Articles Tagged with: backpacking

It is surprising how many backpackers don’t understand how to wear their layers before going out on a hike. A lot of people still think that a thick layer has to be worn but this simply is not true as a thick layer limits your mobility and in fact hinders the backpacker. Thicker layers will feel bulky and will slow you down.

The best way to wear your layers is by wearing more layers of thinner clothing. By wearing multiple thinner layers you will be able to move far more freely and not feel weighed down. You will find that it will be far easier to adjust your layer thus making your feel comfortable for any situation. For example, when you get too warm you remove a layer and likewise, too cold, then add another layer and since the layers are very thin, you wont be taking off or adding too much clothing. This negates the need to carry heavier, bulky thick clothing.

If you are trekking and wearing thick layers then removing a layer will have a more pronounced effect than taking off a thin layer. With a thin layer you will experience a more comfortable gradual change so there will be no need to keep taking off and put on clothes regularly as you body temperature changes.

Essentially when backpacking you should be looking at three main layers of clothing. The first layer is called the inner layer and this must absorb moisture well and dry quickly. When the weather is cold it will help with insulation to keep your body heat in. Your middle layer is another layer that will provide good insulation. Something like a fleece jacket is ideal. The outer layer primarily needs to be waterproof and have the ability to resist the wind. Look for outer wear that has handy additional pockets which are ideal for items like flashlights or a compass and map.

You’ve heard of tarping right?  Wait a sec.  I’m not talking about carrying around those heavy sheets of plastic your dad used to cover the wood in the backyard. I’m talking about lightweight tarps that many ultralight backpackers are now turning to in order to cut down on pack weight and still sleep comfortably at night.Don’t be put off at first by the thought of sleeping under a tarp.  It may not have walls or a flooring but there are many benefits to tarping instead of tenting.  First of all, tarps are insanely lighter than many of the tents out there.  Newer tarps made of modern composites can only weigh a few ounces and still be strong enough to stand against the strongest of wind storms if pitched properly. Being exposed to the outdoors while sleeping under a tarp isn’t really that different than sleeping in a tent.  A tent’s walls are only a millimeter or two thick.  That isn’t going to stop anything from getting to you if it wants to.  But the biggest thing novice backpackers think of is that everything (the creepy crawlies and critters) are all out to get them.  This is a huge misconception. This idea is merely phsychological and nothing more.  Tarping can be a great new way to experience the wilderness and bring you closer to your surroundings.  Connecting this way, by simply sleeping under a tarp, opens you up to the  wilderness.  Call it practical or spiritual, but tarping is one of the best ways to lighten your backpack and discover a whole new way of enjoying your trip.

Some are actually brave enough to face the conditions during the coldest months of the year and go backpacking.  It is more difficult during the winter with the added weight as well as more limited mobility do to the layers of clothing to keep one warm.  If done right, it can be a good experience.  Before going out make sure that you have considered all the possibilities so that you can be properly prepared.

The first thing to be aware of is that trails at times are closed during the winter or have winter routes.  If you have a trail map that doesn’t indicate this, you still should find out if there are any differences during the winter.  It’s almost more important during the winter months to have a clearly marked path than it is during the other times of the year.

Get rid of cotton as much as possible.  While cotton can keep you warm when it gets wet, it’s a miserable material to work with.  Wet cotton will make you cold.  It may be fine to include some cotton but be sure to have other materials as an alternative or backup.

Make sure your fire making abilities are in shape.  Have more than a few methods to start a fire and consider even having some kindling and tinder on your person in some plastic.  The reason for this is that one slip at times can land you in the water.  You have limited time to get out of the water, get out of the wet clothes, and get a fire going.  This is the only measure there is to save your life so be sure that it’s all ready to go as fast as possible.

Always be sure that you have told people where you are going and they have a general idea of where you will be each day.  This way if anything happens, they will have an idea of where to look to find you.

Backpacking sleeping sack ratings have undergone a bit of a revolution lately.

A mummy sleeping bag is the most appropriate choice for wilderness backpacking. Mummy sleeping bags are considered the most efficient for weight and warmth. These bags are cut wider at the shoulders and taper down to the feet, which remove the unused space around your body resulting in a smaller area to keep warm.

A bag with an adjustable hood that can be closed around the face is a must have option, because a large part of your body heat escapes from the head and neck area. Hoods come in a variety of styles: some are simply made and others may be insulated and offer other features to help keep the rest of you warm.

A sleeping bag’s overall ability to keep you warm depends on its insulation fill. The insulation fill is sandwiched between the sleeping bag’s shell and lining via enclosed channels, layers or baffles. Fill basically comes in two types of materials; natural down, typically goose or duck feathers, and synthetic or manmade fibers. Specific sleeping sack measurements (shoulder, hip and foot measurement) are available for each bag as part of its individual specifications.

Season ratings are an approximate guide to use when you can expect a sleeping bag to keep you warm. A four seasons rating indicates that a sleeping bag has a high enough specification to be used year round. Temperature ratings provide the lowest temperature at which the bag should keep you comfortable. However, as individuals have different tolerances to cold, and bags are used in different conditions, sleeping bag ratings are only a rough guide.

Here’s a list of sleeping bags you can choose from:

Best sleeping experience even at 0º F.

Water-resistant shell, light weight and versatile no matter what weather is out there. This type of bag keeps you warm in temperatures as low as 20 degrees, but the bag stays light because less insulation is used on the bottom of the bag. During the warmer months, you can lay the hood flat to keep yourself from getting too warm.

Lighten your load without sacrificing comfort. Traveling light is more fun!

A mummy bag that make a room for two.  Feel comfortable since there is less heat loss and less weight to carry than there would be if you simply zipped two bags together.

Yes, you can take your little ones backpacking with you! This miniature mummy is sized just right for a child, and it designed with fewer ties and cords in the neck area for extra safety.

Designed to fit a woman’s curves. The hood has enough room for a pillow, and handy pad loops keep you from getting separated from your sleeping pad. Typically weighs only 20 ounces and will keep you warm down to 30 degrees Celcius.

Less insulation means you can save on weight and doesn’t lose comfort either. Commercial bags are designed to unzip footbox to catch a nice breeze.