Many navigators now have maps built-in, so you can see your map location and plot a course just by looking at the screen.

Many features and functions are available in GPS units. You will benefit by acquiring an understanding of the full range available and then thoughtfully assessing which of these capabilities are needed to meet your own specific requirements. The following list is offered as a set of suggestions, not as absolute imperatives.

A comprehensive set of maps for all the areas likely to be traversed by the user is a must. Basemaps supplied with some units have only limited detail, so be sure your unit can be loaded with detailed topographic maps for use in the backcountry.

If purchasing a unit with map display, make sure the screen is clear and bright. You will want everything to be clearly visible, even under difficult lighting conditions.

Sometimes the terrain can tend to get rough. Also, there may be a lot of foliage around. In such instances, it would come in very handy to have a high sensitivity receiver to ensure that you can always pick up a signal.

Waterproofing is another important factor. Many units offer a basic waterproof ability so that if it accidentally falls in the river or lake, it will float and not be impaired once retrieved.

The ability to store a large number of waypoints or location markers allows a hike to be thoroughly preplanned and signposted. These waypoints can then be used to check progress during the hike. Many units have the ability to store as many as 500 or more waypoints and as many as 20 complete routes.

Also, the capacity of a unit to handle multiple datum is critical. This is a very technical issue but essentially relates to the geodetic basis upon which maps are drawn or prepared. The ability of a unit to process alternative datum and possibly provide some reconciliation between them can be very useful.

Last but not the least is the size and weight of a hiking GPS unit. Ideally, it will be easy to carry and fit easily into a pocket or backpack compartment so as to be easily retrieved.

Welcome to the world of hiking GPS. Find out more about mapping and non-mapping navigators, and using GPS for hiking and backpacking by visiting the www.hikinggps.co.

Backpacking can be a great vacation for the adventurous. Backpacking is very affordable, but you still must plan.

You may be planning to travel from city to city, staying overnight in towns en route. You may even have a few nights of roughing it in the wild. These 10 tips will help you have a great experience on your first backpacking trip.

Backpacking does give you freedom, however, you must still go through with some planning.

Keep a map and compass with you at all times. Getting lost in a foreign country isn’t hard to do.

If you are planning on any serious backpacking, you will need a strong, quality backpack, preferably with an internal frame and lots of different sized pockets. Your backpack should not weigh more than 25% of your body weight.

You’ll need bug spray, sunscreen, a hat and lip balm. A cold place may call for a knitted hat.

Your sleeping bag needs to be designed for the conditions you are going to come across, but generally should be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the lowest temperature you are expecting to encounter. Obviously, you should check the weather channel.

Hiking boots can be heavy and cumbersome, but sneakers or running shoes are unlikely to go the distance on a backpacking trip. New trail running shoes combine the best of both into a lightweight, waterproof and durable shoe ideal for backpacking.

Drink as much water as you can, even if you don’t feel thirsty. A water filter may be a good thing to bring.

Bring a small bag for first aid items. Your menstrual cycle can be changed by the change in altitude, so go prepared.

Always pack a flashlight, extra batteries and an extra bulb. To prevent the torch being switched on in your bag and the batteries running down, either remove them or turn them around. Pop them in when you need to use it.

A sleeping pad will be a comfortable investment. Look for a bag with a sleeve to keep in a good position for sleep.

Let someone know where you are and any changes. This could be a one time experience, but be careful.

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While many people are trying to get in shape they will want to have fun doing that. One of the best ways to get in shape and have fun at the same time would be to start backpacking. The problem that some people will encounter is not knowing where to go when they are doing this fun activity, but if they have some tips it will be possible for them to find a great adventure.

One hint would be to see what the surrounding area is going to have available for them to enjoy. Doing this could allow a person to get more familiar with the town that they live in, but also they could start to learn about the area as well.

Something else that a person may want to consider is how hard of a trip they want to have. When a person is first starting off even if they are in tiptop shape they should consider starting out on the easier trails. By doing that a person can gauge just how difficult this can be compared to the exercises they may be used to doing in the gym.

