Utah Adventurer - How to pack a backpack

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How to pack a backpack

Written by Jessica Eyre

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

You’re getting ready for a weeklong backpacking trip. You’ve got you’re backpack fitted properly (click here for our how-to clinic on fitting your backpack) and now you need to load it up. But is there a right and a wrong way to do that? Keith Hillman says you better believe there is. Owner of Out-N-Back, Hillman says he often wants to stop people on the trail and reload their packs. He says they will have a much easier time hiking if their packs have the proper weight distribution.

The heaviest stuff should be from the bottom of your rib cage to the top of the sternum strap.

Collect everything you want to take and put it in a pile. Don’t start packing it as you find it. Once it’s all gathered, be sure there is a specific reason you are bringing it along. If you can do without it, leave it home. Hillman says most people want to bring too much stuff.

The maximum load a person should carry for a full week of backpacking is 33 percent of their ideal body weight — not necessarily their current weight.

To save space in the pack, get a compression bag for your sleeping bag. The straps condense the bag down to a smaller size.

Next, the tent should be separated into parts. The poles fit easily in an outside pocket — it doesn’t matter of those get wet.

Then the tent can be divvied up among packers: rain fly, tent, etc., to take up less space inside the pack.

Get rid of heavier items such as cast iron. Look for the lightest possible items. Also, leave unnecessary items at home: cell phone (will it even work where you are going?), make-up, and other items. These may seem light, but they all add up — you could lose up to a pound of weight before you even get started.

For more information, visit Out-N-Back at 1797 S. State St. in Orem.

Discuss (3 posts)

Zedek

How to pack a backpack
Jul 12 2008 21:32:48

This thread discusses the Content article: How to pack a backpack

Two years ago i found myself headed up a trail with 75 lbs on my back. "A little much" i thought. Since then i have carefully chaged most of my backpacking strategies, and now i go out with about 30 lbs and i am more prepared then i ever was before.

But the biggest change i made lately was switching out my 6 pound tent for a 12 oz hammock. It might have been the best decission of my entire summer. I went on my last overnight trip with everything packed in my Camelback and a fanny-pack.......it was great. One of the guys with me said to his father - "we need to pack like him".

I used the "Travel Hammock" (that I got from ONB on a killer dirt cheap deal) and it was more comfortable then most any place I have ever laid my tent on. No I didn't get eaten by bugs, no I didn't fall out when I had to go use the "facilities", and no my buddies didn't start swinging me wildly about in the middle of the night.

It was all around a wonderfull night; and an easy,light pack - both in and out.

#457

SherylSterns

Re:How to pack a backpack
Jul 14 2008 20:41:06

So does the hammock just hang from 2 trees or is it one that has a stand? That is such a great idea (as long as you're not in bear country or the type that gets eaten by mosquitos). ha!

#467

Zedek

Re:How to pack a backpack
Jul 14 2008 23:02:54

Yep you hang it between 2 trees, nice and easy. When I used it last I was up Hobble creek in Utah county, about 300 ft from the wedding of 2 tributaries. So i was a little worried about bugs, but i didn't get a bite. My strategy is to wear long pants and a long shirt (lightweight of course) and a little bug spray on the face and hands. Seems to work so far. Of course most backpacking hammocks have a version that includes a mosquito net, i'll be upgrading to one of those next summer.

As for bears....I keep my camp very clean. And besides I figure that if a bear really wants to eat me - a tent wall isn't going to make it any harder for him.

Try a hammock - it is the only way to go!

#473

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