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Learn the Secrets of Backpacking in a Few Moments!

Page Table of Contents
What is Backpacking? Should I Hang My Food at Night Before Bed? Points to Remember at Camp Equipment Needed to Hang Your Food How Do I Hang My Food? Throw it Over a Tree Branch! Hang it Between Two Trees! Counterbalance Method! Pacific Coast Trail or PC Method!	What Equipment Should I Consider Taking on a Backpacking Trip? When Backpacking Never Forget to... What Type of Food Should I Bring? What is a Calorie? Remember to... Backpacking Checklist Day Hike Checklist Tips on Lacing Your Hiking Boots
* Click on any of the links to be taken directly to that piece of information

What is Backpacking?

I would define backpacking as, going out on an outdoor excursion for one or more nights carrying only the necessary survival items needed for the adventure.

Always have a plan (study the topography, know where the water sources and campsites are & nearest possible evacuation route if someone were to get hurt.
Tell others (family members & the DCNR) where you are going and when you will be back.
I would not recommend backpacking alone, however there are a lot of people that do.

Should I Hang My Food at Night Before Bed?

YES! I would recommend it, but this is your call. There are all kinds of wildlife out there such as: Black Bears, Raccoons & Mice to name a few (and remember, you are in their home). I would hate to wake up to some animal ravaging my pack or my stuff sack in the middle of the night, especially if it's day one of a three day hike!

Points to Remember at Camp

Do not leave any kind of food in your tent or pack when you go to sleep, you do not want to attract any animal to yourself or your equipment, this includes toothpaste (bears like toothpaste).
Hang your food at least 200 ft. from your campsite.
Be careful not to spill your food or throw extra food into the woods.
Clean up your garbage, this too attracts animals and should be hung with your food.
Wash dirty dishes immediately and store.
Dispose of dirty water at least 200 ft. from your campsite.
Cook & prepare your food about 200ft. from campsite (this is not really practical and I have never done this).
Brush your teeth at least 200 ft. from your campsite (I have never done this either?)
Create your "port-o-potty" area at least 200 ft. from your campsite.

Equipment Needed to Hang Your Food

50 ft. of nylon rope
Carabiners (1 small and 1 large)
Waterproof, airtight stuff sacks

How Do I Go About Hanging My Food?

There are a few basic methods of hanging food out in the wilderness. I will do my best to briefly explain them in the order of 1-4 with four being the most time effective & the lightest.

Throw It Over a Tree Branch!

Its exactly that! Throw your rope over a tree limb, roughly 15-20 ft. in the air.

The limb should be thick enough that a bear can't snap it off if he were to step on it & thin enough that a cub can not climb out onto it, but you take what you can get out there!.

Hook your stuff (food) sack to the rope.

Pull it up the tree branch

The optimal position is 5 ft. from top of branch,

5 ft. from side of trunk of the tree (make sure it is a big enough tree that a bear can' t knock over!) &

10 ft. from the ground

Tie the loose end of the rope to another tree.

This is not the recommended way (raccoons and bears are smart & mice can chew) but,

This is the easiest Method (not the best).

Between Two Trees Method!

Throw your rope over one branch (15-20 ft. up) and tie it off,

Throw the other end of the rope over another branch (15-20 ft. up), pull it taunt & tie it off to base of the tree.

The second tree should be 15-20 ft. away from the first tree.

Throw the second rope over the taunt horizontal line you just hung.

Hook your stuff sack filled with food & garbage to line and pull it up to your horizontal first rope.

Your food bag should be at least 10 ft. off the ground.

Tie off the second (food bag) rope to second tree trunk or throw it over the first rope.

Your food bag rope should be able to move freely on the first rope.

Counterbalance Method!

You will need (2) two stuff sacks with equal weight in them. Obviously food or even rocks to counterbalance the second bag.

Throw your rope over a tree branch (15-20 ft. up & 5ft. out on the limb).

Hook your food on the rope.

Pull your food bag up to the limb or about 5ft. from the top of the limb (depends on tree, the rope and the situation, you will see understand when you actually have to do it).

Hook the second food bag or rock bag to the rope. Push up as high as you can.

Stuff the extra rope in it or on the bag, but leave enough dangling down with a loop in the end, so that you can retrieve in the morning with a stick.

Take a stick and push the second bag up the limb, until the two meet and are counterbalanced on the limb (hence counterbalance method).

