Here you will find some of the most essential items you may need to consider for this trip. As we draw closer to the date of departure the items below may need to substituted or altered based on weather and group size. Please use this list accoedingly and the general rule of thumb is if you forget to bring it would it now endanger your life.LOL.
PACKING TIPS:
- Unless you have a bombproof, leakproof pack, organize gear in waterproof stuff sacks or heavy duty zip-loc freezer bags. Color-coded stuff sacks make it easy to locate gear items and is an especially useful way of keeping track of smaller items.
- Pack tent on top where you can get to it fast in a sudden storm without pulling out any of the rest of your gear. Also, pack items such as raingear, water, snacks, sunscreen/sunglasses, bug juice, camera, binocs, and other quick access gear items, in an easily accessible location--right next to side zips, in the pack lid pocket, a side pocket, or on top of the pack, along with the tent.
- If your pack doesn't have a framesheet between you and your gear, make sure you pack sharp and hard objects away from your back, preferably toward the outside of the pack. Items like stove, cookpots, water & fuel bottles, and tent poles & pegs.
- Keep fuel (especially white gas) containers away from food and cooking gear. Place fuel containers in heavy duty gallon zip-loc freezer bags and pack upright.
- Strive for a horizontal distribution of weight, so that one side of the pack isn't heavier than the other. You should keep the weight centered so that you don't lose your balance or hurt your back.
- Slimmer is better. Cinch down the pack's compression straps as you pack to help ensure a slim pack profile. As it becomes apparent that you will need more space loosen the compression straps, accordingly. When all packed, cinch down all compression straps and load stabilizers, in order to ensure a secure, stable load. Remember, the fatter your pack becomes, the farther you must lean forward to bring the pack's center of gravity back over your hips--fat packs can result in sore backs !
- If mainly on the trail, especially for long distance treks, pack the heavier items in the upper portion of the pack, in order to create a higher center of gravity. This centers the pack weight above your body where it's easier to carry (on easy to moderate tread).
- Men, if going offtrail, pack heavier items close to the back in the middle portion of the pack. This will result in better stability when boulder hopping, post-holing, or whatever.
- Women naturally have a lower center of gravity than men, thus may want to pack as if going off trail--heavier items a little lower in the pack-- on all occasions.
- Women's backpacks are specifically designed to accommodate subtle physiological differences such as shorter torsos and narrower shoulders. They are also built to fit more obvious differences between women and men: breasts and hips.
Many women need shoulder straps that are located closer together than on a man's pack. Straps that are too far apart tend to slip off the shoulders. Tightening the sternum strap may help, but it's uncomfortable when pulled too tightly.
- The padding on standard shoulder harnesses is typically too wide, straight, and long for women. This may cause chafing in the armpits and restrict the chest. MEC sells some packs that have replaceable shoulder straps. Look for narrower, shorter straps with an angled yoke designed to conform to a woman's upper body.
- Standard hipbelts don't always match the flare of a woman's hips. This may cause the bottom edge to dig in while the top of the belt sits awkwardly or simply doesn't rest on the hips at all. Loosening the hipbelt to make it more comfortable will transfer the pack's weight to the shoulders. To carry loads comfortably, the hipbelt should fit snugly over your hipbones and its curvature should eliminate spots that dig in. Models with interchangeable hipbelts will allow you to find the correct size.
- Selecting the correct pack length is extremely important. If a pack is too long or too short, the hipbelt sits in the wrong place and the shoulder straps will carry the brunt of the load. Improper pack length can also make back and lumbar padding gap and bulge in the wrong places, adding to discomfort.
