Backpacking .... The Better Way

So you’ve decided to go on a backpacking trip, called your friends and planned a date for your backpack excursion. Excited you begin to plan what you will be taking on your backpacking trip and writing a list of what you need to buy. Before you spend a lot of time gathering your equipment or spending your money on outdoor gear there are a few things you seriously need to consider to make your backpacking trip a fun, safe and memorable excursion.

Whether you are a novice, first time backpacker or experienced outdoor enthusiast there are a few things you need to do and consider before getting out and backpacking in the great outdoors.

First you need to have a well thought out plan and make sure your friends and family members joining you are also prepared. The sport of backpacking is for everyone but you do need to be conditioned if you expect to have a good time. Once your group has a plan and knows where they will be backpacking you should have a list of who is on the trip with you, where you are going including your starting point and ending point and a daily time control as well as any medical conditions of your group. This list should be left at home with friends and family in case of an emergency.

An overlooked process, even advanced backpackers make is not knowing the skill levels of its members. Seriously! Would you go scuba diving with someone that has one dive under their belt? While it is important to familiarize yourself with all aspects of the sport; you need to know who in the group should be in charged of first aid or who reads a topographic map better, who can cook on various types of backpacking stoves. You and your group will have a better journey if you expect the best but prepare for the worst!

With that said lets focus on tips and how-to’s for before, during and after your backpacking adventure.

Regardless if you are a newbie or experienced backpacker there are critical and essential gear items you need to pack in order to face the unexpected. While you may not use all of the lightweight essentials they can save your life and that of your fellow travelers in an emergency.

Of all the outdoor gear and necessities, the most vital is common sense. Having all of the newest lightweight gear does not compare to experience, good judgment and knowing how to properly use it, which can is cultivated through self study and through the knowledge of those more experienced.

Packing

You may have been told to not over pack only take what you need but when backpacking it does not hurt to over pack on gear that could be useful.

Maps

The first essential piece of equipment you will need is a map of the area you will be backpacking and the activities you will be participating in. Study it; familiarize yourself with it and make sure you understand how to use it and read it.

Compass

There are various qualities to look for in a compass but the most important is knowing how to use it. Before your trip it is a good idea to freshen up on your compass skills to keep your trip on schedule. You do not have to buy the most expensive compass with Sunto Compass all the bells and whistles just one that is calibrated properly, lightweight and one you can read.

How to choose the right compass?

The minimum features you want in a compass depend upon if you will be backpacking strictly on trails or relying on your map and compass for navigation. A lightweight compass with 360 degrees with 2 degree increments which is liquid filled with a straight edge is normally sufficient for casual backpacking on trails. However, if you are an avid backpacker a lightweight compass with all the features previously mentioned plus one which has luminous bezel and markings is a better return on your investment and will meet your emergency gear requirements.

If you want something more it is wise to look for a compass that has a 3 to 4 inch in length base plate which doubles as a straight edge for taking map bearings and figuring out distances on a map. A compass with an adjustable declination can and does come in handy especially when you consider it will account the difference between Magnetic North and True North. An important factor particularly since a compass responds to Magnetic North while a map is solely based on True North. If your compass features an adjustable declination you will need to adjust the compass to permanently adjust declination to match the geographic area you will be by simply turning a small screw on the compass.

Two other handy devices found on some compasses are a mirror which can be folded out; allowing you a more accurate reading by giving you sight of distant objectives. Lastly, clinometers, which are used by experienced backpackers, presents you with slope steepness and aids in positioning on the map.

Flashlights

Okay, you may be thinking “I don’t need a flashlight as my group will be backpacking during the day”. But have you considered the possibility you may be coming back after sunset? Not only will a lightweight flashlight come in handy in this instance; you may be faced with areas which are darker and you need to find something in your backpack…fast!

In addition to having a flashlight as part of your essential gear you should also have a headlamp with a bright beam bulb to navigate paths.
The suggested essentials in flashlights for outdoor adventures are:

Water resistant lights – perfect for all weather conditions. The bulb and battery compartment should have rubberized housing or at minimum rubber gaskets.
Flashlights that come with extra bulbs or a place to store extra bulbs in the flashlight housing.
Rotating heads or rotating bodies which double as the on and off mechanism so that the light does not come on while in your backpack.
A good return on your investment is a flashlight capable of accepting bright beam bulbs: halogen or krypton.

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit For Backpacking Amazingly enough when most adventurers take off trekking a high percent carry a basic store bought first aid kit. While a pre-packaged first aid kit is okay it may not be enough in dire situation. So we have compiled a list here for you to prepare your kit for your next trip.

Essentail Items

First Aid Manual - The best first aid kits won't do you any good if you don't know how to use it. It should cover how to handle the most common and basic problems. Make sure you are familiar with your manual and that it's easy to understand.
Antiseptic Cream - Helps keep cuts, scrapes, and burns from getting infected.
Adhesive Bandages (several sizes and shapes) - Used for minor cuts and scrapes. Simply add a little antiseptic cream or lotion to the band-aid and apply. They also work for blisters in place of moleskin.
Butterfly Bandages - Helps with deeper cuts that may need stitches. They will hold the wound together until you get medical assistance.
Sterile Gauze Pads (several sizes) - Used to clean out wounds or cover larger wounds.
Medical Tape - One of the most useful items in a camping first aid kit. Great for holding gauze or stubborn bandages in place, covering blisters, splinting broken bones or sprains, and more.
Alcohol or Iodine Wipes - For cleaning and disinfecting areas around wounds. Also great for cleaning skin so that bandages and tape will stick more easily.
Pain Killers - Asparin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. to help keep pain and inflamation in check.
Latex Gloves - To keep anything nasty away from your hands, and to keep anything nasty that might be on your hands away from the wound.
Elastic Bandage (ACE Bandage) - Works well for supporting minor sprains, holding bags of ice in place to reduce swelling, making splints for more sever sprains or breaks, making slings for hurt shoulders / broken collar bones etc.
Flashlight or Keylight - Needed for applying first aid at night. We prefer a keylight since it can easily fit into a backpacking or camping first aid kit.
Scissors / Knife / Multi-tool - Used for cutting bandages, gauze, clothes, etc.
Medications - Any prescription or non-prescription medications that anyone in your group needs.

Non-Essential (But Very Useful) Items

Moleskin - For treating and preventing blisters.
Safety Pins - Holds slings or bandages together. When sterilized can be used to remove splinters and puncture blisters to alleviate the pressure.
Miscellaneous Lotions - Burn lotion, anti-itch cream, anit-fungal cream, aloe-vera gel, etc.
Duct Tape - Almost an essential, because it can be used in place of medical tape or moleskin, and it has thousands of uses.
Second Skin - Great for soothing and healing burns, blisters, small wounds, etc.
Lip Balm - Not a necessity, but if you've ever had really chapped lips then you'll be glad you brought this.
Petroleum Jelly - Again, not a necessity, but if you've ever had severe chafing, then this is a God-send. It can also be used in place of lip balm.
Bandana or Triangular Cloth - Great for slings, splints, and to hold bandages in place. You can cut a piece from an old bed sheet, too, and that works just fine.
Tweezers - Good for removing splinters, ticks, and dirt particles from wounds.