Unpacking for Backpacking
I don't pack for trips - I unpack. It's this whole mental thing I go through when preparing for a trip where I envision myself wearing my full backpack, then I think about what I'd find in the different pockets and stuff sacks if I started unpacking. Then I get that stuff together and put it where I'd imagined it going. I find this much less overwhelming than trying to fill 3200 cubic inches of empty space with a list of things I'm supposed to have in my head.
Here's my imaginary list of what's in my backpack for a typical 2-day, 2-night backpacking trip:
- First, you must dress yourself and anybody who will be going with you. (We've covered this before - silky stuff next to the skin, fuzzy stuff over that and hard stuff on the outside. Modify as necessary.)
- The backpack. This is vital to backpacking. Your pack should be of adequate size to efficiently carry all of the items you will need, and it should be professionally fitted to you and nobody else.
- The lid of the backpack. Ah, the lid - where I put any item that I might need in a hurry, but that somebody else can get for me. This includes a headlamp, the guide book / trail map, bug spray, knife / multi-tool, water purifier tablets, small first aid kit, Luna bars / jerky, bandana and possibly my toiletries if I think I won't want to mess around with finding them when I get to camp.
- The waistbelt. I hang an Outdoor Research Bottle Tote from my waistbelt for items that I'll need while I'm hiking: camera, extra roll of film, lip stuff, sunscreen, asthma inhaler, sunglasses and a Luna bar. Incidentally, the Bottle Tote makes a great hands-free pocketbook for the woman on the go - it has enough capacity to hold the day's essentials and a super-strong hook-and-loop strap that attaches to a belt, shopping cart, restaurant table, etc. (it would be difficult for somebody to quietly tear open the 2" wide loop without you noticing).
- The external pockets. These can be odd, depending on what type of pack you have and how the pockets are shaped. I'm a Dana girl, so I have two oblong pockets on the outside of my pack. In them I usually put light items like extra clothing, hat, socks, maybe an empty water bottle. Make sure to secure it all in a waterproof stuff sack in case you run into bad weather.
- The side pockets. If I'm splitting the tent with somebody, I put the poles on one side and probably a water bottle on the other. I might also put my trekking poles on the sides when I'm not using them. Whatever goes here, make sure it won't mind getting wet and beat up from passing trees.
- The bottom straps. Sleeping pad, hands down.
- The "Shove It" or other flappy, type thing. So versatile, and yet so dangerous. On the one hand, you want to stuff it with that Gore-tex jacket you might need in case the weather turns. On the other hand, you'll probably lose that jacket when it slips out the side. Keep large items here - the shovel, snowboard, snowshoes. Or make sure you secure whatever smaller items you do decide to put there.
- The interior. Normal packing style - sleeping bag in the very bottom. Heavy stuff (stove, food, fuel, cookset, candle lantern, toiletries, extra batteries) should be close to the back, about halfway or slightly higher up. "Outside" and above these items can be lighter things - the body / fly of the tent, bivy sack, bulky clothing.
Everybody packs their pack differently, and you may have your own tried-and-true method. For example, small heavy items can be spread out throughout the pack if you don't have the space to keep them all together. Want you want to avoid are large chunks of heavy gear hanging off the outside of the pack or hogging up the lide and making you top-heavy. Something else to keep in mind is that you'll probably need some items before you need others, so pack those items in an accessbile area. For example, if you'll need to put up the tent right when you arrive, have the tent body and poles ready to go. The fly can be a bit further down. If it'll be freezing when you get to camp, have a warm jacket available just above the tent body.
These small conveniences are simply ways I've made my backpacking trips more enjoyable. Keep in mind that you might want additional items, or you may be able to eliminate some of the suggestions above. Think about yourself arriving at camp, unpacking, cooking dinner, getting ready for bed, etc. - write down the things you see yourself taking out of the pack. You'll most certainly need to tailor any ready-made list to serve your personal requirements and comforts.
