Tropical Backpacking Tips

[Time Stranger]

I'm taking a 9 day trip to Costa Rica in a couple of weeks. The people I am going with decided to ditch the hotels & beach lounging and make it a backpacking trip, with mostly camping in national parks/rain forest. I have never backpacked before and don't really camp, so I have zero gear. Everyone I'm going with is already in Costa Rica, so they can't help me pick stuff out and contact with them is spotty. I wasn't prepared for this much gear buying, and I have extremely limited funds. We only have two small outfitters near by, though if absolutely necessary I could drive to Atlanta for REI or something. Needless to say, I have a few questions. (The current Camping Tips thread is helping, but is not really all I need). I am borrowing a pack from a friend here.

- One of the guys that I've camped with before has a sleeping bag that fits into a small stuff sack. Looking at REI and Campmor's websites, none of the sleeping bags seem to have this. Do you just buy the stuff sack separately? He said I could probably get away with just buying a liner and using that. Is that plausible? What about a liner + sleeping pad? That would be a lot easier on my wallet.

- I am told that it rains a lot every day, but I'm not advised to wear pants because it is too hot. How am I supposed to keep my socks not wet while hiking in the rain? Even if I buy water-proof boots, I'm not sure of the logistics of this. Will a poncho suffice?

- I don't have hiking socks and find their prices ...amusing. If I just buy two pairs or so and switch them out, do you think that would work? (And bring other normal socks, of course).

Any other tips you'd like to share with a total newb would also be appreciated. The other three people I am going with are pretty experienced (they are all research ecologists that do a lot of tropical camping), so I'm assuming they can handle most things, but I would like to be somewhat informed. Thanks!

[anu-la1979]

Lucky! I just had to cancel a trip to CR because I'm trying to test out of some stuff for the upcoming school year.

This is probably just the result of my mild hypochondria, but take DEET or other DEET based insect repellent, especially into the rainforest because leishmaniasis is sort of an issue at this time of the year in the tropics.

[Bijou Drains]

All sleeping bags that are good come with a stuff sack.

[Time Stranger]

I will definitely be taking lots of bugspray, anu-la1979! I think the wiki page for leishmaniasis scarred me for life. I hope you get to reschedule your trip soon!

And thanks Bijou Drains. I see that you can buy the sacks by themselves too, so hopefully that will help.

[EmAnJ]

Originally Posted by Bijou Drains

All sleeping bags that are good come with a stuff sack.

Is the OP talking about a stuff sack or compression sack?

Will there be a community tent or will you need a bivy or your own tent? You should certainly get a sleeping pad, maybe something like this, but you can also use these which are cheaper and just as light, but bulkier.

You will not be able to avoid getting wet. I would recommend bringing one pair of lightweight pants that are compressible if possible, as there are bugs that bite, especially after the rain, and long pants help.

You probably don't need hiking socks. In fact, on all my trips I used hiking shoes rather then boots. Most of the trails we went on were well established and you don't really need the ankle support. I always just took lightweight athletic socks and blister pads. You're going to get blisters no matter what socks you're wearing.

I also took flipflops for use at the camp site to let my feet breathe. Bring something to cover your head with that's good for rain and sun.

Take wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer. I brought a medium quick dry camping towel as well which came in handy after a dip in the river or to wet and sponge bathe. Bring plastic bags and TP as well, as most places won't have TP and, hey, you can always find uses for plastic bags. I always bring a few meters of rope and a lightweight siltarp too.

Bring water tabs and a water bottle just in case.

Do you guys have cooking stoves and utensils? How will you eat?

Most of all, have fun and don't be too worried about sticking to an itinerary!

[Time Stranger]

Originally Posted by EmAnJ

Is the OP talking about a stuff sack or compression sack?

I was actually talking about a compression sack, I'm glad you pointed that out! I didn't know the real name for them.

Thanks for the other tips EmAnJ! I am sleeping in one of the others' tents, and they should have all the cooking stuff we need (I'm assuming they'll have a camp stove, but I honestly have no idea.) I might try to find one of those multi-tool utensils just in case.

That is good to know that the hiking socks aren't essential, and I will definitely bring blister-care materials.

[SmellMyWort]

REI is having a sale online right now. I'd check there (and REI Outlet). You can have your order shipped to your local store for free and I think members get free shipping (to your home) now, too. I've seen socks on sale there for a quarter of the normal retail price. Lots of other good gear too.

Some other thoughts:

Make sure you test out that pack before you commit to it. You don't want to end up with a pack that you can't adjust to fit your frame well.

