First Backpacking Trip--Need Help, Please

J

JMFWSU

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
181
Hi,

In a few weeks I will be going on my first backpacking trip. It's a short one, but I've got to start somewhere.

We will hike up to the top of a ridge (1,200 feet elevation gain in .7 miles) and follow the ridge for about 4 miles descending about 3,000 feet along the way. There are no trails and the location is pretty remote. We plan to spend one night on the ridge.

My question is what gear do I need? I don't have a pack yet, so I'll need to get one. I have a cold weather sleeping bag that's good, but a little bulky and 6.5 lbs.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,
Jason
 
Oh man, too much for one post...

But start with the Ten Essentials. A google search will turn up a list.

Selecting quality hiking boots that fit well should be your #1 priority. Then think about weather conditions and what you want to eat.

Can you say what area, elevation, and time of the year you'll be traveling?
 
First backpacking trip- how exciting!! Where are you going? That's a huge elevation gain in such a short distance. The trail or path must be very steep. Pack as light as you can. Down sleeping bags give the most warmth for the weight. Have fun..
 
Are you going to be with an experienced backpacker? If not, you may want to think about looking for a little easier hike (less remote, well marked trails) for your first time out unless you've hiked in the area before on day hikes and you're pretty familiar with the terrain.

That having been said, here are the first things that come to mind without actually knowing where you'll be:

1. Good boots, and socks.
2. A topographical map of the area and a compass. Also a portable GPS unit if you can get one, but still take the map and compass and make sure you know how to use them even if you do have the GPS.
3. Water. If you're going to camp on the ridge then you may not be able to find any place to refill your water bottles. If you do have someplace where you'll be able to refill, then you'll still need a filter and/or purification tablets and/or something to boil it in.
4. Food. I've only done single night trips so far myself and I don't have a problem carrying canned soup or ravioli or similar canned foods for dinner. They're bulky and heavy and you have to pack out the can which can be messy, but they're also convenient in that you can just open the can and set it in the coals to heat and then eat right out of the can. I've also used the dehydrated meals and love them for the most part. The only problem is that they need to be re-hydrated which uses up more of your water.
5. Make sure you leave details of where you're going and when you plan to return with a family member or friend so that if something goes wrong they can get the SAR team looking for you.

Others will chime in shortly with more suggestions I'm sure.
 
Food. I've only done singe night trips so far myself
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I usually don't carry food that needs cooking if I'm only going for an overnight. No problem with it if you want to cook, as long as you understand it's not necessary or required.

I've also used the dehydrated meals and love them for the most part. The only problem is that they need to be re-hydrated which uses up more of your water.
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Often when backpacking, I'll eat my cook meal for lunch or whenever I have access to water. And that works well for my hiking style too - I don't like to stop until nearly dark.
 
I agree with previous advice given.

One difficulty: we do not know your background.
Usually, people start day hiking of progressive difficulty before
they backpack.

Another difficulty.
In your situation, Sites specialize in backpacking, and that have
info for beginning backpackers could be of more value than this or
any survival site.
Your library probably has books with this info. I cant remember any
library that did not have several backpacking books.

Boots.
Shop locally so you can try boots on. If you want them to
work for this trip, buy boots that feel so comfy that they
do not need to be broken-in. Then break the boots in anyway,
and break-in your feet at the same time. Wear them as much as
you can. You may need to tape your feet, at first, especially if
you wear the loaded pack. If this is easy, then walk up a gradient
that is steep, with the loaded pack. This stresses your muscles,
tendons, skin, boots differently.

BTW, take tape, band-aids, and other blister stuff on your trip.

I prefer treating a blister with porous athletic tape, before the
blister is liquid filled, i.e. just a warm spot on the skin.
If it has liquid, I drain it. If it is bigger than half a dime, I put
a band-aid or 2 on it and then tape it.

Lots of smart and experienced people use other methods and
equipment. Two Examples: 1)some don't drain a blister;
2)some use duct tape.

When shopping for boots, have a pair of (clean) socks that you
will wear on the trip, so you can get an accurate fit.
 
Everyone above me is right on, but I can't put any more emphasis on this enough: BREAK IN YOUR BOOTS. Since they are brand new, wear them around your house. Get a couple pairs of liner socks and a few pairs of wool socks. It may sound too hot, but this is the key to not getting blisters. Letting your foot slide with the liner in the wool is will help prevent friction on your foot.

Water and means to purify by either filter, chemical, or boiling. Since this is your first trip, learn the terrain by studying a topo map. Are there lakes or rivers near you? If not, take a LOT of water.

Live by the 4s. Humans can live 4 minutes without air, 4 days without water, 4 weeks without food.

LEARN how to use your map and compass. Check out your local REI for free classes on backpacking, learning how to use a compass correctly, trekking poles and such. I've gone to them and learning from experienced people is a lot better than learning by experience in the field.

