Backpacking Basics Lecture 2: Critical Skills and Gear for Camp

Transcription

1 Backpacking Basics Lecture 2: Critical Skills and Gear for Camp The Mountaineers March 29, 2018 Seattle Mountaineers Program Center 1 Core Strategies for Backpacking Success: Pack Light! Plan your trip in advance, based on expected conditions! Be disciplined when you pack! Be prepared with the gear and conditioning to be successful on the trip you ve planned! Food, food prep and storage Shelter and sleep Choosing the right pack and loading it correctly Strategies for gearing up inexpensively Getting in shape for backpacking Backpacking Basics Lecture 2: Critical Skills and Gear for Camp

2 WE VE ALREADY DISCUSSED YOUR FOOD PLAN. Plan your food based on the number of each type of meal you will eat on the trip and your expected calorie needs calories per day is a good rule of thumb - more for bigger people, very strenuous, cold, high altitude trips; less for smaller people, short or easy itineraries Everyone is different! Work out how many calories YOU need for particular types of trips! Be disciplined: work out in advance what serving size you will eat, and measure it out when you pack! Watch the snacks! 9 Repackage store-bought freeze dried meals BACKPACK FOOD STRATEGIES The Cold Food Plan: No stove, fuel or pot, simple off the shelf items. Breakfast: Granola with powdered whole milk; meal bar; instant breakfast powder packet; bagel with cream cheese & dried berries; tortilla with peanut butter; purchased breakfast sandwich; croissants. (NO COFFEE!!) Lunch: Tortilla or crackers with almond or peanut butter packets or hard cheese and salami; instant hummus or bean flakes mixed in cold water with pita; pre-made sandwich, wrap or salad Dinner: Tortilla with instant bean flakes (cold water); bread with vacuum packed tuna and mayo packet; Instant mashed potatoes (cold water) with jerky and cheese; cold pizza; freeze dried meal rehydrated for 1+ hours in cold water 10 BACKPACK FOOD STRATEGIES The Light and Fast Hot Food Plan: 1. Remove the water from your food (instant, freeze dried, cured) 2. Just rehydrate with hot water in mug or freezer bag no cooking, no pot scrubbing! 3. Reduces your camp kitchen to a lightweight stove with fuel, pot, mug, bowl and spoon. Breakfast: Instant oatmeal with nuts and fresh or dried fruit, freeze dried breakfast skillet, Ova-Easy egg crystals, shelf stable bacon Dinner: Instant soup with bread, instant mashed potatoes or bean flakes with extras, freeze dried or home-dehydrated dinner

3 WHATEVER STRATEGY YOU CHOOSE, CONSIDER THE CALORIE DENSITY OF YOUR BACKPACK MENU! = calories per unit of weight By choosing more calorie-dense foods, you can get your target daily calories in less than half the weight!! Drivers of high calorie density in food? Fat: Carbs, protein: 4 cals/gram. Fiber: No energy for the weight. Water: Many foods average >60% water, and water adds significant weight without 12 any energy! 9 cals/gram; CHOOSE CALORIE-DENSE TRAIL FOODS Some high calorie density foods: Olive oil Nuts Nut butters, Nutella Cheese Salami Some lower calorie density foods: Vacuum-packed cooked meats in water Oatmeal, low-fat breads, crackers Dried beans, fruits, vegetables Couscous, instant rice 13 TO BOOST THE CALORIE DENSITY OF YOUR TRAIL MENU Pack more items with a higher percentage of fat Get rid of the water! (pack dried or dehydrated items) Limit high-fiber items (no nutrition for the weight) Can find all these things from the nutrition label on the package or bulk bin 14

4 IT S NOT JUST ABOUT THE CALORIES Maintain a balance across your menu: Carbs for short term energy Fats for maintenance calories and weight efficiency, Protein to mend muscle along the way. Mix lower and higher calorie-density items for tasty and enjoyable meals you will look forward to eating! Don t forget treats and desserts! Food you bring home uneaten is wasted weight! 15 BREAKOUT GROUP EXERCISE 10 MINUTES Share some of your favorite trail foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How calorie dense do you think your menu is? How might you change your trail menu to get your daily calories with a lower weight? 16 STOVES FOR LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING Canister stoves Light, low maintenance, easy and fast to boil water! Tiny and light: Pocket Rocket Integrated burner and pot systems: JetBoil, MSR Windburner White gas: WindPro Note: Canister stoves can be finicky in cold or high altitude; can be unstable on uneven surfaces; wind can impact efficiency; fixed fuel can sizes; must deal with empty canisters

