BACKPACKING BASICS

Before you are temped to buy cheaper gear at a “discount” sporting goods store, talk to experienced backpackers first. Many experienced backpackers have made mistakes before they listened to those with greater backcountry experience. Don’t be afraid to ask. This is how we pass it on down.

There are many cheap items out there that may look like a good deal, but they will not stand up to the test of time or conditions. Remember that your son is depending on the gear he has been given. A ripped shoulder strap on a cheap backpack is going to be a major problem in the backcountry. A cheap sleeping bag could have terrible results on a very cold night many miles from the warmth of a car parked at the trailhead. A too heavy bag will be extra weight that your son will have to carry on his back.

He will have to carry his own gear, as will all the other boys including the leaders. He will not be able to shed his load to have someone else carry his things. Here is where the old saying stays true. They will have to carry their load. Remember, “Light is Right” & “Pounds are Pain”. Keep the gear light.

The lighter the equipment and the less room it takes up, the more it will cost. However, the quality usually is much, much better and you can have it a lifetime if taken care of properly.

Using an adequately loaded pack and sleeping bag, the weight should be less than 30 lbs. You will need to add 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. per man per day for dehydrated food and 2 lbs. per quart of water. You should be able to pack in for a week carrying around 45lbs. As my son says, “ it is backpacking, not over packing”.

When buying ANYTHING for camping or backpacking, wait until you can afford quality equipment. Buying something "for now" will only cost you much more in the long run. Don't buy just for camping if you ever plan on backpacking. Camping equipment is no good on a backpack trip, but backpacking equipment is perfectly fine for a camp out.

Do not make low cost your only criterion. There is no compromise for quality. There are no stores in the wilderness!

It can’t be emphasized enough the importance of gear and its selection. Look at it this way. Everything that your son needs in the backcountry will be on his back. Think about him up in the Sierras being dependant on your selection of items. Choose wisely.

BEFORE YOU PACK….

PLAN !

• Where are you going
• Who is going
• When do you expect to return
• What type of vehicle you will use to get there
• Location of the trail head and route to be taken
• If you're going deep into the back country, or on any remote trip consider taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
• Above all, do not decide to stay an extra day. Search parties cost money and time.

Carry a small survival kit. It could save your life.

Leave a trip schedule, preferably in writing with a responsible person, giving the following information:

Remember your 15 essentials

By now every Webelos or Boy Scout that have been part of a “High Adventure” Unit should have most of the 15 essentials if not all of them. These will need to be kept handy in pockets and in their pack. They will not be allowed to travel the backcountry without these items.

15 ESSENTIALS

• Map and compass (when appropriate & know how to use them)
• Water bottle or canteen (when appropriate, purification tablets)
• Emergency food (energy bars, hard candy, beef jerky, bouillon cubes etc)

§ First aid kit (including personal medication)

§ Flashlight and/or headlamp (including spare batteries)

§ Necessary clothing (wind and weather protection)

§ Pocket knife or multi-purpose tool

§ Pencil and bright colored paper (to leave notes)

• Large plastic trash bag (33-gallon) or plastic poncho as emergency rain protection
• Emergency “space” shelter bag or blanket (to serve as emergency shelter)

§ Signaling device (I prefer the 5 in 1 combo whistle)

§ Nylon Cord (25’)

§ Matches/lighter/fire starter (magnesium bar or flint and steel)

§ Sunscreen

§ Insect repellant

The primary items needed are as follows, in addition to the essentials are as follows:

· Backpack

· Tent

· Lighting

· Sleeping bag

· Sleeping pad

· Stove

· Cook set

· Water Purification and Storage

· Proper Clothing

· Hygiene Needs

BACKPACK

A least 3,000 cubic inch capacity - No less

$80 & Up

Jansport Alpine Access, REI Meteor or Kelty are good choices

The Importance Of A Properly Fitted Backpack

A properly fitted, well-made backpack is extremely important. For new Scouts, an internal frame pack that is sized to fit your son is recommended. Important elements to look for in a good external pack are:

1. A good internal frame backpack will have sturdy construction and adjustable frame stays, and a

well-padded hip belt that will tighten snugly just above his hips. The belt should be tight enough to support the pack on the belt when loaded with 25 to 45 lbs or more.

