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How to Prepare for a Multi-Day Hike

July 3, 2014 Rachel Kristensen
Hiking-Rachel-Kristensen.jpg

If you're looking to the leap from day hikes to overnight hikes, there are some things you should keep in mind. Maybe your first multi-day hike will be on an organized trip abroad, or maybe it will be independently on a hike in a nearby park. Wherever it is, go prepared.

Choose the right backpack.

Seems simple and obvious enough, right? Until you walk into an outdoor equipment store like REI and see a wall of different bags to choose from.

For starters, you’ll need at least a 50-liter (13-gallon) bag, a measurement which refers to the amount the bag can carry. Longer backpacking trips usually require 70 liters (18.5 gallon) or more space to aid in packing additional supplies, but I’ve found 50-55 liter bags to be just right for a few days.

Bags are also measured and fitted according to your torso size. Just because you are a tall girl doesn’t mean you’re a perfect fit for a female large, so get measured by someone in the shop.

Key things to look for in a backpack are comfortable hip and shoulder straps to ease the heavy load on your body. Also ensure the bag has smart compartments to separate your gear and pockets for quick access of your essentials.

I’ve only just invested in a rain cover for my backpack (after two years of extended use), because lining my bag with garbage bags proved to be rain resistant enough in most cases.

how to prepare for a 3-day hike
how to prepare for a 3-day hike

Lightweight gear really does matter.

I can’t stress enough how important lightweight gear is.

On my first overnight hiking trip, I bought a cheap tent that weighed 8 pounds, a backpack that weighed 6 pounds, and a sleeping bag that weighed over 5 pounds. That was 19 pounds on my back before you factor in food, cooking equipment and clothing.

On the other side of the scale, I’ve seen ultra-light hikers with nothing more than a thin sleeping bag and tarp. That was all well and good until a torrential downpour occurred and they were freezing with nowhere to hide. Remember you want to keep excess weight down, but be comfortable as well.

Since you’ll inevitably need food and clothes, try to keep your essential camping items light. I'd suggest you:

  • keep your tent weight below five pounds
  • keep your sleeping pad at around one pound
  • keep your sleeping bag under two pounds (weather dependent)
  • keep you backpack around four pounds.
how to prepare for a 3-day hike
how to prepare for a 3-day hike

Count on carbohydrates.

If you have a thing against carbohydrates, then ignore this piece of advice—but trust me, you’ll want to load up on as much energy as possible.

Dehydrated backpacker meals in a bag (found in any outdoor store) are a great choice because of the high carb value, but also because they are incredibly easy on the trail.

Dehydrated packs range from curries to pastas and are served in a bag that only requires boiling water. Usually, one pack is enough for two people per meal. Since the meal is cooked and served in a single bag, there is absolutely no clean up.

Not having to do dishes is reason enough for these meals, but they are actually really tasty.

I met a vegan once who carried fresh fruit and veggies on their journey, however, they had to lug a 50-pound pack up Half Dome (vs my 30 pounds). Let me assure you, they were not having a good time on the trail while under that weight.

Keep yourself fed, but also keep the weight of your meals in mind.

Backpacking - Rachel Kristensen
Backpacking - Rachel Kristensen

Layer up in multi-functional clothing.

Don’t plan on having multiple outfits. Instead, pack multi-functional clothes that you can layer. For example, my packing list usually includes:

  • a tank top for warm weather
  • a t-shirt to protect my shoulders from sunshine
  • a fleece or smart wool sweater that will remain warm even if wet
  • yoga pants to keep me warm at night
  • thicker shorts that will be OK on rugged terrain I sit on.

Smartwool socks are the key to comfortable feet and usually two pairs is all I need for a 3-day hike. At night, bring a pair of flip-flops for shoes at camp and leave your hiking shoes to air out underneath your tent’s tarp.

When hiking with the possibility of rain, bring a lightweight shell rain jacket rather than a thick jacket. A hat is also an essential in rain or sunshine.

Whatever you do, leave the jeans and dress shoes behind. They are heavy and simply not needed in the backcountry.

multi-day hikes
multi-day hikes

Do your research.

So far, my under-preparedness of previous hikes has had me nearly hit by lightning after not looking up the weather forecast, running the final five miles of a 29-mile hike after failing to bring a map or a headlamp as it gets dangerously close to nightfall, and cowering in my tent as a bear rummaged around me after I had forgotten my knife and bear spray at home.  Unfortunately, that list goes on.

Each mistake I’ve made, however, I’ve learned from. Now I ask myself these questions before I go:

  • How long is the hike?
  • Do I have a map and does someone know where I’m going?
  • What are the dangers of wildlife?
  • Do I need bear spray and a knife?
  • Do I need to protect my food from animals at night or at rest?
  • What is the weather forecast?
  • Do I need a rain jacket and/or sunscreen?
  • Do I need extra layers for cold weather?
  • What are the latest trail reports? (For example, has there been snow or bridge falls? Have other hikes completed this route recently?)
  • Do I have enough water? Is there water on the trail? Should I bring water purification tabs?
  • Will there be any electricity to charge my electronics? Is there cell service in case of an emergency?
  • Do I need a backcountry permit to hike?
  • What is the terrain like—steep, flat, rocky, or muddy? Do I need gaiters or hiking poles?

Each hike is unique, so answering yes to any of these may need further investigation on your part that this post couldn’t provide specifics for. Be sure to research your destination before you arrive.

Backpack Tip - Rachel Kristensen (1)
Backpack Tip - Rachel Kristensen (1)

Pack only what you need.

Here is a basic checklist that I use to prepare for hikes.

multi-day hike
multi-day hike

Above all, have fun.

