VOL. XV, NO. 11
APRIL 5, 1974
Is Backpacking Your Bag?
When You Travel, Ask Us
When You Travel, Ask Us
By KATHY DALENBERG
For all you hiking buffs, here are a few helpful hints. When you travel, you want your backpack as light as possible. Therefore, you should regulate what you put into it. First off, you're going to need a durable canteen and a mess kit. A plastic cup is more practical than paper cups and saves more room. Have a knife and spoon and a small one-burner stove, which uses Butane cartridges. It is wise to take a Swiss army knife which contains two blades, screwdrivers, scissors, a corkscrew, a bottle-opener, and many other extras. The all time must is to take toilet paper.
The sleeping bag should be of either goose down or Dacron filled. Any other bag would not serve as well. Instead of an air mattress bring a foam rubber pad to lie on. This can easily be rolled up and put in your nap‑sack.
You will definitely need a first‑aid kit. This should be carried in a plastic bag. In it should be Band‑Aids, aspirin, iodine, roller bandages, gauze pads, needle, matches, insect repellent, and a Red Cross first-aid text book in paperback.
Remember that you don't want to weigh yourself down with heavy cans and bottles, since you'll have to carry them after they are empty, unless you want to pollute the trail. Whenever it is possible, put the food in plastic bags. Even eggs can be cracked into bags. Try to have most of the food cooked before you leave. Warm it up on the trail when you camp for the night; you will appreciate a hot meal.
For all you hiking buffs, here are a few helpful hints. When you travel, you want your backpack as light as possible. Therefore, you should regulate what you put into it. First off, you're going to need a durable canteen and a mess kit. A plastic cup is more practical than paper cups and saves more room. Have a knife and spoon and a small one-burner stove, which uses Butane cartridges. It is wise to take a Swiss army knife which contains two blades, screwdrivers, scissors, a corkscrew, a bottle-opener, and many other extras. The all time must is to take toilet paper.
The sleeping bag should be of either goose down or Dacron filled. Any other bag would not serve as well. Instead of an air mattress bring a foam rubber pad to lie on. This can easily be rolled up and put in your nap‑sack.
You will definitely need a first‑aid kit. This should be carried in a plastic bag. In it should be Band‑Aids, aspirin, iodine, roller bandages, gauze pads, needle, matches, insect repellent, and a Red Cross first-aid text book in paperback.
Remember that you don't want to weigh yourself down with heavy cans and bottles, since you'll have to carry them after they are empty, unless you want to pollute the trail. Whenever it is possible, put the food in plastic bags. Even eggs can be cracked into bags. Try to have most of the food cooked before you leave. Warm it up on the trail when you camp for the night; you will appreciate a hot meal.
For the trail bring dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, seeds, and nuts to give you added energy as you walk.
A big hint is start out cold; as you walk, you will warm up. Dress layered. Wear a nylon wind breaker, a sweater, and a warm shirt. As you warm up, shed. As you get cold, gradually put them back on. Bring a nylon rain poncho, which can be used as a ground cloth, tablecloth, or a waterproof cover.
Wear two pairs of socks one heavy over one light. Don't forget to bring along extras. Make sure that the socks are not too snug for your hiking boots. Wear lightweight, long underwear for pajamas. Have a pair of lightweight shoes for around camp. Your feet will feel heavy after walking so much.
While you are walking, resist all temptations to stop and rest within the first hour. If you do, you will feel inclined to take more rests than you normally would throughout the hike. Have the most experienced hiker lead: he should set the pace. Remember, you get just as tired walking too slow as too fast.
Hike alongside bodies of water, if possible. If you get lost, find the nearest stream and follow it. Generally, you will reach civilization within a few miles; but if you get hopelessly lost, stay where your are until someone finds you.
With these hints and knowledge from some good books such as The Complete Walker by Cohn Fletcher or The Back Packer by Albert Saijo, you can now go out and hike to your heart's content. Remember, keep on truckin', baby.
A big hint is start out cold; as you walk, you will warm up. Dress layered. Wear a nylon wind breaker, a sweater, and a warm shirt. As you warm up, shed. As you get cold, gradually put them back on. Bring a nylon rain poncho, which can be used as a ground cloth, tablecloth, or a waterproof cover.
Wear two pairs of socks one heavy over one light. Don't forget to bring along extras. Make sure that the socks are not too snug for your hiking boots. Wear lightweight, long underwear for pajamas. Have a pair of lightweight shoes for around camp. Your feet will feel heavy after walking so much.
While you are walking, resist all temptations to stop and rest within the first hour. If you do, you will feel inclined to take more rests than you normally would throughout the hike. Have the most experienced hiker lead: he should set the pace. Remember, you get just as tired walking too slow as too fast.
Hike alongside bodies of water, if possible. If you get lost, find the nearest stream and follow it. Generally, you will reach civilization within a few miles; but if you get hopelessly lost, stay where your are until someone finds you.
With these hints and knowledge from some good books such as The Complete Walker by Cohn Fletcher or The Back Packer by Albert Saijo, you can now go out and hike to your heart's content. Remember, keep on truckin', baby.