Another tip will be to determine how long the trip will be. Now this could be measured in time or in distance, but judging this on time may not be the proper choice for some people. That is because each persons pace is going to vary and the length of the trip can affect how long it takes as well. So this should be set more as a distance setting.

The area that a person goes in needs to be one that is filled with scenery. If scenery is not present a person could find that the it can become rather boring, but at the same time they may not enjoy themselves as much. However, if scenery is present they will be able to enjoy themselves more than what they thought, but also be able to learn about nature.

Being able to get in shape is a wonderful thing to do. However, for some people they may find that backpacking is going to be a great way to combine seeing nature with getting in shape. The issue that they may run into though is before they got the tips above that they did not know where to go do this at, but now they are going to be able to determine where exactly they are going to go to.

When you go on a hiking trip, you need to have a hiking stove. The Optimus hiking stove is a real good one that is light in weight, yet durable.

Kuching is sharing more or less the same festivals as other part of Malaysia, nonetheless you may still find some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as follow:

1. New Year’s Day (1 January)

Public Holiday through out the entire Malaysia, and the world; and Kuching has no different too.

2. Chinese New Year (January/February)

Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar calendar year, which can fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date of the particular year you wish to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year is the greatest time to see the locals getting ready for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is often busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time period. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their final shopping before noon, and after 2pm usually the Kuching is like a dead town. Shops closed, businesses stopped, folks are in the home getting ready for their reunion meal. For anyone who is still in Kuching on this day, the only place you can have your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant for instance KFC or McDonald.

In the midnight when the clock strikes 12am, the whole of the city is like entering into a war, you may be astonished by the fireworks on the sky, and even firecrackers are everywhere. The entire event will last for around half an hour to an hour before you can get a good sleep. It’s illegal though playing with fireworks or firecrackers; however it’s not been fully enforced in Sarawak. You can’t get this if you’re in the capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur. Most businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to the forth day of the festival, you still have to dine at the fast food restaurant during those days. However, cafe, pubs and bars are usually opened when the day turns dark.

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching on this day, it’s just a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

Simply a public holiday. Business as usual for shopping malls and restaurants.

6. Wesak Day (May)

It may fall on any day during May be based upon which calendar year. If you’re at Kuching during this period, visit the Buddhist temples, where the crowds are gathered during this special occasion.

7. Gawai Day (1 June)

This is the extremely important festival for the Dayak (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the end of rice harvesting and welcomes the new planting season. Everyone in the longhouses in Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, which is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, plenty of local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo chicken. If you are traveling in Kuching during this special event, you can take part in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival together with the locals people. No walk-in tourist will be entertained during this day at the majority of the longhouses, except for pre-arranged tour from the tour company, or the invited guest from the local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply participate in the homestay program and you’ll get a chance to witness how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you will witness the dragon boats competition during this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you may witness the dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making their own rice dumpling in this special day for their family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do selling them also, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the popular international event which will be held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music Festival brings together the planet renowned musicians around the world and indigenous musicians from all parts of mythical land of Borneo to come to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event will last for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, near to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. For more information about Rainforest World Music Festival, please visit their official website at http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

Usually during this period of time, Kuching hotels occupancy rate are all time high and can be fully booked sometimes, therefore you should book early if you are planning to attend to such global event.

Resort that within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a walking distance, nevertheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately ten to fifteen mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also referred to as Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (plenty of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern each and every corner of the streets when the day turns dark. Novice photographer will really appreciate such occasion.

11. Malaysia’s National Day (31 August)

It’s a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it’s celebrated every year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It is believed by the Chinese that in the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, take a look at this “hungry ghost event” that is held near to the old central post office. It is often packed with crowd.

13. Christmas Day (25 Dec)

It’s also another significant event for the Christian in Kuching. However, special events’ arrangement mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers also gathered at certain pubs for counting down during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore’s Orchard Road I suppose, should you happen to travel in this region!