I'd try to find out from your friends if there is anything they're in desperate need of. You might be the hero for bringing spare batteries, film, or something else that's hard or expensive to get.

See if you can find some of those pants with the zip-off bottoms to make them shorts.

Bring a headlamp and a multi-tool.

Baby or gold bond powder...if you're hiking a lot this will help keep you dry and avoid chaffing.

Re: poncho. I'd bring one of those plastic fold up ones, but I wouldn't count on it keeping you dry while hiking. It's going to be hot and humid so you'll be sweated up in no time hiking. When it's like that, does it matter if you're getting rained on? And the poncho will just make you hotter. I'd have it to use to cover your pack in the rain (if your pack doesn't have something for that), or for around camp when you're not going to be working up a sweat. They're also nice to just have to sit on and avoid a wet butt.

[anu-la1979]

Originally Posted by Time Stranger

I will definitely be taking lots of bugspray, anu-la1979! I think the wiki page for leishmaniasis scarred me for life. I hope you get to reschedule your trip soon!

And thanks Bijou Drains. I see that you can buy the sacks by themselves too, so hopefully that will help.

I'm sorry! It's really rare but a lot of people don't know that you're more likely to catch it in the jungle than on the beaches. I think CR's hotzones are on the Caribbean side.

[Acid Lamp]

Ditch the socks and invest in either a pair of lightweight hiking sneaker shoes that shed water and breathe or a very good pair of hiking sandals. Your feet will thank you.

Bugs are a fact of life in the tropics, but they can be dealt with by using 100% DEET spray. Buy two more than you think you will need. reapply every couple of hours if they are bad.

A hammock and mosquito net are preferred for sleeping- get off the ground.

[EmAnJ]

Originally Posted by Acid Lamp

Ditch the socks and invest in either a pair of lightweight hiking sneaker shoes that shed water and breathe or a very good pair of hiking sandals. Your feet will thank you.

This is a good one too - I wore these for our backpack and hike through Peru and they were wonderful.

Also, for blisters, find some Body Glide to take with you, it's great for any areas on your body that might chafe (like where your pack hip straps sit or your heels). You can usually find it at running stores, like Running Room, or stores that cater to triathletes or some such (not Sport Mart or anything like that). I use this for running bare foot with wet feet in my shoes after the swim and bike, and I've never had a blister.

I also second the advice to find a good pack. Nothing ruins a trip like an ill fitting pack that hurts your back or digs in to your neck, shoulders or hips. Go to somewhere like REI and have them help you fit yourself for a pack, then add about 20 or 30 pounds to it and walk around the store for a half hour. You should be comfortable, as packs should sit on the hips, not pulling down on the shoulders.

[Acid Lamp]

Originally Posted by EmAnJ

This is a good one too - I wore these for our backpack and hike through Peru and they were wonderful.

Also, for blisters, find some Body Glide to take with you, it's great for any areas on your body that might chafe (like where your pack hip straps sit or your heels). You can usually find it at running stores, like Running Room, or stores that cater to triathletes or some such (not Sport Mart or anything like that). I use this for running bare foot with wet feet in my shoes after the swim and bike, and I've never had a blister.

We have merrels as well and love them. they did great in a three country trek the wife and I took to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

[Time Stranger]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

I am unfortunately not in a position where I can buy my own pack right now, but the one I'm borrowing seems to fit pretty well, so hopefully there will be no discomfort.

I have been looking at Merrells sandal-types for a while too, it's good to know they do perform well!

I've never checked luggage on a plane before - when checking my backpack, should I secure it somehow? Reading online it seems like some people put their's in sacks but some just say to tighten the straps up as much as possible.

[jjimm]

If you're in the tropics, do you even need a sleeping bag? Maybe consider a sleeping bag liner instead - lighter and squishes down very small. Can you stretch to a mozzie net or are they provided?

Deet yourself to bejaysus. Get 99% Deet but be aware it melts some plastics.

Bring a lighter or something that gets hot, to burn leeches off your legs (had to do this last year in Nepal - it's painless but the wound bleeds for a long time afterwards, so bring bandaid and a styptic stick).

ETA: just tie up all loose straps and don't leave anything dangling from your backpack and you'll be fine. I've checked backpacks in probably close to 100 times and have never had any problems.

