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Ultimate Backpacking Guide for Adventure Enthusiasts

Explore the wilderness with practical tips on gear, fitness, and safety. Plan trips, pack essentials, and enjoy nature responsibly.

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Ultimate Backpacking Guide for Adventure Enthusiasts

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  1. Backpacking 101 Tony Brock Troop 2 http://www.troop2ithaca.org/ tbrock@virtualcash.biz 607-257-8776

  2. Backpacking 101 • Getting outdoors • Self-sufficient • Great exercise • Great fun • Explore the world outside • See nature and your friends in a different light • Stay safe

  3. Covered elsewhere • Several of the topics I would like to cover are given their own courses, I would encourage you to attend B/V-620 Cool Gear at 1:00 B/V-630 Planningat 2:00 G-420 Leave No Traceat 2:00 If you cannot be in both places at once then maybe you can split the attendance, they will all be useful courses to take.

  4. Planning – before we start • National Camping School, Trek Leader • Passport to High Adventure • BSA, Venture Backpacking • Boy Scout Handbook • Guide to Safe Scouting • Okpik: Cold Weather Camping • Other people’s experience!

  5. Now Start to plan • Where do we want to go • Why (what will we do when we get there)? • What do we need to know about the area? • When will we go? • How much will it cost? • Who will we take? Make sure you have the necessary permits – from Council and the camp, park, authority you plan to visit. Allow plenty of time! High adventure needs parental permission!

  6. Preparation PRECISE PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE

  7. Fitness • What do we expect of our Scouts (and ourselves) on the trail • Shakedown hikes • Gym sessions • Regular Patrol organized activity • Medical advice (high adventure, Philmont etc.)

  8. Equipment • Clothing • Backpack • Tent • Sleeping bag/mat • Mess kit • Cook kit • Stoves • Tools & accessories

  9. Clothing, Winter • Wear layers, it is easier to keep a good core temperature • Avoid cotton/denim, man made fabrics will keep out the wind and dry quickly. Wool is nature’s insulator. High-tech materials are lighter and more efficient –at a price! • Top layer must offer snow, rain and wind protection. • Chap sticks, moisturizer

  10. Clothing, Summer • Just like winter, layering clothing keeps the wearer comfortable and allows rapid changes through the day. • Wear gaiters or other protection against ticks, nettles and thorny plants. • Long sleeves and hats and/or sun creams are essential for fair skinned trekkers • Sun screen and after-sun treatments

  11. Backpack • Internal frame • External frame • How much can you carry • Adults 25% body weight • Boys 25% body weight

  12. Tent • Your troop or crew will have tents and they will work well for most occasions. There are new high-tech designs that can save weight and space but the traditional 2 or 3 man Coleman is fine for most events • Remember – you have to carry it!

  13. Sleeping bag, mat • Like tents and other gear there are small gains to be made by spending more money. • I recommend a 20° bag for the winter and, for added warmth on cold nights or used alone for summer camping, a fleece bag liner. • Spend as much money as you can afford on a mat, being comfortable is worth it.

  14. Mess kit • There is no need to spend heavily on mess kit, I recommend • Spoon (knife and fork are optional) • Plastic bowl or dish (does solid and liquid) • Drinking mug (plastic travel mugs are light and will keep temperatures hot or cold)

  15. Cooking kit • Most troops have aluminum cook kits, they are perfectly OK unless you have a big budget. You will need (size of crew varies) Big for pasta, rice, stews and water Middle size for veggies etc Shallow or Fry pan, tools and spatulas Secure handles for all pots and pans Wash soap and scourers, matches

  16. Cooking stoves • Propane • Whisperlite There are a great number of options ranging that will meet your needs, see a website like www.msrcorp.comor visit your favorite store to get some ideas

  17. Tools, accessories • Compass – clear base map compass $10 • Pocket knife v. multi-tool • LED headlamp v. flashlight • Rope, nylon cord • Matches & kindling • Fanny pack • Platypus/Camelback v. Nalgene

  18. Scout Leader stuff • Songbooks • Rope for activities • Cord for running repairs • Safety pins • Religious material • Games, leisure material • Wildlife, birding, tree books

  19. Food • Specialist v. Supermarket • Plan the diet • Enjoy the food • Water, water, water • Water filters • Treatment tablets • Remember, you have to carry it!