That’s about all the festivals and events in Kuching. So plan your trip wisely. Wish you have a pleasant holiday soon.

Author: I am Lester, and I’m from Kuching. I’ve build a Kuching Travel Guide website for your reference and have put up many photos of Kuching as well as the attractions nearby. Also visit my friend’s homestay program at Annah Rais Longhouse, located at about 65km away from Kuching.

Growing up you probably went camping with your parents, grandparents, or aunt and uncle. You surely have plenty of fond memories of those trips. Well now it is time to make memories with your children, by taking them on the same kind of trip that you went on as a child.

Before going camping you need to have a check list so you do not leave anything behind. You should put everything you will need for your trip on that list like sleeping bags, fishing poles, tents, flashlights, first aid kids, bug spray, food, drinks, and a battery operated lantern for every tent.

You should also plan a simple menu while on your trip. Hot dogs are a good menu item because the kids love to roast them over the open fire. Soup and stew is also a good menu item because it can also be cooked over an open fire.

Be sure to pack everything you need for making smores because you can’t have a camping trip with out smores. When choosing a destination for your trip try to find a place that has showers and toilets. It is much more sanitary but it is also safer than having your children go into the woods to use the bathroom.

It would also be a great idea to point out what poison ivy and poison oak look like to your kids so they do not get into it. You should also camp at a camp site and not in the wilderness. When you camp in the woods you have to be concerned with bears and other animals.

When you camp at a camp ground you are usually safe from bears or other animals because they try to stay away from all the people that are constantly coming and going.

When you go on a camping trip, how do you plan on cooking? You could take a Jetboil Hiking stove along with you. This is a hiking stove that is easy to set up and will get your food cooking in no time.

Freeze dried food is typically not on most homeowner’s grocery lists. However, it is a really great option for families who want quick prep, nutritious foods. They are also perfect for the family survival kit because they have incredibly long shelf lives. They have many perks for families and you can buy freeze dried food storage meals on a budget.

Today’s freeze dried food storage taste delicious. Cutting edge flash freezing processes are the main reason for this. This preservation process literally leaves the food in a type of “suspended animation.” When the food is reconstituted it comes back to life with all of its original freshness. With just a little water and a few minutes you can have gourmet meals for the whole family.

Many families use freeze dried food storage in their family survival kits. In addition to this, many other families actually buy freeze dried meals and eat them on a daily basis. Kids love to help prepare freeze dried meals because they are super easy to make and because it is like magic watching the food come back to life. Parents think it’s a great choice because eating freeze dried meals regularly is an easy way to provide the entire family with a well balanced and nutritious diet.

The flash freezing process preserves each meal’s original flavors and nutritional value. It also preserves the texture and aroma of the original meal. Virtually none of the food’s qualities are lost when compared to the original meal. During the preservation process, the meal is cooked to perfection and then immediately flash frozen. Up to 98 percent of the water content is removed from the meal. This is what keeps it from spoiling. You get a top quality product because the meal is flash frozen at its peek.

The next time you need to come up with a grocery list, check out some top food storage companies online first. With all of the perks it has to offer you may never go back to regular food again.

Want to find out more about food storage, then visit Tom H. Ronson’s site on how to choose the best home food storage for your needs.

If you are traveling to a foreign, less developed country or just hiking around the hills near your home, it is a good idea to bring either a water filter or purifiers with you. There are a lot of portable water filters and portable water purifiers for travel and hiking, so you may want to do a little research before making your selection. In the event you are concerned about running your water purifier, there are now choices like the Steripen sidewinder ultraviolet water purifier that feature a hand crank and do not need exterior energy.

The first thing you will want to know is that there is a big difference between filters and purifiers. Filtration is the process of filtering dirt and debris from the water while killing microorganisms with the use of boiling or chemicals. Purification, on the other hand, utilizes carbon with reverse osmosis to filter particles out of the water.

