LIGHT WEIGHT CAMPING / HIKINGHow to Pack

HOW TO PACK All non-essential equipment should be at

the bottom, sleeping bag, tent, evening meals, cooking equipment

Heavy equipment should be close to the inside of the pack(near the back of the wearer) to put less strain on the back

Items such as water, trail mix-lollies, maps and waterproof clothes should be at the top of the pack

HOW MUCH DO I PACK? It is important not to over fill your pack.

Too much weight can put undue pressure on the body

An adult can comfortably carry a pack weighing 20 kg +, a teenager (14-16) can safely carry between 14-18 kgs.

SO, HOW DO I LIGHTEN MY PACK?FOOD

Unwrap all food from original containers, tins plastic etc. and repackage in snap lock bags were possible

Eat the heavier foods/meals on the first couple of days/nights, you can reduce weight by up to 2kgs in the first 2 days, you’ll notice the difference by the afternoon with the pack.

Dehydrated and powdered foods are much lighter and easier to carry than fresh food.

WHY PACK LIGHT? It is important to make your packs as light as

possible as it lightens the load and makes travelling easier

You don’t want to rest every 15 minutes when you are on a hike

Sounds good but how do I do it?

HOW DO I LIGHTEN MY PACK?CLOTHING

Wear light weight clothing, e.g. fleece jumpers rather than wool.

No denim, it’s heavy and has a low warmth rating, doesn’t breath and stays wet for a long time

Only bring 1 change of clothes, (socks, and underwear not included) anymore takes up space and is heavy.

HOW DO I LIGHTEN MY PACK?EQUIPMENT

Share your cooking equipment between 2-3 people, a self contained camping stove in 1 bag, fuel in the other.

Try to get light weight utensils, plates, bowls knives and forks, melamine is strong and low weight

Share your tent between 2-3 people, separate poles, pegs and material between all people.

A thermarest is much lighter than a lilo. Try to get a light weight self-inflating camping mat. They also take up much less space than a bulkier mattress.

WHAT ABOUT WATERPROOFING? All items in your pack need to be

waterproofed. How can you do this?

WATER-PROOFING Line your pack with a durable waterproof bag. (Big

good quality garbage bag) All items need to be waterproofed. Clothes can be

placed in a strong garbage bag that can be sealed/tied

Your food already in snap lock bags can be placed in a larger food bag or strong plastic container, this should be able to be tied to keep airtight.

Most important is to keep sleeping equipment dry. It has been suggested to double wrap your sleeping bag so that it stays dry.

TODAY’S WORK In groups of 4-5 pack a hiking bag

using the procedures outlined earlier. All equipment apart from food is at the

front of the classroom. Waterproof all sleeping materials. Don’t unpack tents or cooking sets