2. The hip belt supports the weight, not the shoulder straps. Well-padded shoulder pads.

3. The shoulder straps should be attached to the pack high enough above the shoulder that the straps come down from the top of the pack to the front of the shoulder. Load lifter straps are an excellent addition. This prevents straps from resting on the top of the shoulder. The straps are designed to hold the pack against the back, not carry the load.

4. NOTE: When a backpack is fully loaded with all necessary gear and equipment it should not weigh more than 30% to 35% of the total body weight of the person who is carrying the pack.

5. An overloaded, too heavy pack will lead to quick fatigue, possible physical injury, and for certain an unpleasant backpacking experience.

SUGGESTION: Buy a pack that fits now and sell it to a smaller scout when your son outgrows it.

TENT

Avg Quality 2 person tent.

Cost $100 & Up

Example: Kelty Teton 2 or Gunnison 2

No plastic bottomed tents for back packing.

The tent you select needs to be a backpacking style weighing approximately 5 lbs. or less. It should be fitted with a rain fly, which comes almost to the ground; otherwise rain can blow under the fly. Freestanding tents work best for the new scouts since they can be easily moved after set up and can be cleaned out by lifting up and shaking them out.

GROUND CLOTH

Matching footprint for tent. Best is a nylon taffeta tarp but a lightweight plastic painters tarp will work. Be sure to cut it down to match the shape of the tents floor.

LIGHTING

$10 to $40

AAA / AA Battery Headlamp and Flashlight.

No big C or D cell flashlights

SLEEPING BAG

Cost $90 & Up

At least a 20 to 40 degree bag. Weight should be no more than 4.5 pounds

Example: REI Polar Pod or Marmot Never Summer

A good sleeping bag is a great investment, which will last for many years. A mummy style bag is recommended since it is lighter weight and the warmest. The insulation in the bag should be synthetic Hollofil or Quallofil. Down is warmer and lighter, however, it looses all of its effectiveness when it gets wet. This is not the case with the synthetic insulation. Down filled sleeping bags loose up to 90% of their thermal properties were a Synthetic filled sleeping bag retains up to 85% of its thermal properties. The exception to this is down bags with a waterproof shell.

A good bag will be made with offset or slant layer construction which will not be sewn all the way through the inner and outer covering. Recommended bag weight for backpacking is 2.5 to 4.5 lbs. maximum and the bag should be rated for 20 to 40 degrees for this region of the country. You can always make it more effective by adding a fleece or other type liner.

These types of Bags a very expensive but last forever, be careful choosing the weight, size packed, and fill of the bag. Also the rated degrees is VERY important, you can supplement bags with extra blankets on camp outs or double up the bags when it gets real cold, but this is not an option when backpacking. I own a 20° and a 0° bag.

SLEEPING PAD

$35 to & Up

Example: Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad – Regular, Z – lite or similar

A closed cell foam-sleeping pad is a must for camping, since it insulates you from the cold earth. Also the sleeping pad provides some padding against the hard ground. Pads come in ¾ length and full length, 3/8" and ½" thickness. Pads come in smooth and ridge constructions.

Also available are self-inflating sleeping pads of various styles and depths. These pads weigh more than a foam pad and are not recommended for new scouts who need to conserve weight.

STOVE

$25 & Up

Primus Yellowstone Classic or Snow Peak Giga Stove

NOTE: Must be a canister style stove. No liquid fuel

COOK SET

$10

Stansport aluminum Cook set

WATER PURIFICATION

$5 to $120

Purification tablets, Katadyn Hiker, MSR Mini Works EX or similar

Water purification: As a minimum boil water or add 1 iodine tablet per instructions on tablet bottle. Let stand for 30 minutes or as directed on the bottle. For cloudy water, double the purifier.