Can you elaborate more on filtration? The primary purpose of filtration is to kill bacteria and viruses while removing some dirt and sediment. Boiling for three minutes or more is the safest and most effective method of filtration. Unfortunately, boiling may not kill all harmful microorganisms and the water will still need to be run through a filtering cloth to remove dirt and debris.

The other method of filtration is by using chemicals, which can be portable and quicker than boiling while in third world countries or on a hiking trail. The two types of chemicals commonly used are iodine and chlorine. They are both inexpensive, but as with any chemical usage, there are some risks.

Iodine. Iodine is very effective at killing bacteria and viruses, but when used in large quantities of water it may be time consuming. Additionally, women who are pregnant and people with thyroid problems should not use iodine.

Chlorine. Chlorine causes dirt and sediment to sink to the bottom of a container, making the water on top clear. If it is overused, though, it can lead to severe sickness, internal organ damage, and even death.

Water purification. A more costly, but safer method to clean water is through the use of purification containers. Purification uses a combination of carbon and reverse osmosis to filter out particles and sediment that is dangerous. The carbon is effective at making the water taste better and removing odors, pollutants, and chemicals from the water. Reverse osmosis completes the cycle by removing toxic metals like lead and other impurities.

Ultraviolet purifiers. Most water purifiers recommend that you boil the water after it is purified to kill the remaining microorganisms. Sometimes, however, you are not able to do this. If you cannot, there are purifiers that have ultraviolet (UV) light mechanisms that disable the ability of bacteria and viruses to reproduce, making them less harmful.

I have read about solar filters; how do they work? Something that is relatively new to the market is solar water disinfectors (SODIS). They can kill most bacteria and viruses by utilizing heat and UV rays from the sun. These are particularly effective in sunny and tropical environments.

Doing research and having your questions answered are the most important steps to selecting portable water filters and portable water purifiers for travel and hiking. Once you are familiar with their advantages and disadvantages, you can choose the best one for you. Stay safe and stay hydrated.

Sienna Langspot plans on employing the SteriPEN Sidewinder once she is hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains next summer. She is a freelance contributor who writes for organizations like Survival Camping World and Better Health Innovations, two leading internet retailers.

Half the actual pleasure of planning for a vacation is having to decide on where you get to go. Each time I recieve one of my free travel guides, I like flipping throughout the several pages to see which places jump out to me. Everyone looks for different things in a getaway.

Some folks want to spend all of their time bathing in the sun. Some folks would like to spend their time visiting historical places. While other’s want to spend their time getting to know the natives. Whichever it is you might like to do you will need to have an organized plan placed before you decide to even think about packing your luggage.

When planning a getaway it is wise to investigation the destination or locations you are considering. If you’re not positive exactly where you want to visit, try looking through the free travel guide for some ideas. I would recommend choosing two or three locations to pick from.

Once you have chosen one or two destinations, you will need to be sure you research each location. You should know the best time of the year to travel there, the weather conditions, etc It will always be helpful if you’re able to talk to anyone who has been there previously. They will be able to make it easier to understand the lay of the land before you have made your selection.

Now that you’ve done your research setting up a final selection will become easier. Once your destination is scheduled, you will need to start making plans around it. Figure out what clothing you’ll need. If, you require any particular medicine or shots before you leave. Also, you will need to determine whether or not you will have to exchange foreign currency prior to going.

Do not over schedule you trip. You should maintain a light schedule. Simply because vacations rarely go as prepared, using a tight schedule could backfire on you. Rather, consider planning to always be spontaneous while you’re on vacation.

You will be shocked how enjoyable being spontaneous will make your vacation. You are able to mark places of interests in your free travel brochure. Once you arrive there you may make plans to explore the various locations. I would additionally include a wish list of extras. Just incase you’ve got the extra time, you can add in these locations.

Keep in mind, the airlines now have bag weight limitations. Keep in mind domestics weight restrictions differ from international weight restrictions. Therefore, you will want to travel light. For almost all us ladies out there, you will want to leave room for shopping. What would a vacation be without shopping?