DO NOT WEAR COTTON, ANYTHING COTTON. Cotton absorbs your sweat, then clings on to it next to your body which makes you very cold, very fast. The human body needs to have its core temp at 98.6 degrees. If your body temp drops 10 degrees, you have hypothermia.

What to wear instead of cotton? Synthetics/wool/merino wool(non itchy). These will take your sweat, and push it away from your body, and evaporate quickly off your skin. It will also retain your bodies core temp and keep you warm, even when you are sweating like a pig. Wool will even keep you warm when you are SOAKING wet, but tends to dry slower than synthetics. Don't worry, these aren't going to be like wearing a garbage bag. There are synthetics that are "smart" and while keeping you warm when you need to be, will also keep you cool so you aren't in a sauna.

Dress in layers, so if it gets too hot, you can just strip to a t-shirt. If the weather turns real quick, you can slap on a sweater(not cotton of course!) or rain jacket to warm up.

Hat is essntial, espcially in exposed areas. Sunblock/insect repellent.

I found out the best way to start off is go with someone experienced. Whether its a day hike, or a week long, going with someone who has a little know how is always better.
 
I just like to stress when I do uphill hiking I find it essential to have layers. YOu start off fairly cool then you build up sweat then as you reach higher up it becomes colder and windier. So if you are wearing cotton and you sweat alot the colder air and stronger winds may cool you down very quickly.
 
Congratulations on your first packpacking trip. I have not gone in years, but the equipment and knowledge is much better now than then.

I agree with all of the above posts, especially the one advising you to go to other sites than a survival site for information.

My $0.2 is that you can look to borrow gear from friends before putting in the expense. A good pack should have frame and they can be expensive to buy.

I always plan out my meals and I bring snacks too.

A good idea is to do a practice run with ALL your gear, water and food. A simple day hike of at least two miles will tell you immediately if there is something that is not right with your set up. Yeah, I feel foolish walking around a local park looking like I am making an expedition out of a day trail, but I feel even more foolish to start a trip and I have to stop every so often to adjust things or worse, have to go back to the trailhead for some reason.

A good book on packpacking is the Boy Scout Handbook. The Boy Scouts are the real deal and if 12 year olds can do it, so can you. Just follow their advice.

My biggest concern for you from your post is when you say that you are not going to be on a trail. Blazing through the woods without a trail can be very energy consuming. As others have pointed out, you need to be proficient with a compass and a map. If you have never used them before, I recommend that you alter your plan and stick to a trail. Learn to use the map and compass before you go on this trip even if you are going to be on trails. When I was in the Army we would "hike" on remote roads sometimes (large trails really) and even then we could have major discussions as to where we were on the map (:().

Good luck! Have fun and be sure to keep us posted on how your trip went! :)
 
You don't say what your total mileage will be or where you live. That makes a difference.

I think that unless the terrain is really easy that you will need time to make that climb up. I can normally walk about 2 miles an hour in the woods over normal obstacles. However I did a steep climb on a narrow rocky path with blowdowns I had to climb over last summer and it took me 4 HOURS to go 2 miles! It was also very hot and that slows you down too. My wife and I did a very steep and rocky hike last weekend. We hiked 14 miles one day on the level but it took us over 8 hours of hiking on another daywith very few stops to hike only 8 miles due to the terrain and heat.:thumbdn:

I would go for the smallest shelter and sleeping bag you can find. If you think it's going to be cool count on using your clothing in your sleeping bag.

My concern for a hike like that is not carrying too much weight and yet having enough water.

Also buy some trekking poles.
 
Wow, thanks for all the responses.

I'll be hiking in NorthEastern WA. The entire trip is only about 4.5 miles. We'll be following a pronounced ridge, so the chances of getting lost are slim. I have day-hiked in the area before, but I've never been out that far. Actually the hike ends on my parent's property. We plan to bring a lot of water.

I have a pair of good hiking boots. Now my biggest question is what to do for a pack and for sleeping. I was thinking about bringing some kind of roll-up mat to put my sleeping bag on and use a tarp as cover. I was also thinking about getting a cheap ALICE pack to use--Would I need the frame?

I've read here about people using the Wool Army blankets in cold weather. Would this be a more compact choice?

Lastly, how do you carry a large sleeping bag? Do you carry it underneath your pack in a compression bag?

I've actually spent hours reading this forum and have got a lot of good info.

Thanks,
Jason
 
Now my biggest question is what to do for a pack and for sleeping.
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I prefer a frame pack, but it's difficult these days to find a quality-made frame pack with sufficient adjustments. For off-trail hiking and to access the better quality packs made today, I'd have to recemmend an internal frame for you. Lowe, Gregory, Mountainsmith, etc. all make excellent products. It's just a matter of finding one that fits you well and has the features and pack volume suitable for you.

For this one particular trip a large daypack or small backpack should work fine. These are often called 3-day packs.

I was thinking about bringing some kind of roll-up mat to put my sleeping bag on and use a tarp as cover.
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That depends on the weather. I don't use anything under my sleeping bag except a plastic ground cloth to keep the water out. But if it's very cold, a sleeping pad helps insulate from the ground.

