3 Major Hiking and Backpacking Checklist Benefits – My main hiking tip for anyone getting started withhiking or backpacking activities is to actually use a hiking equipment checklist or backpacking checklist when preparing for your travels. The use of checklists makes many of the tasks in life simple. The 3 main benefits of using a checklist for hiking or backpacking are:
- Memory Jogger– A visual-aid such as a checklist is a great way to ensure that important hiking gear is not left behind;
- Efficiency Tool– A checklist makes it a much easier and quicker task when packing for your outdoor trips;
- Review Tool– A checklist can function as a review sheet which you can analyze in order to reduce the size of your kit before your next trip.
10 Hiking Tips For Hiking and Backpacking Checklists – Listed here are my favorite suggestions with reference to packing when using a Hiking Equipment Checklist or Backpacking Checklist:
- Appropriate Gear– Packing gear that you believe to be appropriate for your trip, and having the knowledge regarding the way it is meant to be used, should go a long way to ensuring that you have a pleasurable outdoor adventure.
- Protected Hiking– In areas such as forests and protected zones along the coast, there is a certain degree of protection from the weather. In such zones, it is most likely that you could cope with a lesser amount of gear and not really need the top grade gear needed when in mountainous areas.
- Unpredictable Climates– Particularly when it comes to mountainous regions, there could be a wintery climate. Therefore, be certain that you are carrying extra warm garments on your trip.
- Load Reduction– Unneeded load gives rise to squandered energy use. Equipment that you do not really need is best left behind. Take a lighter load and get more pleasure from your hiking and backpacking trips.
- Fluid Consumption– Many hikers and backpackers carry water on trips but water is quite a heavy load. Immediately prior to you trip, try to drink as much water as you can. Having said that, do not leave out drinking water from your checklist, not even for shorter trips or even on cold or over cast weather conditions. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated.
- Apparel Weight– Your backpack weight is influenced somewhat with the kind of apparel you decide to use. Purposefully developed man-made materials tend to be lightweight when compared with natural materials. They usually perform better also. For example, they wick away sweat from your skin at the same time as providing a warm insulation layer. Alternative materials are able to keep rainwater out at the same time as still permitting moisture to move away from the skin.
- Load Share– A number of hikers or backpackers could group together to share equipment which could be carried in turns within one backpack. However, it is advisable to keep your individual essential gear near to you all the times, just as a precaution, in case the companion carrying the pack is suddenly separated from you. You could also buy a few bigger food storage containers to share so that a lesser amount of volume is lost during the packing, for example: 1 water filter; 1 bug spray; etc.
- Gear Check– Examine your complete kit prior to hiking to make certain that it is remains fit for purpose: footwear still fits you and is still fit for the intended terrain and the laces are not frayed; backpack belts and buckles are ok; first-aid kit is complete; water container is clean; batteries are fresh; and knife is sharp; etc.
- Mobile Phone– As your mobile phone might someday turn out to be your lifesaver, make sure it is protected with something soft such as kitchen paper towels and also sealed within 1 or possible 2 waterproof bags.
- Waterproof Bags– Carry some spare waterproof bags since their weight is negligible and they occupy minimal space, yet they have many uses for keeping things dry or separated.
After you return from your adventure, take a look at your equipment checklist to determine whether something of the list was not used. If you find some unused, non-essential gear, you could eliminate it from your list before your next adventure. However, please be sensible. That does not mean leave out crucial protective gear like a waterproof jacket just because there was no rain on your last trip.
