Thanks for all the wonderful advice so far! I’ve already started shopping for boots, and two of the brands already mentioned are at the top of my list: Asolo and Vasque. I appreciate all the food suggestions, too.
The clothing suggestions are pretty much in line with what I was hoping to do, so that’s good confirmation. A pair or two of “zippy” pants, something comfy to sleep in, and everything synthetic - no cotton. Plus a rain jacket.
I think the water filter will be a necessity. Our group will have 7 hikers, and boiling for that many would use silly amounts of fuel. As is, it will take two pumps a while to fill 15-20 nalgene bottles.
But the biggest thing I’ve learned is: 24volt Solar Powered Titatanium Spork.
Dump the extra pair of pants and replace them with shorts, or the tops of convertible pants that match the ones you will be wearing. Pack a Nalgene flask of your favorite libation for sipping around the camp and as a sleep aide. Earplugs are a must. Pack a treat or two for days 5-7. Titananium sporks are great, especially if you sharpen one side to use as a knife. Extra parachute cord comes in handy more often than you would think.
As far as food goes, many people (me included) find that backpacking does strange things to your taste buds. Stuff that would be nasty at home is heaven on the trail. The one that springs to mind most readily is beef jerky with peanut butter on it. Tried it once at home. Ugh. But on the trail, it tastes like ambrosia itself to me.
Heh - I was reading through the thread going ‘I can’t believe NO-ONE has mentioned toilet paper’. But now that you’ve stolen that, I am left with nothing to recommend but a poncho (with press-studs down the sides) and a camelback/platypus/generic hydration system.
Ponchos are useful for all sorts of situations and not needing to dig out a bottle for a sip is a real luxury if it’s hot.
Unless someone else is in charge of medicines you might want to consider a box of assorted tablets and ointments for headaches, allergies, sore knees, upset stomachs, scrapes, burns, punctures and the like…
Just so I’m sure I understand - you mean take the top parts of two pairs of zip-off pants, and the bottoms of just one? That sounds like a good idea.
You, sir (or madame), have just combined two of my favorite foods, and I can almost guarantee I’ll be snacking on that. Great idea!
Heh. I won’t. And we’re already set for a “poop shovel” for digging holes. Can’t wait to try that…
I think my pack has an integrated fluid bladder, but I’ll check into that. Thanks for the reminder about medical supplies, too. I had already thought about a first-aid kit, but the comfort items, like pain killers and ointments weren’t on my radar.
I used to wear Vasque boots when I did more of this stuff.
I don’t know if I ever did 5-7 days (except i did outward bound as a 15 year old). 2 nights was more my style, and I’d bring a loaf of bread, peanut butter, canned sardines, beef jerky, and apples. A loaf of bread might be bulky, but you might go through it in two days, and that will be two days of meals and snacks that you won’t be repeating. Even GORP gets boring after a few days.
I think that clothes are a thing that tend to get overpacked. I always liked bringing an abundance of good nylon string.
You will ache the first couple of days, and some aspirin will help, so pack enough. I’ve used both moleskin and duct tape on blisters. The duct tape has other uses as well, so a very small roll would not be a bad idea. A lightweight pack towel is also a good idea. Keep it in an outside pocket, and you can use it to wipe sweat, soak it in water for a cooling wash, and then tie it to the outside to dry. It also works to keep the back of your neck from chafing against the pack or your collar.
Bring the best quality topo maps you can locate for the area where you’ll be hiking. Also, bring a larger scale map covering the areas nearby – you want to be able to find the name of the peak over in the distance.
Peanut butter is the ideal hiking lunch. I put some in load-your-own-tubes I buy from camping supply stores.
My favorite non-obvious thing to take into the great outdoors is a pillowcase.
I have an ugly old one of 50/50 cotton/poly that I use. I poked holes in the hem at the opening and added a string and a cordlock so it is now a drawstring bag.
Why a pillowcase? Well, first of all, it’s comfy to sleep on. I’ve read various advice to put some extra clothes in your sleeping bag stuff sack and use that as a pillow. But who wants to sleep on yucky slippery nylon? Stuffing an actual pillowcase with those extra clothes makes for a much better pillow. And during the day, it serves as a stuff sack to keep my pack organized.
I figure a pillowcase could also be used for a wide variety of things if necessary. Like as a dip bag to wash dishes or clothes. Or as an emergency colander. Or, Og forbid, it could be torn apart to use as bandages or a sling. (I don’t think it can be used as a spork.)
