Backpacking Prep & Guidance

GEAR GUIDANCE

Below is a list of recommended personal gear for you adventure in the back country. This is in addition to community gear that will be evenly distributed across hikers and shared across the camp.

Packing: In addition to your backpack, there are some other options to consider. With rain always a possibility, you will want to keep the majority of your gear dry. This can be accomplished with a formal rain cover for backpacks or by simply using a garbage bag to line the inside of your pack. Wearing a standard poncho will also leave plenty of room to drape over your pack if this is also your choice for rain gear while hiking. If you do not have compression sacks or smaller gear bags, it’s a good idea to use zip lock bags to compartmentalize your gear as well as keeping items dry.

Sleep System: In addition to a sleeping bag/blanket that is rated appropriately for the season, you will need a ground cover to insulate and protect you from the ground. The simplest solution to ground cover is to cut a contractor’s grade garbage bag on both sides leaving the bottom intact. This should provide enough surface area for you entire body length. Although some would consider a sleeping pad optional, it is recommended to bring some form of cushion to provide that good night sleep. Be aware that these can get pricey if you look for name brand models (e.g. thermarest).

Hammock Camping Note: An attractive alternative to sleeping on the ground is to acquire a hammock. Should you choose this method, you will still need to plan as you would sleeping on the ground. In addition to a tarp to shield you from the weather, you may need to add insulation underneath you depending upon the night time low. There are underquilts (sleeping bag that raps around hammock) on the market and homemade DIY options on the internet. You can also utilize a sleeping pad inside the hammock to keep your underside warm.

Water: Most of the experts say that you should carry at least 32 ounces (1 Liter) of water on your hike. This can be contained in a bladder type system (i.e. camel pack) or canteen/bottle (i.e. nalgene). In addition to your primary water container, you should be able to store up to 3 Liters at any one time. This extra capacity will be useful to ensure sufficient water for meal prep as well as provide you with the security of having enough water should it be limited on the trail.

Essentials: A couple other key items that cannot be left behind.

• Pocket Knife
• Flashlight – recommend a headlamp + small back-up light is useful
• Bowl/Plate – Titanium is lightest but pricey. Good plastics available.
• Utensil – Get your self a Spork so you can have spoon and fork in one. Similar to the above, titanium and plastic (Taco Bell) models are available.

Toiletries: A few items to consider when packing your personables:

• Toothbrush/paste. Some like to bring floss as well.
• Toilette Paper
• Sunscreen and/or lip balm
• Insect Repellent – make sure it contains DEET (more % the better)
• Towel – bandana makes a good hand towel but a medium hand/body towel is convenient in some situations.
• Moleskin – to treat foot blisters

Other: A few other optional, but important options to consider:

• Camera (extra batteries)
• Carabiners – very handy around camp as well as on the pack
• Nylon cord (25’) – its very strong and not as bulky as must other rope.
• Hiking Pole(s) – should you decide to leave behind; you can find a suitable replacement in the forest.
• Duct Tape – good for quick repairs and even treating blister. Wrap around hiking pole or Nalgene.

CLOTHING GUIDANCE

It’s all about layers! As clothing usually weighs the most and takes up the most space in your pack, do your best to balance what you may need versus what you will actually wear. Limit the amount of cotton (i.e. cotton is rotten) you bring and go with synthetic and quick drying materials (e.g. nylon, wicked, under armor) where possible.

Head: Your standard baseball ball cap is a must to keep the sun out of your eyes, the sweat off your face and to prevent dehydration. Depending upon the weather, consider taking a beanie/stocking cap to keep you comfortable during the night. Lastly, a bandanna will also come in handy for your head and neck as well as making a handy hand camp towel.

Tops: A good quick drying T-shirt will be your best start. Although you could probably get a way with just one short sleeve shirt to save the weight, an extra clean shirt is a nice touch after a sweaty hike. The next long sleeve layer will serve a few purposes. Other than the obvious of warmth, you may not want to go to heavy depending upon the weather. A lightweight and breathable top will also come in handy for basic skin protection from the sun and the insects.

Bottoms: Knock out two birds with one stone with a pair of convertible pants. Like the T-Shirt, you may consider taking an extra pair of light shorts or pants (or another convertible). Recommend holding no more than two pieces as the flexibility/comfort of extra bottoms does not usually justify the additional bulk/weight.

Feet: The most important body part to take care of during the trip. Start with a good pair of wool socks along with at least one extra pair. Hiking boots are nice and durable on all terrains but tend to be a bit heavy on your feet on a long hike. The alternative to boots is a pair of trail hiking/running shoes. Although trail shoes have big upside with weight and comfort, consider the obvious down side with the lack of ankle support. It is also handy to have an extra pair of comfortable shoes/sandals that you can wear around the base camp or for wading in the creek. For hikes with a lot of water, some sort of water shoe/sandal (i.e. Teva) that provides support will fit the bill and keep you from having to dry your socks/shoes out every night.

Rain: Should rain be in the forecast, it is recommended to have some protection. At the minimum you should take a light weight jacket that will protect you from the rain. This will also serve as a good wind block and another layer for warmth. The bigger decision rests with rain pants. If you have a pair of quick try pants already, you may be able to go without. However, like the jacket, a pair of light weight rain pants will also provide a wind block and warmth layer.

