Backpacking Essentials
As the excitement of your trip builds up and you inch closer to adventure day you will undoubtedly have a recurring thought cross your mind. Am I prepared? Diligent preparation is key to ensuring you spend time enjoying your adventure as opposed to finding yourself unprepared in adverse terrain. While speaking with my brother about his upcoming backpacking trip to Alaska I decided to create a couple of posts to highlight some items to consider for your next adventure. Starting off we will will focus on short term (<5 days) overnight backpacking and will hopefully help as you narrow your packing list. Of course, all destinations have their own specific needs depending on weather and environment but I will focus on an overview that you can pick and choose from for your trip.
Gear:
Backpack – Possibly the most important part of your kit (there is a reason it is called backpacking!) It is important to have a pack that fits properly and is well constructed. This is one of those items you would rather cry once and purchase a high-end model that will last versus saving money and having a strap break off halfway down the trail. REI provides a great service in store where they will size you and even fill your bag with weight to simulate the bag fully loaded to ensure comfort. Fitment of a backpack could be a standalone post and it is well worth the trip to REI to make sure you get it right.
Backpack rain fly – There is nothing worse than strolling into camp after hiking in a rainstorm than to discover that all of the items in your backpack are soaked and you are sure to have a miserable night. Be sure to pick out one that matches the size of your backpack.
Tent – Depending on the size of your party you may want to carry a solo tent or consider doubling up and distributing weight of other shared items such as food. A waterproof rain fly can be absolutely necessary depending on your location. Pay careful attention to the weight of the tent as this is one of those categories where you pay for what you get. While traveling in Patagonia we utilized a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 which was very easy to carry but was a tight fit for two people (a tent for a couple but definitely not for friends unless you plan on playing rock paper scissors on who will be big and small spoon!)
Sleeping bag- It’s important to know the weather conditions and temperature at your destination to ensure you bring the right bag. I like to travel with a dry down 30-degree bag which I stuff into a compression dry sack from Sea to Summit. If you are traveling to a colder climate you can always add warmth with the addition of a cocoon instead of having to buy a second bag. Try to stay away from bags that cant be easily compressed as space in your backpack is at a premium and a sleeping bag can really monopolize real estate.
Sleeping pad – Sleeping on the bare ground is not fun. Period. Whether it’s a simple foam pad all the way up to a luxurious self-inflating pad make sure you test your choice out before you leave. REI has great entry level options that won’t break the bank. On a side note I would recommend bringing a small repair kit for possible punctures in the pad if you are trekking in extreme terrain.
Pillow – It may not seem like an essential but I have found a small inflatable pillow is a gamechanger when it comes to comfort. You would be amazed at the minuscule amount of space the pillow takes up in your bag and how easy it is to inflate and deflate. My wife and I loved our Sea To Summit inflatable pillows.
Dry bags – Not only a great way to keep your belongings dry but also a great way to compartmentalize different aspects of your gear. I like to pack my electronics in their own dry bag and place it in an easy to reach location should I need to swap out camera lenses or access my battery pack.
Cooking:
Stove – It’s hard to have a meal with no way to cook. There are many options out there from budget friendly to high end. If you aren’t planning on encountering much wind, one of my favorites is the pocket rocket by MSR. The pocket rocket takes up almost no room and provides an adjustable flame. All you need for the pocket rocket is stove fuel which is available all over and a way to light it!.
Pots or pans – Most meals can be prepared with just a lightweight pot and spatula-like utensil. Freeze dried meals are a great but expensive option and only take a small amount of water. Pay attention to the weight.
Coffee- Once you boil water you will need a way to make your coffee and enjoy the sunrise. Options range from a French press, Aero press, percolator and many more. I have found the percolator is by far the slowest even with a powerful stove. My favorite is an insulated GSI French press that carries a cup to drink from when it is disassembled for travel. We have also had success with a Stanley
Thermos/French press but it has a downside of being fairly heavy for its size. Make sure to bring the ground coffee!!
Plates – Be a man and eat with your hands or enjoy the lap of luxury with a collapsible Sea to summit bowl. The bowls have built in measuring lines that are helpful when measuring water for freeze dried meals. Collapsible bowls are very easy to slide into a nook or cranny in your backpack.
Utensils – Unless you plan on whittling yourself a fork and knife on the trail (which actually sounds pretty badass), think ahead and pack a lightweight set of utensils.
Water – Clean water is essential on any trip. Drinking tainted water can result in nasty problems like Giardia which can make months of your life miserable. Life straws are great emergency filtration devices but should not be relied upon for constant use as it can be a pain. Depending on the trip I carry either a SteriPEN or an MRS MiniWorks. The SteriPEN is great for filtering clear water but won’t be of much use when the water is murky and not clear. One Bonus of the SteriPEN I carry is that it is compact and can be recharged with our Goal Zero Solar charger or Flip charger. The MSR MiniWorks takes some time but attaches directly to a Nalgene water bottle and utilizes a ceramic filter.
Clothes:
Base layers – layering with multiple light pieces of clothing allows you the flexibility to scale up or down on warmth depending on the weather and your physical exertion. I usually start off with a light Smart wool short sleeve shirt, lightweight long sleeve shirt, and finally a wool pullover if the weather dictates it. As you warm up over the day you can always take layers off or put them off to remain comfortable.
Rain coat- Even a cheap rain coat can be a lifesaver in a downpour. Higher end raincoats will help prevent that clammy feeling you can get when you are exercising in the rain by allowing sweat particles out but keeping the rain water out but can often run you several hundred dollars. I prefer the Arc’teryx line of jackets and have found it exceeds expectations in environments ranging from use as a hard-shell outer layer in the snow to ferocious wind in mountain passes.
Pants- Some may laugh but I have found that convertible pants are not only comfortable but help you pack efficiently. The ability to zip off the bottoms and turn the pants into shorts helps you kill two birds with one stone and not have to pack a separate pair of shorts.
Shoes/Boots- Just as important as your choice of backpack, it is important to treat your feet like the Gods of your body. They should be pampered with correct fitting and high-quality footwear. There is little worse than discovering blisters developing on your feet or having your toes throb from being stuffed in the toe box. Take the time to get properly fitted for a boot that fits your location needs and maintain them after your trip to ensure a long lifespan.
Socks – Moisture wicking and durable Darntough socks can be a lifesaver. Make sure to pack at least a couple pairs to ensure you always have a dry pair.
Underwear – Be sure to pack lightweight and breathable undies to keep your nether regions nice and dry. I have found ExOfficio boxers to comfortable, easy to clean and odor reducing.
Miscellaneous:
– Headlamp
-Bug Spray
-Sunscreen
-Toilet paper!
-Fire (matches, lighter, flint, etc.)
-Camera – Smartphones take amazing pictures and are very convenient. I also travel with a GoPro and a Sony A6000. Make sure to pack a charger or extra batteries.
-Trekking poles – you may not believe it but trekking poles aren’t just for the elderly. Trekking poles help stabilize you on rough terrain and save your knees from pain on long descents.
-Hat
-Sunglasses
-GPS – A great alternative to purchasing a GPS is to use your phone with offline maps (More to come on a later post)
– Camp towel
-Soap – Be sure you are not close to any stream or water source when you wash off or do dishes to help keep the water clean.
-Portable charger – I have found that the Flip series by Goal zero works well to keep my electronics charged along the way. You can surely go without electronics on the trail but a charger comes in useful if you are using your phone as a camera and GPS.
Most importantly is to remember to have fun! Best of luck on your next adventure!