A tarp overhead would work great, or nothing. That is as long as the weather is mild and it doesn't rain. Get caught in a big storm and there's no substitute for a real tent.

I was also thinking about getting a cheap ALICE pack to use--Would I need the frame?
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I think a lot of ex-military types like those because that's what they're used to. But compared to a commercial modern backpack, I find them heavy, bulky, and uncomfortable.

I've read here about people using the Wool Army blankets in cold weather.
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I've used them before during cold-weather trips to supliment my sleeping bag. They're good because a blanket can wrap around the bag, eliminating the need for a seperate sleeping pad. Do ~not~ buy an American army surplus blanket - they suck. Sportsmans Guide used to have some Italian and British 100% wool blankets that were inexpensive and very soft.

For four miles of hiking, none of your decisions are absolutely critical. You might even consider carrying duplicates of some items for comparison purposes.

Lastly, how do you carry a large sleeping bag? Do you carry it underneath your pack in a compression bag?
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I use an external frame pack, so my sleeping bag straps onto the frame above or below the pack, or even fits inside the pack. With an internal frame pack I think SOP is the bag should go inside the pack.

-Bob
 
JMFWSU said:
Wow, thanks for all the responses.

I'll be hiking in NorthEastern WA. The entire trip is only about 4.5 miles. We'll be following a pronounced ridge, so the chances of getting lost are slim. I have day-hiked in the area before, but I've never been out that far. Actually the hike ends on my parent's property. We plan to bring a lot of water.

I have a pair of good hiking boots. Now my biggest question is what to do for a pack and for sleeping. I was thinking about bringing some kind of roll-up mat to put my sleeping bag on and use a tarp as cover. I was also thinking about getting a cheap ALICE pack to use--Would I need the frame?

I've read here about people using the Wool Army blankets in cold weather. Would this be a more compact choice?

Lastly, how do you carry a large sleeping bag? Do you carry it underneath your pack in a compression bag?

I've actually spent hours reading this forum and have got a lot of good info.

Thanks,
Jason
Click to expand...


Four to five liters will work well. As for your gear: regardless of what you get you are talking about a lot time doing research. Here's a great sight for gear: http://www.rei.com/

It should have everything you need ( a good pack, a 20 degree bag, a tent and anythig else you can imagine needing). I good starter pack is their Mars model. I've had mine for 2 years and it finally needs some care. As long as you have the tarp water-proofed and know how to set up a tarp shelter you won't need a tent. If you would still like one many of REI's tents are great bargains.

This: http://www.rei.com/camping/TOC/Slee...c*toc*sleeping_bags&vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC

is a great spot for your sleeping bag needs. Depending on price you can get your bag to compress to the size of a football. Also trekking poles are essential for a well built shelter and will lessen the possibility of injury.

Here's a good source for trekking poles: http://www.rei.com/camping/TOC/Trekking+Poles?cm_re=toc*toc*trekking_poles&vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC

Best of luck and seeing as you live close to the REI mothership you shouldn't have to much trouble getting your gear.
 
REI is a good company and their in-store staff are very helpful. But I find their prices high. I don't mind paying extra if their staff are fitting equipment for me, but for service-less online ordering I'd rather save a few bucks and shop at one of these places:

www.campmor.com Great selection, perhaps the very best selection anywhere, easy returns, very competitive prices, and their Campmor-brand products are an easy way to save $$.

www.sierratradingpost.com This catalog specializes in overstock, discontinued, and factory seconds. As a result, their selection varies but they have some incredible bargains. Save a wad of cash by buying last year's color? Why not! :)
 
If you are young you might not need a trail pad under your sleeping bag. If you are older you'll appreciate one.

I just got a Big Agnes trail pad recently and although it is heavier than my z lite, it really contibuted to my hiking stamina because I woke up less.
 
Bob W said:
REI is a good company and their in-store staff are very helpful. But I find their prices high. I don't mind paying extra if their staff are fitting equipment for me, but for service-less online ordering I'd rather save a few bucks and shop at one of these places:

www.campmor.com Great selection, perhaps the very best selection anywhere, easy returns, very competitive prices, and their Campmor-brand products are an easy way to save $$.

www.sierratradingpost.com This catalog specializes in overstock, discontinued, and factory seconds. As a result, their selection varies but they have some incredible bargains. Save a wad of cash by buying last year's color? Why not! :)
Click to expand...

Good find! I had forgotten about Campmor. ST is new to me.
 
My favorite book on backpacking is "The Complete Walker". I had an older version back in the 70's when I was a kid and read it over and over again. Recently I bought the latest version (IV, by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins) and it is even better now. Excellent gear advice and A GREAT read. I highly highly recommend it.

I find web sites that are related to Philmont - a Boy Scout high adventure reservation that is often a boy's first taste of real backpacking - provide excellent advice on gear and backpacking methods. Here is a nice Philmont web site: http://www.starratt.com/Philmont_99/personal.html - there are MANY out there.
 
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