Remember to leave extra dangling so you can retrieve the bag in the morning.

Pacific Crest Trail Method!

Throw your rope over a tree limb (roughly 15-20 ft in the air).

Hook your food sack to the rope using a carabiner.

Put the rope through the carabiner.

Pull your food bag up to the top of the tree branch.

Find a small stick, maybe 3" in length & a 1/2" in diameter.

Reach up the rope as high as you can with your twig in your hand & tie a clove hitch using the rope. Wrap up any extra rope, but leave enough line dangling down with a loop in the end, so that you can retrieve in the morning with a stick or your hiking pole. Now let go of the rope, the food bag should stop when the carabiner. and the stick meet.

FYI:	Remember the Tree Specs when hanging your food and garbage: 15-20 ft. up, 5 ft. out & 5 ft. down from the limb. Good Luck! I have also heard of mice running down ropes, so you may even want to punch a hole in the middle of a plastic coffee lid and slide it down the rope to a knot roughly a foot from the food bag.
Note:	I recommend you practice each one of these methods prior to the real thing. Guestimating the distances to tie off knots, ropes, stuff sacks may vary depending on the tree, so practice before you use it on the trail.

What Equipment Should I Consider Taking on a Backpacking Trip?

Equipment Essentials

Backpack (padding & comfort is important)
Pack Cover (waterproof of course)
Tent (minimal size is plenty sufficient)
Hammock & Tarp (if you prefer over a tent)
Light (LED head lamps are awesome)
Extra Batteries
Matches & Small Fire Starter Sticks
Cotton balls dipped in Vaseline
Compass
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad (barrier between you and ground is important, especially in cold temperatures)
Water Filter (Level 2 or better)
Hydration Pack or Water Bottles
Camp Stove w/bottle & fuel (not always allowed to make a fire, especially during the dry season)
Mess Kit (titanium if possible, very light)
First Aid kit (small travel size with main essentials)
Ace Bandage (in case of a more severe injury)
High Pitch Whistle
Watch
Multi-Purpose Tool or Knife
Nylon Rope (40 - 50 ft.)
Stuff Sack (air-tight and/or regular)
Cell Phone (you never know)
License (maybe small cash or CC for emergency)
Bug Repellent
Map
Guide Book (if the trail has one)

Equipment Extras

Hiking Poles
Digital Compact Camera
GPS Unit w/ Extra Batteries
Elevation Profile
Camping Permit (sometimes mandatory)
Carabiners (smaller is better)
Small Log Book (for the memories)
Travel Cards
Lateral Thinking Puzzles
Dish Towel
Bear Mace

Do Your Research

Know the weather forecast for your hike!
Know where the water is!
Study the terrain!
- Can you make the estimated mileage needed to a water source before dark or before tiring?
Inform someone where you are going and when you will be back
Be safe and hike with someone

Clothing Essentials

Wicking Material Only! (cotton does not breath or dry effectively like wicking material does, also friction is greatly reduced with wicking clothing)
Wicking Pants (possible short/pant combo)
Wicking T-shirt (long too if needed)
Hat or Bandana (bugs)
Head Net (bugs)
Hiking Boots (remember you get what you pay for. I recommend Gore-Tex)
Lightweight/breathable rain top (bottom possibly)
Wicking Socks (i.e. Smart Wool)

Clothing Extras

Sandals
Undergarments
Sock Liners
Pack Towel
Wash Pack Towel (rinsing off in the run feels amazing!)
Camp Pillow
Sunglasses

Bathroom Stuff

Usual Bathroom Stuff (or not)
Travel Size everything!
Hand Sanitizer
Poop Shovel (proper etiquette)

Meal/Food Items

Plastic ware
Anything lightweight (no cans, etc.)
Dry Meals for Dinner work great (search the net)
Prepackaged Items for Lunch work great too
Plastic/ziplock bags (they do come in handy)
Water (know your hike prior and water levels, you do not want to run out of water out on the trail!)

Meal/Food Ideas

Tortillas,
tuna packets,
squeezable pudding,
crackers,
oatmeal cups,
dehydrated food,
beef jerky,
trail mix,
etc...

When Backpacking Never Forget to...

Always have a plan (study the topography, know where the water sources and campsites are & the nearest possible evacuation route if someone were to get hurt.
Tell others such as: family members & the DCNR where you are going and when you will be back, including any additional useful information.
I would not recommend backpacking alone.