5 STOVES FOR LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING Alcohol stoves very light and inexpensive; cheap fuel; only bring the fuel you need Caldera cone system basic burner with custom windscreen that fits your pot Trangia and Vargo Homemade with soda cans and windscreen Note: Capacity limited to about 2C water at a time; slower to boil than canister stoves GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR STOVE AND FUEL Extra fuel means extra weight! Be efficient! Use a windscreen (can use heavy-duty foil) if your stove design allows but never enclose a fuel container!! Keep a lid on your pot (can also be heavy-duty foil!) Get pan ready before lighting the stove Do you really need to boil the water? 19 CAMP COOKWARE AND DINNERWARE Pot: ml capacity (2-2.5C) for one person, 900 ml-1 L for two Aluminum much less expensive than titanium but a little heavier for the same capacity. Plan your dinners for one pot only Collapsible, very light bowls are available (or use a cheap lightweight plastic bowl) Use a plastic or metal spoon (long handle is nice for eating out of freeze dried meal pouches) 20

6 TRAIL MEAL PREP OTHER BASICS Water supply carry to a dry camp, or camp by a water supply (but not too close!) Plan your fuel supply for the number of meals you will prepare Handy to have a camp water bag that can hold 4-5 liters 8 oz of canister or white gas fuel boils ~64C of water; 8 oz of alcohol boils ~32C. Typical hot water usage is 4-6C per day (hot breakfast with coffee/tea + dinner). At cold temps, high altitudes, windy conditions - more fuel required. Pot-cleaning supplies - Light plastic scrubber (or just sand!), biodegradable soap optional. Drip-dry the pot, mug, bowl. Storing Food Why worry about securing your food? 1. Animals are all around us and very motivated to gather food! 2. They learn to get easy food around humans and can become very aggressive. 3. Habituated creatures almost always lose from the experience. 4. Good food storage and camp sanitation are an essential part of leave no trace backcountry travel. Food Storage Options Ursack Bear canister (range of sizes) Required in some parks Bear bagging (with stuff-sack and 50 paracord) Many ways to do it, but very hard to do correctly and can damage trees

7 Keep a Clean Camp!! Prepare, eat and store food well away your sleeping area (not just for you!) Leave smelly foods at home! Rinse your pot, mug, bowl, packaging. Store trash in your food bag. Never leave your camp with food unsecured! Don t wash dishes in the lake/stream throw used water into the bushes (away from your camp and your tent!!). Carry out all uneaten food & scraps. Minimize your trash and PACK IT ALL OUT. from SLEEP SYSTEM What do you need? How to decide? Shelter Sleeping bag Sleeping pad SHELTER What do I want from my shelter? Protection from severe wind and cold 4-season tent Durable fabric & poles, less venting, fly to the ground. But HEAVY and $$$! If I want absolute minimum weight Poorer protection from rain and bugs (and more challenging set up) tarp tent or system

8 SHELTER In the PNW, most backpackers want reliable protection from rain and bugs, plus easy & flexible setup 3-season tents! Single vs. double wall: single is lighter but subject to condensation Tent size: capacity (1P vs. 2P vs. 3P) and interior dimensions Fabric and pole configuration CHOOSING YOUR TENT Interior space can vary greatly between models for the same capacity. Floor dimensions, peak height and wall shape drive livability Wider at the head allows more elbow room Roof height to allow clothes changes without hitting the roof Eyebrow poles and vertical walls add headroom Vestibule space (key for wet weather!) End vs side entry ease of access, vestibule size 28 CHOOSING YOUR TENT TENT CAPACITY EXAMPLES Big Agnes Copper spur UL1 $379, 2lbs 8oz Eureka Spitfire 1 $139.95, 2lbs 12 oz

9 CHOOSING YOUR TENT THE VESTIBULE The vestibule is the place where you take off and put on muddy or wet gear so that you keep the gear inside your tent dry. You can keep some gear in your vestibule overnight, but anything with potential to be sweaty or with an odor could be chewed by animals. Hang on a tree or keep in your tent! Pack, trekking pole handles, shoes 30 CHOOSING YOUR TENT 2-person vs. solo tents Copper Spur UL2 vs. UL1: adds 14 width, 2 height, extra vestibule for extra 10oz and $70 When shared with a second person, the weight is just 1.5lbs per person (and extra side door becomes very important!) Substantially greater size boost for the Spitfire 2P at only $40 more weight just 2 lbs per person when shared between 2 people Worth carrying a 2P tent for just yourself? It s a comfort choice. Is it worth the extra cost and weight? Consider whether a 1P with larger interior dimensions can get you there for less, in money and weight! OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Free Standing or non-free standing Trekking poles substituting for major support poles The Tarptent Notch weighs just 1 lb 11 oz with similar dimensions to the Copper Spur 1, at $314 (a little tricker to set up) Tent Fabric Polyurethane (PU) coated nylon cheapest but heavier, less durable -$ Silicone coated nylon stronger, lighter, but more expensive and can absorb water. - $ Cuben Fiber strongest, doesn t absorb water, weighs half of silnylons but less durable and MUCH more expensive $500++

