1     Backpacking (Tips and Tricks)

1.1    Introduction:

Probably the best thing you can do when getting started backpacking is to plan a trip with an experienced backpacker or group.

At first describe your previous similar experience you had so that the group you are intent to join can understand your level of expectation and experience.

1.1.1    Basic questions to ask and information to share:

• how steep and how rugged the trail is,
• what kind of weather to expect,
• distance to cover each day
•  what kinds of people\wildlife you might encounter
• What are the special gear\food to carry

1.2    Basics:

• Assess your physical condition:

Do what you can to get in shape ahead of your trip. The best thing you can do is simply to walk every day, uphill if possible, preferably with a fairly heavy pack. You can use stirs instead of going uphill. Don’t overdo it–if it becomes an unpleasant task, you’ll lose your motivation.

1.2.1    Do the primary research about the following:

• Rout – (do it yourself with the team or know this from the ppl who does)
• Detail root planning using the map.
• Use a contour map to determine elevation gain and loss.
• Count the time to go uphill or downhill.
• Calculate the time considering your rest time + Photography time (if any) + site viewing time.
  • Food & Water – mark the places where you will get food (if you r not carrying all of it with you) and water.
  • Backpack – Find ways to keep it as light weight as possible.

1.3    Gear

1.3.1    Boots:

1.  Find a suitable boot for you. Nothing can ruin your trip but a bad selection of foot gear and getting blisters on the first day!
2. Fit is very important; your heel should fit snugly without slipping, and there should be plenty of wiggle room for your toes. Walk around the store for awhile with the boots on to see how they feel; if you experience any discomfort, keep looking.
3. Consider the boot size with thick layers of socks which is must with trekking boots.

1.3.2    Backpack

Here’s another item where the right fit is crucial.

Using a cloth tape measure, measure your torso length from the c7 vertebrate (the one at the base of your neck that sticks out when you tilt your head forward) to your waist at the iliac crest (the top of your pelvis).

Use this measurement to choose the right length backpack.

Consider buying a rain cover if you expect wet weather; you can also use a thick plastic bag (like a trash compactor bag) as a liner.

Get it as light as possible.

1.3.3    Tent

1. d.   If you buy a tent, find a lightweight backpacking tent that you can carry easily within your backpack.

1.3.4    Sleeping Bag and Pad

1. Sleeping bags are must in winter. You may need pad or not according to your comfort level.
2. f.     Carrying water is vital during trekking\hiking. So choose a water bottle consider these- weight and quantity of water you need and also depending on the water source available on the trail

1.3.5    Water Containers

1.4    Kitchen

• Stove – a small, light stove.
• Mug – Take a half litter size metal mug that will do multipurpose, making tea, cooking food and as eating bowl.

1.5    Food

While selecting food consider few things, light weight, calorie and time to prepare. Try to take light weight ready to eat food item and one high protein meal at least once a day. Few suggestions:

• Cheese
• Peanut
• Peanut butter
• Popped rice (chira)
• Gur
• Rice\noodles
• Lentils
• beef jerky
• dried\canned fish
• Chocolate bars
• candy
• Dates
• Mixed nut
• Powder milk to eat with any grain.
• Dried fruits
• Dried mushrooms
• Take some ready mix spices for rice\noodles\lentils or other cooking
• Tea bag\coffee
• Sugar & salt
• Instant high protein soup packs
• Dried\fried  beans
• Look for premade foods and try to make some at home J

Decide your food according to you need and taste. Because it’s too bad to have upset stomach during trekking\hiking.

1.6    Tips:

Be flexible. Surprises will happen, but if you’ve done your homework, you can improvise the rest. And realizing you can’t cover all the bases will keep you from getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned.

Keep a log to record weather and trail conditions, pace, time spent eating and setting up/breaking camp, enjoying the view, plus other information that’ll help you plan future trips.

1.6.1    Prevent Blisters:

• Ware socks\anklets.
• Stop every few mile and air your feet.
• Tape possible blister spots.

1.7    First Aid\Last Aid:

We know, it’s possible we will (hope) not need any of these. But when you are out of locality and it will take a long time to reach any, this is what may save you! So carry at least one first aid bag\box for the team (for making it light weight you can distribute the things but not recommended

1.7.1    MUST HAVE ITEMS:

**Personal medicine (if special medicine required – allergic, asthma, special disease)

• at least two sets of needles and thread
• at least two 4×4, and one 8×8 dressings
• one large roll of wide-cling gauze
• Some type of strong pain pill
• one tube of triple anti-biotic cream
• one tube of burn cream
• some packets of anti-septic wipes

1.8    Leave No Trace

“Take only pictures leave only footprints.” Keep the wilderness beautiful for everyone by packing out all garbage.

• DO NOT LITTER!

Don’t start a campfire if not necessary. Use an existing fireplace if available. If you do start a fire, use only dead and downed wood, and burn the wood down to ashes.