What Type of Food Should I Bring?

Understand that hiking & backpacking takes a great deal of energy & when you use energy you are burning calories!
Calories are very important when doing a prolong activity for hours on end.
High energy foods (carb or fat rich)
- Granola (complex carbs, high calories)
- Oatmeal (complex carbs, great breakfast food)
- Trail Mix (lots of calories, but heavy)
- Peanut Butter (lots of calories, good protein and fat. Also a good emergency food for the added calories)
Sealed, Non-Perishables or Dehydrated or Foods
- Tuna Packets (good source of protein)
- Dehydrated Meals, great for lunch or dinner, light in weight (Adventurefoods)
- Freeze-Dryed Meals, great for meals, light and taste pretty good (Mountain House)
- Cheese and Cracker Packets (easy)
- Protein Bars (provides protein for repair)
- Meal Replacement Bars (combines carbs & p)rotein for both energy and rebuilding purposes
- Granola Bars (easy
- Beef Jerky (protein, salt and light in weight)
- Jell-o, Pudding or Apple Sauce (tastes good on the trail)
- Crackers (tastes good with tuna or chicken salad)
- Tortillas, Bread or Pitas (great for your tuna, chicken salad or peanut butter and jelly)
- Snack mix or pretzels (adds carbs to the day for energy)
- Fruit Roll-ups or Fruit Snacks (for a quick burst of energy)
- Chai or Hot Chocolate (nice drink other than water and adds calories to your day)
- Water (of course, I generally would say carry around 8-10 oz. per mile depending on terrain)
- Powdered Gatorade (makes a great emergency drink for energy electrolyte balance)

What is a Calorie?

All of the food and drink that you consume in a day is made up of a calorie (except water and a few other things). Calories are what the body needs to drive itself (make it work) and contain components such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats & water along with other macronutrients such as vitamins & minerals
The primary purpose of food is to:
- provide the body with essential nutrients it needs to carry out numerous physiological and biochemical functions that support life
- 6 Key Components
  - Carbohydrates
    - Main source of energy for the body, especially during moderate to strenous activity that is continous
      - Complex carbs tend to work better for backpacking. Think of complex carbs as sustained energy, whereas simple carbs are for quick bursts of energy and contain mostly sugars
  - Fats
    - 2nd source of energy, generally utilized for moderate to low levels of activity
    - Fats are calorically dense in calories
    - Basically two types, saturated (animal fats) & unsaturated (plant fats). Both have a purpose, but try to limit saturated fats in general
  - Protein
    - 3rd source of energy that focus on building and repairing tissues, synthesizing hormones, enzymes and other body components
    - Food sources are meats, beans and nuts
  - Water
    - Essential Necessity to Life!
    - You can live without food for several weeks, you can only live without water for a few days!
    - Water helps to rehydrate the body, regulate body temperature and carry out processes of the body
  - Vitamins & Minerals
    - Macro & Miconutrients that are water soluble and fat soluble in nature
    - Are very important for carry out numerous physiological functions
    - Found in just about all sources of food.

Remember to...

Pack accordingly, know the terrain so that you know what and how much food to bring!
Eat like a bird, all day long. Nibble, nibble, snack, snack, snack
Your body needs a continuous source of food often to fuel itself, if you do not eat enough you may find yourself not feeling well. This is because you have taxed the body without an adequate source of energy
I Generally Pack:
- Breakfast, dessert, dring bullet Snack or two
- Lunch, dessert
- Snack or two bullet Dinner, dessert, drink
- Bedtime Snack
- A little extra for myself or another (just in-case)
Tell someone (friend, family, DCNR) where you are going, when you will be back, how long you will be out, how far you will hike roughly each day and where you plan on camping each night