10 CHOOSING YOUR TENT Tent Weight: Not always what it seems! Look at the Packaged weight: This is the weight of all the components: body, rainfly, poles, stakes, stuff sack, pole sack, instructions, etc. Pitch the tent and lay down/move around inside with your pack and gear before you choose. Beginner? Can choose a nice roomy lightweight tent for <$200 upgrade in the future when you know more Consider sharing-borrowing-renting before you buy!! FOOTPRINT? Extends the life of your tent floor Don t bother with the expensive footprint sold with your tent! Very light polycro or piece of plastic can serve the purpose Make sure the footprint does not extend beyond the floor of the tent, or water will collect and flow under your tent! Or skip the footprint and be careful with where you pitch the tent. MAINTAINING YOUR SHELTER Stuff, don t roll! Maintenance Mildew could break down the fabric. Let your shelter dry out during a sunny break; dry it out completely when you get home. Store your tent in a cool dry place away from the sun. Re-seal seams, waterproof floor and fly periodically Check your floor and rainfly for pinholes; check poles for dings and creases in the metal Never operate a stove in your tent. Even in the vestibule is risky!

11 SLEEPING BAGS AND QUILTS Temperature ratings EN comfort rating = the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average woman or cold sleeper comfortable. EN lower limit rating = the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep a man or a warm sleeper comfortable. These presume that you are wearing long underwear and sleeping on a pad. Women s bags are typically sold by the comfort rating, men s bags by the lower limit rating. The warmer the bag s rating, usually the more expensive, heavy and bulky it will be for the same shape, fill type and fill count SLEEPING BAGS AND QUILTS Types of Fill Goose down: warmest for the weight and bulk. Fill counts : 600-fill to 950-fill indicates the amount & size of down vs. air pockets (=degree of insulation for the weight) Can be very light and pack very small (but don t over-compress). Lasts longer than synthetic (if stored uncompressed) Performs poorly if wet essential to keep it dry. ( Dri-down, Hydrodown, HyperDry, Q-Shield add water repellency) Synthetic fill: bulkier and heavier for the same warmth, but retains some insulating value when wet Synthetic down small clumps that insulate more efficiently than down but retain the performance of synthetic when wet SLEEPING BAG OPTIONS Shape Mummy bags wrap around your head, fit tighter around body better warmth and less weight Spoon shape provides more room at shoulder and knees Length, shoulder and hip room Look at measurements before you buy can vary widely Women s bags provide more room at the hips You want enough room to wear extra clothing when you need it, but too roomy means extra weight and more air to heat

12 QUILTS No hood, open under your body (usually with cinch straps and cinch-able toe box) Relies on your sleeping pad to provide warmth underneath Can be very economical, light and compact for the warmth Offers more room to move around inside Choose a temperature rating that is warmer than you would for a sleeping bag BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSION 10 MINUTES Discuss some of the other factors/choices that can influence your warmth at night other than your sleeping bag rating. How could some of these come into play to allow you to reduce the size and weight of the sleeping bag you have to carry? MAKING YOUR SLEEPING BAG DECISION Your sleeping bag can be the bulkiest item in your backpack. Go as light and compressible as you can afford, given your overall sleep system and the nighttime temps you want to be prepared for. Summer: 30o down bag or quilt (lightest & most compressible) Spring/fall or high elevations: 10-20o bag or quilt with silk sleep sack Winter camping or mountaineering: 0 degrees or lower Go with down for the least weight and bulk. garbage bag in your pack to keep it dry. Beginner? Keep it in a dry bag or Concentrate on summer trips and get a gently used or discounted light, compressible degree down bag for $200 or less. Wear more clothes, get a silk sleep sack to boost the warmth.