Cold: although each of the categories above includes some options that will provide layers of warmth, there are times where additional layers should be considered (e.g. sleeping bag is not rated for the season or the low dips below your comfort level). Long underwear bottoms are a good alternative to taking an extra pair of pants. Long underwear tops may be needed if your long sleeve layer is not heavy enough. And for colder nights, your best bet will always be fleece. Don’t forget your hands... fleece glove liners will do the trick.

Do your best with clothing to make smart decisions to complement the layers you have. It is better to bring extra layers rather than extra clothes to provide you with the flexibility you need to adjust to the environment.

PACKING YOUR BACKPACK

Make your hiking trip an enjoyable experience, instead of a pain in the neck (or the back), by packing your gear correctly. Keep in mind that your body's natural center of gravity is located directly above the ankles. That's why you stand up straight. However, with a loaded pack on your back, your body will lean forward to redistribute the weight and bring the new center of gravity over your ankles. The following zone method helps keep the pack's center of gravity as close to your own as possible. This prevents unnecessary forward lean.

Before packing, spread everything you plan to take on the floor in front of you. Leave behind those things you may not really need, and make sure you haven’t forgotten any essentials.

More Packing tips:

• Distribute weight evenly between left and right sides.
• Place frequently used items in an easy-to-access place, such as external pockets.
• When hiking on easy terrain, pack heavy items a little higher for better posture.
• On harder terrain, put heavy items lower down for better balance.
• Stuff sacks allow you to quickly pack and unpack your gear and find what you need. The highly organized put each category of items (first aid, kitchen, etc.) in differently colored bags. Try not to stuff the sacks full, as a little play makes them easier to squeeze into gaps.
• Use your pots as hard metal stuff sacks to protect delicate items.
• Pack your food above your fuel bottle, or place it on the outside.
• Use your compression straps to bring the load closer to your body and keep everything in place.
• Lash long objects like tent poles and fishing poles to the sides of the pack.
• Pack the items you use most often in the most accessible places.

BACKCOUNTRY FOOD GUIDANCE

There are basically two kinds of backpacking food. You could get freeze-dried backpacking meals, in tremendous delicious varieties -- but at tremendous prices. Alternatively, you can get inexpensive food (also with a wide variety of tasty choices) at your local grocery store. Planning menus for a weekend trip isn't difficult. You could get by with whatever you happen to have on hand that will keep unrefrigerated. You could even take some luxury items that normally would be too heavy or bulky. But for trips much longer than a weekend, particularly if a week or longer, food becomes more important.

The Best Backpacking Food is lightweight, tasty, calorie-packed and quick cooking. However, each meal type is different:

• Lunch is usually heavier, more bulky, high energy, and no-cook.
• Cooked dinners are typically dehydrated so they are lighter.
• Good foods for breakfasts consists of about half no-cook and half quick-cook.

A final critical characteristic of the "best" backpacking food is that you like it. Tasty backpacking food helps keep the spirits up during physical stress, even improving the scenery!

Lightweight Backpacking Food can easily account for 1/4 or more of the bulk and 1/4 or more of the weight of your pack. A very good general estimate for food quantities is 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per person per day. Unless you can afford to buy freeze-dried food, you'll want to use deyhdrated food to save weight. Grains, pastas, breads, dried potatoes, etc, are already dehydrated or naturally dehydrated. Dried vegetables can really add much-needed variety to your dinners. Dried fruits are wonderful eaten alone as snacks or added to breakfast oatmeal, for example.

Plan and Organize! Food prepared for backpacking needs to be packaged and organized (rationed) out to balance weight against not having enough. Food and menus can easily become the most complicated and time-consuming part of trip planning! Save yourself a lot of hassle in camp (and possibly running out of something), by measuring out and packaging individual meals in plastic bags. Get rid of the cardboard. Add labels with cooking instructions. Squeeze tubes or wide-mouth bottles of various sizes are good for portioning out exact amounts of syrup, peanut butter, and the like. It's wise to double-bag powdered foods, such as potato flakes or bulk hot cocoa. Its also important to take into consideration the meals you may have before you start (i.e. food on the way to the trail head) and after you get out (local pizza shack) of the wilderness.

Balance Calories and Energy as backpacking takes an amazing amount of energy. Backpacking food needs to supply your body with roughly 2,500 calories a day. Good backpacking food for quick, short-term energy are carbohydrates, starches, and sugars -- such as breads, cereals, pasta, crackers and the like. You also need long term energy, provided by proteins and fats, such as canned meat, cheeses, dried eggs, dried milk, cheddar cheese, chocolate and nuts.

BACKCOUNTRY FOOD LISTS

There are plenty of backpacking food lists posted on the internet so feel free to do your own research and customize your menu as you see fit. In general, breakfast is a quick meal... boiling water for instant oatmeal. Lunch is really a day-long snack, pulling treats from your bag when you are hungry and taking in the scenery. Hearty/full meals are really left to dinner. Below is a list of possible food items.

Please keeping mind the “Only Add Water” requirement in the preparation instructions if possible. If you would like to get into the gourmet arena you’ll need more provisions (i.e. pots, pans, grills) which translate to carrying more weight. Also remember that you need to pack out what you pack in so keep that in mind before you grab that large can of Beef Stew.