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How I should pack . . .
. . . my pack Important points to consider: - A backpack must fit - A backpack should not be too heavy - A backpack should be carefully packed - A backpack is not a Christmas tree! A backpack must fit When buying a backpack, it is important not only to assess the look of it but also to try it on with a load. It is only when it is correctly packed with a full load that you can tell if it really carries well. Women should generally opt for an SL backpack. One of the features of an SL backpack is the narrower, shorter shoulder strap design. Soft edges on both sides, smaller buckles and tapering strap ends prevent the SL shoulder straps from chafing beneath the arms or exerting any pressure on the chest. Ideally, the main bulk of the pack weight should rest on the hips. The hip belt must be conically shaped so that it sits correctly on a woman’s hip and conforms to the female anatomy. A backpack should not be too heavy Women have a reputation for packing more than is needed. “You never know…” Ideally, the weight of the backpack should not exceed ¼ of your own body weight, or 1/3 of your weight at most. Do not forget that an empty backpack still weighs something. The following factors can influence the weight: - Group size: The larger the group, the less communal equipment each individual has to carry. - Type of travel: Camping requires more equipment than hut-to-hut or hotel journeys (tent, food, clothes, etc.) - Journey length: The fewer opportunities there are to restock along the way, the more food one has to carry. - Destination: The warmer it is the lighter the pack, the colder it is the more kit you have to pack. A backpack should be carefully packed Packing your backpack correctly seems like a straightforward task. Packing technique is just as important as a well adjusted, well fitting backpack or the right footwear. A backpack that is correctly packed means more “FUN”. When packing, you must bear in mind the kind of terrain you are going to encounter. Walking in alpine country for example requires compact packing so that you can squeeze through gaps in the rock or can balance on narrow ridges. Walking on flat barren land, however, means you can pack you backpack a bit wider. All items should be neatly stored within or on top of the pack so that nothing is banging around. You may not notice it, but it can result in wasted energy by compensating for the minor shifts in weight. Dividing it up: It is easier to carru a load is if its centre of gravity is as close as possible to the axis of the body’s centre of gravity – a fact that is taken into account when designing backpacks and carry systems. Narrow backpacks and snug fitting carry systems are therefore ideal. It is sensible to pack clothes, toiletries, first aid kit, food etc. in individual bags that look different to each other. It not only makes packing easier but also means you can identify what you need more easily. Items you need to access frequently should be stored in the hip belt pockets, side pockets, inside the lid or at the top of the main compartment. Main compartment: The compartment for everything – heavy, medium and light items. Make sure you stick to a well-rehearsed packing routine so that items are in good order and quick to find. The main compartment should contain: - Clothing - Toiletries - Food - Cooking equipment Most Deuter backpacks have a bottom compartment that is separated from the main compartment by a zipped base. This is for stowing your sleeping bag. The bottom compartment should be packed full, since this will make the carry more stable. If it is loosely packed, the equipment stored above in the main compartment may slip back and forth. Tip: If you have an inflatable sleeping mat such as a Thermarest, you can place this in the bottom compartment and stuff the sleeping bag on top of it. If you do this, however, you will have to take the sleeping bag out of its compression sack and place it in a rainproof bag (a bin bag is ideal). This little tip saves lots of space! Items to be stowed in the bottom compartment: - Sleeping bag - Sleeping mat (if inflatable) Side pockets are incredibly practical, and have become an indispensible feature. They not only offer additional capacity but also provide tidy, compartmentalised storage. There are also the hip belt pockets, the main compartment and the bottom compartment. You should make sure the side pockets on the backpack contain loads of roughly equal weight. Side pockets are easy to get at. Items you may need to access quickly should be packed in them: - Poncho - Waterproof pants - Gaiters - Snacks - etc. On the outside of the backpack: Bulky items such as a tent or normal sleeping mat should be carried on the outside. Make sure they are well strapped down and cannot swing back and forth! What goes where? - Tent: at the base beneath the bottom compartment - Sleeping mat: On the side or on the bottom compartment - Trekking poles: On the side - Cooking pots and utensils: If you need the space, pots and utensils can be carried on the sides or at the front near the opening (making sure they are securely fixed and do not swing around). |
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