Backpacking Checklist (page 2)
• Tent: Unless you are a hardy minimalist and want to sleep under the stars, you will need to get a tent. Personally, I am not hardcore enough to leave my sleeping self at the mercy to bugs and other curious wildlife. If you have an old, dusty Coleman tent you bought at Wal-Mart stashed in the back of your garage somewhere, and you think you might as well us that since you’ve already got it, think again. Leave that spider nest where it’s at, hike yourself back out to that camping store, and get a tent specifically designed for backpacking. Trust me, there is a huge difference. Backpacking tents are much lighter than their cheaper cousins: when hiking up the side of a mountain, would you rather be carrying a ten-pound tent or one that weighs closer to three? The lightest tents are the one- or two-person three-season tents. Unless you plan on camping on snow (which can be done, if you have snowshoes) or somewhere with very cold nights, a three-season tent should be fine.
If you plan on camping somewhere relatively warm, you may want to check out the tents which are mostly mesh. Not only are they super light, there is something really peaceful about being able to look up at the stars while drifting off to sleep—while still being at least somewhat protected from nibbling critters. One you’ve found that tent that’s right for your needs, though, don’t throw away that old Coleman tent! Due to their small size, backpacking tents do feel a bit cramped: use that Coleman for car camping, when your site is walking distance from your car. Then you won’t have far to carry that bulky tent, and your ice chest full of beer.
• Sleeping bag: Another important essential. A good sleeping bag helps you get a good night’s sleep, and you definitely need your rest after all that energy you’ll be burning tromping around through the wilderness. While getting a good-quality sleeping bag from a camping store is not as essential as getting a good tent, it is still preferable. If you can afford it, down sleeping bags offer the best in terms of weight, space and comfort. Synthetic down is slightly heavier, and although every extra once adds up when you’ve got to carry it all, they are a close second to down. If you are going to invest in a down sleeping bag, though, make sure you take care of it! Although it will pack down very small for the trail, do not leave it packed up like that for storage. Leave it loosely packed, or better yet, hung up, the rest of the year. If you leave it condensed it the down will bunch together and get lumpy, and your brand new nice sleeping bag will be permanently ruined. When shopping for a bag, you will notice that they are rated by different temperatures. Since weight is always a consideration, choose the lightest bag you can get away with. If you don’t think you will ever be crazy enough to go camping in the dead of winter, don’t bother getting a cold season bag. You will be sweating in a bag that is designed for 10 degrees if it only gets down to 40 degrees during the night. Get a three-season bag, or, if you think you will always be camping in fairly decent weather, get a warm-weather one.
• Sleeping pad: As cozy as your nice warm new fluffy sleeping bag may be, you are not going to just throw it on the bottom of your tent and plop down. That ground is still hard, and cold! And you will feel it through the entire night. A sleeping pad will keep you warmer, and much more comfortable. A simple foam pad will do in a pinch if that’s all you can do, but if you’re serious about doing a lot of backpacking you’ll eventually want to get a good self-inflating one, such as those made by Therm-a-Rest. They are lightweight, pack down very small, and although they are thin, when you lay on them you can’t feel the ground underneath you at all. Like tents and sleeping bags, these are rated by temperature: choose the smallest and lightest one that will work for your needs. You should know the drill by now, right? And if you do bring along the inflatable type, don’t forget the repair kit, in case you get a hole or tear while on the trail.
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