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BACKPACK
AND BAGS
Choosing
a backpack is a personal choice. Basically your pack is your
home away from home. Knowing that it contains everything you
need for the climb, you need a sturdy pack that fits comfortably
on you. Walking eight hour a day with a pack is no joke so
you better be careful in considering comfort based on the
design of the pack. Having a good pack that is made of durable
materials that can resist majority of abrasions experienced
along the trail can contribute to the life span of your pack.
Before
buying a pack work out how large it needs to be; where you
aim to put everything you need for the trip. Different packs
work for different people. Having the pack custom made is
better simply because you will have a better fit and a unique
design. In backpacking, a well-designed backpack is centered
on its functionality and not because it is the latest in fashion/styling.
TYPES
OF PACKS ACCORDING TO USE
-
Daypack
- A
daypack should be able to carry your needs for just
a day's hike that should be able to contain just enough
supply of food, water and some extra clothing. Buy a
strong model equipped with frame and a padded back.
Be careful to distinguish between a mountaineering daypack
from an ordinary commercial daypack intended for urban
use.
- Internal
frame backpack
- It
is the most preferable and widely used backpack in the
Philippines. Its design allows you to move freely along
thick vegetation without any hindrance of the branches
getting entangled in your pack due to the thick vegetation
that is usually encountered along tropical rainforest
trails. Another advantage of an internal frame backpack
is that the weight of the backpack is closer to your
body’s center of gravity. The only disadvantage
is you tend to perspire a lot at the back.
- External
frame backpack
- This
type of pack is not usually used in the country. Although
the external frame holds the weight away from your body
that allows the air to circulate and carry away some
of the sweat from your back, it can cause some problems
while moving on trail. The frame being exposed gets
caught in the branches of trees more often than not,
affecting your pacing.
- Belt
bags
- This
type of bag is designed for easy access of things like
the trail food, emergency kits, camera and coin purse
while on trail.
BACK
PACK COVER
It
is made of waterproofed material designed to keep your pack
dry. It is highly necessary when climbing rainforests.
How
to Test Fit a Backpack (internal and external frame packs)
The pack you are testing should have approximately 20-30 lbs.
of weight inside, centered close to your body and between
your shoulder blades. Perform the procedure below (in front
of a mirror). Enlist the help of an experienced salesperson
if possible.
| Step
#1. |
Loosen
the pack's shoulder straps and hip belt. |
| Step
#2. |
Slip
your arms through the shoulder straps. |
| Step
#3. |
Position
the hip belt comfortably near the top of your hipbones. |
| Step
#4. |
Close
the hip belt buckle and tighten it. |
| Step
#5. |
Check
the padded sections of the hip belt to make sure they
wrap around your hips comfortably without touching in
front. |
| Step
#6. |
If
the belt is too loose or tight, try re-positioning the
buckle pieces on the hip belt straps. If this doesn't
solve the problem, you may have to try a different pack
(or hip belt). |
| Step
#7. |
Once
the hip belt is positioned properly, cinch the shoulder
straps down tight, then back them off slightly. |
| Step
#8. |
Look
sideways in the mirror. |
| Step
#9. |
Check
the shoulder strap anchor points.
- External
frame packs without load-lift straps - The shoulder
straps should attach to the pack frame at a point
roughly even with the top of your shoulders.
- External
frame packs with load-lift straps - The padded sections
of the shoulder straps should wrap around the top
of your shoulders comfortably and attach to the
frame three or four inches below them.
- Internal
frame packs - The padded sections of the shoulder
straps should wrap around the top of your shoulders
comfortably and attach to the frame three or four
inches below them.
|
| Step
#10. |
Check
load lift straps - Most modern backpacks come with load-lift
straps. These straps should begin just below the tops
of your shoulders (near your collarbones) and angle
back toward the pack body at roughly a 45-degree angle. |
| Step
#11. |
Check
shoulder strap width - Shoulder straps should be far
enough apart that they don't squeeze your neck, but
close enough together that they don't slip off of your
shoulders during hiking. This width can be adjusted
on many backpacks. |
| Step
#12. |
Check
for a good torso fit - If the pack fits you correctly,
you should be able to redistribute the weight of the
pack between your shoulders and your hips simply by
loosening and tightening your shoulder straps slightly.
|
| Step
#13. |
Check
for comfort - Does the pack feel good on your back?
Does it pinch or bind or restrict your freedom of movement?
Can you look up without hitting the pack with your head.
Can you squat down without cutting off the circulation
to your legs? |
PACKING YOUR BACKPACKS
After
sorting out what you should bring to a climb, the next step
is to pack it in. A good technique before packing is to spread
your things on a dining table or bed. This is to make sure
that you will not forget a single item. Arrange them in categories,
i.e. sleeping equipment, cooking equipment, and the like.
Remember to bring only what you need for that particular climb.
Following
are guidelines when packing your backpack:
- Know
where you are going and for how long.
-
Sort them by category. It is also a good idea to pack your
items like clothes in color-coded self-sealing plastic bags
for easy access. Like this orange plastic is for my clothes
in the evening or this red plastic bag is my cold weather
clothes and the like.
- Gender.
Males are generally stronger than females and can carry
more items.
- Center
of Gravity. Not necessarily dependent on gender. This is
important since the skeletal structure of males are different
from the females. A number one factor that is neglected
by most of our local climbers. Generally, males have wide
shoulders than the females, while the latter has wider hips.
Therefore when packing your packs make sure that the heavy
items are high up in the pack for males while for females
its lower.
- Line
your backpack with a large plastic bag (a clear, thick body
bag will do, usually sold at your local market) this is
to ensure that your gear inside does not get wet when the
rains arrive.
- Next
is your sleeping pad.
- The
rest is up to you. But then again, bring what you only need
and or the group.
Take
care of your pack
Backpacks
are built to be sturdy, but a little common sense and TLC
(tender-loving care) will keep them in good shape for years
and years.
- Pack
carefully, and keep sharp and/or hard-edged objects covered.
Things like cook pots, knives, and stoves can rub holes
in your pack.
-
Keep your pack clean and dry. If you plan to backpack in
rainy conditions, invest in a backpack cover that will keep
your pack and your stuff dry. A wet sleeping bag and soggy
food is sad event out on the trail. Remember, even the most
water-resistant pack is not waterproof!
- Clean
and dry your pack completely when you return from each trip.
Let it air out a bit before storing. If it's really filthy,
scrub with soap, rinse with water, and air dry. Use a washing
machine? No way! And don't hang or store it in the sun for
extended periods, either. UV rays aren't good for nylon.
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