But mostly it’s comfy to sleep on, and to me, that’s worth the few extra ounces. In other words, it’s okay to take a “luxury item.” If there is one little thing that will significantly increase your comfort level, then it is probably worth taking.
Seriously, I’ve heard that you can take 20 people backpacking and nobody will have salt. Take the salt. And the pepper. And other taste taste-adding things in very small amounts. You can eat the same soup mix for a week, but make it taste a little different every night with wasabi powder, chili powder, mustard powder, soy sauce (in the packets from the take-out place), etc. Small, lightweight…biiiiiiig difference in dinner satiety.
And fresh socks for every day. With some extra pairs. I’ve found that the best thing to do if you start to get a hot spot is to change socks. Preventing blisters is much better than treating one.
I’ve never found the need for a pillowcase. A fleece jacket makes a fine pillow, no need to bring an extra item. It’s not a heavy item so carrying it wouldn’t cost you much at all.
However, for comfort on an extended trip a cotton or silk sleeping bag liner might be worth it.
Remember, 5 minutes after you start hiking all your clothes will be disgusting. Don’t worry about having nice clean clothes to put on each day, just put on yesterday’s gear.
Pots and stoves? A tent? For 5 days??
Leave the pots and the stove and the tent. Bring some waterproof matches and a canteen cup. Bring 4 extra pairs of socks, 2 extra T-shirts, 5 meters of 550 cord, 5ft of 100mph tape, two LED lights, compass, two ponchos, 6 bungee cords, foam mat, gortex jacket, 1 poly pro top and bottom and warm gloves (I’m betting WA is still pretty cold at night) Put all that in a waterproof bag. Also bring your water filter and/or iodine tablets.
All the rest of your weight should be food and water. At least 6 quarts of water to start. 8 Stripped MREs should be more than enough for 5 days.
All that can easily fit into a small backpack. No need for a huge hiking one.
Sweet Zombie Jesus, Bear! Do you want to scare the poor dude to death?
That type of hiking is great for experienced foot-pounders. You can really put on the miles packing like that. But that does raise the question: Figaro, are you doing an in-and-out or are you through-hiking? Different camp every night, or same spot for a few? It makes a difference in what and how to pack.
In a similar vain. A couple of 13 gallon ‘kitchen’ trash bags, for trash and packing (it’s nice to have a place to store your dirty possible wet cloths). At day two, things get pretty disorganized in your pack re any clothes you brought.
Rain gear. I prefer a good poncho over any other type. It is easy and quick to put on and has multiple uses. To go with the poncho, a baseball cap. The brim on the cap along with the hood from the poncho really helps keep you dry (put the cap on first, then pull the hood over it). I’ve spent may a drizzely/rainy night around a campfire. The cap makes the difference between miserable, and comfy.
I think that’s what I call parachute cord. 1/8" sheathed cord. Strong as hell. I’d dump the bungee cords though. To heavy and takes up too much room. Better off to have some more cord (IMHO).
How are you cooking? Over a fire or a stove? Everyone should have a small bic lighter. In a rain forest, without prior experiance I would also recommend some fire starting gel/pelets. How many people are going?
Heating up water for tea, rice, coffee, whatever? This can usually be done by placing the rocks around the fire properly, finding a flat one and setting it on it. And/or you can make a tripod out of branches and hang the pot from the center. Make one of the tripod sticks much longer than the others to help keep the cord that is hanging the pot up and out of the way so you can adjust the height.
Having one good leather work glove helps a LOT if your cooking over a fire.
First aid of course. And mole skin in case of blisters.
Yes, use your coat or fleece. I have brought a down hood from a -40f coat to use as a ‘pillow’. Usually, just the days clothes work well enough. And they are right there to put on in the morning.
Nah. Mud and dirt is just that. It’s not disgusting. It’s just mud and dirt. When things get stiff and uncomfortable, change it or rinse it out and go to the other pair.
Agreed. Except for socks. And a fresh pair of undies can make you feel like a new man.
But there is nothing wrong with rinsing something out in a stream and hanging it from your pack to dry while you hike.
Keep your boots in your tent. You may want to slip them on for natures call. This will also help keep them dry.
Set camp by a stream.
You can wash cookware in the stream with some gravel and pine needles.
Replenish water often.
Upon review, I see that TP was mentioned, and the poncho.
Nah. Mud and dirt is just that. It’s not disgusting. It’s just mud and dirt. When things get stiff and uncomfortable, change it or rinse it out and go to the other pair.