Backpacking for Beginners

There are three kinds of backpack, the external frame, the internal frame, and the daypack. Each has its own pluses and negatives. If you can, try on the backpack you'll use before you buy it, and see if it really fits and is right for you.

The External Frame

My personal favorite, the external frame is the most easily found backpack and consists of the pack being mounted on an aluminum or other light, strong frame. The main negative is its inflexibility. While it is possible to adjust it here and there, it is still built on a large, rigid frame. If the frame doesn't fit, it doesn't work and you'll be miserable. The pluses are that it has a lot of places to attach things and is the most durable of the pack types, as well as being the easiest to learn to pack and stack in a pack line. It also breathes well in hot climates.

Packing an external frame
External frames usually have two or three main compartments and a lot of little pockets. Generally, stuff you don't expect to use until you reach camp go in the bottom pocket- clothes, supper, ground cloth, etc. The biggest stuff goes in the bottom of the top pocket- tent, dining fly, and the like. The stuff you'll be using throughout the day goes in the top of the top pocket- water bottles, snacks, lunch, cup, and so on. Your sleeping pad (foam) will fit easily on top of all that, with the flap over it, and your sleeping bag should be attached with straps to the bottom of the pack where the frame sticks out.

The Internal Frame

The most popular type, the internal frame is a pack with the frame built-in. It looks smaller than the external frame, but usually has the same capacity. The pluses to the internal frame is that it is more flexible and padded than the external, but still is pretty sturdy and easy to pack. The negatives are that its extra padding can get hot, and it's still not as easy to figure out as the external. However, for cold climates, such as alpine or near-arctic, the internal is excellent for keeping your back warm.

Packing an internal frame
The first thing you should notice is that there are no bars to attach your sleeping bag to! Don't panic- internal frames have a 'sleeping bag pocket', or a place where you can attach straps. For obvious reasons, you want to have a small crushable sleeping bag to go with your internal frame. Inflatable sleeping pads can be easily fitted into a pocket, while foam pads can be slipped in the "cinch" straps on the outside of the sleeping bag pocket. As with externals, things you don't need in the bottom pocket, big things in the bottom of the top pocket, things you need in the top of the top pocket.

The Daypack

This type of backpack is built like a large book bag you would take to high school. Its pluses are its extreme flexibility and its high capacity. Its negatives are its extreme difficulty to pack properly and its lack of structure. It has no frame, and is not recommended for first-time backpackers. In fact, I don't recommend it at all except for people who are experienced and need to take the kitchen sink along for various reasons.

Packing a daypack
In packing a daypack, the important thing to remember is to spread the weight along the side of the pack closest to your body. That is, the heavy stuff goes closer, the light stuff goes farther out. All water should be carried as close to the body as possible, as should fuel, tents, and other heavy objects. I recommend you pack your sleeping bag in the bottom or the top, with an extra garbage bag or two to cover it. If it is not full when you are finished putting stuff in it, take everything out, tighten all the straps that shrink its capacity, and repack it again. This pack should be 'full' when you're done packing it; otherwise, it will sag and will drag you down with it.

Choosing your boots

There are two kinds of boot styles that work well. However, whatever the style, don't fall for sales clerks who will tell you that glue holds up just as well as stitching. Always get stitched soles. In bad environments, glue will seperate, while stitching won't. A boot with its heel coming off is not worth much on the trail.

All boots come in either a rounded front ('farmer boots'), or stitched in the front ('moccasin style'). Get the shape that fits your foot and don't worry about fashion. I prefer moccasin because I have a very low set of toes and a high arch. Others prefer farmer boots because they have a more even foot.

The first style is the non-padded, all leather style. This is as low-tech as you can get. It does have some advantages, though. First, it breathes well and is very flexible, while giving support. If you add a good insole and your usual set of hiking socks, for some people that's all the padding you'll need. It's tough and made of only a few pieces. It's almost always stitched everywhere, and is mostly waterproof without adding much.

The second style is the padded style, either leather or gortex(tm), or a combination of both. Very high tech, this style of boot is often expensive, though occasional bargains may be found. They are very well padded, supporting your ankle, your arch, and your heel and contoured for an easy stride. These are often glued, so double-check before you buy. Their main disadvantage is that some people don't like the extra padding because it reduces flexibility, makes them sweat, or just doesn't feel right. However, the high-tech materials can also be surprisingly light. Get what's comfortable for you. Try on a lot of boots if you have to.

