Going on a backpacking trip can be a lot of fun. You want to make sure that you have all your gear before you leave. The last thing you want is to be out in the wilderness and leave your food at home or even your tent poles.
Packing your pack can be just a crucial. You don't want to pack your tent at the bottom of your pack. Pulling out all your gear just to get to your tent can be frustrating. Here are some tips for your next backpacking trip.
What to bring?
1. Shelter
Make sure that you have enough room for everyone that is going. You may need to have more than one person pack a tent. Also make sure that tent is structured to keep you warm in cold temperatures.
A group of us went on a backpacking trip, the guys wanted to sleep under the stars and the gals had tents. There were 2 tents for 4 gals. Both tents were 2 to 3 person tents. While there was plenty of room, the temperatures did drop and the sleeping bags did keep us a little warm. When we woke in the morning there was frost on the sleeping bags. The next night the gals decided to pile into 1 tent. It was a bit of a tight squeeze but the tent was extremely warm.
In this case we had plenty of tents, but the temperature dropped lower than we expected. Make sure your tents can keep you warm along with sleeping bags.
2. Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag needs to be small! Not one of those sleeping bags you would take as an over night to a friends house or even camping. The bag has to be small enough to fit on or in a backpack. You also don't want a 10 lb sleeping bag. You want to find one that is small and light weight. Be sure to check the temperature rating and make sure that lowest temperature it is rated for is much lower than the temperature you will be sleeping in.
It is also a good idea it put a liner in the bag. Most sleeping bags are nylon inside and out. Nylon can get hold and having a liner between you and the sleeping bag can help you to stay warm. A liner can be an actual liner you buy at a store or a small fleece blanket you can slip in side. We just use a fleece blanket to cut cost, plus we have a ton of them laying around the house.
3. Head lamps/Flash Lights
Not being able to see at night sucks and not all places you go will allow for camp fires. Zion National Park doesn't allow for campfires on their East or West rim trails so you are limited on light. Lanterns can be heavy to carry and headlamps you can carry on your head.
4. Food and Water
Food is a must but you can imagine how many people may forget about this. Alpine Foods has some great food options, not like they used to be. Most of the freeze dried food you would take on a backpacking trip require boiled water, in order to "cook" the food. We recommend taking something to heat up the water. A Flash Boil is what we use.
Water is a must. Research if there is a spring near your route or camp area. If there is not, you will need to pack in all your water. If there is a spring you will need to bring a filtration system or water purifier to clean the water before you use it. A few options are to get a Katadyn or Sawyer Mini Filter.
The Katadyn is a pump like filtration system that you can use to put filtered water in your camel back or an empty water container. Some filters last for 13,000 gallons, great to have on a backpacking trip or even during a natural disaster.
Katadyn MicroFiltration
Microfiltration Method: Field-cleanable 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter
Output: Up to 1 quart (1 liter)/minute
Cartridge Capacity: Up to 13,000 gallons
Weight: 20 oz
Height: 10"
Katadyn Hiker Pro
Capacity (gal): 200
Capacity (L): 750
Output (gal): 1 quart/min
Output (K): 1 L/min
Technology: AntiClog Techonology with 0.3 micron glassfiber (no cleaning needed) Activated carbon granulate
Weight (grams): 310
Weight (oz): 11
The Sawyer Mini Filter is like a straw that you can use to filter and drink directly from the source (stream, river, spring, etc...) Great if you don't want to carry your water and there is a source near by.
Sawyer Mini Filter
Color: Black, Blue, Camo, Green, Pink and Orange
Removes: Bacteria, Protozoa, E. Coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerea, Salmonella Typhi
Cartridge Life: up to 100,000 gallons
Filter Material: Hollow Fiver
Weight: 2 oz
5. Clothes
The wilderness can be a lot of fun, if you are prepared. You can check the weather to be sure there are no storms that will be in the area you are going. This can help you determine if you need a jacket to stay warm or dry. Keep in mind some areas can be unpredictable and it is recommend to take a jacket anyways. Always be prepared.
Wind breakers are great to have as they can keep you dry and warm. Along with being light weight. Anything bulky will not fit in your pack, so be sure to find something that is thin.
A swim suit would be a good idea if you are going to be by a lake. On the other hand if you are going very far out where no one will be, you may not even need to take a swim suit. This is based on preference.
6. Knife
Always take a knife. You never know what will happen or when you will need one. Again always good to be prepared. Make sure to take a good knife, not just a pocket knife.
7. First Aid Kit
You should never leave home without a first aid kit in your bag, let alone car. In the woods a cut can become an issue no matter how small it is, if not treated. Your first aid kit should have the basics: band aids, alcohol swabs, but you also want Moleskin for blisters that can happen from walking. Medical tape, gloves, safety pins, tweezers, gauze pads, etc.. are all great things to have in your first aid kit.
8. Tell Someone Where You Will Be and When You Will Be Back
This is a good habit to get into. I know, I know, we are not children. It is recommended in case something happens to you and you need help but have no way of getting in touch with someone. A rock climber, Aaron Ralston, was out on a beautiful day of rock climbing. He went down into a canyon and a large rock rolled onto his arm and pinned him. He didn't tell anyone where he was going or when he would be back. Sadly he had to cut off his own arm to get out of the canyon, and walk back the way he came to find help. If he would have told someone where he was going and when he would be back, maybe things would have turned out differently. This is a very extreme case but I am sure he didn't plan on getting his arm pinned behind a large rock.
