I primarily use three types of backpacks. These are: the hiking multi-day backpack, a small single day backpack and of course, a biking backpack. It is extremely important to make sure your backpack is properly fitted for you. I use one or more of these packs every single day of my life. When packing, I always consider, what I call, the three W’s, WHERE, WHEN and WHAT!
WHERE is where I am going. For example, if I am traveling to Antarctica, I will need to pack different articles of clothing as opposed to trekking in the Sahara Desert. Typically, colder areas require a larger backpack than do warmer areas. Sometimes my travel takes me through several ecosystems on one long journey. For example, recently I did a 9-day hike in the Sahara Desert, then 10 days later I hiked the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR-70) in the Massif Central in France.
Then, two weeks later, I was hiking in Chamonix, France near Mont Blanc. The desert temperatures ranged between 85 and 105 degrees (F) while the Massif Centrale temperatures ranged between 70 and 85 degrees.
The Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) temperatures in mid-June ranged from the low 50’s to low 70’s. So, in this type of multi-activity traveling one could easily experience a 55–60-degree swing in temperatures. In these situations, it’s best to use a 50-plus liter backpack. You just need to pack more stuff.
WHEN is the time of year I am traveling. If I’m traveling in Europe between October and March, I am packing rain gear, medium to heavy puff jackets, long pants and waterproof footwear. However, if I’m traveling to Europe in July, I’ll pack light weight stuff as if I’m packing for the desert. In the desert, camels carried our backpack. For hikers who wish not to carry their loaded packs, there are many luggage transport companies that will do it for you.
WHAT is what activity I’ll be doing while traveling. For example, I just returned from a 105-day trip that involved two different activities.
The first activity was a 500-plus-mile, 36-day hike. It began on April 25 in Le-Puy-En-Velay with puff jackets and ended on May 30 in St.- Jean-Pied-de-Port with me in shorts and sleeveless shirts.
Ten days later, I biked the Loire River in France from near Blois to Saint Nazaire on the Atlantic Ocean. During this 17-day bike ride, I had to pack medium cold weather gear and biking jerseys, shoes and biking shorts. I rented a bike, helmet and gloves. My biking backpack is 15 liters and can easily be stuffed in, or attached to, my multi-day pack. In the bike backpack, I carry tire/tube repair kits, extra tubes, air pump, etc.
On long biking rides, I will carry my clothing and other essentials in my front and rear panniers.
While packing your backpack, it is very important to know the three W’s and pack accordingly. I never check my backpack on an airplane. If it’s too big for the overhead bin, I’m carrying too much stuff. Only carry what you barely need, nothing else. Remember, some things can be purchased in other countries, if and when, you need them. All too often, I see travelers in airports, train and bus stations with two or three huge rolling suitcases (they look like they have bodies inside of them) as if they are moving their clothing and household items to another residence but they are only on vacation for 7 to 10 days!! All the reason to never check a bag. I can be on the trailhead before these travelers grab their luggage from the carousel. I tend to use smaller backpacks than other travelers.
A few weeks ago, I returned from a 105-day trip and lived out of a 35-liter backpack that weighed 19 pounds loaded and about 3 pounds empty. This is not a typo! You read it correctly, 35 liter pack for 105 days of travels. It’s the burgundy-colored pack I pictured at the top of this blog. I always carry a smaller shoulder pack with me for single day excursions such as visiting Wimbledon Tennis Tournament or Bletchley Park.
It also takes the pressure off the main pack which carries stuff I don’t need but once a day such as articles of clothing. In the small pack I carry passports, vaccination cards, maps, wallet, etc.
So, what do you pack in the backpacks? Well, before I get into that, I want to say that 2 or 3 weeks (or more) before I leave on a trip, I create a list of things to carry. This list is managed in my OneNote App on my iPhone and laptop. That way, it is always with me and kept up to date. Then, about 10 days before I leave, I will start packing. Using again my OneNote, I check off each item as I pack them into the backpacks. This way, I don’t have to un-pack to know what I have placed into the packs already. Another way to pack is to lay out everything you intend to pack on the floor or bed. Then, take a picture of it before you place the items in the pack. Either way works fine. Remember to pack the items you use the most closest to the entry ports of your backpack.
So, what should you pack if you’re doing a long hike (3 days or more)? Here’s what I recommend:
1. Two pairs of dri fit underwear (and wear another pair). Total is 3
2. Three dri fit lightweight T shirts (again, wear another one). Total is 4
3. Two pairs of dri fit shorts, or seasonal long pants (again wear another pair). Total is 3
4. Always pack one collared long sleeve shirt (like the one pictured below) no matter where you’re hiking. I like this garment because it keeps me warm on cool mornings and blocks the sun later in the day. I like the collar because if I’m hiking south, in the mornings the sun will be on my left side and in the evenings, it’ll be on my right side. The collar helps protect from sun burn. Here, you pick the weight of the shirt, just make sure you bring one with you
5. Two pairs of thin hiking boot socks, not thick (again wear another pair). The idea here is that dri fit garments dry quickly as opposed to cotton or some other fabric blends. Sometimes I’ll wash these articles of clothing out in a creek or river while hiking and hang them on my backpack to dry while on the trail. Also, I can wash them out in my hotel room or tent and they’ll be dry the next morning
6. One pair of good quality hiking shoes (I prefer medium height hiking boots). Always wear your boots on airplanes, trains, buses, etc. as they take up too much space when packed in your backpack
7. One quality wide-brim sun hat
8. One one-liter water bottle but only fill it halfway if you hydrate well before you start the hike. There is always water on the trail unless otherwise noted. Water is heavy and I’m always looking for potable water. Please don’t carry a gallon of water when you hit the trail in the morning but be vigilante about managing your personal hydration requirements. Do your homework and know when water is needed and located on the trail. I am guilty of not carrying enough water and drinking at regular intervals, but I am working on that. My European friends take hydration, rest and food breaks. They are my model. Americans just don't know when to stop and enjoy the journey!! On long treks, always schedule a rest day about every 5 hiking days, more if needed
9. Carry enough food to last until you get to the next planned meal. I always carry a few energy bars and electrolyte tablets, particularly in hot weather
