What to Pack - Concordia University
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Transcript What to Pack - Concordia University
Equipment for carrying things, cooking, shelter,
sleeping, and other things
What
Do
I
Really
Need?
Determine
What you need
For the trip at hand
For the trips you plan to take
What would be nice to have
Don’t buy everything at once
New Gear
Shopping For Gear
-Needs v Wants
-Expectation v Functionality
-Price v Price
Breaking it in
Carrying your Equipment
A major part of hiking/camping is carrying things
around
Backpacks
Size
Frames & Types
Straps
Choosing a backpack
How Big?
Short Answer: Depends on the trip
Long Answer: Consider litres
Daypacks (15-35L)
Weekend Packs (35-55L)
Backpacking Packs (55-75)
Expedition Packs (75+)
Frames and Types
Types
Zipper
Top Loading
Frames (needed for heavy loads)
Help keep load on the hips
External
Rare
Internal
More common
Conforms to back
Straps
Hipbelt
Transfers weight to hips
Shoulder straps
Keeps load on back
Load-Lifter straps
Keeps backpack centered
Centre strap
Prevents straps from falling
Compression strap
Squishes load
Choosing a Backpack
Decide on your needs
Cost
Types of trips you will do
What to look for
Comfort
Compartments
Ease of access to items
Weight
Other features (hydration pack, ice axe loops, etc.)
Footwear
Plan your footwear
Heading out on a big trip and need some boots? Break them in
around town and on smaller day hikes first.
Consider the weather– light hikers or trail runners might do for a
short trip in dry conditions, but won’t do for a muddy trail
Consider the terrain– trails are marked by difficulty; research the type
of terrain you’ll be hiking on (hilly, loose rocks..a marine trail) and
choose your footwear accordingly
Footwear
All the shoes you’ll need
Your everyday old runners– good backup
shoes for times when your hikers may get
wet (sandals will serve this purpose too).
Often adequate for day hiking.
Trail runners or ‘trail shoes’– like runners
but with a little extra support. You can
hike in these, but watch your ankles.
Hiking boots– try on lots of pairs,
consider:
Climate (do you need breathability or
water-proofing), weight of the boot, fit
& comfort, and price
Footwear
The shoes you don’t want to hike in:
Anything that doesn’t breathe (no Doc Martins)
Sandals and open-toed shoes
Sneakers with no support (Pumas? Street shoes)
Anything ‘breaking down and shaking down’
Anything not yet thoroughly broken in
Socks Matter
Well-fitting, weather appropriate, wicking socks will help prevent
blisters and serious discomfort on the trail.
Layers:
Clothing
Base
Very important, especially in the winter
It’s all about ‘wicking’
Choose a material and weight appropriate to the
weather and activity (silk or synthetics)
Mid
The everyday stuff– nothing special required here, just
be comfortable
Insulating
Fleece (lightweight, dries quickly)
Wool (very warm; heavy, smelly, cold and slow to dry
when wet)
Outer
Wind and Water-proofing
Keep these layers handy & don’t leave them behind
General Rules:
Clothing
Plan carefully– plan to wear the same item of clothing more than
once
Bring extra socks and underwear; bring nothing else ‘extra’
Keep bugs & sunburn in mind– lightweight pants and long-sleeved
shirts are often preferable to shorts and t-shirts
Technical fabrics are excellent for base layers, insulation and
outwear– invest in a few technical, lightweight items and packing
becomes a lot simpler
No jeans!
The trouble with cotton…
What to sleep in? This is really a matter of personal choice, but warm
base layers work and can do double duty during the day. A toque is
nice during cold nights.
