How to prepare for a campaign

Determine the level of difficulty

To determine the complexity of the campaign, it is necessary to take into account the following parameters.

The duration and mileage

Find out how many days it will take your trip. From this will depend on the details of the route and the speed with which you want to go.

It is necessary to correctly calculate the forces: it is important to understand how many kilometers a day, you will be able to overcome if travel in the comfort of your own pace.

You can go and on the reverse: first decide what you want look, And then determine how many days you need it.

Elevations

On mileage also strongly influenced by the ups and downs along the route. The more and more complicated than they (are longer and steeper), the hike becomes tedious. And that means - the more difficult it will be to overcome the same distance.

Features of the landscape and the weather conditions

Features of the landscape - it is not only the mountains, forests and rivers, but also dirt, sand, "sypuchka" (small stones flying from under the feet), swamps and the like. All this significantly exhausting, even if you do not have anywhere to climb. Rain and wind, too, take up time and energy.

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The rate of movement is also influenced by the weight of the backpack and rest periods between transitions. It's worth noting that in the first few days to go are usually heavier than then, when you are spending and get used.

To say exactly how many kilometers a day will be able to pass a beginner, not so simple: all very subjective. But in any case, immediately go on long hikes with difficult obstacles is not necessary. If you're in decent physical shape, then you can start with a measured walk no more than 15 kilometers per day, with a gradual rise no higher than 1000 meters. Route without Elevations can be increased up to 20 kilometers.

If you are not prepared themselves to determine all these parameters, the best please contact travel agencies that arrange trips- there often have tours of different levels of complexity.

You can sign up for one of the proposed routes - the organizers have calculated everything for you, just have to decide if it is right for you. So you get the experience and understanding of their capabilities.

Make a route

Those who have decided to make the route, should be able to read a map (as well as to use a compass and a GPS-navigator). This is necessary even if you go with someone who knows the area well, if you fall behind or lose, it is important to be able to find their way themselves. GPS-navigator is not a panacea: it can break or be discharged.

It is necessary to determine in advance the schedule for each day: it is important to at least roughly to know exactly what you will find, to minimize unforeseen circumstances and calculate the forces properly.

Define the route point

Decide which attractions you want to see and measure distances on the map, which will be overcome. When it is determined mileage, remember that the card gives an error: it does not take into account all the nuances of the relief. The numbers that you get the measurements, really should be a bit more: increase of at least 10-15%.

Choose a place of spending the night

If your campaign lasts longer than one day, think in advance where and how you will spend the night. You may have the following options:

1. Hotel or shelter if they occur in your way. Ask in advance what is included.
2. Camping - this option provides a place for your tent or bungalow. There may be additional amenities, such as kitchen, showers, grocery store. Find out what is and what will need to pay.
3. Camping. Alternatively, it may be taken from the machines where you come (for example, if it is a circular route - bypassing the territory of returning to the starting point). In this case, you need to find a place where you can put your vehicle.

The camp itself has to be arranged:

• dry and protected from the wind station (not in the open countryside);
• at the site without stones, protruding roots and twigs;
• with protection from possible rain:
  • on a flat surface, if it absorbs water, or on a gentle slope, or small hill, so that the water flowed down (go to head up to avoid a headache due to increased blood flow);
  • not in a narrow space, recess, or directly under the hill (just there formed deep puddles and flooding);
  • not too far from a water source, but not directly in the reservoir (in the rain, he may withdraw from the coast, and in addition, there is always more intrusive insects);
• not in the valley (there will be mist and midges), but not too high, so that when the storm is not struck by lightning;
• near the source of wood, but at a safe distance from the dry tree that might fall from the wind.

Consider the size and number of tents - the area should be large enough to fit all.

No harm will also find out in advance, not dangerous to put up a tent at the point that you have selected, -naprimer due to wild animals or likelihood of rock falls and rock slides.

