Camping Trip Packing Lists (Page 7 of 8) in pdf

BACKPACKING COMFORT TIPS

YOUR BACKPACK:

•

Backpacks come in different styles and sizes – an external frame pack with outside pockets, padded shoulder

straps, and a padded hip belt is recommended and make sure it fits you properly and comfortably

•

Don’t borrow a backpack from an adult or bigger brother, especially an older-style one – it probably won’t be

properly sized for you and the newer style packs are much lighter and easier to carry

•

If you don’t want to spend the money to buy a good pack, consider renting one from a local outfitter such as

Exkursion in Monroeville

•

Pad the front of the pack’s interior with a layer of clothing to provide cushioning against your back

•

Place lighter items at the bottom and heavier items at the top of your pack so that its center of gravity is high and

close to your shoulders – your pack should also be balanced from side-to-side

•

Place items you need to get quickly (flashlight, poncho, canteen, First Aid Kit, etc.) at the very top of the pack or

in the outside pockets, if your pack has them

•

DON’T OVERPACK! – your full backpack should weigh no more than 20% (1/5) of your body weight, and

remember, you’ll have to add your share of food and patrol/troop equipment, too

CARE OF YOUR FEET:

•

Make sure your toenails are trimmed properly

•

Wash your feet thoroughly before putting on socks

•

Wear two pair of socks to keep your hiking boots from rubbing against your feet, making blisters, and to “wick”

the moisture away from your feet – the first pair should be thin liner socks (silk or synthetic), the second pair

should be thick outer socks (wool or synthetic)

•

Wear a pair of good-quality hiking boots with a thick rubber sole – boots must be broken-in before hiking, don’t

wear a pair of brand-new hiking boots!

•

Upon reaching camp, take off your hiking boots and both pair of socks and put on one pair of clean, dry regular

socks and sneakers or other comfortable shoes to give your feet a rest

•

When breaking camp and beginning to hike again, take off your sneakers and socks and put on two pair of clean,

dry socks (thin liner socks and thick outer socks as described above) and hiking boots

KEEPING WARM DURING THE DAY:

•

Don’t wear a heavy winter coat

•

Dress in layers – wear an undershirt (T-shirt), a long-sleeved shirt (flannel is good), one or two sweatshirts or

sweaters, and a jacket or light coat – as you warm up, you can “peel off” layers to stay comfortable

KEEPING WARM DURING THE NIGHT:

•

Use a warm, winter weight sleeping bag or use a sleeping bag liner or a blanket wrapped inside a light weight

sleeping bag – make sure you have insulation underneath you, too, because most of the heat escapes through the

bottom of the bag into the ground

•

Use a foam sleeping pad or air mattress for both comfort and warmth since it helps to block the heat escape, too –

an air mattress is NOT recommended for cold weather because the air in the mattress will be as cold as the ground

and will make you cold

•

NEVER wear the same clothes at night that you’ve been wearing all day, they’re damp from perspiration and this

dampness will make you VERY cold at night – ALWAYS take off your day clothes and put on clean, dry night

clothes before getting into your sleeping bag (this includes changing your underwear, long thermal underwear,

and socks)

•

Wear long thermal underwear shirt and pants and a sweat suit – don’t wear the sweatshirt or jacket you wore

during the day either, they’re damp, too

•

Wear clean, dry socks and a clean, dry cloth stocking cap to keep your feet and head warm – most of your body

heat escapes from these areas

Camping Trip Packing Lists Page 7

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