Backpacking

[Thunderscreech]

I spent a couple of months hiking southbound on the Appalachian Trail last spring/summer. Started in Maine, went to New Hampshire, about 3/4 of the way through the state I get hit with a cold and a sinus infection, got off, headed home for a month, got back on in Southern Pennsylvania, and hiked south until Southwest VA, when weather forced me off.

I haven't really been out much since, but I have learned a valuable lesson or three:
1. The Bigger your Pack, the More you Find Excuses to Put in to It.
2. Experience is the best teacher. The Field is the ultimate testing ground.
3. Everything has a weight, and these add up.

On a personal level, I now despise tents and favor hammocks, as well as suspended things in general. If you don't believe me, get a hanging stove and see how fast you get used to that convenience (Jetboil Flash + Hanging Kit. yes, it is pricey, but you'll thank me when you only go through like a big 200 gram cannister a month and almost never spill anything).

My backpack is too small for more than day trips (25L). I was thinking about getting one more suited. I was thinking about this one: MEC Cragalot Backpack Invalid Link Removed It looks like a good pack for the price. 55L is enough for weekend trips I assume?

55L will get you a weekend to a week, in my experience, depending on how much gear you need (winter/other special conditions/camera hobby/field recording) and how much food you're taking.

There are people who have Thru-Hiked the AT with 25L packs, but I am not at that level yet. The sub-5 pound base-weight realm is a bit unnerving sometimes...

 

[MJ5150]

Weren't you going to post some pictures from your AT adventures?

-Mike

 

[DwaynieAD]

Hiked the Graffiti Highway and Centralia this past spring. did some Geocaching too. good time.

got back on in Southern Pennsylvania,

Carlisle/Mechanicsburg area? if so you hiked pretty much right by my house.

 

[Thunderscreech]

Weren't you going to post some pictures from your AT adventures?

-Mike

I am. I was also staying with a friend of my dad's not far from Sunapee.

 

[P Town]

I used to backpack, and do canoe pack trips, but have not do so for a while.

I think I will post some random thoughts about gear, and techniques here as I think of them.

So for now:

When in very wild territory, with no designated trail, or camp sites, do not wait until the last minute to set up a camp site. I made this mistake a couple times, and it resulted in having to set up in less than ideal locations because of impending nightfall.

In mosquito territory, consider the prevailing wind direction, and place the entry of the tent into the breeze to keep bugs away, and catch the breeze to ventilate the tent.

In cool weather, high ground may be warmer, because the cold air settles into low areas.

Water filters, are NOT the same as water purifiers. A purifier will remove viruses, such as Giardia. Back when I was doing remote backcountry trips, I used the First Need brand of water purifier. Very effective.

For a very small and light two season shelter, you cant beat the Big Agnes Seedhouse UL series. These come in a couple sizes. SL 1, 2, and 3. I have all three sizes. The 2 is only slightly heavier than the 1, and is one of my favorite one person ultra-light tents. (They make these in a slightly heavier line I thank, also).

If you are an old man like me, and you have difficulty sleeping on even the best self-inflating pad, you can't beat the Luxury-Lite cot. Made in USA. I used to not need something like this, but now the weight is justified by the rest/sleep it allows.

Be very attentive to the weather. Learn how to predict impending changes, and be careful about lightning when canoe packing. Better to be on shore, with the tent set up before the high wind, and lightning is on you.

Don't ever rely solely on a GPS to ensure you can find your way back to the trail head. Learn how to use a map, and compass, and use the proper scale maps. (Sorry, I forget the most useful scale for foot travel,at the moment).

Buy good thick socks, (Smatwool is one good brand) with thick soles, and change them mid-day. Swapping them with a pair hanging on the pack to dry out works.

I used to use a Dana pack as some have mentioned, but mine was like the Ford F150 of packs. OK for a strong young man, (which I am not anymore). As I got older, I had to go lighter. Lighter usually means more expensive.