Backpacking Checklist

Backpacking Checklist
Item	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Other	Wt./oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Backpack					Book (Lateral Thinking / Trees / Tracks
Hiking Poles					Bug Spray / Bug Palm / Skin-So-Soft
Pack Rain Cover					Camping Permit (if needed)
					Caribiners
Lighting	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Cell Phone w/charged battery
Batteries					Chapstick
Head Lamp					Compass & Map Tool
Led Keychain Light					Digital Camera / Battery / SD Card
Matches / Firestarter Sticks					Digital Camera Bag / Tripod
Cotton Balls in Vaseline					Dry Bags (Bear Bag & Camera Bag)
					Elevation Profile
Tent	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		GPS w/charged batteries
Tent / Rain Fly / Footprint					Guide Book / Topo Map / DCNR Map
Tent Poles / Stakes					Gun / Bullets / Holster
					Hand Sanitizer w/case
Hammock	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Heat Packs
Hammock					Hiking Book w/pen
Fly / Guy Rope					Leatherman
Stakes / Bag					License / Gun Permit
					Mace
Sleeping	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Mini Playing Cards / Dice Game
Camp Pillow					Money / Credit / AAA / Insur. Card
Fleece Blanket					MP3 Player w/headphones
Sleeping Bag					Rope / Cothesline
Sleeping Pad w/stuff sack					Shovel
					Strap Its
Eating Supplies	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Sunglasses w/micro-fleece case
Camp Stove					Uploaded Tracks & Waypoints to GPS
Camp Stove Fuel Bottle w/fuel					Watch
Dish Towel / Dry Towel					Whistle
Hydration Pack
Mess Kit w/extra cup					Clothing	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Nalgene Bottle					Bandana / Hair Tie
Plastic Bags / Garbage Bag / Baggies					Base Layers (Pants / Shirt)
Spork					Bug Net
Water Filter w/attachments					Clothes for Car & Sneakers
					Dry Fit Long-sleeved Shirt
Food / Drink	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Dry Fit Short-sleeved Shirt
Apple Sauce / Fruit Cup					Fleece Shirt / Pants / Flannels
Banana Bread / Brownies / Treats					Gloves / Ear Cover / Winter Hat
Granola or Protein Bars					Hiking Boots
Beef Jerky					Hiking Pants w/safety pin
Chicken or Tuna Salad					OR Hat / Camo Had
Crackers					Rain Gear
Dry Food / Freeze-Dried Meals					Sandals / Camp Shoes
Fruit Roll-Up / Fruit Snacks / Sweets					Socks / Sock Liners
Gatorade					Underarmour / Columbia Jacket
Hot Chocolate or Chai					Underwear / Bra
Jelly Packets / Marshmellow					Winter Pants
Oatmeal Cups
Peta Pockets / Sandwiches					Bathroom Stuff cont..	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Pretzels / Crackers & Cheese					Glasses w/case
Pudding /Jell-O					Ibuprofen / Tylenol
Soft Taco Shells / Torillas					Inhaler
Trail Mix or Nuts					Mirror
Water					Pack Towel w/rip cord
					Paper Towel for contacts
Bathroom Stuff	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2		Snake Bite Kit
1st Aid Kit / Safety Pins					Toilet Paper / Tissues
Ace Bandage / Knee Brace					Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Floss
Benadryl / Hydrocortisone Cream					Tums
Brush					Vitamins
Deodorant					Wet Wipes / Face Wipes / Packet
Extra Contacts / Solution / Case / Bag				Itinerary emailed to Family & DCNR

* FYI: This list is just a guide				* Adjust your list accordingly. Hope this helps!

