In short: I recommend this class for any newbie. I recently took a free Intro to Backpacking seminar at my local REI. It was packed full of information. The presenter had probably never done it before, as evidenced by the fact that nearly all the tips that weren't off the stock REI power point began with, "And, well, I guess that's it about that. Oh- but- wow, also sometimes..blah-blah-blah..so maybe do that too." Also, it ran roughly an hour over time, but despite the rough presentation, the guy really seemed to know what he was talking about and I (being a total novice) think that I learned a lot. Personally, I'm not sure that I'll ever go backpacking, but I've already applied some of what I've learned to other activities like biking. I've included a rough overview below.
Basic Considerations
- Learn rules of public lands and wilderness area
- Do an overnight practice with gear before a multi day trip
- Avoid game trails- they look like abandoned trails
- Use camp stove instead of campfire
- Talk to a ranger
- Check water availability- can bring filtration system and steripen
- Wilderness and back country use permit if area requires
- Extra batteries steripen, lamp, gps
- 3 season tent
- Down bag compacts better - synthetic handles water better
- Clothing Layers
- Long Underware
- Winter cap even in summer
- Rain layers
- Wind resistant shell-primaloft insulation
- Base - polar tech type
- Water
- Food
- 1st aid
- Pocket knife
- Storm proof matches
- Map and Compass - gps can fail
- Head lamp (better led and hands free long life) or flashlight
- Sunglasses and screen
- Emergency Blanket and space blanket
- TP
- Whistle or signal mirror
- 100ft of cord - bear bag, rain fly, spear with knife for fishing
- Packs
- External Frame
- Older, cheaper moderately heavy loads
- Feels like carrying the load
- Internal Frame
- Load is more balanced, feels like wearing the load
- More freedom and balance
- Size
- Usual 4k-5k cubic inches
- 4-6 pounds (ultra lites <3, loose comfort
- S,M,L - iliac crest to c7 vertebrae, torso length
- Gregory and deuter packs fit women best
- # in pack name is liter size
- How to pack
- Bag in bottom (gear helps compress) stuff/compression sack if necessary
- Water is heavy, so against your back
- Break up tent- poles in outside side pocket
- Tent on top- 1st thing to unpack
- Bags
- Types
- Down (better)- more compact-able, lasts longer, pricier Higher fill number, more compressable, higher weight, smaller feathers
- Synthetic - supposedly does better when wet, but pretty much screwed when it gets wet no matter what.
- Pad
- Open Cell Pad - more comfortable and compact-able
- Closed Cell - warmer, lighter
- R-value - resistance -additive
- Tents
- Up mesh, down weight
- Hoop/Tunnel is lighter
- Tarp- no flors or bug screens
- Bug tents - no rain fly
- Choose a tent ~4 lbs
- 1/2 dome rei old mountain man said good in rain, snow, hail
- Aluminum poles are better than fiberglass
- Stove
- Propane - lower altitude
- @ Altitude, international whisperlight - white gas, unleaded - gas- alcohol
- MSR pocket rocket
- Clothes
- Not cotton
- Smart wool best for hiking
- Liners to re-use socks
- Lightweight marmot rain jacket
- Light gloves and balaclava
- Lightweight hiking footwear (gortex)
- Food, Water, Cooking
- Platapus to haul water
- 1L pot for cooking
- 1 bowl, spoon, cup
- Camp suds
- Move dehydrated meals to ziplocs from foil
- Extra batteries
- Pack-towels
- 1st Aid Wilderness October
- Trekking poles
- Bears not known to attack groups of 4 or more
Local Areas:
Beginners: Laurel HIghlands Trail, Racoon Creek State Park
Next: Forbes Park, Quebec Natural Run, Dolly Sods
Advanced: Black forest
Organizations:
Venture Outdoors
WPA Orienteering club
Keystone hiking club
Sierra club
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