[Acid Lamp]

Originally Posted by Time Stranger

I've never checked luggage on a plane before - when checking my backpack, should I secure it somehow? Reading online it seems like some people put their's in sacks but some just say to tighten the straps up as much as possible.

snip

When we went, we took a backpack and my military duffel. Since we were checking the duffel we secured the opening with little luggage padlocks and just stood by in case they wanted to search it until it had gone through the x-ray machine.

You can keep the the little keys on a bungee, carbiner, or lanyard. This will also work for your backpack. You can thread the locks through the zippers when you bring them to close.

[Time Stranger]

I think you're right jjimm, I am just going to stick to the liner. It will probably be warm enough that I won't need anything more. I've borrowed one before for a small trip and was amazed at how small a space I could squish it in.

Burning off leeches, huh? I really hope that doesn't become an issue. A lighter it is, though!

[Quartz]

You should have two sets of clothing. One is the set you wear during the day which you expect to get wet; the other is a dry set which you wear at night and keep in a waterproof drybag during the day. Since you're going to be in the jungle, go for a hammock to get yourself off the ground, and you should have a rain sheet to keep you dry. You'll need plenty of rope to tie everything up.

Take a whistle. It's very easy to get separated in the jungle. So if you do, just blow your whistle.

Two other items: a flint & steel set for starting fires when the matches get wet, and a compass for direction finding. Make sure your watch is an analogue watch too.

You'll probably have to buy it there and leave it there, but one of the most useful tools in the jungle apart from your brain is a machete.

Beyond that, I would strongly suggest you get your friends to inventory what you need. Perhaps you could all go shopping for it on the first day?

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Never hurts to have a small backpackers first aid kit.

[NinjaChick]

I imagine that you will get blisters no matter what, because heat + moisture = blisters. So brings lots of moleskin. While hiking, if you start to feel irritation on your feet, stop, dry your feet off, and protect that spot with some moleskin (it goes around, not on the spot). Thats far better than waiting until you're feeling pain.

Bring topical Bendaryl. If you get bitten, use it liberally.

I've found that bringing some packets of Gatorade or other flavor powder are hugely helpful in staying hydrated. You'll be working hard and it'll be hot, so it's going to take a ton of water to keep you hydrated. If you start getting a headache - it's probably due to mild dehydration. If you're the type of person who can easily just swig down tepid water all day long, great - but otherwise, consider some sort of flavoring.

If whoever you're borrowing a pack from has a waterproof cover, great, bring it. If not, get one. There's nothing worse than finally reaching camp after a long day of hiking and realizing your sleeping bag/clean shirt/etc are all soggy.

Bring a bunch of unscented wet-wipes, which are great if you get to camp and are covered in mud. Bring TP. Bring lots empty, large ziploc baggies.

[Colibri]

Originally Posted by Time Stranger

I think you're right jjimm, I am just going to stick to the liner. It will probably be warm enough that I won't need anything more. I've borrowed one before for a small trip and was amazed at how small a space I could squish it in.

I never use a sleeping bag in tropical lowlands. It's usually much too hot. I use a roll-up air mattress, and regular sheets. The liner would certainly be enough.

Burning off leeches, huh? I really hope that doesn't become an issue. A lighter it is, though!

Probably not an issue in Costa Rica. Leeches can be hell in Asia and Africa, but I've never had a problem with leeches in Panama or anywhere else in the Americas.

The worst problem during the rainy season is likely to be chiggers, which will be itchy as hell. There can also be problems with ticks (though they are more common in the dry season.) Spray your boots and ankles well before starting to hike. In my experience, tropical forests are not nearly as bad for flying pests like mosquitoes as many areas in the temperate zone (except for mangroves, where you may be eaten alive.)

A lighter is useful anyway, though, because it is usually nearly impossible to keep matches dry.

I agree with the strategy of bringing two sets of clothes, one of which you wear while hiking (and which will get wet from sweat and rain), and one of which you keep in plastic bags in your pack and only wear in camp at night.

A Jungle Hammock is a lightweight alternative to a tent, which also eliminates the need for a sleeping pad. It can take a little getting used to, though.

[Colibri]

Originally Posted by NinjaChick

If whoever you're borrowing a pack from has a waterproof cover, great, bring it. If not, get one. There's nothing worse than finally reaching camp after a long day of hiking and realizing your sleeping bag/clean shirt/etc are all soggy.

If they don't have a cover, or even if they do, you can also just bring a heavy-duty garbage bag and put all your gear in that inside the pack. As a matter of fact, you should bring plastic bags of various sizes. Ziploc bags are great for keeping sensitive gear or papers (like your passport) from getting wet.