1. INTRODUCTION TO BACKPACKING Liz Westner

2. WHY Reach more remote locations Extended stays Sleeping outside Waking up outside Complete trails

3. PREPARATION Logistics Route Shelter and gear –Weight is evil –The big three –Test gear at home Meals and cooking Physical conditioning

4. BOOKS

5. WEIGHT IS EVIL Ignorance is not bliss Know what you are carrying –Postal/food scale –Multi-use items –Simplify, simplify, simplify

6. LOCATION IS NOT EVERYTHING Huts Shelters Established Tent Sites Stealth Camping

7. STEALTH CAMPING LEAVE NO TRACE!!! Only where permitted –Below treeline –200 feet from trail, road, standing water –1/4-mile from huts, tentsites, trailheads Safe and comfortable –Level and smooth –Good drainage and wind protection –No dangerous trees

8. SHELTER Tent –Mosquito netting –Freestanding or staked Ultralight tent Bivy sack Tarp Hammock –Limited temperatures

10. FOOD Nutrition is your friend One-pot meals Safety –No food in tents –Critter/bear bag

11. CAMP ROUTINE Change clothing Make it a home –Erect tent, unpack pad and sleeping bag –Find your headlamp –Collect water –Prepare kitchen, eat dinner –Put up critter bag Before sleeping –Bring water and extra clothes into tent

12. NIGHT ROUTINE Use headlamp Go to bathroom one last time Wear a hat Put extra clothing in sleeping bag –If you get cold, put them on If nature calls, just do it

13. MORNING ROUTINE Wake up Eat breakfast Get water Pack up –Make sure campsite is better than you found it –Double-check before you leave Hike

14. SAMPLE BACKPACK AT – LT to NH – 45 miles June 11-13 –3 full days on trail –3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts on trail –Car camp Thursday night – breakfast in camp Car spotting Road crossings – resupply

16. MY KIT BIG THREE –Shelter* – Hennesey hammock44.9 oz. –Sleeping bag – REI +20 down44.9 oz. –Pack – Gregory Whitney 5,700 c.i.105 oz. Total194.8 oz./ 12 lb. 2.8 oz. * Starred gear indicates gear that can be shared between more than one person

17. MY KIT – Cooking Pepsi can stove*0.5 oz. Alcohol*13.8 oz. Pot*11.2 oz. Cup/bowl2.0 oz. Foon & fork0.6 oz. Matches/lighter1.0 oz. Bandana1.0 oz. Total 30.1 oz./1 lb. 14.1 oz.

18. MY KIT – Food (6) Lamejun12.0 oz. Mac & cheese8.2 oz. Butter (1) stick frozen 4.0 oz. Beans dehydrated 6.0 oz. Dry milk (1) Qt. 3.6 oz. Instant breakfast3.0 oz. Tea bags1.0 oz. Tang6.0 oz. Oatmeal16 oz.Total: Noodles16 oz.86.2 oz./ Dried onion & beef jerky 6.0 oz.5 lb., 6.2 oz. Curry mix4.4 oz.

19. MY KIT – Hydration Katadyn Hiker Pro filter*15.3 oz. 3-liter bladder (full) 107.2 oz. 1-liter Pepsi bottle (full) 35 oz. Gatorade12 oz. Total: 169.5 oz./ 10lb., 9.5 oz.

20. MY KIT – Emergency/miscellaneous First aid kit* 23.6 oz. Compass* 2.4 oz. (2) Headlamps* 4.0 oz. Batteries 3.0 oz. Leatherman* 6.0 oz. Toilet paper 3.0 oz. Space blanket 2.0 oz. Fingertip saw* 0.4 oz. Para cord* 3.0 oz. Extra food* 18.4 oz. Cell phone* 3.1 oz. Car keys/wallet 3.0 oz. SPF 50* 0.5 oz. DEET* 0.8 oz. Headnet 1.0 oz. Raincoat 19.4 oz. Bivy sack 7.8 oz. Total:101.4 oz./ 6 lb., 5.4 oz.

21. MY KIT – Extra Clothing Socks 8.1 oz. Underwear2.2 oz. Turtleneck9.6 oz. Fleece vest12.6 oz. Knee brace6.1 oz. Hat2.5 oz. 36.0 oz. TOTAL PACK WEIGHT – 618 oz./ 38 lb., 10 oz. (base weight = 25 lb., 4 oz.)

22. MY KIT – Wearing Watch 3.1 oz. Underwear 2.2 oz. T-Shirt 4.9 oz. Zip-off pants & belt 16.9 oz. Hawaiian shirt 6.4 oz. Ball cap 2.3 oz. Sunglasses 1.0 oz. Socks 4.6 oz. Gaiters 6.3 oz. Boots 46.7 oz. Total worn: 94.4 oz./ 5 lb., 14.4 oz.

23. MY KIT – Carried Knife* 3.0 oz. Whistle 0.4 oz. Lighter 0.4 oz. Map/notes 2.0 oz. GPS* 4.7 oz. Bandana 1.0 oz. Hiking pole 12.0 oz. Total Weight carried – 23.5 oz./ 1 lb., 7.5 oz.

24. NOT IN MY KIT Car camping tent (heavy!) Cotton clothes (rotten) Lots of extra clothing and food (heavy) Guidebooks (heavy!) Make-up (useless – no one to impress) Hard-cover books (HEAVY!) Lots of water (heavy and easily replaceable on the trail)