INTRODUCTION TO BACKPACKING

MARK WARREN

WHY
Reach more remote locations Extended stays Complete trails

PREPARATION
Route Logistics Shelter & Gear
Test gear at home

Meals & Cooking Conditioning

Weight loss

WEIGHT IS EVIL
Ignorance is not bliss
know what you are carrying
Postal/Food Scale Multi-use items Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

LOCATION IS NOT EVERYTHING

Huts Shelters Established Tent Sites Stealth Camping

STEALTH CAMPING
LEAVE NO TRACE!!! Only where permitted
Below treeline 200 from trail/road/standing water Safe & Comfortable
level & smooth good drainage & wind protection no dangerous trees

SHELTER
Tent
mosquito netting freestanding or staked

Ultralights & Bivy Sacks Tarp Hammock

Limited temperatures

FOOD
Nutrition your friend One pot meals Safety
No food in tents Critter/Bear Bag

CAMP ROUTINE
Change clothing Make it a home
Erect tent & unpack pad and sleeping bag Collect water Prepare kitchen Put up critter bag

Before Sleeping
Bring water & extra clothes into tent

NIGHT ROUTINE
Use headlamp Go to bathroom one last time Wear a hat Put extra clothing in sleeping bag
If you get cold, put them on

If nature calls, just do it.

SAMPLE BACKPACK
AT LT to NH 45 miles June 11-13
3 full days on trail 3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts on trail Car camp Thursday night breakfast in camp

Car spotting Road crossings - resupply

MY KIT
BIG THREE
Shelter Hennesey hammock 44.9 oz. Sleeping bag REI +20 down 44.9 oz. Pack Gregory Whitney 5,700 c.i. 105 oz.
Total 194.8 oz./ 12 lb. 2.8 oz.

MY KIT - Cooking
Pepsi can stove Alcohol Pot Cup/bowl Foon & Fork Matches/lighter Bandana 0.5 oz. 13.8 oz. 11.2 oz. 2.0 oz. 0.6 oz. 1.0 oz. 1.0 oz. Total 30.1 oz./1 lb 14.1 oz.

MY KIT Food

(6) Lamejun Mac & Cheese Butter (1) stick frozen Beans dehydrated Dry Milk (1) Qt. Instant Breakfast Tea Bags Tang Oatmeal Noodles
Dried Onion & Beef Jerky

Curry Mix

12.0 oz. 8.2 oz. 4.0 oz. 6.0 oz. 3.6 oz. 3.0 oz. 1.0 oz. 6.0 oz. 16 oz. 16 oz. 6.0 oz. 4.4 oz.

Total: 86.2 oz./ 5 lb, 6.2 oz.

MY KIT - Hydration
Kathadin Hiker Pro filter 15.3 oz. (3) ltr. Bladder (Full) 107.2 oz. (1) ltr. Pepsi bottle (Full) 35 oz. Gatorade 12 oz. Total: 169.5 oz./ 10lb., 9.5 oz.

MY KIT Emergency/Miscellaneous
First Aid Kit* Compass* (2) Headlamps* Batteries* Leatherman* Toilet Paper Space Blanket Fingertip saw Para cord
23.6 oz.

2.4 oz.
4.0 oz. 3.0 oz. 6.0 oz. 3.0 oz. 2.0 oz. 0.4 oz. 3.0 oz.

Extra food* 18.4 oz. Cell phone* 3.1 oz. Car keys/Wallet 3.0 oz. SPF 50 0.5 oz. DEET 0.8 oz. Headnet 1.0 oz. Raincoat* 19.4 oz. Bivy sack 7.8 oz. Total: 101.4 oz/ 6 lb., 5.4 oz.

MY KIT Extra Clothing*

Socks Underwear Turtleneck Fleece vest Knee brace Hat 8.1 oz. 2.2 oz. 9.6 oz 12.6 oz. 6.1 oz 2.5 oz. 36.0 oz.

TOTAL PACK WEIGHT 618 oz./ 38 lb., 10 oz.

(base weight = 25 lb., 4 oz.)

MY KIT Wearing
Watch Underwear T-Shirt
Hawaiian shirt*
3.1 oz

2.2 oz.
4.9 oz.

Zip-off pants & belt 16.9 oz.

6.4 oz.

Ball cap 2.3 oz. Sunglasses 1.0 oz. Socks 4.6 oz. Gaiters 6.3 oz. Boots 46.7 oz. Total worn: 94.4 oz./ 5 lb., 14.4 oz.

MY KIT Carried
Knife* Whistle* Lighter* Map/notes* GPS* Bandana Hiking Pole
3.0 oz.

0.4 oz.
0.4 oz. 2.0 oz.

4.7 oz.
1.0 oz. 12.0 oz.

Total Weight carried 23.5 oz./ 1 lb., 7.5 oz.