Pack Your Backpack With Care

Pack Your Backpack With Care

For those who enjoy regular hiking, planning what goes into the backpack requires a certain amount of forethought. So, for those who are taking a hike for the first time, use our article to ensure your backpack is well packed and that you will be ready for anything. Heading out into the unknown wilderness will present many challenges not faced in normal day-to-day life. Read our useful article, and take the time to understand that preparation is vital to ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.

Planning what you put into your backpack is more than ensuring you have water and food. Firstly, ensure your backpack is comfortable, and that your shoes are “worn in”, as getting blisters and back pain while hiking is a sure way to make the experience a bad one. Purchasing a good water bottle and a watertight container for food storage is handy. Remember that the backpack has to be carried for many miles, so try to pack lightweight goods.

The length and location of the hike will determine what goes into your backpack. Food taken on a hike isn’t going to be a culinary delight, rather make sure that the food you pack is lightweight, long lasting (tins, pickles, cured or dried goods) and nutritious. Along with filling foods, be sure to pack eating utensils and cooking equipment. A pocketknife, matches, candles and a tin opener are some necessary items when preparing hiking meals.

When packing clothing, always take into account the weather conditions for the area, and it is a good idea to consult a 5-day weather report. Remember that hiking in the day can make a person feel hot, so light clothing is useful. It is handy to know that when you are outdoors in the evenings the temperature can drop; therefore, warm, comfortable clothing is a recommendation. Other important items to pack include thick woolly socks, a warm jacket, hat and sun block. When packing clothing for the hike, include toiletries like toilet paper and soap.

A basic first aid kit is also handy to include in your backpack, and this should include plasters and bandages, headache tablets, anti-histamine, mosquito repellent, Deep Heat (or similar muscle relieving gel) and an antiseptic ointment. In an emergency it is helpful to have a mobile phone, a whistle, a compass and a map.

For those who are hiking in a large group, plan together to carry necessary items, share the responsibility of carrying food, cooking equipment and wood. The most important thing to remember is that a well-prepared hiker is more likely to have an enjoyable hike. So, take some time to plan, because the last thing you want is to get out there, and have forgotten a simple thing such as your camera.