In all cases, when you are organizing the place of spending the night, do not forget to prepare:

• tentGiven the features of the landscape;
• sleeping bag that can withstand temperatures that you expect to travel (manufacturers usually indicate the temperature range for which the recommended product);
• marching foam mattress or under the sack;
• warm / change of clothes for the evening and night, if needed.

Make a back-up plan

If there is impassable areas (forest with fallen trees, mountain passes, rivers and streams, etc.) on the route, plan in advance workarounds: what if you do not manage to overcome the obstacles? Mark the places where it is possible to shorten the distance, if you linger somewhere or something else goes according to plan: should not the night catch you there, where you will not be able to break camp.

Think about unforeseen situations

Make sure you know how to get emergency route if necessary. Mark the places where you will pass close to the towns or settlements. Ask whether there is a way of emergency contact point and mark the next. Try to remember the bright landmarks to help you get back to the starting point if you get lost.

Add spare days

If the trip is long, decide when and where to arrange days of rest from the transitions. Add a few spare days in case of interruption or will not be enough to overcome some sites will take longer than you expected.

See weather forecast

Matter what the weather is waiting for you in the campaign depends on many things:

• as necessary to take water - the hotter, the more it needs to be;
• as a dressed and put on shoes;
• which sunscreen pick up;
• how to prepare for spending the night;
• Whether rain protection is required.

Rain in the campaign - is not only special clothing, but also caution when planning a route. It is not necessary, for example, walk through riverbeds or easily flooded areas. It all depends on the area and duration of the rains. At least - you risk getting wet and flood their belongings. But there are dangers and more serious: in 2018 the river in Israel died in the lineTEN YOUTH DEAD IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL FLASH FLOODS people go hiking in the pre-war training program - they claimed the water.

Do not forget to look forecast not only for the day but also at night: the temperature difference can be quite sharp.

Gather everything you need

Here's what you need to prepare for the campaign:

• Qualitative marching backpack.
• Water. It is important that it was enough: it is better to take a little more than you need, you get into a situation where it ended too soon. The water we drink is not only, but also to wash her wounds, as well as preparing a meal on it. Wear it comfortably in either bottle (jar) with a handle or hydrator - special waterproof bag with a tube (he will be in the backpack, and the handset will be displayed outside and attached to the strap backpack).
• Food. One that will not go bad in the campaign, and that is easy to prepare. Usually take nuts, dried fruits, canned food, cereals, chocolate, hard cheese, jerky, cookies, candy and the like. If ASSUME something perishable, eat it first.
• Matches, lighters. If it is assumed that a problem may arise with the fuel (cloudy, rocky mountain terrain, etc.), and take his (wood, if possible, or a gas burner).
• Headdress. It will protect not only from the sun but also from insects, such as mites.
• Sunscreen. Even if the sun is not aggressive, it is necessary to protect the skin, if you are a long time under its influence.
• Sunglasses.
• Cream against mosquitoes and mitesIf necessary (eg, for walks in the woods).
• personal hygiene.
• The tent, a sleeping bag and the foam / mattress.
• Hiking sticks. there is and the pros and cons their use, but they are very even help in some cases.
• Lantern.
• Gas burner and camp utensils (if you want to and have the opportunity to carry), or a thermos.
• Wipes (dry and wet hygienic) and cleaning liquid for the hands.
• Compass and paper maps. Not to be redundant, even if there is a GPS-navigator on batteries - suddenly equipment fails?
• Hatchet. Take it or not - it depends of course on the situation. It may be useful, e.g., for the preparation of wood.
• Strong rope. You never know where it may come in handy.
• Mirror. If necessary, they may be fed signals.
• Camera with charged batteries. If you are sure that it will not interfere.
• Pauerbank. Do not forget to charge it and telephone before going.

Life hacking: the phone is not discharged too quickly, put it in airplane mode.

