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Tips & Hints What Should I Bring? For both dayhiking and backpacking, you should start with the “Fourteen Essentials.” (below) Also, suggested items for your first aid kit are covered in First Aid & Health. The following lists are suggestions, and you’ll certainly want to tailor these lists to your specific needs and preferences.
2. Compass
Carrying a compass in the backcountry is a great recommendation, but first you need to know how to use it! Check out the "Using a Map & Compass" page on this site. Some features to look for include:
4. Matches Carry matches that are waterproof or wind and waterproof. Keep them in self-locking plastic bags or a waterproof match case. And take a cigarette lighter, just in case. You'll be happy when your pack gets accidentally dunked in a river, or when it's been raining all day. 5. Extra Clothing In addition to the basic layers you normally take on an outing, bring extra clothing that would get you through the worst conditions you may encounter. (Always bring extra socks to help prevent those wet or sweaty foot blisters!) Also, throw an emergency shelter (waterproof tube tent or tarp) or a mylar Space Blanket or bag in your pack. The Space Bag weighs only about 2.5 ounces but will completely encase you and keep you warm and dry. 6. Extra Food Whenever you go out, even for a day trip, bring extra food in case you are delayed by foul weather, emergencies, or just get lost. The mountaineers suggest a one-day supply. At the very least, bring one good meal more than what you need. 7. Sunglasses Adequate eye protection is a must! Your eyes can be damaged from the intensity of the mountain skies, ultraviolet rays, and light reflecting off the snow. As elevation increases, so does the intensity of the ultraviolet rays. Make sure that your glasses have 100% UV protection, because your eyes can become damaged long before you feel discomfort. There are many brands of sunglasses that provide adequate protection and are not expensive. Extreme Optics eyewear (available at the Hiking Shack) are made specifically for outdoor sports and meet these requirements. An eyeglass cord is also a good idea, so that you don't lose this essential item in the backcountry! 8. First Aid Kit Always carry first aid supplies for minor injuries. A first aid kit for the trail should contain sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, alcohol preps, clear tape, Band-Aids, antihistamines, aspirin (or, if you prefer Tylenol or ibuprofen), moleskin, an elastic (Ace) bandage for knee and ankle sprains, non-adhesive absorbent dressing for burns (Second Skin, made by Spenco is recommended) and safety pins. Optional items include an antibiotic ointment, a triangular bandage (a bandana will do), duct tape (can be used to prevent a “hot spot” from becoming a blister or immobilize fractures), latex gloves (for dealing with bleeding wounds), and forceps or tweezers (for removing ticks and splinters).
9. Pocket Knife Your basic tool kit. This is a good example of a single piece of gear that has many uses. At a minimum, knives are useful for first aid, food preparation, cutting moleskin strips, cutting rope, whittling down wet wood to make dry kindling, removing splinters, opening cans and making repairs.
10. Firestarter 11. Water For transporting water inside your pack, use lightweight water bottles, such as Nalgene wide mouth bottles. Some people use other containers such as old plastic soda bottles. That’s okay too, but be careful they don’t crack or leak. Hydration systems, consisting of a hard plastic bag, tube and drinking valve are a great water source when backpacking. The bag fits inside your pack, and the valve can clip on your pack strap for instant access to water, without stopping to remove a water bottle from your pack. Lots of the newer packs come with a sleeve to fit the hydration system in your pack top or side. 12. Whistle For emergencies - when you’re lost, someone else is lost, or you’re hurt and need help, etc.
13. Insect Repellents or Clothing
Three ways to deal with the biting flies, mosquitoes, gnats, etc. are to (1) let them eat you, (2) use repellents or (3) wear clothing. Since the first option isn’t too pleasant, there are numerous commercial repellents on the market. In test after test, DEET is the bug repellent that works best. It is a strong chemical however, should be stored in its own resealable bag to prevent ruining anything else in your pack. There are natural alternatives, such as citronella, which can be quite effective. 14. Sunburn Preventatives Remember, the higher the elevation, the greater the intensity of the sun. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, especially in very exposed areas - above the tree line, in the desert or in the snow. Try to find one made especially for sports - those that resist sweat. Reapply often, and don’t miss those areas that are easy to skip, like behind your knees, on the back of your neck and your ears. If you do get sunburn, keep that area covered with clothing. Use a lip balm with an SPF factor to avoid sunburned and cracked lips.
Packing Your Backpack
When packing your backpack, there are two main things you should keep in mind. One- keep the heaviest items close to your main center of gravity. For men, this is higher, and for women it tends to be lower - towards the small of the back. Two- keep the items you use frequently, or need to get to quickly, in a convenient, easily accessible spot.
