Backpacking - How to Pack
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What to eat? |
You've decided to join us for a weekend immersed in the gorgeous Virginia wilderness. Great! Now your big question is probably, “What do I bring?”
When packing for a wilderness backpacking trip, minimalism is key to success. Try to bring only 25 pounds of gear or less, preferably under 20% of your ideal body weight. You will have to carry everything you pack on your back for miles over rugged terrain. Backpacking specific items are designed to be less bulky, and lighter on your back. For your first time, try to borrow as much gear as possible, while ensuring the gear is a good fit for you. The first items, known as “the big three,” have the greatest potential impact on reducing weight and bulk. 1. A pack. Choose a backpacking-specific pack with an adjustable padded hip belt and frame (internal or external). Girls are still growing, so adjustability is especially important for them. Unisex or female-specific are both fine choices. For unisex packs, ensure that all straps and stays will adjust to a size small enough for your body. Practice carrying the pack fully loaded to be sure it will work. Unlike school backpacks, a perfect fit is essential. Don't count on borrowing a pack unless you have tried it on well ahead of time. Adult leaders usually prefer a pack of fifty to sixty-five liters capacity. Get your pack in time to test it around your neighborhood with the full gear load. NOTE: For Wild Things backpacking, we have a great collection of loaner packs, available to the first registered participants who request them. Pack fitting is part of the pre-trip meeting. 2. Shelter. There are several options for shelter. A tent is the most traditional and easiest to set up. Try to choose a tent that keeps you dry, yet does not exceed 3-4 pounds. Or, share a tent and divide the parts between your pack and your tent-mate's pack. 3. A sleeping bag with pad. Backpacking-specific sleeping bags compress well to fit inside your pack, where it stays dry. Down-stuffed sleeping bags are the lightest weight, as long as they are kept dry. Synthetic sleeping bags are the least expensive. If you’re hiking in the spring or fall, choose a sleeping bag rated to twenty degrees or less. If you’re hiking in the summer, choose a forty-degree sleeping bag. If you have to carry a bulky, car-camping bag, stuff it into a bag to compress it, and strap it to the outside of your pack. You'll need a pad to insulate you from the cold ground. The foam pads are inexpensive and work just fine. Pillows are optional, you can use your spare clothes by stuffing them into a bag. Now that you have picked out “the big three” gear items, add on from there. 4. Hiking boots and camp shoes. Choose a comfortable pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes. Lightweight hikers are fine. You don't need heavy backpacking boots for the conditions we will travel. However, sneakers are not recommended. If desired, have a pair of closed toe lightweight camp shoes to wear in the evenings—Crocs work just fine. 5. Clothes and a dry bag. When selecting clothes for your hiking trip, choose items that can be layered for warmth. Don’t bring cotton or denim; they dry slowly, are bulky, and are heavy when wet. Choose synthetic clothing, and store them in a waterproof “dry bag” when you’re not wearing them. You can use the dry bag as a pillow at night. Here’s what you need:
6. Personal hygiene and first-aid items. Use a small bag or a gallon-sized Ziploc to store your personal hygiene and first-aid items. Don’t over pack. Only bring the basics. Suggested items:
7. Pocket knife, folding (optional). No weapons. 8. Map and compass. Review ahead of time so you know the relative direction of key places in the area. 9. A headlamp. You’ll want to be able to see at night. Flashlights are ok, but a headlamp frees up your hands. It's so easy to misplace a flashlight, and hard to find in the dark. Always carry spare batteries, taped together. Taping prevents them from setting your pack on fire. 10. A backpacking stove and cooking pot. Leaders will provide this for the group to share, and girls will learn how to use them. 11. Paracord. Leaders will bring enough for the group, to hang food bags at night so animals aren't attracted to camp. Girls may carry some, useful for emergency repairs, broken shoelace repair, shelter building, etc. 50 feet is plenty. 12. Water bottles or water reservoir. Section hikers should have enough water storage space to carry about 2 liters of water, 1 liter for base campers. At least one hard, rugged, BPA-free bottle is recommended. The type that can handle boiling hot water without melting, such as a hard Nalgene or similar. Softer plastic will suffice if that's all you have. You can upgrade later. 13. Water purification system. Leaders will bring filtration systems and spare filters and the girls are to bring their Sawyer filters. 14. A food bag. You will need a bag to store your food, separate from the rest of your gear, labeled with your name. The bag should be able to close because you need to hang it up at night. Dry bags with a clip at the top make it easier, keep your food dry, and reduce animal-attracting scents. 15. Mess kit. Only bring what is needed for your personal menu - include utensils and don't forget a hot beverage cup, if needed 16. Miscellaneous.
General Tips:
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Another question we get is: What can I eat?
Breakfast options can include: Oatmeal pre-hard boiled eggs and pre-cooked bacon bagels and peanut butter Granola bars freeze dried fruits Lunch and/or dinner options: Mountain House meals tuna and crackers or on tortilla shells rolled up Ramen noodles with some bagged chicken for added protein Beef jerky (or chicken jerky) freeze dried foods high protein bars bagged chicken with some BBQ sauce on tortillas Snacks: granola bars high protein bars nuts / grains / seeds trail mix candy Drinks: drink flavor packs coffee tea hot chocolate Here is a great article with some other ideas: How to pack your sleeping bagHow to properly lace your boots |