--> Backpacking Checklist <-- Excel Document for Download

Day Hike Checklist

Day Hike Checklist
Item	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2	Survival Supplies	Wt./oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Day Pack				1st Aid Kit / Safety Pin
Hiking Poles				AAA / Ins. Card / Gun Permit / License
Pack Rain Cover				Bandage / Knee Brace
				Caribiners
Lighting	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2	Cell Phone w/charged battery
Batteries				Compass & Map Tool
Head Lamp w/batteries				Credit Card / Money
Keychain LED light				Elevation Profile (trail specific)
				Emergency Blanket or Bivy
Food Supplies	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2	GPS w/batteries
Bags / Black Garbage Bag / Baggies				Guide Book (trail specific)
Gatorade or Electrolyte Tablets				Gun / Bullets / Holster
Hydration Bladder				Heat Packs
Nalgene Bottle				Hiking Book w/pen
Paper Towel				Mace
Spork				Map (Topo & DCNR, trail specific)
Water				Matches / Vasoline-dipped Cotton Balls
Water Purification Tablets				Multi-purpose Tool
				Rope
Food / Drink	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2	Snake Bite Kit
Apple Sauce				Strap Its
Beef Jerky				Sunglasses w/soft case
Bread				Uploaded Tracks & Waypoints to GPS
Chicken or Tuna Salad				Watch
Cheese & Crackers				Whistle
Fruit Roll-ups or Snacks
Granola / Protein Bars				Clothing	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Jell-O / Pudding				Bandana / Hair Tie / Wristband
PB & Jelly				Bug Net
Sandwiches (lunch)				Dry-fit Long-sleeved Shirt
Soft Taco Shells or Pita Pockets				Dry-fit Short-sleeved Shirt
Trail Mix / Nuts				Ear Covers / Beanie / Gloves
				Fleece Shirt or Flannel / pants
Bathroom Stuff	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2	Hiking Boots
Benadryl / Hydrocortisone Cream				Hiking Pants w/safety pin
Bug Spray / Bug Balm / Skin-So-Soft				Rain Gear
Chapstick				OR Hat / Baseball Hat
Hand Sanitizer w/holder				Socks / Sock Liners
Ibuprofen / Tylenol				Water Shoes (if needed)
Inhaler
Pack Towel w/rip cord				Geocaching / Computer Stuff	Wt.oz.	Trip1	Trip2
Small Mirror				Digital Camera / Battery / SD Card
Toilet Paper / Tissues				Digital Camera Case / Tripod
				Dry Bag for Camera
* FYI: This list is just a guide				Laptop / Power Inverter
* Adjust your list accordingly. Hope this helps!				Palm / Geocaching Items

--> Day Hike Checklist <-- Excel Document for Download

Tips on Lacing Your Hiking Boots

Below you will find various techniques for lacing your boots
to help alleviate foot issues depending on the problem.

	<--- Regular Lacing A typical lace in which your laces are criss-crossed to the top and then tied off.
Heel Slippage ---> To prevent your heel from slipping, criss-cross your laces normally and when you reach the top, form a "lace lock" as shown.
	<--- Toe Problems If you have hammer toes, corns, or nail problems, lace your shoes so the top-box area is lifted. This will help to relieve pressure in that area.
High Arch ---> Lace your shoe so that the shoelace travels in a straight line from eyelet to eyelet. By avoiding the crisscross, you remove pressure points on the tongue of the shoe which often causes pain to the top of the foot.
	<--- Narrow Heel and/or Wide Forefoot Use two sets of short shoelaces, one to lace the bottom three eyelets, and the second to lace the top eyelets. For a good heel fit with no slippage, use the "lace lock" technique at the top.
Pain on the Top of Your Feet ---> If you have pain on the top of your feet, leave a space in the lacing to remove pressue.
* Secure lacing lends itself to a better fit, which improves comfort, performance and safety for hiking	* Generally speaking your hiking boot size will be .5 sizes larger than your sneaker size
* The above information was discovered on the Internet. The author is beyondthetreeline (I think?)

* I found this searching the Internet. Its by a guy named beyondthetreeline.

Questions or Comments?: Please feel free to email me, I would appreciate them, Thanks!

*Please, if this site as helped you in anyway and you would like to give back, donate by clicking the link found on the bottom left navigation bar. It takes many hours to update, post, check the data and its accuracy. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Last Updated On: August 1, 2012

Disclaimer
*Please remember, the information posted on this page and all other pages can & probably will change. I assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities posted on my entire website including links. Remember, you are responsible for your own actions, please understand conditions on the trail, in the woods or on the river can/will change due to mother nature. Please don’t assume I know all there is about such topics, unfortunately I do not. I am just posting my travels and opinions experienced out in the wilderness. I encourage you to read further and look to reliable resources like the PA Game & Fish Commission and the PA DCNR. Thank You.

Learn the Secrets of Backpacking in a Few Moments!

What is Backpacking?

Should I Hang My Food at Night Before Bed?

Points to Remember at Camp

Equipment Needed to Hang Your Food

How Do I Go About Hanging My Food?

Throw It Over a Tree Branch!

Between Two Trees Method!

Counterbalance Method!

Pacific Crest Trail Method!

What Equipment Should I Consider Taking on a Backpacking Trip?

When Backpacking Never Forget to...

What Type of Food Should I Bring?

What is a Calorie?

Remember to...

Backpacking Checklist

Backpacking Checklist

Day Hike Checklist

Day Hike Checklist

Tips on Lacing Your Hiking Boots

* The above information was discovered on the Internet. The author is beyondthetreeline (I think?)