10. Head lamps and knife should be carried at all times
11. Camp shoes, I like slip-ons. I usually attach them to my backpack as packing them requires too much space
12. Rain trousers, jacket and rain fly for your backpack
13. First-aid kit, handkerchief for bandana, a whistle and a collapsible umbrella
14. Matches, pain killers such as aspirin, a foot blister treatment kit and insect repellant
15. I always carry a topo map of my hiking trail.
I never know when my GPS, batteries or cell service will let me down. I have found my way in foreign countries such as Greece for several days with only a good compass and topo paper map (laminated). We were hiking the Peloponnese Way in Greece and knew neither the language nor the alpahabet. We were the only hikers on the trail (as it were). Can you imagine hiking 15 days and not seeing another hiker? But the Greek people are the nicest and kindest we've ever met. They gave us gifts at every stop. A baker gave us a freshly-baked loaf of bread!
One man gave my wife a goat! But I told him that I didn't think the pilot would let us bring him on board the airplane.
I just love the Greek people!!
16. Reading glasses if you need them
17. Sufficient supply of sun block and sunglasses
Now that you are all packed up and ready to go, I want to share with you
MY CARDINAL RULES OF HIKING:
1. Study the trail you intend to hike
2. Know the elevation profile and what terrain you will encounter each day. Altitude sickness can be avoided by gradual climbing throughout the day. In high altitude areas such as Mount Kilamanjaro, I like to climb to about 10,000 feet and spend a day or 2, then climb slowly into higher elevations after my body gets adjusted to lower levels of oxygen. This strategy, combined with plenty of rest, hydration, slower pace (or “poli poli” as they say in Africa) and electrolyte replacement reduces your chance of getting altitude sickness, which believe me, is not fun
3. Always train before you begin your hikes
4. Always plan your breaks, rest periods and lunch times before you hit the trail. I like to rest and eat on high ground. Eating lunch and hiking up a mountain is not fun for me. I generally get a headache as my stomach wants the blood to digest my lunch that my cardio-pulmonary system is using to climb the mountain. So, eating at the top, resting a bit and slowly descending the other side works best for me. On really hot days, I like to get on the trail early, say 7 am or even earlier, and retire early. Some hikers like to start early, retire around lunch time and start again later in the afternoon. I don't do this. When I'm done, I'm done for the day. Remember, its never as cool in the afternoon as it is in the morning.
5. Always hike with someone, never alone
6. Be kind and courteous to other trail users and talk to them about such things as elevations, the weather and trail conditions. Tell them about your hike, it might save your life!! And remember, uphill trail users have the right of away
7. Always tell a responsible person or agency where and when your hike is planned along with your expected day and time of departure and hike completion. If there is a kiosk or sign-in and out log, be sure to use it. This gives authorities a head start on how to find you if the need arises
8. Know the weather conditions of each hiking day and the forecast several days ahead
9. Ask oncoming hikers and locals about storm activity daily that might impact your hike
10.Always prepare for the worst conditions when you are hiking
11. Check in at least daily to notify a responsible person or agency and give your whereabouts
12. Attach a quality compass-thermometer to your or your partners backpack. But sometimes you just get lost. Then, it's time to swollow your pride and ask for directions!
13. Attach at least several carabiners and a length of strong synthetic cord or rope to your backpack. These could be valuable when crossing high exposure areas
14. Tightly roll all garments when packing to maximize space in your pack
15. If you have a medical condition, always ask your health care provider if your intended hike is safe for you to challenge. I witnessed the death of a 14 year-old teenager who suffered from epilepsy and died on Annapurna. Medical help was too far away to save him when he had a seizure.
My wife, an ER nurse, tried to revive him but he was gone before she could save his life. The sadness about this story is the kid’s father, who brought him, knew of his condition and the very limited medical services available to a hiker in this part of the world.
The family physician advised the father not to take his son on this hike because of the severe altitude gains during the 9-day trek up the mountain
16. "Pack it in-Pack it out." Never litter a trail. If you take stuff in, take it out with you. I like to take out more than I take in. The goal is to “leave no trace”
17. As you are hiking, pay attention to landmarks, make mental notes of where you are. Occasionally, look behind you particularly if you are doing an out and back route
18. Never cut a switchback. The toughest part of Mount Whitney is the 97 switchbacks.
It is so tempting to cut through these footpaths. But if you do, know that you didn’t complete the hike. Switchbacks are there to keep hikers from sliding off the trail, reduce erosion and maintain vegetation
19. Drink small sips of water often, even when you are not thirsty. If you wait until "the thirst bell goes off," your body is already experiencing the effects of dehydration
THAT’S IT! YOU ARE ALL SET FOR A LONG- DISTANCE HIKE!
HAPPY TRAILS!
OUR NEXT BLOG WILL BE ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE COME TRUE!
SEE YOU THEN!
