1.
A GOOD MAP STUDY – Start your trip weeks or days prior to hitting the
trail. You don’t have to have an exact grid coordinates for where you
will camp, but knowing the general area will make the entire trip easier
and more comfortable. Buying large general maps and detailed
topographic maps of the area will allow you to determine the large
general area and then pinpoint the area in which you will hike and camp.
These maps will show you which trails you can use, bodies of water,
terrain features, elevation lines, etc. Just looking over the map for 15
-20 minutes will help you tremendously. Not knowing your cardinal
directions and general land features can turn a causal relaxing hike
into a survival situation. Although many people might consider it
cheating, a GPS is also a great way to prepare for your trip. A GPS can
download topographic maps and do most of the work for you, but don’t
rely on them. Every form of technology will eventually fail, and it will
probably happen when you need it most.
2. STUDY WEATHER
CONDITIONS – I can’t emphasize enough how important this step is.
Countless times I have watched the weather change dramatically from a
sunny day, to dropping 20-30 degrees with a storm rolling in, before you
have time to prepare. At a minimum, look at the weather forecast for
the days in which you are on trail, but don’t rely on that forecast.
Weathermen are the only people in the world who can fail at their job
everyday and not get fired, so do your own secondary research. Determine
where the weather reader station is located. Sometimes these weather
reading stations may be 20 miles away from your campsite and at a
totally different elevation. Elevation and terrain play a major role in
changing weather conditions. You may be fine camping in 40 degree
weather at 10,000 feet nestled in the tree line with zero wind. However,
a camper a 1/2 mile away on the other side of the mountain, may have
set up camp at 11,000 feet out of the tree line and directly in the path
of 30 mph winds. (Temperatures decrease 3.3 degrees when it’s overcast
and 5.4 degrees when its clear for every thousand feet gained and the
windchill will always drop the temperature.) Also, try looking up old
archives and averages of weather in the area for the time of year you
will be visiting. This will help you determine if you need to bring that
extra layer of clothing or an extra liter of water. By studying your
map, choosing a good campsite, and understanding the weather where you
are camping, you will be more prepared and comfortable.
3. MAKE A
LIST OF ITEMS TO BRING – Everyone has the intention of packing light,
but ends up with everything but the kitchen sink. The fist step in
taking as little as possible is to buy a smaller pack than you think you
may need. If you read a guide book that says you need a 60 liter pack,
buy or bring a 50 liter pack. Second, make a list of all the camping,
survival, and modern amenities you want to bring on the trip. Third, go
down that entire list two or three times and try to remove 2 items each
time. Depending on the trip, you can more than likely leave home without
several items on your list. You may think it is impossible to leave
home without water, food or shelter, right? Well if you plan accordingly
you can leave it all behind. Now I’m not saying to run out into the
wild with only the clothes on your back and a knife in your teeth, but I
am trying to save you from carrying unnecessary pounds. Items like
water, food, and shelter may already be on the trail if you use a little
ingenuity. Collect fresh water from lakes or creeks and catch fish for
dinner ever night!
4. DETERMINE PACK LAYOUT – The perfect pack
layout can only be determined by you, and you alone. Once you have
narrowed down the exact items for your trip, start mixing and matching
where they fit best and try on your pack each time. I have never packed
my bag right on the first try. Try turning the lights off and test the
difficulty of finding essential items in the dark. Can you find your
extra batteries in the dark when your headlamp goes out? Plan for the
worst, know your gear, and your backpacking trip will be that much more
enjoyable.
Of course there is the tried and tested way to pack,
but each person has a different pack, different physical fitness level,
skill level and body type. What works for the best hiker in the world
may not work for you. Get out and test your pack loaded up before a long
hike. I follow the basic routine of lightweight items at the bottom
(sleeping bag), heavy items in the middle (tent, water) and medium to
lightweight items at the top (camp stove, ground pad).
5. TEST AND
MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT – Multiple times on trail I’ve come across someone
or been the one with a broken backpack strap, an empty canister of
cooking fuel, or a broken tent pole. Sometimes these events can’t be
avoided and it adds to the fun/challenge of the adventure. But most of
the time, they are due to poor planning, and not testing your equipment
prior to getting out on trail. Every essential item such as your
CamelBak, cooking stove, tent poles and backpack straps must be checked
prior to any hike. Checking your CamelBak for leaks, making sure your
stove works, checking tent poles for cracks/bends, and checking backpack
straps for wear and tear can eliminate the risk to discovering these
issues on trail. Not only is checking and testing your gear important,
but maintaining is even more essential. Every time after that long
weekend in the wild, I just want to throw my pack down and crash on the
couch. But being lazy now, and not taking 30 minutes to air out and
clean your gear can spell disaster for your next trip. Items hold in
moisture and dirt which can turn into mildew and ruin your gear, costing
you money, time and comfort. Rinse out items like your CamelBak and
cooking equipment, and dry out your tent and sleeping bag. You will be
thankful at the start of your next trip.
Extra Tip: BRING SMALL
COMFORTS OF HOME – Each time you step out into the unknown it should be a
life changing, learning, and memorable experience you enjoy. If you
aren’t having fun then you need to change some things up. You don’t have
to live off the land or not shower for weeks to feel like you are one
with nature. Small amenities from home can mean all the difference.
Items I always pack include a small containers with a few different
spices, a lemon for flavoring on fresh caught fish, and a small cup of
pre-made buttered rice or vegetables. These items can make a huge
difference in your on trail meal. If you have a vice, don’t choose this
hike to quit or you will never want to go back. If you are a smoker,
addicted to chocolate, or sour patch kids like myself, make sure you
bring them along. Smokers just pack out your butts, no one behind you
wants to see that in nature and the risk of starting a fire is also a
reason to be cautious. Get creative and mix your sweets into your trail
mix. Bring some flavored Gatorade or tea packets to mix with the clear
fresh mountain water. Whatever your heart desires, bring it with you to
make an enjoyable hike into the wild that much more enjoyable.