Sports - Pack it in - Pack it out

That's probably the biggest understatement I've ever made while writing for this newspaper.  Backpacking is work and backpackers are a breed unto themselves.  

I don't mean the hikers you see walking along a trail carrying a glorified book bag on their back that sporting manufacturers have reclassified as a "day pack." The total conversion process for a book bag to day pack is to add a waist belt and buckle.  A day pack with a couple of sandwiches, a bottle of water and a bag of trail mix does not a back pack make!  And don't let me shock you with this one, the effort does not qualify either.

Backpacking is a serious endeavor and should not be approached with anything less than a total and very clear understanding that while fun, it is work and requires the correct equipment.  Let me give you a little comparison.  

That day pack with the sandwiches, water and trail mix would weigh in at something less than ten pounds including the pack itself. A novice backpacker should expect to be carrying about one fifth of his/her own body weight in equipment and supplies. An experienced packer would increase this limit to up to one third body weight or even slightly more. So, Ms. Beginner, if you weigh in at one hundred and twenty pounds, you should expect to carry a minimum or twenty-five pounds as a starting level. This includes all of your make-up, shampoo, combs and brushes, blow dryer, mirror and oh yeah! food, clothes, sleeping bag and shelter. And as you increase in experience and your legs firm up to the level you can only wish that other parts of your anatomy would, that twenty five pounds will increase to close to fifty pounds.
So, let's reflect a little. The golden rule of backpacking is "if you can't carry it, you don't need it." The question becomes "what do you leave behind in favor of what do you need to carry?"  You will soon learn that weight is everything. Therefore, you might want to consider leaving behind all the make-up and stuff and replacing it with, let's say.......food, or maybe an extra pair of socks.  Whatever it is, I'm confident that when you get back from your hike, you will immediately write me to thank me for this little bit of advice.

There is a bright side to things. Remember that as you progress on your hike, your pack should become lighter in weight.  No, not because you are tossing out all the things you have come to realize you didn't need.....well, maybe that too.  The real reason is that you will be eating the food you have been carrying around on your back.  So, if you pack right and eat well, you will lighten your load three times a day.

But remember this, the wilderness was not created with paper or plastic or aluminum cans.  Without a doubt, all of those things we refer to as "trash" came from the invaders like you and me and they don't belong there.  There are two phrases I'd ask you to learn to live by as a packer, be it for a few hours, a day or a week.  First, remember to "leave the land better than you found it" and "if you pack it in - pack it out."

Backpacking or daypacking is not only an activity, it is a responsibility.  It's like if you just moved into a new house and your new neighbor came to your door and offered you a homemade cake as a welcoming.  You don't return a dirty dish.  You respect the gift you were given by returning the plate as if it were new.  

If you are hiking in the wilderness, don't toss your garbage on the ground.  Stuff all the plastic and paper back in your pack and carry it out or burn it in your camp fire.  And if you see litter along the way that some irresponsible person tossed away, pick it up and pack it out.  You will be amazed at the sense of satisfaction you'll feel in return for this little gesture.  
And most of all, be safe and enjoy what has been given to us for free.

See you outdoors!

You can reach Dick at rtotino@nycap.rr.com.