Random Backpacking Tips
The following are some backpacking tips based on my own experience
and that of others who like to keep it light, cheap, safe and
comfortable.
Lighter Sleeping Bag Pad - A basic closed-cell sleeping
bag pad can be cut short to reduce weight. You rally only need
to cover the length from your shoulders to your knees. Your feet
can rest on your empty pack, and your head will be on some kind
of pillow in any case. Cut the width down too, and test the pad
to see if there are more cuts you can make without sacrificing
comfort.
Sitting Pad - Using one of the pieces off that sleeping
bag pad, cut it to about a foot square. It will weigh less than
an ounce and provide a seat for you. This is especially nice
when logs and rocks are covered with rain or ice.
Long Days First - If you get more miles in on the first
couple days of a backpacking trip, you'll be at less risk. Most
emergencies or rough situations - like running out of food -
happen ion the middle of a trip or later. Having fewer miles
to hike out makes it easier to deal with these things. You have
to hike all the miles anyhow if you have a destination, and in
this way you can slow down and enjoy your last days if all is
well.
Buy Used Gear - Never buy used shoes (and I would avoid
used sleeping bags too) but things like camping pans are usually
fine used. Even trekking poles and backpacks can be bought used.
Just be sure to try them out so you are sure that they fit. Used
gear is a great way to make backpacking cheaper.
Bring Peanut Butter -Peanut butter is a great high-protein,
high-calorie backpacking food, with more than 2600 calories per
pound (compared to 1760 for pure sugar or starches). Buy it in
the light plastic jars. When you finish it, you can pack all
your bits of food wrappers and other garbage into the jar and
seal it up tight.
Avoid Evaporative Heat Loss -Evaporative heat loss
is caused by evaporation of moisture from your body or clothing
(this is why your body sweats to cool off). To reduce this form
of heat loss, you need to stay as dry as you can. Wear your rain
gear when walking through wet bushes, and don't sit directly
on snow.
Keep Cooking Simple -To keep cooking simple, plan
for high-water content foods only. In other words, cook just
soups, or make your noodles watery. This means no burnt foods
in your pan, and so no hard scrubbing required. Eat from the
pan to really keep it simple.
Warm Yourself For Sleeping -To warm up before going
to sleep, try doing sit-ups after you get into your sleeping
bag. This is about the only large-muscle exercise you can do
in a bag, and it should warm you up quickly.
Note: For more backpacking tips, check the new pages
listed regularly on the home page.
Mountain Hiking
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