Backpacking 101

For more information check out: click on “expert advice”, then “backpacking” and pick a topic.

  1. Before you go:

A.Skill level and interests of individuals or group

B.Budget

C.Type: weekend, section hike, thru hike?

D.Choose location

  1. Where? Distance from home
  2. When? –season
  3. Length of time to hike
  4. Miles/distance
  5. Trail-trip route -linear/loop/basecamp?

E.Logistics

  1. of access – car, boat, train, plane - distance & parking -security
  2. Permits – backcountry, campsite/shelter reservation

F.Research/planning

  1. Find out who manages the trail, State, Federal, Volunteer organization etc. Direct contact –ranger or managing group etc. (Ex IATA, WI DNR, NFS Chequamegon-Nicolet NF)
  2. Maps/Guidebook/Databook/Apps (Mammoth Tracks, Guthooks Guides), person knowledgeable of the area, online- websites (iceagetril.org) Facebook pages (Thousand Miler Wannabespage), forums, blogs (trailjournals.com),etc.
  3. Route planning/prep.
  4. Resupply/ potable water sources/ camping options and permits
  5. ICE -emergency
  6. bailout/escape plan-when to turn back, include access/exit points on route
  7. local/regional contacts –ranger station sheriff, etc
  8. Leave with family with trip plan –itinerary, dates, expected time of return, names in group, vehicle info, who to contact (ranger station, sheriff, etc) if overdue etc.
  9. Group discussion of what to do if individual gets lost/separated from group
  10. Hazards
  11. Terrain
  12. Trail/off-trail or cross country/road/ wilderness/recreational
  13. water –crossings, flooding,
  14. mountain/elevation/snow
  15. canyon/desert
  16. prairie/ woods
  17. Natural
  18. Weather
  19. Animals/insects/reptiles

G.Preparation

  1. Backcountry skills – LNT, First aid, navigation, weather, cooking
  2. Take classes -local, online, weekend
  3. Review, practice
  4. Preparation-exercise/get in shape
  5. hiking /walking skills –uphill, downhill, rock & scree, fording/water crossing, uneven surfaces, snow, desert, weather effects, altitude
  6. appropriate mileage, and rest breaks
  7. staying together in a group, slowest hiker first
  8. Gear and gear shake down and footwear break-in – Not addressed in this handout.
  9. Menu planning –
  10. calorie intact & nutrition,(2500-4500 calories a day: = 1-2lbs. of food a day)
  11. shoppingand preparing/cooking
  12. repackaging and organizing -preparing resupply boxes/mail drops
  13. Mental preparation
  14. What is your mindset? How will you cope when going gets hard or things don’t go as expected?
  15. Create a personal mantra -three words to say to self to help you get through
  16. Prepare for the unexpected
  17. ingenuity, sense of humor, open mind/flexibility, calm in chaos, sense of awe
  18. Fun vs. death march
  19. games, swimming, breaks, geocache, base camp, education programs –stars, animals, plants, town day/zero day
  1. Outthere doing it-living it!

A.Weather conditions/forecast

B.Road/travel conditions/plans/logistics

C.Registration/permits/regulations

D.Parking – leaving it secure

E.Back at home itinerary –

F.Day –to day

  1. Walking –uphill, down hill, rocks, fording/water crossing, scree, snow, desert, mileage, altitude, weather effects
  2. Health and Safety
  3. first aid
  4. food prep and storage
  5. Water and food consumption –amount- calories and hydration
  6. foot care - blisters -
  7. Toilet- How to “S” in the woods
  8. personal hygiene
  9. care of gear
  10. What to do if you are lost?
  11. Leave no trace
  12. Camp site location and clean, cooking area, food storage
  13. Fire safety
  14. Fun vs. death march
  15. games, swimming, breaks, geocache, base camp, education programs –stars, animals, plants, town day/zero day
  16. Prepared of the unexpected
  17. ingenuity, sense of humor, open mind/flexibility, calm in chaos, sense of awe
  18. Journaling, tweeting, instata gram -sharing in the now
  1. Been there, done that-after the hike

A.Heading home –clean change of clothes

B.Celebration

C.Trip review –safety, gear, successes, and “failures”, budget

D.Sharing of trip –website, blog, web-base photo albums, programs-PowerPoint,

E.Where next?

Basic backpacking YouTube series and gear websites

●REI - ask the Expert Advice tutorials

●Tentside - gear review and tips specifically for women

●Dixie - Homemade Wanderlust - Beginner backpacking series

●Jason - Outdoor adventures - Beginner backpacking series (1-19)

●Andrew Skurka website and his basic backpacking presentation (video)

●Hiking for Her website

Map and Compass

●Andrew Shurka's map and compass tutorial

●REI Expert Advice -how to use a compass

Menu Planning

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