Put the heaviest items like your food, cooking gear and clothing in the main compartment, keeping the weight close to your back. Using the back of the pack (the part that rests on you) as a reference point, it’s better to pack inward and up, rather than outward and down. Stuff hanging way out off the back of your pack will throw off your center of gravity, which is generally high and in, rather than low and out.
Your water bottle(s) also should be in an outside pocket for easy access. Those hydration bags (with the tube that clips to your shoulder strap) are the greatest invention ever. These fit easily into your pack top (sometimes side pocket) and give you instant hydration without stopping your trek.
Next to proper fit, the order and configuration in which you pack your internal frame pack are of utmost importance. The internals tend to have less outside pockets and don’t have that frame hanging out to lash things onto, so more of your gear is inside the pack. This certainly serves you well if you’re doing a lot of bushwacking, climbing, skiing, etc., because there’s less chance of getting caught on trees, etc.
Most internals have various lash points (daisy chains, compression straps, etc.) on the outside of the pack, which makes it easy to attach your large gear (sleeping bag, pad, tent, snowshoes, etc.) onto the outside of the pack. Also good for those small items (whistle, cup, camera, etc.) that you want at your fingertips. Mini-biners are a great accessory for attaching small items to your pack. But, whatever you hang from your pack should be securely fastened - you don’t want to reach your destination and realize that something left your pack somewhere back on the trail!
As with the external frame, you should start with your sleeping bag in (or on) the bottom of your pack. Many internals also have a sleeping bag compartment on the bottom. Smaller internals have sleeping bag straps on the bottom of the pack. If you’re lashing it onto the outside of the pack, make sure you have a waterproof stuff sack (especially for down bags!) to keep your bag in. Your sleeping pad and tent can usually be attached to the side compression straps. If your sleeping bag is lashed to the bottom, you may want to store your tent inside on the bottom of your pack, or vice-versa. Remember, keep that center of gravity (heavier items) close to your back.
Pack the items you need to get at quickly either in your pack cap, side pockets (if available) or near the side zipper. Many of the larger internals now have a special spot in the cap for your hydration system. Some of these caps are equipped with special straps, so that you can remove them and use them as a day pack for short hikes away from camp. Many also have a special attachment for your keys and/or pockets for your wallet or map. Be sure to check out all of the features of the packs when selecting one that’s just right for you.
Just remember, pack inward and up, with the heaviest gear closer to your back. It will make your trip much more enjoyable if your load is well balanced, with your center of gravity in mind. Don’t pack any emergency gear where you can’t get to it quickly, and always keep your water at your fingertips.
Why carry a hiking stick?
Carrying a stick will reduce stress on your lower body (knees, legs, feet and even back) by transferring weight to your arms and torso.
Uphill, it takes pressure of your hips and back and gives you more power and traction. Downhill, sticks help reduce shock on your knees and ankles.
Other uses for hiking sticks include...
Using a Compass
The best directions I have found for teaching someone to use a compass are on a Website created by Kjetil Kjernsmo, a fascinating and brilliant guy who lives in Oslo, Norway and studies Astrophysics. I would direct you
there. His directions are clear, complete and awesome. Enjoy yourself, but don't lose your way back!
Happy backpacking!
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A commercial first aid kit (purchased in a drug store or outdoor store) will contain most of the necessities and is usually more economical than buying all of the components individually. Sure, you may have to modify it (maybe you need a bee-sting kit, a knee brace or allergy medicine) but it will get you thinking about what you need and what you don’t need. The ideal kit should be small, compact, and waterproof.
It’s always best to start with your sleeping bag in the bottom for a solid foundation. Some packs have a compartment on the bottom of the pack, designed especially for sleeping bags. If your pack doesn’t, attach it to the bottom of the pack with sleeping bag straps or, if it fits inside your pack, stuff it all the way in the bottom. For packs with limited space, you can use a compression bag to reduce your sleeping bag to the smallest possible size.
An external frame pack generally has more compartments than an internal frame pack. You also have the frame itself, extending above and below the pack, for lashing on your larger items. A good spot for your sleeping pad in this case is on the top of your pack, lashed to the frame. You can also roll your tent and put it up there, or fold it down and put it under the top flap of the pack. Your outside pockets are a good spot for items you need to get to quickly. Items like rain gear, gaiters, pack cover, toilet kit, first aid kit, bug juice, flashlight, lip balm, emergency blanket, map, camera, binoculars, etc. Also put a bag of trail food on top for quick retrieval by your partner. If you’re alone, keep it someplace handier like in a hipbelt pouch.