Free travel guides can be a huge help when mapping out your next holiday. Take the stress out of scheduling your next vacation with free travel brochures. This post shows how relaxing a vacation can be when using travel brochures.

There are many names that backpack come to be called. Knapsack, pack and rucksack are some of them. backpack is usually made from nylon and canvas. Heavier load requires that the backpack is made from heavier fabric. Ripstop fabric is used for the lighter backpacks. The use of backpacks when traveling has become a common feature. More and more people prefer to use backpacks. This increasing popularity is due to the ease with which you can carry them on your back and move around. Moreover, it goes easy on your shoulder as the weight is shared also by your hips and legs.

Canvas and nylon are used commonly to manufacture backpacks. Nylon has advantages over canvas. They are lighter in weight than canvas. Its high melting point makes it safer from catching fire. It is tougher than canvas. It does not tear and wear easily. It has a high durability. The contents are safer inside a nylon backpack. It resists molds, animals and insects. Its high flexibility makes it easier to handle. Nylon can be made in any color making this an attractive material. For all these reasons, nylon is more widely the preferred material for the manufacture of backpacks.

Three varieties of backpacks are sold in the market. The first is the frameless backpack which is the most common of them all. The second is the external frame backpack that is useful when the load to be carried is more and heavy. The third is the internal backpack which is not meant for heavy load, but is very comfy when it comes to carrying loads with you. Osprey Argon 110 review gives an example of a backpack that packs with it a lot of comforts.

A drawstring with a cord lock or a buckle mechanism, or a zipper is used to close the backpack once you have finished packing it. The contents are kept in place by straps to restrict their movements inside when you are on the move. You should consider a number of things before you decide to buy a backpack. The size and weight of the load is important. So also is the duration of your trip. You need to also keep in mind the terrain you will have to navigate whether steep or plain or rugged. Finally there is of course the budget that you have allocated for the purchase.

Whenever you travel, you always bring with you all the things that you need. So, always carry a backpack like Osprey Argon 110.

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This is a beginning lesson on Backpacking for Dummies. Backpacking is quite an exciting adventure if you are willing to tough it out a bit. However if you are not ready, it might end up in a lot of stress and discomfort!

Lesson # 1: Backpacking For Dummies is exactly what it says it is – “backpacking.” It combines hiking and camping into one trip. The length of time for trips or treks can vary. The enjoyable part of backpacking is, that you can move at your own pace, taking as many days as you want. You can enjoy your trip as you wish.

Lesson #2: The backpack – The focus needs to be on comfort and strength when selecting a backpack. Your backpack should hold everything you need for your trip and feel comfortable, too. Support the backpack with your shoulders and walk back and forth in the shop. This will help you feel if the bag is good or not.

Afterwards there is a lesson on shoes and clothes for backpacking for dummies. Clothing that is comfortable is a requirement. If planning to stop by religious places, museums, or places that require a certain dress code, remember to bring appropriate clothing with you. This is where you must formulate a plan. If you have successfully used your backpacking time table, then planning which clothes to bring is also easy. The importance of comfortable, reliable walking shoes is discussed in backpacking for dummies. The majority of the backpacking trip you will be on your feet. So you should splurge on a dependable, high quality shoe. Bring a pair of flip flops along with your hiking shoes, in the event that they come in handy.

Lesson #4: Cash is something else that should be discussed when in Backpacking For Dummies. Have enough money, plus a little to spare, with you all the time. Even though you have made good plans for your trip, going further and using caution, always brings rewards.

And lastly, a few pointers to those new to backpacking. Verify that you are in shape enough to withstand the hike that you are planning to make. Health before excitement! If you take prescription medication daily, make sure to take a supply of your medications with you. It is our sincere hope that Backpacking for Dummies has provided you with the information you need to be prepared for a successful backpacking trip. May you enjoy a great excursion and happy backpacking.

Read more about Backpacking and Camping at www.getoutdoorfit.com