The Art and Comfort of Backpacking - Part Two

If you have never gone backpacking for an overnight in a wilderness area (primitive campground), or went once or twice and had a miserable time, then it is likely you didn't prepare by taking the correct equipment for the trip., Alternatively, you may have taken far too much equipment, or just simply didn't know how to use the equipment you had.

The most important consideration initially is to match your equipment load to your backpack and then choose the most comfortable backpack you can afford. You can choose between 'Internal frame' and 'external frame' backpacks. Each one has it's advantages and disadvantages and is a matter of personal preference. The important components of the type pack you choose are....available space for your equipment....ease of accessibility to your equipment, and finally how comfortable the pack is when loaded and on your back.

If you have never owned a backpack I would suggest doing a little research online by investigating the 'generic' internal frame and external frame backpacks. There are a variety of great manufacturers, and a broad range of prices. What I would suggest you do is read a couple articles on the differences between these types of packs, go to a local sporting goods store and buy one type or the other. Don't take the tags off of it but adjust it to your size, load it, put it on and walk around to judge how comfortable it is. After that take it back to the store as a return and pick up another and do the same thing. Then, unless this store has some tremendous deals, I would return it and then order whichever one was most comfortable and accessible online.

The components that make for a great backpack are:

1. Durability and lightweight

2. At least two internal compartments.

3. Adequate external pockets for items you will need quickly or frequently.

4. Comfortable, and well padded hip belt.

5. Comfortable and easily adjustable shoulder straps.

All the different manufacturers put various bells and whistles on their models which may or may not be desirable to you. If you have never owned a backpack, don't get dazzled by some of these things unless you are certain you will use it. Stick with the basics...adequate room....ease of accessibility to interior....at least two internal compartments....and at a minimum two large external pockets for water bottles and one or two smaller zip pockets for a knife, GPS or compass and map or camera and matches and trail snacks. Keep in mind that you can never have too many easy to reach external pockets so the more the better. They are like cowbells..."give me more cowbells!"

Some backpackers don't carry a tent with them during the mild seasons because they don't feel it is necessary, and adds too much weight. They will either sleep out under the stars (hoping they got a reliable weather forecast), or plan their trip around trail shelters if available.

That is all well and good for those experienced folks who choose to do so, but when was the last time you were complacent enough to completely rely on a weather report? The last thing I want to do after a long day of hiking is eat and then sleep in the rain. Talk about having a miserable time.

Carrying an extra 4-5 lbs is a small price to pay to avoid that. And while that is just a matter of opinion, I would strongly recommend you invest in a good 3 season, light weight, 1 or 2 person tent with a rain fly and footprint. You don't have to use it, but if you really get into backpacking sooner or later it will really come in handy.

One word of advice, don't skimp on the tent. Consider it your home and invest in a good quality, easy to set up and break down tent that is roomy enough to sit up in. There should be no more than 4 shock-corded collapsible poles, and preferably 3. The rain fly should provide a covered vestibule, and the footprint a dry spot to sit on and take your boots off before getting into the tent. The vestibule is also a great place to store your gear in case it does rain and avoid crowding the inside of an already crowded tent.

There are a number of great tent manufacturers who describe their tents well on the internet. You don't have to buy one, try it out and then return it. Just follow these basic rules and when your tent arrives take it out and set it up then take it down a few times to familiarize yourself with it's operation. You may need to set it up in a hurry sometime and will be glad you practiced.

Lastly, you don't need to spend over $225.00 to get a great tent that will last a lot of years.

Most of us are individuals who don't fall asleep right after dinner, but rather stay up, talk, tell stories, joke or review the day's hike. What that usually means is that we need a light source other than a campfire(the efficient building of which will be described in a subsequent blog).

The obvious solution is a lantern. The choices are between battery powered or liquid gas powered. My personal choice is a single mantle white gas, light weight Coleman lantern for reliability, exceptional light output, and ease of use. They are hard to come by these days, and the propane version lantern is just as good though the combined weight is a little more. Whichever you choose is well worth the slightly extra weight for it's longevity and the sense of security it brings to a primitive campground.

Sitting around a campfire is great for warmth and the happy sound it produces, but having another, brighter and consistent source of light confers a sense of security that is well worth the slightly extra weight. We are doing this for fun, right? It's not all about the challenge, and after a long day of hiking, or a long night of sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag instead of your 'Sleep By Number" bed deserves a reward. So bring a few and make your campsite your home. One or two small flashlights with a few extra batteries makes negotiating a dark campsite much easier also.

Don't forget that backpacking with two or more people lets you distribute the load between everyone for the equipment that is communal and not necessarily personal. The essential caveat for all of us non-masochists is the more comfortable we can make ourselves physically, and with our accomplishments the more likely we are to repeat them. It's the principle of 'positive reinforcement'.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for Part Three.