Be very careful about food storage, and keep a clean camp. Use a bear-proof canister in Grizzly country. Hang the food pack some distance from camp in Black Bear territory. I used a small bag, with some rope that you put a rock in the bag, and throw over tree branches to string a line between two trees, and then another line to hang the pack.

Rodents will chew through a pack, destroying the food, and the pack.

Consider drinking water to be one of the most important things to stay alive away from civilization! You can survive a long time without food.

You will die very quickly without water!!!

Even in summer, I often carried a set of Merino wool long underwear top, and bottom. Came in handy more than once, and was used as part of the stuffing in a draw-string bag as a pillow, when not needed to keep warm on a cool night after a warm/hot day.

Color code stuff-sacks, and containers to help organize food, and gear.

That's it for now.

 

[Dave W]

55L is enough for weekend trips I assume?

Yep, more than enough. I normally use a 40L technical day pack for anything in the 1-2 days range. I can strap a tent to the outside of it if I want, but I usually don't bother. I've got a 60L pack for anything longer than that.

A for a checklist, whatever was posted on the first page is basically what I carry as well. I substitute tea for coffee and make sure that I always have a camera. I also usually wear gators to keep my feet as dry as they can be. I do a lot of winter hiking too so I need to carry a warm jacket, hat, gloves, snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, and all that fun stuff.

This is what my trip to Mt Washington kit looked like (without all of the fuel cans, less water bottles, less food, and a sleeping pad) I stayed in the huts and froze my *** off. It sucked:

All packed up (aforementioned 40L pack):

The awesomeness that ensued (full on blizzard, and there was already 7' of snow on the mountain):

The top:

Lunch:

The payoff:

 

[MJ5150]

I am. I was also staying with a friend of my dad's not far from Sunapee.

I'm beginning to think no one here likes me. More than a few people have been up in my hood and only told me after they were gone.

I must be the TBOT version of Cousin Eddie.

-Mike

 

[graver555]

I am not into backpacking but I went with my boyscout troop last year to philmont. It was about 130 miles over ten days.

Things to remember,
Water is way heavier then you think it is
Break you boots in way in advance
Thicker sleeping pads are worth the weight
The 4 W's of tent placement, Wind, water, widow makers, and wanimals

Also IMO you dont need a full stove with windbreak. The small white gas MSR burners were enough for 10 people dinners for us. If it is windy just stand upwind of it.

If you feel like spending the money however jetboils are super nice and perfect for one guy.

 

[Ziltoid]

Now, onto the next part of the question. Any of you guys mixed hitchhiking and backpacking to travel big distance on the cheap?

 

[elgecko]

I've been googling hammock camping and it does seem interesting. The biggest problem I have with it is that most of my backpacking is done above tree line. Also, it seems like a pretty miserable way to wait out a storm.

My tent is a single-wall Golite Trig. It sets up with trekking poles, will fit two people, and is under 3 lbs.

 

[P Town]

Now, onto the next part of the question. Any of you guys mixed hitchhiking and backpacking to travel big distance on the cheap?

Once, (more than 25 yrs ago), when I was traveling across Ontario Canada car camping with my wife, we passed a grizzled old man, with a very large pack, hitch-hiking along the road. During the next six, or seven days, as we stayed a night here, and there at the great Provincial Parks, we would encounter the same man on the highway, at another spot many, many miles down the road. We were in a small car loaded to the hilt, and could not offer him a lift. I really wanted to though. He was essentially making the same miles as we were along that stretch of road with a little help from strangers. I hope this type of travel is still possible, but I have a feeling it becomes less viable as time passes. I have to admit, that if I was traveling with my grandchildren in the car, I would be reluctant to pick up a hitch hiker. I would however offer a ride to a hitch hiker in that type of situation if I was travelling alone, or with my grown son.

 

[Ziltoid]

Apparently it's quite easy to do Quebec-BC, most people average 3 days to do Quebec-Banff. The tough spot being the north of Ontario that can take a little while if unlucky.

I'm going to do a bit of research as to what to pack to hitch-hike-backpack and plan onto eventually doing it. I have a friend who did it many times, I'll chat him about it all too. I don't think I'll have the time to do it this summer, but maybe next spring.

