Forwarded from Campfire Intel🏕
Some tips when hiking with a pack:
When in a group, the shortest person leads and sets the pace. The tallest person scouts ahead and usually does runs for water.
If you are tall, the heaviest items in your pack need to be a bit lower, at the bottom of the pack and towards your lumbar or upper lumbar area. Normally your heavier items are put closest to your back but are evenly distributed. Try it out, it might work for you.
When hiking with females its best to understand that they cannot and should not carry the same weight as men, no matter how much they say otherwise. Also, men enjoy challenges for challenges sake, but women only enjoy challenges if there's a good meal of beautiful view at the end of it. They romanticize this, so keep that in mind.
Always leave room for error or enjoyment. If you plan a 4 hour trip, assume an extra hour in there for unplanned events, good or bad.
Always carry extra water and a poncho, and your Firestarter kit and knife. Even for quick hikes.
The hip belt holds your pack up, your shoulder straps hold your pack forward. Theres should be no more than 25% of the weight of your pack on your shoulders.
Use two carbon hiking poles. They're cheap, allow you to tire much slower, and dramatically reduce injuries.
Always string up your food bag onto a branch, usually at least 50 ft from your tent or hammock. Animals will destroy your gear for a 50 cent granola bar.
Always have a decent meal at the end of the day. Freeze dried is expensive but worth it. After three days of hiking, food is all you think about, and it's not very motivating to end the long day with a cold protein bar. I've been known to straight up freeze a steak and bring a small cast iron pan for a dinner of steak and potatoes. But I've switched to a selfrelianceoutfitters titanium grillplate for that.
Set an hourly chime on your watch, and drink water weather your thirsty or not when it chimes. Dehydration will sneak up on you. By the time you feel thirsty, it's too late.
When in a group, the shortest person leads and sets the pace. The tallest person scouts ahead and usually does runs for water.
If you are tall, the heaviest items in your pack need to be a bit lower, at the bottom of the pack and towards your lumbar or upper lumbar area. Normally your heavier items are put closest to your back but are evenly distributed. Try it out, it might work for you.
When hiking with females its best to understand that they cannot and should not carry the same weight as men, no matter how much they say otherwise. Also, men enjoy challenges for challenges sake, but women only enjoy challenges if there's a good meal of beautiful view at the end of it. They romanticize this, so keep that in mind.
Always leave room for error or enjoyment. If you plan a 4 hour trip, assume an extra hour in there for unplanned events, good or bad.
Always carry extra water and a poncho, and your Firestarter kit and knife. Even for quick hikes.
The hip belt holds your pack up, your shoulder straps hold your pack forward. Theres should be no more than 25% of the weight of your pack on your shoulders.
Use two carbon hiking poles. They're cheap, allow you to tire much slower, and dramatically reduce injuries.
Always string up your food bag onto a branch, usually at least 50 ft from your tent or hammock. Animals will destroy your gear for a 50 cent granola bar.
Always have a decent meal at the end of the day. Freeze dried is expensive but worth it. After three days of hiking, food is all you think about, and it's not very motivating to end the long day with a cold protein bar. I've been known to straight up freeze a steak and bring a small cast iron pan for a dinner of steak and potatoes. But I've switched to a selfrelianceoutfitters titanium grillplate for that.
Set an hourly chime on your watch, and drink water weather your thirsty or not when it chimes. Dehydration will sneak up on you. By the time you feel thirsty, it's too late.
Consider keepingA small portion of your supplies in smaller containers. If a desperate neighbor comes knocking on your door would you rather have him see you reach into a 50 pound sack of flour or sugar or beans and give him one cup? Or would you rather have the rice and beans and sugar in smaller disposable containers like 2 L bottles for him to see?