Backpacking QRP: What Do I Take?
The ARS Sojourner
How many of you know where you want to go but don't know what to take? Well, that's what I'm going to help you with. The "house" that you carry on your back can either make or break your trip.
I see many people along the trail who take "house" on your back literally. They are so bogged down with stuff that they can barely move. They end up at their destination (if they make it) tired, sore, and able to do nothing but collapse.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors, make lots of QSOs and have energy to spare then you need to be prepared to leave some of those "creature comforts" (which weigh too much) at home.
There are four categories of gear which you need to pack to have a pleasant experience: the bedroom, the kitchen, emergency gear, and personal items.
Of course, there are many schools of thought and there are many who would tell me that I carry too much or that I carry too little. I am by no means a minimalist as I enjoy having a few extras. Each person has to experiment a little and find what works best for him or her.
First of all, you must have something to carry your gear in. A nice backpack of 3,000 to 4,000 cubic inches will work very nicely. I recommend the pack having a frame. There are two types of frame packs; internal frames and external frames. Either will work well for the beginner taking his or her first weekend trip.
THE BEDROOM
The bedroom is an important part of your house. Without it, you would be very, very cold out there in the wilderness. The most important part of your bedroom is your sleeping bag.
A sleeping bag rated 40 degrees is the standard for summer nights. Depending on the altitude and weather though, you may want a bag rated to 20 degrees. Both synthetic and down sleeping bags will keep you warm although down is much lighter.
A ground pad is nice to keep you insulated from the cold ground and also provides more comfort than sleeping on the hard ground. There are many types of "mattresses."
Self-inflating pads offer good insulation and great comfort. They are more costly and much heavier than the closed-cell foam pads. Personally, I prefer the foamtype pads as they are lightweight, inexpensive and extremely versatile.
I consider shelter as part of the bedroom also. It is important to have some type of shelter in case of bad weather. Thundershowers are very common during summer afternoons and the rain can really come down hard. Types of shelter include small, lightweight tents, bivy sacks, or a simple tarp.
Many of you will just want to sleep under the clear, blue starry sky. That's okay! Just be sure to have something that can protect you in case of a summer storm.
THE KITCHEN
Some people go without it. Personally, I like to have my hot cocoa in the evenings and mornings. I also enjoy cooking outside and it is fun to cook up a hot meal after a long day of hiking. Especially if I've caught trout. There's nothing better than fresh steamed trout that's been cooked in a little Italian dressing!
I carry a backpacking stove which weighs only eleven ounces. There are many varieties of stoves available. The fuel is in a small canister and screws onto the stove. One can will generally last me almost a full week on the trail. (Don't forget the matches or lighter-I've learned that the hard way!) Of course, it depends on how much cooking I do.
For utensils, I use a Lexan spoon, small plastic bowl, and an insulated mug (which doubles for antenna installation! See the May issue of The Sojourner.) I prefer a 2-quart cooking pot and I use the lid as a pan.
An aluminum pot holder is nice to keep you from burning holes in your gloves. Water purification is very important in the backcountry. No longer can water be trusted to be free of miniature creatures! A water filter will clean out all those critters and leave you with fresh tasting mountain water.
If you don't want to bother with the filter, you can use iodine tablets. They work just as well and are very lightweight. The downfall with iodine tablets is that your water tastes like iodine. It is an individual decision. And, don't forget those water bottles. You have to have something to carry that water in.
A Swiss army knife is a wonderful tool to have not only in the kitchen but for numerous other things as well. I was recently given a Leatherman tool and it is fantastic. It comes in especially handy for repairing broken dipoles! And, last but definitely not least, is food. The standard recommendation is two pounds per person per day although I have never carried that much and I've always had plenty to eat.
EMERGENCY GEAR
Having the appropriate emergency gear cannot be stressed enough. It is also important that you know how to use the emergency gear.
For instance, many people carry a compass with them but don't know how to use it. If you don't know how to use your equipment, there is no point in carrying it.
I always include the following as emergency gear: first aid kit, flashlight or headlamp, map, compass, signal mirror, whistle, lighter, extra batteries, and my 2 meter HT.
Become familiar with your first aid kit. I recommend to everyone that they take a standard first aid and CPR course. It pays to have a general knowledge of first aid as you never know if you or someone else is going to get hurt.
Along the lines of emergency preparation, you need to leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home. That way, help can be sent if you don't return at the expected time.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Personal items include such things as clothing, toiletries, and non-essential gear.
For clothing, it is recommended that you carry wicking long underwear, top and bottom; lightweight gloves, hat, fleece jacket and pants, waterproof jacket/pants or backpacker's rain poncho, extra wool or synthetic blend socks with wicking liners, and underwear.
Optional is comfortable footwear such as sandals. They feel very good in camp after a long day's hike. Toiletries you need are toothbrush/toothpaste, liquid biodegradable soap, small comb, small lightweight towel, trowel, mosquito repellent, toilet paper, and other personal toiletries.
Binoculars, notebook and pencil, reading material, camera, plastic bags, camp oven, espresso maker, watch, candle lantern, camp chair, and sewing kit are all items which I consider to be non-essential. Of course, what is non-essential to one person is essential to another. Everyone has their preference -- including myself!
So, now that you have an idea of what to take, go through your closet and garage and pull out all that camping gear. Backpacking is a very satisfying and enjoyable way to spend a weekend and if you carry the right stuff, it will be even more fun.
Don't forget your QRP gear and have a great time!
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Lorraine Y. Aubert, AC6XK, outdoor editor for The ARS Sojourner, is a seasonal ranger at Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness.