/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #84809

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Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 19:11:23 No.84809 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>84821 >>84826 >>84885 >>84893 >>85389

This summer I'm going to begin backpack camping. I'm new to this, so I don't really know where to start. What should be my list of items to pack? My biggest hurdle is how do I carry 2 day's worth of water and not just lug around a heavy 5 gallon jug?

My list of items to bring so far, anything I'm missing?
>backpack
>sleeping bag
>tent
>mess kit
>food
>water
>flask of whiskey (for night time cowboy drinking)
>fire starter
>rope/cord
>knife
>GPS
>plastic sheeting
>extra socks
>first aid kit

What else am I missing? Any other advise for a first time backpack camper? I'll be doing this with a friend if that makes any difference.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 19:16:38 No.84814 Report

Quoted By: >>84956

Depends where you're going and what climate you're in.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO dromedary_bags1.gif, 41KiB, 330x265

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 19:25:40 No.84821 Report

Quoted By:

>>84809
>My biggest hurdle is how do I carry 2 day's worth of water and not just lug around a heavy 5 gallon jug?
There is rarely any reason to do this unless you're in the desert AND you specifically choose a route with no reliable water sources. I never carry more than 2 liters of water, although I honestly do almost no backpacking in the desert unless it's canyoneering and for that you're typically camping at the bottom of a canyon where there is a running stream. Pretty much all other environments, you can always find water. Just get a filter or some chemical treatment.

Otherwise: MSR dromedary bags are high capacity and strong, while Platypus bladders are super lightweight (at the cost of some durability) and packable. I would use a bladder to carry that much water, not a jug, since they are space-conforming, and pack down to nothing when you're done with them.

Also, 5 gallons is way more than you need for a two day and one night camping trip. My water intake depends on the temperature and my amount of exertion (I also don't really pay attention to how often I refill per day), but I think my water use is more around like <1.5 gallons a day. I think you could get away with 2-3 gallons for your trip because you'll be at your car the morning of the first day and the evening of the second day. Always "camel up" when you can.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 19:33:24 No.84826 Report

Quoted By:

>>84809
>What else am I missing?
You seem to have missed the sticky.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 21:30:16 No.84885 Report

Quoted By:

>>84809
a flashlight/headlamp would be a good idea

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 21:34:45 No.84893 Report

Quoted By:

>>84809
You will want a water system. Either a pump with suitable container for it, nalgene etc. Or an internal bladder. Theres a few options, iodine tablets being one of the most versatile...and grossest.

Im a fan of just a pump, a bladder amd a nalgene.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 21:41:41 No.84900 Report

Quoted By:

If you live in the north east i recommend checking out the appalacian mountain club in the white mountains of New Hampshire. They have a whole section of the AT where you can hike from one hut to the next. When i started backpacking I went there and i would hike and camp out for one night and the next night stay at a hut. It was fun hiking and a good way to be in close vicinity to safety, and make adjustments to your pack.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 22:51:32 No.84956 Report

Quoted By: >>84986

>>84814

Summertime, forests in Pennsylvania and the surrounding area.

Anon

Anon Sat 13 Apr 2013 23:08:46 No.84973 Report

Quoted By:

Do a bit of research on what people do in that area. When I head out into the mountains (hills) in North Wales I just take one litre of water, and one liter bottle to fill whenever I get the chance. In Wales this is fairly often, as it is fairly wet, and the mountain streams are clear enough that I don't need to purify (just check for dead sheep upstream).

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 13 Apr 2013 23:33:39 No.84986 Report

Quoted By:

>>84956
You don't need more than a gallon of water, then. Maybe 2-3 liters if you're not an idiot. Just get a filter or iodine tablets and keep refilling your water bottle or bladders at streams.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO tablets.jpg, 7KiB, 192x192

Anonymous Sun 14 Apr 2013 06:12:01 No.85311 Report

Quoted By:

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO amanierka[1].jpg, 8KiB, 160x209

Anonymous Sun 14 Apr 2013 08:33:07 No.85389 Report

Quoted By:

>>84809
my tips are:
put twice as much insulation beneath you than above you (you don't have sleeping pad on your list)
you can cut the weight of the mess kit by learning to eat with your knife and wooden spoon
don't use gps, follow established trails for start, then learn to use map and compass, take cellphone with you if the area has service - for emergency calls
my personal preference is to use canvas tarp instead of waterproof one, because it can be turned into bivvy bag and not condensing moisture
I don't imagine carrying empty water bottle bigger then 1L, I have this 3L container (for day time cowboy drinking)

my general advice is: do not seek advice over the internet, get basic items, and normal clothes and start to go /out/, learn to make fires, one day hikes at first, then take blanket/sleeping bag, tarp and learn to set it, if you feel comfortable stay overnight, do it for some time then start doing few night trips, repeat
take friends with you, company is the most valuable thing on the trail in my opinion
everything comes with time, you don't need fancy equipment, normal items do the same job in 90% and are 60% cheaper, you want to invest in skills and experiences, not gear
it only makes you rely on it too much

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