13 SLEEPING PAD OPTIONS Foam or Closed-Cell Inflatable Advantages: light, inexpensive; virtually indestructible; don t need to blow up Disadvantages: not as insulating; not as comfortable; can be bulky Advantages: better insulating value; more comfortable (can be 3 +); can pack quite small Disadvantages: more expensive; some are noisy; slippery; can puncture (carry tape or repair kit); must blow them up SLEEPING PAD OPTIONS Sizes / shapes Full Length or shorter Tapered or rectangular Thickness - can be up to 4 great for side sleepers! Lengthwise, crosswise or other arrangement of baffles Raised baffles on the outside to keep you from rolling off Some fabrics can be noisy! Check this before you go out with a group! What is R-Value? Measures a pad s ability to insulate you from cold ground and keep you warm. The higher the R value, the warmer. (Ranges from 1 to ~8) Does this by adding insulation and reflective material will generally make a pad a little heavier, bulkier and more costly. Even in mid summer the ground can be quite cold in the mountains! An insulated pad may allow you to be warm in a less bulky sleeping bag or even a quilt.

14 Selecting a Backpack - Intro Spectrum of features Capacity Fit: back, shoulder and waist Shape and suspension Pockets, compartments Adjustability Durability of fabric 46 More features & ruggedness will usually come with more weight be clear about what you really need. Selecting a Backpack - Considerations Overall capacity 50-60L for main-season backpack trips unless you want to carry climbing gear or gear for multiple people. Depends on the volume and weight of the gear you have and your capacity to upgrade to smaller lighter gear. Fit and ride a very individual thing!! Choose a pack based on your torso length (Some are adjustable) Waist belt should buckle across your navel and rest just above your pelvic bones with 80% of the weight carried on the hip belt. Different packs fit and ride very differently try it out fully loaded on a long hike or a 2-3 backpack trip before making a final decision 47 Selecting a Backpack Other Considerations: Compatibility with your hydration system bladder, water bottle Access to water, snacks, camera, sunscreen etc. without removing your pack Separate pockets & lid vs. one large bag Ruggedness of suspension, fabric Versatility: room for climbing gear, straps for ice axe or snowshoes, ease of strapping gear to the outside EXPERT TIP: Ditch your pack s lid and organize your gear in48 lightweight ditty bags instead!

15 DIFFERENT WEIGHT CATEGORIES FOR PACKS Ultralight: <2 lbs; Lightweight: 2-4 lbs Rugged: 5+ lbs Keeping your gear dry on rainy days Pack cover Poncho Pack liner (garbage bag or trash compactor bag) Dry sacks Inexpensive plastic bags can do the trick If you don t cover your pack, the pack material may get soaked and add a pound or more to your pack weight. 50 Some newer packs are made with waterproof fabric! Packing your backpack Distribution of weight: heaviest gear close to body between your shoulder blades Even load from side-to-side Organize your gear to find things easily, pack quickly Load so that what you need next is on top Many people like to use ditty bags of different colors to organize gear & food Take 15 minutes with your breakout group and see how your mentor and table helper organize their pack! 51

16 GEARING UP WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK. You are responsible for buying, renting or borrowing the gear you need to be safe on Mountaineers backpack trips! Borrow, share, rent gear for your first few trips you ll learn a lot about options, what you need, and what you like/dislike Check out discount and gently used gear sites (see class resources for some options) consider lower cost brands if you re not sure how much you ll be backpacking Weigh the gear you already have before buying new gear! Focus on the greatest improvements in versatility! weight saving opportunities and/or Some ultralight gear can only be purchased from online retailers. Check their return policy be sure before you buy! Getting in shape for backpacking The best way to get in shape for backpacking is to put on a loaded pack and start hiking! Core and leg strength training is very valuable! Be patient and listen to your body. 53 B3 COURSE LOGISTICS What s Next: Hands-on outdoor Demo Day Saturday March 31, 9AM-3PM, Eastgate Elementary School gym, rd Ave SE, Bellevue Bring your own lunch. We ll have drinks and some trail foods to sample. Dress warmly, in layers for rain or shine. Wear sturdy footwear.

17 B3 COURSE LOGISTICS You can begin to sign up for backpack trips anytime! Watch for alerts, bookmark the Mountaineers website under EXPLORE and BACKPACKING. Choose a trip that is within your current capabilities, and GO! much less complicated and scary than you think! It s Dreaming of taking your kids backpacking? Check out our Backpacking with Kids Course under COURSES and BACKPACKING! Pay attention to your and respond promptly! QUESTIONS? MENTOR GROUP PLANNING TIME Spend the next few minutes talking with your mentor group about what group activities would be most helpful to get you moving toward your goals! Agree on your next steps! Don t forget the homework exercise! What destinations did you pick?