 

[P Town]

Just thought of another piece of gear I would recommend.

A sleeping bag liner.

I have a few different ones, and they reduce the accumulation of body oils and dirt on the inside of the bag, and they add anywhere from five to ten degrees of warmth, with the option to be used alone, on top of the bag in very warm conditions.

 

[Thunderscreech]

Ditto on the sleeping bag liner. The amount of stank the human body produces is mind boggling

 

[lustersilk]

I've been on all kinds of trips, ranging from two nights to 2 weeks. Start out with a small trip, a couple of nights, and work your way up. A few things to consider:

1 - Altitude - if you're going to be up high, arrive and camp a day early so your body can aclimate - very important - I've seen altitude sickness reduce people in amazing shape to sick, dizzy, miserable people.

2 - Weight - don't bring canned goods, radios and other heavy items - you don't need a bunch of unneccessary stuff, stick to the basics - survival

3 - Water purification is vital, bring some iodine pills as a backup in case your filtration system has trouble - do not drink unfiltered water

4 - Food- you're going to be starving, especially on a long trip - burn major calories on the trail, but you can't pack a grocery store, can you. Hopefully you can catch some fish. Bring dried fruit, trail mix, etc - light and satisfying - You also need to prepare for an emergency - extra food like rammen noodles or something can be a life saver

5 - Stay on the trail - I repeat - stay on the trail - do not take the short cut - this is how most people get lost

6 - Stay together - if someone needs to rest - everyone rests - no going ahead - bad idea - stay together

7 - Make sure people know exactly where you're going to be - register with the Rangers and share plans with family, so if you get lost you can be located - vital

It's the best way to see some beautiful parts of our world - I love it. I shop at a store called REI - they have good stuff and staff will help you - they also have packing groups which is a great way to get started - go see the glory of the earth - it's amazing

 

[lustersilk]

One more thing - hang your food or store it in the lockers - bears are incredibly smart - use the bear poles or lockers - I watched two black bears fight over this guys pack - they ripped it to shreads - he left his tooth paste and a energy bar wrapper inside - we were five days out of Kings Canyon - we loaned him what food we could spare (wasn't part of our group) and he and his friend went back the way they came. It was actually quite an amazing thing to see, but I felt really sorry for that guy - it was way scary at the time.

 

[elgecko]

One more thing - hang your food or store it in the lockers - bears are incredibly smart - use the bear poles or lockers - I watched two black bears fight over this guys pack - they ripped it to shreads - he left his tooth paste and a energy bar wrapper inside - we were five days out of Kings Canyon - we loaned him what food we could spare (wasn't part of our group) and he and his friend went back the way they came. It was actually quite an amazing thing to see, but I felt really sorry for that guy - it was way scary at the time.

Yup, bear canisters don't work if you don't use them.

 

[NWB]

My backpack is too small for more than day trips (25L). I was thinking about getting one more suited. I was thinking about this one: MEC Cragalot Backpack Invalid Link Removed It looks like a good pack for the price. 55L is enough for weekend trips I assume?

One thing I'd definitely recommend is that you go to an outdoor shop and try a lot of packs for comfort. Having an expert fit your pack to you is a great idea too.

Hauling an uncomfortable pack through the wilderness is a nightmare.

 

[Dave W]

Water is way heavier then you think it is

It's 8 lbs per gallon

One thing I'd definitely recommend is that you go to an outdoor shop and try a lot of packs for comfort. Having an expert fit your pack to you is a great idea too.

Hauling an uncomfortable pack through the wilderness is a nightmare.

Huge +1

Don't buy a pack based on looks or price, buy based on size and comfort.

 

[graver555]

It's 8 lbs per gallon
.

smart alec

I was meaning you dont realize how much its going to way you down compared to not having any. Also balancing it as you drink it is annoying, especially if you hang nalgenes off the straps.

Its also annoyingly heavy when you lose a bet and have to carry someone elses water up a mountain.