If you're planning on going on a long hike, you'll need to bring a backpack filled with food, drink and other items to survive. Take the time to plan the items to be brought rather than just putting them in without planning. If you do, your backpack will have a good load and you will easily have the items you need on the go. When you pack a backpack, it may not seem like a difficult thing to do, but it can make a difference in terms of the comfort of the hike itself.
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Part 1 of 3: Collecting Your Luggage
Step 1. Choose a backpack
When you go on a hike, you'll be happy to have the lightest backpack you can carry. Choose the smallest and lightest backpack that can carry the things you need during your trip. If you're only going to be hiking all day, you can use a smaller backpack, but if you're planning to stay overnight, you'll need a backpack that can accommodate overnight supplies such as a sleeping bag and tent, as well as extra food and drink.
- The capacity of a backpack is calculated in liters, you will find backpacks that are usually sold in sizes between 25 and 90 liters. The average backpack capacity for climbing for one day is 25 to 40 liters, and the average backpack capacity for climbing for five days or more is between 65 and 90 liters.
- In addition to the factor of the length of your climb, there are several other things to consider in choosing a backpack for climbing, namely the season in which you will be climbing. You will need a larger backpack during winter hikes, as you will need heavier clothing and other extra items.
- Most backpacks are manufactured with an inner frame that can support weight, however, you can still find backpacks that have an outer frame design to support the heaviest loads. Find a backpack specifically designed to support weight while climbing, instead of using a school backpack for optimal comfort.
Step 2. Gather the required supplies
You will need to collect the equipment you will need when you go on a hike. You may be tempted to bring a camera, a journal, or maybe your favorite pillow, but carrying things you don't need can make the burden you will carry even bigger. Bring only the equipment you need when you go on a hike. Pay attention to certain items that you may need during the climb, pay attention to how hard the climb you will do, including the duration and weather.
- Bring the lightest equipment possible, especially if you are doing a long hike. For example, if you are carrying a sleeping bag, you need to look for the lightest bag instead of carrying a large item that can take up space and load you will carry. If you pay attention to the load you will be carrying, there are items with very light versions to carry.
- Unpack certain items as much as possible. Instead of bringing a box of food, don't bring the box, wrap the food in a plastic bag. Instead of carrying a very heavy camera, you can use the camera features available on your phone. Some people make efforts to make their luggage lighter by cutting the handles of their toothbrushes and combs.
Step 3. Organize your luggage according to the weight of each
Take out your belongings and arrange them according to their respective weights. Stack heavy, medium and light luggage. By organizing your luggage by weight, you will be able to ensure that the hike you are about to take will be as comfortable as possible.
- Light items include sleeping bags, light clothing and night items.
- Medium-weight items include moderate clothing, first aid kits and moderate food.
- Heavy items include heavy food, cooking utensils, water, flashlights and other heavy equipment.
Step 4. Re-consolidate luggage as much as possible
It's important to pay attention to the weight and space in your backpack. By consolidating items, you'll be able to prevent them from rocking around in your backpack when you're hiking. Your backpack will stay well organized and carry a good load if you take the time to reorganize the space you have in your backpack.
- For example, if you have a small pot, before you put it in your backpack, fill it with certain items. Fill it with food, or your extra sock. Maximize every available space in your backpack.
- Put in one place small items that you will use simultaneously in the same place. For example, put your toiletries in a small bag so that these items can be collected in one place.
- This can give you the opportunity to cut down on items that take up too much space. If you have an object that is difficult to put in a place, because for example it is too large or made of an inflexible material, then you may not bring the item.
Part 2 of 3: Packing Your Backpack
Step 1. Place the lightest items at the bottom and the heavy items near your back
Divide the load from your backpack by placing light items at the bottom, heavy parts centered between your shoulders and medium-sized items between heavy and light items to keep your back in shape. If you pack heavy things first, then you will put too much pressure on your back. Pack heavier items in an upper back position so the weight will be on your hips, rather than in a position where you could injure yourself.
- If you are staying overnight, put a sleeping bag and other sleeping items in advance. After that, put in a change of clothes, socks and extra gloves and other items.