Really you should carry a water purifier for the best results.

Be aware of the safety water-drinking guide that filters are rated on.

WATER STORAGE

$5 to $10 Ea

Example: Nalgene Water Bottles or Ozark Trail (2 – 16oz)

BASIC CLOTHING FOR AN AVERAGE OVERNIGHT TRIP

· Beanie cap

· Thermal tops and bottoms

· Wool sleeping socks

· Fleece gloves

· Waterproof outer shell jacket

· Waterproof outer shell pants

(If expecting wet weather)

· Down or fiberfill vest

· Fleece or fiberfill Jacket

· Cargo pants

· Cargo Shorts

· 2 Tee Shirts: long and short sleeve

· Button front shirt long sleeve shirt (earth tones)

· Bandana

· Hiking socks

· Liner socks

· Hiking boots

· Underwear

RAIN GEAR

Good rain gear is important. The weather can change in a matter of minutes. Being wet is most uncomfortable. Do not cut corners. Ponchos provide quick access to rain gear. A coated nylon style, properly sized for the wearer to maximize protection without dragging the ground will last for many years. Rain suits are more expensive, provide better protection but cannot be worn as many years.

BOOTS AND SOCKS

Boots and socks that are made for hiking are important. Boots should be ankle height to give support to the ankle. They can be made of leather or a combination of leather and heavy cordura cloth. Leather boots treated with a sealant like "Snow Seal" will be somewhat waterproof; yet allow the boot to breathe. The cordura boots are lighter in weight but are not waterproof unless you choose a pair with Gor-Tex, which greatly increases the price.

Hiking boots should always be worn with sock liners (polypropylene or silk) and wool blend hiking socks. The liner socks will stick to the heel and foot. The wool blend sock will stick to the boot. The friction of the foot moving inside the boot will occur between the two pair of socks not between layers of the skin, which causes blisters.

Make sure that you wear hiking sock liners and wool blend hiking socks when you go to try boots on in the store. Before wearing boots on a hike the boots should be worn around the house for several days to break them in properly.

Hygiene

Just the basic poop so to speak

There are some important items to back country travel and that should not be overlooked. Keeping clean is one of them. A basic list should include the following:

· Small toothbrush

· Small toothpaste

· Camp Suds Soap

· Small sports towel and wash cloth

· Toilet paper

· Small hand trowel

Remember, with any personal comfort release, do so at least 100’ away from any water source and camping area. When using the hand trowel and toilet paper for the obvious reasons, make your waste hole at least 8” deep. Mark the area with a small rock cairn for your future use. Some wilderness areas require you to pack out your waste, but that’s a whole other subject.

ORGANIZING YOUR GEAR

NOTE: This list is not intended to be considered the best or only way to pack a bag. As you gain experience you can shift around to suit your own idea.

CARRY ON YOUR PERSON: Compass, pocketknife, Medic Alert bracelet or pendant (if used), waterproof matches.

PACK ITEMS IN SMALL STUFF BAGS: For easy access to your gear, pack all your gear in small stuff bags then pack the backpack. Plastic zip lock bags make excellent small and medium stuff bags especially to keep items dry. Large zip lock bags can be used to pack clothing.

HEAVY - HIGHER and LIGHT LOWER

There is a benefit in placing the densest weight high in the pack, as it will be more directly over the center of gravity. A tent should be either distributed in Zone A of the pack or strapped to the bottom. The sleeping bag can be stuffed in the bottom toward Zone C.

CAMPING ETIQUETTE

Leave vegetation for the next party to enjoy. Camp away from the source of water. The animals will not be able to drink as long as you are camped there. Be respectful of others camps and keep your noise level down. We come the wilderness to enjoy the peace and quiet, not to ruin it. Leave No Trace

This guide was meant as a very basic primer into the world of backpacking and backcountry travel. The information presented was not meant to be an all-inclusive guide. It is a basic starting point. Volumes have been written on this subject and it is recommended you look into these sources.

Remember, plan, prepare, pack and preserve.

Foremost, be safe.