Well-designed, that necessarily take and what you can and leave the house, depending on the characteristics of your hike. Do not forget that all of this you will have to bear. You can even try to advance to collect a backpack and walk with him a little while to make sure it is not too heavy.

properly gird

Choose comfortable clothes, which is nowhere presses and rubs. It should be easy to put on and remove. It should take into account the rule of three layers: underwear wicks moisture on it - clothes for heat, and the uppermost layer - to protect against rain and wind.

Shoes should be comfortable and durable. Do not wear sneakers urban light they can break, and you go through the whole trek barefoot (not always have the opportunity to get off the route at once). It is better to choose a special hiking shoes or sandals, or good trekking boots. They are stronger, better breathing and keep foot sole does not slide so much. You can pick up a waterproof options that also reduce the amount of sand and pebbles falling into the shoe.

The long march is good to wear special trekking socks - you can even take several pairs (two or three). There are different types for different conditions. They tightly wraps the foot, wicks moisture and breathe better. Professionals do not recommend to wear cotton socks - they are easy to produce folds and rubbed his legs. They are best left for the night.

Think about safety

1. Do not forget to collect the camping first aid kit. Some pharmacies are sold ready. If you collect it yourself, make sure to put all the necessary preparations at least:
   • pain relievers;
   • poisoning by drugs;
   • fever;
   • antispasmodic drugs;
   • antiallergic drugs;
   • antiseptics;
   • bandages, cotton, adhesives, elastic bandage;
   • Zelenka;
   • medications needed by you for health reasons.
2. If you go into the woods, it is useful to be familiar with the list of poisonous mushrooms and learn how they look. These include, for example, pale grebe, Amanita virosa, galerina marginata and many others. Note also the dangerous mushrooms-twins, which are very similar to some edible. More this topic can be studied, for example, based on the book "Inedible, poisonous and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Directory-atlas "Michael Vishnevsky.
3. Find out what plants It can be used as food. Do not be amiss to read a book "Medicinal, poisonous and harmful plants" Oleg Zhurba and Mikhail Dmitriev.
4. Make sure you know how to behave when meeting wild animals.
5. Inform the Ministry of Emergency Situations details of your hike, when you are traveling in remote areas: it is not only mountains, forests and caves, but just less-visited areas remote from civilization, where there is no mobile communication. It must be done no later than 10 days prior to travel. Submit such an application is not necessary, but do not neglect it for your own safety. Please contact for exact instructions on the campaign registration procedure. More details can be read also in the MOE websiteOn the registration of tourist groups in the Russian Emergencies Ministry, responsibility and rescue tourists in an interview with news agency "Tass".

Not be amiss and inform relatives and friends about where you plan to be. Let them travel plan with dates and coordinates, phone numbers for other participants of the tour. Arrange a time to clarify the connection location.

Learn survival lessons

If the campaign something goes wrong, it is waiting for the help you need survival skills. It would be good to learn in advance:

• Kindle a fire without matches. Option: focus sunlight through any convex glass, for example, bottom of a bottle, or a plastic water bottle.

• Create a place to spend the night out of scrap materials. Option: make a hut made of long branches and sticks (to base can be, for example, on the trunk of a fallen tree) and tightly cover the leaves, twigs and everything still find in the forest litter (material must be laid overlap). The tightly packed, the better the roof will retain water.

• Navigate in the woods. Learn how to not only use compassBut also to determine the direction of the sun, the stars and the wind.

• Extract water. For example, from plants, Fill the bag with branches and leaves on three-quarters (just make sure you do not select a poisonous instance) and place under the sun's rays. The plant will give off moisture, which will gather in the package.

• To attract attention, if you are lost and you are looking for. There are specific distress signals, for example, three fire located in a triangle shape, or one very large and bright. There are many other symbols that are useful to know and learn.

On this and many other things you can read, for example, in the following books:

• "Life in the wild," Bear Grylls.
• "Methods of autonomous human survival in nature", edited by Leonid Mikhailov.
• "Russian style survival. How to survive alone in the woods, "Mikhail Didenko.