- Pack the heaviest items: water, flashlight, cooking utensils and more. These items should be in a position halfway between your upper shoulders and your back.
- Then pack medium-load cooking utensils, groceries, first aid kits and other medium items so that they are around other items and keep your backpack stable. Pack flexible items such as ponchos or clothes among heavier items to keep them from shifting as you walk.
Step 2. Make sure important items are easy to pick up
There are some items that need to be placed in a place that is easy to take, for light items, pack them on the top or in the outer pocket. You will need to place food, water, maps, GPS, flashlights, and a few other first aid items to keep them easy to pick up if you need them. Pack the item carefully so you know where it is when you need it.
After a few days of climbing, you will have a better understanding of what items need to be placed where they are easily accessible and which are not. Rearrange your backpack when you leave so that it provides comfort while you are hiking
Step 3. Placing additional items
If your belongings don't fit in your backpack, you can add additional pockets by placing them on top, bottom or on either side of your backpack. For example, you may need to carry your tent pole on top of your backpack, or a water bottle on the side of your backpack. If you want to place extra items outside of your backpack, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Add as few extra items as possible. It is better to pack your belongings in a backpack because you will be going on a hike and your backpack may get caught in trees or other objects. Putting it in a backpack can make you feel more comfortable when climbing.
- Follow the rules regarding load sharing. For example, place your tent pole or walking stick at the top of your backpack, not at the bottom.
Step 4. Check your backpack for a feel
Carry your backpack and position it where it is most comfortable. Walk to feel the weight as you carry it. If you're comfortable, and your backpack is secure, then you're ready to take the hike.
- If you feel something shifting, release and rearrange your luggage so that it becomes more stable, then try again.
- If you feel that your backpack is one-sided, remove and rearrange your backpack so that the heavier items are centered between your shoulders and against your back. Maybe the items were previously packed too high in the backpack.
- If you feel your backpack is out of balance, rearrange it and try to distribute the load more evenly on both sides.
- If your backpack is too heavy, try picking out a few items to take out. If you're hiking in a group, see if someone has free space for your luggage to fill.
Part 3 of 3: Packing Things Professionally
Step 1. Use stuff sacks to pack your food, but don't pack softer items
Luggage sacks are very popular for being used to keep things in a backpack neat. They are very light but very strong and easy to access to keep your food separate from the rest. Many people fill a sack full of items with food that they will not eat while climbing and other toiletries. You can use this item to pack almost anything, however, seasoned hikers often pack their clothes into this item, as packing softer items between bulky and inflexible items can make more efficient use of space.
Step 2. Pack the bear repellent efficiently
Bear repellents are small scented containers used to keep bears away from the smell of food, deodorant, sun cream, and other items that may attract them. This is an absolute must if you are hiking in an area with lots of bears. If you're hiking in the area, it's important to pack the bear repellent efficiently so that it doesn't overwhelm your luggage.
- Fill the repellent to its full capacity, making sure there is no space left. Make sure that the groceries don't move around as you walk. If there's space left after you've packed your bears, fill that space with socks or other flexible items.
- The repellent has a heavy load, so pack the item in the heavy item section between your shoulder and back.
- Pack flexible items such as ponchos or extra clothing between the repellent so they don't move as you walk.
Step 3. Use a backpack protector to protect your backpack
It is a lightweight and comfortable item that can protect your backpack from rain or snow. The protector is used when the weather is bad. When it's not raining or snowing, place the cover on the top of your backpack so it's easy to grab when you need it.
Tips
- Use a map or compass to determine direction.
- Check the lighter you will be carrying. Make sure that the fuel from the lighter is fully charged.
- Wrap the match in an oilcloth to prevent the lighter from getting wet with water. The oil cloth can prevent the lighter from getting wet in the water.
- Remember that you need 3 liters of water daily to survive and 2000 calories daily to stay in good shape. Research the environment you will be climbing. You need to get water from water sources or plants because it will be difficult to store water in the backpack and will make the load heavier.
Warning
- Be careful if you hike in bear prone areas.
- Don't fill your backpack with useless things. (For example, if you want to store a sleeping bag, don't use the space to store blankets or vice versa.)
