NR 90
Backpacking
Equipment
Equipment Assessment
• Personal Equipment
- Clothing: shirts, pants, boots, hats, etc.
- Travel: just your feet or canoe, a bike, snowshoes
- Storage: backpack, bike panniers, waterproof bags
for canoe
- Sleeping: sleeping bag, foam/inflatable pad
- Miscellaneous: water bottles, toiletries, personal
items
• Group Equipment
- Shelter: tarp, tent, or shelters on the trail.
- Cooking: stoves, pots and pans, utensils
- Hygiene: water filtration/purification, hand
washing, going to the bathroom
- First Aid: see p.406 for a list of first-aid essentials
- Repair: anticipate what might break and have the
necessary replacement parts and tools
- Bear Canister (necessary in some areas)
• The ~ 10 Essentials
-
Navigation: (Map w/case) & Compass
Extra Food: 1 day’s supply
Extra Clothing (synthetic, fleece, insulating clothing)
Hydration: Bottle (full, 1-2 quarts) & treatment system
Flashlight/Headlamp w/ extra batteries
Tools: Pocketknife/Multi-tool & duct tape strips
Fire: Matches/Lighter w/container & firestarter
First-aid Kit
Sun Protection: Sunglasses and Sunscreen/Lip Balm
Emergency Shelter: tent, tarp, bivy, emergency blanket
Rain gear
Clothing (avoid cotton)
• Layering Principle
– The Base/Wicking Layer: T-shirt & underwear
– The Insulting Layers
• First Layer-shirts and pants / long underwear
• Second Layer-add another layer i.e. fleece, sweater
• Outer Layer- if really cold, insulated parka
– The Shell Layers
• Wind Shell / Soft Shell / Hard Shell
– The Head Layer: brimmed hat / wool cap
– The Hand Layer(s): gloves / mittens
– The Feet Layers: lightweight synthetic liner sock then
medium/heavy wool, wool-blend, synthetic sock
Boots
• Heavy, extend over ankle – up to 60lbs
• Lightweight – up to 40lbs
• Trail Shoes – up to 20lbs
• Boot Care – keep leather supple with wax / oil.
• Camp Shoes: old running shoes, sandals
Backpack
• External Frame
• Internal Frame
• Day Packs
• Sizing a Pack: REI demonstration 8/26/14
• Packing Your Pack: see handout
Sleeping Equipment
• Sleeping Bags
– Mummy, Rectangular, Semi-rectangular
– Insulation Types: Synthetic vs Down
• Sleeping Pads: 2 functions – comfort & insulation
– Closed cell foam
– Inflatable
Shelter
• Tarps: Pro- lightweight, inexpensive
Con- not weatherproof, no bug protection
• Tents: Pro- good weather & bug protection
Con-heavier, expensive
• Ground cloth / Tent footprint
Cooking Equipment
• Pots, Cups, Frying Pan, Utensils
• Backpacking Stoves
– Liquid Fuels Stoves
– Compressed Gas Stoves
– Solid Fuel Stoves