Northwest Hiking

The day has finally come, and preparation for an extended trip hiking has finally come.  Backpacking, and the prospects thereof, have kept hopes up and spirits high as the time of the trip quickly approaches.  Now it’s time to pack up the various necessities needed for such a trip, and space is an issue still to be reckoned with.  Like the days of old, everything goes into the backpack: toiletry items, utensils, food, clothing, etc—all find their respective places.  The process of packing is an art, and one to take great pleasure in.  For many this art comes naturally, but for still others it is a much coveted skill the outdoors person.  It’s not always easy to stuff everything needed for four, five, seven, or even ten days all in one pack.  The process can contain more than its share of arduous tasks.  Despite this, there are some effective ways to cut down on weight and space usage, and many benefit from learning to pack smart.

Pack Heavy First:
It can be a matter of preference, but packing heavy things at the bottom reduces “wear and tear” on the human body due to imbalance and undistributed loads.  Pack things like utensils, rope gear, etc. at the bottom of the pack so that the weight is on the hips, and not pulling on the shoulders.

Take Out The Water:
If it contains a lot of water, it shouldn’t be going.  Backpacking trips are all about the food you can add water to.  This excludes goodies like whole fruit, canned foods, and desserts.  There are plenty of options available that are dehydrated (de-hydrated as in de-watered) that include pastas, breakfast meals, and desserts.  Most will be “ready with water” type of meals, and only need minimal cooking.  Another option is to dehydrate homemade food, especially fruit and pasta mixes.

Don’t Dress For a Party:
It’s hard for the ladies, but clothing is not an essential over food, water, and emergency supplies.  An extra change of clothes, a heavy sweater, a wicking layer you should be wearing (100% cotton) during the cold weather, and a good all weather coat is more than ample for a 4 day backpacking trip.  The change of clothes not being worn can be washed in a creek and dried by the fire.

Downsize and Go Simple:
A kazillion watt spotlight, three first-aid kits, 100 meters of rope, and 4 books is a little more than safety standards might even mandate for a backpacking trip.  Stick with simple and reliable.  Smaller hand-crank flashlights, a decently stocked first-aid kit, some climbing gear for rock climbing (optional), food, water, utensils, a survival kit, and a few other necessities is going to fill up space fast, so leave it at that.

Remember, backpacking  should be fun and enjoyable.  Lugging 80lbs of gear should be left to the firefighters.  Pack simple and try to keep it to the bare minimum.  Different items will be swapped out depending on conditions and preferences, but the lighter and more reliable, the better.  Have fun out there and enjoy the soon-to-come summer!

Our Price: Only $223.00
Shipping:  FREE!
Arrives: 4-5 Business Days!