Clothing
Somebody else’s useful packing list:
Boots
Fleece Jacket (winter)
Gaiters (if rough weather is expected or if you are travelling through
snow)
Hat Jacket (light in the summer, heavy in the winter)
1 Pants (shorts for the summer)
2 Socks (don't skip out on the socks)
2 T-Shirts (undershirts work great)
2 Underwear (long underwear for the winter)
Rain Gear (Rain pants are very valuable in bad weather)
Toque (do not buy Cotton) and/or brimmed hat
Cooking
If doing trips overnight cooking is often needed or
wanted
Fires
Not always allowed
Stoves
Allowed, but extra cost
Cookset
Fire
You need
Matches, Lighter, or Magnesium Block
Something to burn
To make sure fires are allowed
Stoves
Alcohol
Pro: Safe, easy to use
Con: Not hot
Propane
Pro: Hot, easy to use, easy to cook with
Con: Heavy, cannot easily refill
White Gas/Multifuel Stoves
Pro: Very hot
Con: Difficult to use and cook with
Cookset
Cookset: Consider
Types of pots/pans needed
Volume
Weight
Things to eat with:
Decide what you really need
Cup
Bowl
Utensils
Kitchen Sink
Sleeping
If you are doing an overnight trip you need…
Tarps
Tents
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping Bags
Tarps
Tarp
Pro: Light, Simple, Cheap
Con: Not the greatest shelter
Tents
Tent Considerations
Winter vs. Three season
Winter tent is stronger, thicker, but heavier
Size (they’re all small)
Weight
Stability
Color
Groundsheet/Footprint
Not usually needed unless very cold or very wet
Sleeping Pads
The Ground
Pro: Light
Con: Cold/Uncomfortable
Air Mattress
Pro: Warm and Comfortable
Con: Huge and heavy
Foam Pad
Pro: Warm and Comfortable
Con: Bulky
Self Inflating Foam Pad
Pro: Warm and Comfortable
Con: Not cheap
Sleeping Bags
Synthetic versus Down
Synthetic
Warm when wet
Easier to clean
Heavier and bulkier
Down
Warmer when not wet
Hard to clean
Lighter and more compressible
Sleeping Bags
Things to consider:
Temperature Rating
Design (mummy bag or not)
Mummy warmer, barrel roomier
Space inside
Weight and bulk
Liners
Other Equipment
Water Container
Nalgenes
Flasks
Water bottles
Hydration Packs
Food container
Stuff sacks
Odorproof bags
Bear Canisters/Bags
(don’t work)
Compass/GPS
Use to navigate with maps
Other Equipment
Headlamp/Flashlight
Batteries
Headlamp more convenient
Soap
Biodegradable camp soap
Trowel & Toilet Paper
Not all places have toilets
Other Equipment
Sunscreen
First Aid Kit
One Day
Multiday
Bandages
Medications
Personal
Antihistamines
Ibuprofen
Knife
Folding Knife
Swiss Army Knife
Multitool
Stuff Sacks
Compression Sacks
Water
How much to carry?
Can vary greatly depending on
person, temperature and level of activity
At least 2 litres a day to drink
Consider cooking
Carry only as much as you need
Are there water sources along the way?
Is it safe?
Unless very certain or brave its best to assume water
should be treated
Water
Treating water
Boiling
Pros
Cons
Water tastes different
takes time and energy
doesn’t remove dirt
Filtration
Pros
Cons
Kills all bugs (at least 5 minutes)
removes dirt and some microorganisms
Complicated, heavy
Doesn’t remove all microorganisms
Chemical
Ie: Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorine, Iodine…
Pros
Cons
kills most micro-organisms (chlorine dioxide does)
Water may taste strange (chlorine dioxide doesn’t)
Food
What to eat?
Cooked foods are usually best reserved for dinners on multi-day
hikes, but instant pancake mixes and hot cereals can also be a good
option for breakfasts, depending on the trip.
Snacks! Trail mix, nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, jerkey (meat or
veggie) etc. are excellent choices both for convenience and nutrition
Salt + carbs + calories are important considerations while hiking
Stopping to prepare a lunch can consume time on the trail you may not
have. It can also be a major hassle.
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
Consider Bulk:
Repackage foods to reduce their bulk & weight
For example, Cooking spices can be mixed and stored in a small
ziplock bag, an empty film canister, or a drinking straw with its ends
taped shut.
Avoid excessive packaging; aim for re-sealable or single-
serving options.
For example, single serving envelopes of hot chocolate or drink
crystals make for an excellent morale booster
Food
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
Food
Meal Prep & Planning–
Useful Ingredients You Can Find in the Grocery Store
Dried milk
Egg replacer (baking only) or instant eggs
Spices!
Dried grains and beans and vegetables (mm, potato flakes!)
TVP
Instant sauces & gravies
Canned foods (depending on the trip)
Juice crystals, tea, coffee, hot chocolate
Food
Meal Prep & Planning– Fancy Style
Consider dehydrating you own foods
Oven method vs. buying a dehydrator
Where to find recipes
Backpacking magazines, the internet
Cook stove add-ons
impractical?