by Dan Mason

Created on: May 19, 2008

Backpacking is an activity that can be enjoyed by anyone. I can not imagine anyone not being awed by the serene beauty of the back country. Perhaps my favorite part about backpacking is the absolute silence I can find deep in the wilderness. After a long day of hiking, there is nothing quite so renewing for my spirit than lying in my tent, listening to the dull buzz of birds and animals slowly fade to absolute, utter silence. It is something that can not be explained, especially in the context of the ever-moving lives most of us lead day to day. But, what do you need to get to this moment of spiritual renewal? Here are ten things that are essential:

1) Clean water, or a method to decontaminate water you find in lakes, streams, or rivers. Tablets are my method of choice, because of their lightweight packaging, and ease of use. Many brands are available in a system of two pills - the first to rid the water of bacteria, and the second to remove the aftertaste. From my experience, the water cleaned by pills such as these is perfectly tasty and clean, and attained at much less cost than filtered water.

2) Extra socks. Aside from being essential for comfortable hiking, a clean, dry pair of socks after arriving in camp can be a real lift to your spirits, especially after a difficult hike. To take it one step further, consider a pair of cheap flip-flops in warm weather, or hard-soled moccasins in cooler months.

3) Comfortable hiking shoes. I say shoes, not boots, to include the variety of trail shoes now available. These are very lightweight and comfortable, although they sometimes sacrifice some ankle stability. I like low-cut boots, as they give a good balance of shoe-like comfort, with more stability for the foot.

4) Trail food. Easy to eat, right out of the bag treats like trail mix, jerky, and energy bars are important on the hike to keep your energy up. Choose things with a good amount of carbs and protein, and try to avoid excess sugar. I like a mixture of almonds, peanuts, raisins (or other dried fruit), sunflower seeds, and M&Ms (for a little sweetness).

5) Toilet paper.....the reasoning here is pretty self-explanatory.

6) Waterproof matches. A fire serves a multitude of purposes. Cooking, boiling water, cleaning, making hot cocoa or coffee, warming yourself, and generally lifting your spirits. Even the worst day in the brush can be improved vastly if a fire can be started.

7) A comfortable backpack. Make sure your backpack is fitted correctly to your torso, and

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