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How to Pack. Keeping your pack contents secure, convenient, and as small as possible…. How to pack. General Tips: Sleeping bag on the bottom Most big packs have a special spot for it Try to place heavy stuff nearer your back for better balance
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How to Pack Keeping your pack contents secure, convenient, and as small as possible…
How to pack • General Tips: • Sleeping bag on the bottom • Most big packs have a special spot for it • Try to place heavy stuff nearer your back for better balance • General rule: women can center the weighty stuff towards the lower back, men a little higher (but it’s a matter of personal taste) • Compression straps and how to make use of them • Tent poles, sleeping pads, jacket (extra layers, whatever can fit!
How to pack • General Tips cont… • Pack the stuff you will need on the trail most, last • Eg.’s rain gear, compass, snacks, knife, water • Keep small stuff separate • Easier to find, harder to lose • ‘Staging’– make a list, lay everything out before packing
Dividing Equipment • Different strokes… • Split the load to spread heavy items throughout the group • Food bag, gear bag, etc.
How to pack • Keeping out the elements • Pack cover • Some come with one • Garbage bag can work just fine • Inside the pack • Drysacks/wetsacks • Garbage bags • Grocery bags • Ziploc bags
How to pack • Making space • just because you got that shiny new 80L pack doesn’t mean you have to fill it! (75% rule) • Best way to cut down on space…Don’t pack it! • Rolling, rolling, rolling • things take up less space (more wrinkles though ) • Compression sacks • Really handy for sleeping bags • Clothes as well
Food • Weight Matters • Unless you’re car camping or going on a weekend trip consider leaving the fresh foods at home. • Canned & ‘space’ (boil in a bag) foods pack well but add weight and garbage you must carry out. • Alternatives: • freeze dried prepared backpacking foods (available at outfitters like MEC) • Dehydrated foods like oatmeal & other cereals, dried fruit, instant milk & beverages, instant rice, pasta, instant soups, dried beans etc. • Dense breads like bagels or rice cakes • Energy bars & gels
Food • Meal Prep & Planning • Organize & store your meals by type (breakfast, lunch & dinner) • Keep your snacks (especially for day one) accessible • Ration & label your foods by day– ration generously, but be sure to make calculations so that you’re not carrying excess weight • Dividing foods into individual meal containers is a good idea (i.e. you may be eating oatmeal twice, but two ziplocks full of oatmeal labelled “day one” and “day two” will help you not to run out) • Do your prep at home • Ex. chop, dehydrate & combine dehydrated ingredients for an instant chilli at home