Going camping and putting all your things in a backpack is not such a simple matter as it seems at first glance. It is necessary to take exactly those things that are needed. There should not be extra items, but the lack of something at best will cause a lot of inconvenience. What secrets and tricks exist when filling a backpack and what to take to be plenty, but not too heavy to carry? Read on for tips from experienced travelers.
Rules for stowing a backpack for hiking
First, the tourist should think over which of the things he may need. The season, the terrain for the trip, the duration, the weather conditions are taken into account. Then it is worth writing on a separate sheet of items everything you need to take . Take a place for gathering and put things and objects there for travel, deleting them from the list along the way. Perhaps some points will be added over time, and some things you decide to refuse.
After everything is put together, divide things into several categories:
- lungs,
- medium weight
- heavy.
This is necessary to distribute them inside the backpack with the greatest ease of movement. For a forest trip, average weight is put below, then heavy, but only up - light . This installation is convenient in that the load does not pull to the ground, does not rock the tourist when walking, and when lying close to the back, coincides with the center of gravity, and allows you to move as comfortably as possible.
Going to conquer the mountains, the backpack should be packed differently: from the heaviest load from below to the lightest at the top . This is due to the fact that with a tourist climbing up, the body involuntarily leans forward. Accordingly, the main weight in the center of the back will swing it to the sides.
Important! When collecting a backpack, remember that for hiking there are weight restrictions: do not load it more than a third of your real kilograms.
It is necessary to put the equipment in such a way that the shape of the backpack becomes correct, and it does not pull down or sideways, but nothing inside knocks, does not bite into the back. In this case, you should be able to quickly remove the necessary item without interrupting everything placed in the bag.
Necessary things for a hike
The list of clothes, products and equipment depends on personal preferences and features of the trip (season, duration, location). But the main things can be represented by the following list:
- no less important is a sleeping bag, which is selected according to height, taking into account the temperature;
- foam (sleeping mat) - an easy and convenient accessory that will not allow you to freeze at night in any weather;
- raincoat designed for tourists with a large backpack;
- a pair of shoes for changing on a halt. It will allow your tired legs to rest;
- during the trip you need spare clothes - 1-2 pairs of pants, 2-3 pairs of socks;
- You can’t do without warm clothes - bring along a sweater or sweater and always woolen socks ;
- if the trip is long, you will need a change of clothes - 2-3 pairs of T-shirts and underwear;
- in summer, light trousers (shorts) and a bathing suit will come in handy;
- do not travel without dishes - take a mug, spoon, pot, kettle with you;
- Do not forget about personal hygiene products - soap, toothbrush and paste;
- necessary little things: matches, compass, flashlight, bandages, mosquito and ticks;
- first-aid kit with essential medicines;
- a set of food and canned food;
- money and documents.
Important! When packing, put them in separate bags. This will facilitate their search and extraction, as well as safety and additional protection against moisture.
Step-by-step stacking of a backpack of the tourist
- after that we lay out the backpack on the table and lay a soft layer that will be in contact with the back. It should be evenly distributed, have a sufficient thickness so as not to put pressure on the spine . It can be a foam (tourist rug) or replaceable clothes that are not needed throughout the day;
- heavy things are placed on the created soft layer: stock of food and canned goods;
- in the remaining place housewares, spare shoes, personal hygiene products;
- the very top and outer pockets are filled with items that are often needed: a mosquito and tick repellent, matches, first aid kit, map, flashlight, raincoat. The camera should always be at hand, it is placed either here or on the chest, belt;
- Put a bottle or flask of water in the side outer pocket . You can refresh yourself often, and each time it’s uncomfortable to undo and unfasten everything and is uneconomical in time.
Important! Before filling your backpack, insert a regular garbage bag inside. It will create an additional protective barrier to moisture from the outside.
The logical question is where to place the tent. There is no unanimous opinion: someone advocates that the tent and some things can be attached from the outside, while others speak of the inconvenience of moving with hitched and dangling equipment, which makes it difficult to move between the bushes and trees in the forest. After choosing the second option, place it in the center of the backpack, along with heavy things .