Weight is key when backpacking. The less something weighs the less weight on your back. It is as simple as that. Be cautious of what you take that you really don't need. Are you really going to use that laptop you want to take so you can get some work done? Leave unnecessary equipment at home. Be responsible and carry out whatever you carried in. Don't leave your trash for the animals to get.
Packing your pack can be just a crucial. You don't want to pack your tent at the bottom of your pack. Pulling out all your gear just to get to your tent can be frustrating. Here are some tips for your next backpacking trip.
What to bring?
1. Shelter
Make sure that you have enough room for everyone that is going. You may need to have more than one person pack a tent. Also make sure that tent is structured to keep you warm in cold temperatures.A group of us went on a backpacking trip, the guys wanted to sleep under the stars and the gals had tents. There were 2 tents for 4 gals. Both tents were 2 to 3 person tents. While there was plenty of room, the temperatures did drop and the sleeping bags did keep us a little warm. When we woke in the morning there was frost on the sleeping bags. The next night the gals decided to pile into 1 tent. It was a bit of a tight squeeze but the tent was extremely warm.
In this case we had plenty of tents, but the temperature dropped lower than we expected. Make sure your tents can keep you warm along with sleeping bags.
2. Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag needs to be small! Not one of those sleeping bags you would take as an over night to a friends house or even camping. The bag has to be small enough to fit on or in a backpack. You also don't want a 10 lb sleeping bag. You want to find one that is small and light weight. Be sure to check the temperature rating and make sure that lowest temperature it is rated for is much lower than the temperature you will be sleeping in.
It is also a good idea it put a liner in the bag. Most sleeping bags are nylon inside and out. Nylon can get hold and having a liner between you and the sleeping bag can help you to stay warm. A liner can be an actual liner you buy at a store or a small fleece blanket you can slip in side. We just use a fleece blanket to cut cost, plus we have a ton of them laying around the house.
3. Head lamps/Flash Lights
Not being able to see at night sucks and not all places you go will allow for camp fires. Zion National Park doesn't allow for campfires on their East or West rim trails so you are limited on light. Lanterns can be heavy to carry and headlamps you can carry on your head.
4. Food and Water
Food is a must but you can imagine how many people may forget about this. Alpine Foods has some great food options, not like they used to be. Most of the freeze dried food you would take on a backpacking trip require boiled water, in order to "cook" the food. We recommend taking something to heat up the water. A Flash Boil is what we use.
Water is a must. Research if there is a spring near your route or camp area. If there is not, you will need to pack in all your water. If there is a spring you will need to bring a filtration system or water purifier to clean the water before you use it. A few options are to get a Katadyn or Sawyer Mini Filter.
The Katadyn is a pump like filtration system that you can use to put filtered water in your camel back or an empty water container. Some filters last for 13,000 gallons, great to have on a backpacking trip or even during a natural disaster.
Katadyn MicroFiltration
Microfiltration Method: Field-cleanable 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter
Output: Up to 1 quart (1 liter)/minute
Cartridge Capacity: Up to 13,000 gallons
Weight: 20 oz
Height: 10"
Katadyn Hiker Pro
Capacity (gal): 200
Capacity (L): 750
Output (gal): 1 quart/min
Output (K): 1 L/min
Technology: AntiClog Techonology with 0.3 micron glassfiber (no cleaning needed) Activated carbon granulate
Weight (grams): 310
Weight (oz): 11
The Sawyer Mini Filter is like a straw that you can use to filter and drink directly from the source (stream, river, spring, etc...) Great if you don't want to carry your water and there is a source near by.
Sawyer Mini Filter
Color: Black, Blue, Camo, Green, Pink and Orange
Removes: Bacteria, Protozoa, E. Coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerea, Salmonella Typhi
Cartridge Life: up to 100,000 gallons
Filter Material: Hollow Fiver
Weight: 2 oz
5. Clothes
The wilderness can be a lot of fun, if you are prepared. You can check the weather to be sure there are no storms that will be in the area you are going. This can help you determine if you need a jacket to stay warm or dry. Keep in mind some areas can be unpredictable and it is recommend to take a jacket anyways. Always be prepared.
Wind breakers are great to have as they can keep you dry and warm. Along with being light weight. Anything bulky will not fit in your pack, so be sure to find something that is thin.
A swim suit would be a good idea if you are going to be by a lake. On the other hand if you are going very far out where no one will be, you may not even need to take a swim suit. This is based on preference.
6. Knife
Always take a knife. You never know what will happen or when you will need one. Again always good to be prepared. Make sure to take a good knife, not just a pocket knife.
7. First Aid Kit
8. Tell Someone Where You Will Be and When You Will Be Back
This is a good habit to get into. I know, I know, we are not children. It is recommended in case something happens to you and you need help but have no way of getting in touch with someone. A rock climber, Aaron Ralston, was out on a beautiful day of rock climbing. He went down into a canyon and a large rock rolled onto his arm and pinned him. He didn't tell anyone where he was going or when he would be back. Sadly he had to cut off his own arm to get out of the canyon, and walk back the way he came to find help. If he would have told someone where he was going and when he would be back, maybe things would have turned out differently. This is a very extreme case but I am sure he didn't plan on getting his arm pinned behind a large rock.
Weight is key when backpacking. The less something weighs the less weight on your back. It is as simple as that. Be cautious of what you take that you really don't need. Are you really going to use that laptop you want to take so you can get some work done? Leave unnecessary equipment at home. Be responsible and carry out whatever you carried in. Don't leave your trash for the animals to get.
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