INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO BACKPACKINGBACKPACKING

MARK WARRENMARK WARREN

WHYWHY

• Reach more remote locations

• Extended stays

• Complete trails

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

• Route

• Logistics

• Shelter & Gear• Test gear at home

• Meals & Cooking

• Conditioning• Weight loss

WEIGHT IS EVILWEIGHT IS EVIL

• Ignorance is not bliss

know what you are carrying

– Postal/Food Scale– Multi-use items– Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

LOCATION IS NOT EVERYTHINGLOCATION IS NOT EVERYTHING

• Huts

• Shelters

• Established Tent Sites

• Stealth Camping

STEALTH CAMPINGSTEALTH CAMPING

• LEAVE NO TRACE!!!

• Only where permitted– Below treeline– 200’ from trail/road/standing water– Safe & Comfortable

• level & smooth• good drainage & wind protection• no dangerous trees

SHELTERSHELTER

• Tent–mosquito netting –freestanding or staked

• Ultralights & Bivy Sacks

• Tarp

• Hammock–Limited temperatures

FOODFOOD

• Nutrition your friend

• One pot meals

• Safety– No food in tents– Critter/Bear Bag

CAMP ROUTINECAMP ROUTINE• Change clothing

• Make it a home– Erect tent & unpack pad and sleeping bag– Collect water– Prepare kitchen– Put up critter bag

• Before Sleeping– Bring water & extra clothes into tent

NIGHT ROUTINENIGHT ROUTINE

• Use headlamp

• Go to bathroom one last time

• Wear a hat

• Put extra clothing in sleeping bag– If you get cold, put them on

• If nature calls, just do it.

SAMPLE BACKPACKSAMPLE BACKPACK

• AT – LT to NH – 45 miles• June 11-13

– 3 full days on trail– 3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts

on trail– Car camp Thursday night –

breakfast in camp

• Car spotting• Road crossings - resupply

MY KITMY KIT

• BIG THREE– Shelter – Hennesey hammock 44.9 oz.– Sleeping bag – REI +20 down 44.9

oz.– Pack – Gregory Whitney 5,700 c.i. 105 oz.

Total 194.8 oz./

12 lb. 2.8 oz.

MY KIT - CookingMY KIT - Cooking

• Pepsi can stove 0.5 oz.• Alcohol 13.8 oz.• Pot 11.2 oz.• Cup/bowl 2.0 oz.• Foon & Fork 0.6 oz.• Matches/lighter 1.0 oz.• Bandana 1.0 oz.

Total 30.1 oz./1 lb 14.1 oz.

MY KIT – FoodMY KIT – Food

• (6) Lamejun 12.0 oz.• Mac & Cheese 8.2 oz.• Butter (1) stick frozen 4.0 oz.• Beans dehydrated 6.0 oz.• Dry Milk (1) Qt. 3.6 oz.• Instant Breakfast 3.0 oz.• Tea Bags 1.0 oz.• Tang 6.0 oz.• Oatmeal 16 oz. Total:• Noodles 16 oz. 86.2 oz./• Dried Onion & Beef Jerky 6.0 oz. 5 lb, 6.2 oz.• Curry Mix 4.4 oz.

MY KIT - HydrationMY KIT - Hydration

• Kathadin Hiker Pro filter 15.3 oz.

• (3) ltr. Bladder (Full) 107.2 oz.

• (1) ltr. Pepsi bottle (Full) 35 oz.

• Gatorade 12 oz.

Total: 169.5 oz./

10lb., 9.5 oz.

MY KIT MY KIT Emergency/MiscellaneousEmergency/Miscellaneous

• First Aid Kit* 23.6 oz.

• Compass* 2.4 oz.

• (2) Headlamps* 4.0 oz.

• Batteries* 3.0 oz.

• Leatherman* 6.0 oz.

• Toilet Paper 3.0 oz.

• Space Blanket 2.0 oz.

• Fingertip saw0.4 oz.

• Para cord 3.0 oz.

• Extra food* 18.4 oz.

• Cell phone* 3.1 oz.

• Car keys/Wallet 3.0 oz.

• SPF 50 0.5 oz.

• DEET 0.8 oz.

• Headnet 1.0 oz.

• Raincoat* 19.4 oz.

• Bivy sack 7.8 oz.

Total: 101.4 oz/

6 lb., 5.4 oz.

MY KIT – Extra Clothing*MY KIT – Extra Clothing*

• Socks 8.1 oz.• Underwear 2.2 oz.• Turtleneck 9.6 oz• Fleece vest 12.6 oz.• Knee brace 6.1 oz• Hat 2.5 oz.

36.0 oz.

TOTAL PACK WEIGHT – 618 oz./38 lb., 10 oz.

(base weight = 25 lb., 4 oz.)

MY KIT – WearingMY KIT – Wearing

• Watch 3.1 oz

• Underwear 2.2 oz.

• T-Shirt 4.9 oz.

• Zip-off pants & belt 16.9 oz.

• Hawaiian shirt* 6.4 oz.

• Ball cap 2.3 oz.

• Sunglasses 1.0 oz.

• Socks 4.6 oz.

• Gaiters 6.3 oz.

• Boots 46.7 oz.

Total worn: 94.4 oz./

5 lb., 14.4 oz.

MY KIT – CarriedMY KIT – Carried

• Knife* 3.0 oz.

• Whistle* 0.4 oz.

• Lighter* 0.4 oz.

• Map/notes*2.0 oz.

• GPS* 4.7 oz.

• Bandana 1.0 oz.

• Hiking Pole12.0 oz.

Total Weight carried – 23.5 oz./ 1 lb., 7.5 oz.