Sunday, January 13th, 2008...5:43 pm
Backpacker Magazine’s Pack Fast, Pack Right Challenge
The February issue of Backpacker Magazine has its editors racing home to see who was fastest to pack an ultralight backpack — for a weekend — with food. Kristin Hostetter came in first at 9 minutes. What caught my eye was Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe dilemma of what to take for layers and extra clothing if it’s cold. The “fix” to this problem, Backpacker Magazine suggests, is take a duffel bag stuffed with extra clothes and jackets and deciding at the trailhead what to take based on local conditions. I always just make my decision at home, but this makes good sense to me. Just throw in a few extras of all kinds and then leave what you really don’t want in the car. Of course, that’s always an option, for times when you packed a whole tent (rainfly, body and ground cloth) and discover warm sunny weather that allows you to leave the body behind. Or even allow you to forget the tent altogether, like in the early fall when mosquitos are gone and nights are mild (50’s+).
Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
2 Comments
January 14th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Honestly, all one needs is a well-organized gear closet or gear box and a couple gear lists. If it’s winter time, use your winter list. If it’s an August overnighter, use your SuperUltralight list. If it’s a week-long trip in the Wind River Range, use your trekking list. Etc, etc.
Food is dehydrated and vacuum sealed and stored in a dark cupboard along with packets of oatmeal, Java Juice and Clif bars all ready to be throw into your bear bag on top of the other contents of the pack.
January 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Maybe it’s just me, but since I hike in Washington, where it can be cold and/or wet any time of year, I have a hard time thinking there’s ever an overnight trip that I can not bring those extra layers. If I’m out for more than a night, then forget it — got to have them.
Leave a Reply