Backpacking Tips

Buy a good pair of hiking boots. When picking out boots think about what you are going to be doing: Day hiking in the mountains, hiking on level ground, backpacking up a mountain. If you plan on day hiking in the mountains, a lightweight pair of hiking boots will suffice. Standing on a board slanted downward is a good test to see if the boots fit. The boot must stop your foot from moving forward. New boots are going to hurt a little until they are broken in.

To get ready for your back packing trip you need to start by conditioning your legs and breaking in your boots. Take a few day hikes in relatively well-traveled areas (blisters can end your day). As your hikes get longer start using a day pack that you can add weight to, add the weight in 5 pound increments.

Basic Necessities for Back Packing:

A lightweight pack with an internal frame

A small mess kit with utensils

A tent -light weight

Some easy to cook food-use dehydrated

Sleeping bag - made of the new miracle fibers available now

sleeping pad

A Water Bottle

toiletries- half a roll of TP, some soap, a small towel, toothbrush, toothpaste,

bug spray.

matches

a few changes of clothes

socks

chap stick

lotion

a rain poncho

first aid kit -with an antibiotic ointment and moleskin for blisters

water purification tablets

backpacking stove

flash light

lighter- in case your matches get soaked

a whistle

mirror for signaling

Swiss army knife

compass

topographical map

If you are back packing in cold weather, extra precautions will need to be taken to stay warm. Some of the simpler things that you can do to keep warm is to layer your clothing. Wool is good because it keeps the moisture away from your body and therefore keeps you warmer. Also, at night change all of your clothes before going to bed (even your underwear). When you are hiking or playing all day you do sweat, even in the cold. This moisture is absorbed in your clothes and when you go to sleep at night this moisture tends to get very cold against you skin.

To keep you warm in your tent take some rocks that have been heated by your campfire and place them in a metal container and them on some wood in your tent.

Before you buy an internal frame backpack, check to see if you can get your sleeping bag into the compartment. If you are the organized type, pick a backpack with lots of little pockets. If you are the type who throws all your laundry on the floor, buy a pack with one or two big compartments. Try on several packs to make sure it fits your body and is comfortable. Make sure the hip belt, rests on your hips to take the weight off of your shoulders. Ask the store if you can fill the pack with stuff to make it heavy to test it out.

Taste test dehydrated back packing food before your trip. Buy a large selection of small quantities or different brands and types to see what you like.

To pack your pack, use large zip lock bags, nylon drawstring bags or bread bags to separate your clothes, cooking utensils, and other things in the back. Put the soft items in your pack against your back.

Now you're ready for your 1st overnight trip. Remember the less you take, the lighter your pack is and you will enjoy the hike much better. Once you're at your location, set up your tent. Avoid the low ground. If it starts raining, you'll end up in a nice, chilly puddle. If rain or snow is expected, find a covering under which to set up camp. You may want to add some brush, leaves, or scrubbage under your tent to keep you off the cold ground. Make sure your tent is waterproofed and add a cover. Most tents come with a rain cover. Make sure you keep your tent well ventilated or dew will form on the inside of the walls.