Other equipment

Crew Gear

• Dining Flys (2 recommended, one for cooking under and one for sitting and putting crew gear under)
• Tents (One for every two people)
• Ground cloths (For under tents)
• First-Aid Kit
• Cooking gear (2 pots, a skillet/lid with handle, a wooden spoon, spices, hotpot tongs, a good, sharp knife, and a coffee pot)
• Cleaning gear (Drainer, scraper, scrubbies, biodegradable soap (Camp suds recommended) and yum-yum bags. In most areas, you have to pack out what you don't eat, so eat up!)
• Sewing kit and duct tape (emergency repairs)
• FOOD. Don't forget this! Everything should be easily prepared using boiling, frying in cornstarch, or not cooked at all.
• Map of area and a compass (water-filled)
• Itinerary
• Stoves and fuel. White gas is most common. Make sure your bottles are approved as fuel containers and that you know how to use your stoves.
• Moleskin, foot powder, insect repellent (non-aerosol), sunscreen, toothpaste, and other necesities that can be carried in bulk.
• Bear bags and rope. This is only necesary in bear country or places with lots of raccoons, but is not a bad idea in other places, as well. These are used to hang your food and other "smellables" that animals like to investigate high enough that they either can't reach or wouldn't want to bother with it. A fed animal is usually a dead animal.
• Toliet paper, otherwise known as all-purpose paper. Besides its obvious use, it makes a good napkins and paper towels. Take a few rolls.
• Backpacker's trowel. This is for those times when you can't find a latrine. Catholes should be at least six inches deep, and should always be covered afterwards. In some areas, it is recommended to top your cathole with a rock so animals won't dig it up. Also, try to be at least forty paces away from the nearest stream to prevent the spread of pollution and diseases. Never urinate in a stream or on trees. Find a good rock or patch of mostly bare ground. Animals like the salt in urine and can chew up a tree in a couple of days if the taste is there.

• Bandanas, three or four. Banandas are pot holders, small towels, napkins, emergency bandages, and sweat bands, as well as many other uses that may crop up when you need to be inventive. They are your friends, so always take several.
• Padded hiking socks (2 or three pair), and liners of cotton or Polypro(tm) (3-5 pair, depending on how often you like to change socks). Your padded socks should be wool or a wool blend. The best socks can usually be bought the same place you found your boots. Failing that, find the nearest "outdoor" store and start looking.
• Sneakers/comfortable shoes and regular socks. After a long day, you will not want to shuffle around in your boots. Also, if you wear your boots all day and all night until you crawl into your tent to sleep, you will have very damp, stinky boots in a day or two.
• Sleeping bag. Get a crushable bag and check sizes and weights and degrees (as in, how cold the weather must be before you can't use it) before you buy.
• Sleeping pad, either foam or inflatable. Inflatable pads are more expensive but often are self-inflating. Foam pads can be found nearly everywhere. I myself use and prefer Ridge Rest(tm).
• Two changes of regular hiking clothes, one worn and one to change into, with extra changes of underwear. When hiking, you probably won't take showers or do laundry that often, so you don't need much in the way of clothes.
• One change of heavier clothes for colder weather and a jacket for over that. This is expecially important if you are hiking in mountain regions, where the temperature can rise and fall dramatically from hour to hour.
• Whistle. This should never be used unless somebody is in danger of dying or has a broken leg or some other great catastrophic emergency and you really need help.
• Pocket knife. Indispensible! Always carry a knife, even if it's just one blade. It opens food packets, cuts rope, and can be used for much, much more.
• Flashlight and extra batteries. Even though they're heavy, I recommend Maglight(tm) brand flashlights. They're very durable and can be taken apart to light up entire areas.
• Personal grooming kit- brush, toothbrush, etc. In some areas, deoderant is discouraged on account of bears, so check with the management of the park or other place you're hiking before you go to see what's alright to take, what's iffy, and what's right out.
• Camera, notepad, pen or pencil. These are not necesary, but are nice to have along.

As you backpack, you'll run into all sorts of interesting and neat items either for fun or for convenience. By all means, try out the ones that appeal to you if you have the money and desire. Backpacking is as much experiment and fun as anything else.