  20. Food Powdered drink mixChocolate MixTeaCanned meatsCheese of all kindsCrackersPeanut butterRaisinsSoup MixChinese noodle soupPower barsInstant OatmealInstant Cream of Wheat RicePancake mix (no eggs needed)Hash brown potatoesGranola bars"Cold" Cereal with fruitCookiesJello NO BAKE Cheesecake mixGraham Cracker crust Many pre-made dinners will work wellBeef does not  spoil quicklyPrecook chicken if bring thatShish-kebab works:meat, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers

  21. 1st Aid Kit • At least 2 members of your crew should carry a first aid kit. The contents will vary according to your activity but should include as many as you can of the items listed on the next page Before you go Consult and then take a copy of the First Aid Merit Badge pamphlet

  22. 1st Aid Kit Assorted bandages & pads, 2x3", 3x3" & other sizes 2 Ace Bandages 2" x 4"2 Roll BandagesTriangular bandageAlcohol SwabsTape for bandagesJohnson & Johnson wide tapeScissorsGood TweezersFirst aid cream for burnsTriple antibioticCortaid for bites TylenolAdvilSteak tenderizor for bites Pepto Bismol Di-Gel Ant-acidExlaxThroat LozengesPins: Safety assortedPlastic GlovesThermometerSoapPaper & Pencil1st Aid Instructions (MB pamphlet)LighterMicroshield for mouth-to-mouthPractice mouth-to-mouth shield

  23. Trek Safely • Qualified Supervision • Keep fit • Plan ahead • Gear Up • Communicate, clearly and clearly • Monitor conditions • Discipline

  24. Qualified Supervision • Leader #1 – min. 21 years of age, trained to understand risks,BSA policy & procedure • Leader # 2 – min 18 years of age. I recommend at least three adults for any high adventure activity with minimum 2 trained in BSA policy & procedure. Leader # 1 is responsible for inclusion of min. 1 person with activity appropriate 1st aid training

  25. Keep fit • It is vital that your trekkers should be “fit for the activity” you are planning. • Consider and plan an appropriate training regime for your troop’s needs. • BSA Personal Health & Medical Record • Start slowly and build carefully • Passport to High Adventure # 4310

  26. Plan ahead • I am not going to spend a great deal of time on this, it will be covered in greater depth in B/V-630, Planning at 2:00 this afternoon • Local Tour permit – 30 days notice • National Tour permit – 90 days notice Always remember to have an alternative plan – just in case

  27. Gear Up • Get maps, road books & topographics to cover your route • Have a troop inspection of ALL equipment to be used • Demonstrate and train in the use of new, unfamiliar equipment • Plan & conduct at least one shakedown to ensure all trekkers are properly equipped

  28. Communicate • Publish (e-mail or printed handouts) all your plans and activities • Keep all parties aware of new developments or changes in your plans • Ensure the leader has ALL contact details for trekkers • Leader should carry a cell phone in case of having to make emergency contact • Ensure everyone knows what is expected of them, youths AND adults

  29. Monitor Conditions • Keep an eye on the weather, roads etc to make sure you are able to make good decisions • Avoid dangerous/doubtful conditions • Use your advance planning to provide the best experience, as safely as possible, for your trekkers.

  30. Discipline • Publish your troop policies • Get ALL participants to read, agree and sign to troop policy • Be strict – take no chances with safety on the trek • Be fair – You will not keep respect unless everyone sees your fairness • Be clear in your instructions, avoid any misunderstanding

  31. Trail discipline • Set a lead and tail trekker • ALWAYS stop at any change, break, change in direction on the trail • The leader MUST check with the tail trekker BEFORE starting out again – at every stop in the trail • Formulate your own routines for what to do if any trekkers is separated, for both trekker and crew. Follow BSA policy wherever possible.

  32. All the information and help you need can be found in Scouting and outdoor activities publications but the best source of knowledge and help is to be found among your fellow volunteers, scout leaders and the scouts themselves. Be prepared

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