Once you make the leap into backcountry camping, you can explore some amazing places on the globe that are further off the beaten path.

In trailblazer, survivalist Tags back to basics, explore, learn, how-to guide, tips
1 Comment

Packing List for a Multi-Day Hike

July 3, 2014 Rachel Kristensen
2014-06-09-09.58.16-2.jpg

When getting ready for a multi-day hike—or any hike for that matter—it's important you only pack what you need. Here is the list Rachel Kristensen uses to make sure she's packing light for a long weekend on the trail.

Item Category
Hiking Shoes, Flip Flops Clothing
Raincoat Clothing
Long-Sleeve Shirt Clothing
T-Shirts and Short-Sleeve Shirt Clothing
Shorts (1 Pair) Clothing
Thermal Underwear Clothing
Pants (1 pair) Clothing
Sweater Clothing
Bathing Suit Clothing
Sandals Clothing
Wool Socks Clothing
Underwear Clothing
2 backpacker meals per day Food
Individual Instant Oatmeal (2-3 per morning per person) Food
Booze (I do a plastic mickey of vodka, pick your own favorite) Food
Tent Gear
Sleeping Bag Gear
Sleeping Pad Gear
Headlamps Gear
Knife for Cooking and Protection Gear
Stove and Pot for Cooking Gear
Bowl for Cereal in Morning Gear
Cutlery – Something Like a Spork Gear
Whistle for Emergencies Gear
Waterproof Bags – Garbage Bags Also Work Gear
Aqua Tabs to Purify Water Sources Gear
Rope/Carabiner to Hang Laundry Gear
Toilet Paper Gear
Backpack Gear
Cards Gear
Insect Repellent Gear
Sunscreen Gear
Band Aids, Aspirin and First Aid Kit Gear
Camel Packs or water bladders Gear
Bear Vault to Protect Food from Animal Attraction Gear
Fuel for Stove Gear
Water Bottle - Something with Volume Measurements for Cooking Gear
Garbage Bags – Trek Out What You Trek in With Gear
Duct Tape Gear
Gaiters if the Trail is Muddy Gear
Quick Dry Towel Gear
Lighter/Matches Gear
Camera! Gear
Map and Communication Device in Case of Emergency Gear

 

In trailblazer, explorer Tags back to basics, explore, learn, how-to guide, tips
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5 Things to Expect on the Inca Trail

June 1, 2014 Rachel Kristensen
Trip-of-a-Lifetime-Machu-Picchu-Rachel-Kristensen.jpg
Get what you pay for - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen
Get what you pay for - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen

From choosing what company to book with and what gear to pack, preparing for the Inca Trail can be daunting.  The 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, one of the newly named Seven Wonders of the World, appears on so many bucket lists, from expert hikers to first-time explorers. If it is your first time, or you haven’t been in ages, here are some quick tips to help you prepare for the journey of a lifetime.

1. You get what you pay for.

Unfortunately, the days where you could hike the Inca Trail independently are long over. You must go with a tour company, so do your research beforehand on the company’s reputation and sustainability policies.

This site is updated with sustainable companies that aim to improve Peru’s economy, treat porters fairly, and have adequate equipment. You might notice the list doesn’t include the cheapest tours offered; often the lowest price companies cut corners on food and equipment, and even exploit porters. I doubt anyone wants rice for four days solid, a tent with a hole in it, and a porter who is being mistreated.

Always check your contract to see what you’ve been promised. Bear in mind that you may also need to book months in advance, depending on what time of year you go. High season is June to August.

inca trail preparation
inca trail preparation

2. You will have to carry your gear for the entire trek.

Some of us love to pack more than others. But before you pack multiple outfits for each day, remember that you will be carrying those items up the trail or paying extra fees for the porters to assist you. Normally the tour company arranges to have a porter carry your tent; however for an additional $75 a porter will take another 20lbs from you.

Now before you go up the trail with nothing but a water bottle, remember to pack enough to survive on the trail. These are the essentials:

  • snacks for energy
  • sunscreen and a hat to protect you from strong sunshine
  • rain gear for that unavoidable rainstorm (see below)
  • a warm sleeping bag and clothing layers for the cold nights
  • shorts for the hot days
  • sensible hiking boots that are already broken in for the long hiking days.

Before you depart on your trip, it’s wise to consult the tour company for a more thorough packing list.

Trip of a Lifetime - Peru - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen
Trip of a Lifetime - Peru - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen

3. It’s not a walk in the park.

Being a classic bucket list destination, many people seem to overlook the physical requirements of the trail. It’s not a technically difficult trail, however it is located in high altitude, which makes everything more challenging.

Get acclimatized for the trail before you start. Arrive in Cusco, the main city near the start of the trek, at least two days before you’re scheduled to begin the trail. At 3,500 meters (11,480 feet) above sea level, the elevation in Cusco will help get your body used to the 420-meter (13,780-foot) pass you’ll be hiking on day two.

In the city, most restaurants and hotels offer coca tea, a herbal tea that acts as a mild stimulant which helps with the headaches of high altitude. Prior to the trek, your guide will likely make a stop to purchase coca leaves. Locals believe that rolling the raw leaves into a ball and chewing on the plant is key in surviving the high altitude trek, however, there is no evidence to support it as normally only half of a tour group will indulge.

Once on the trail, the granite path climbs over high-altitude peaks and descends over ancient staircases, all wreaking havoc on your knees. In addition, most trekkers carry an extra 20-30 pounds of gear.

Get in shape pre-trek by hiking up a steep hill (or up and down multiple staircases) with a 10lb bag on your bag for at least an hour a day. Do this for a month solid and you’ll be physically prepared for the trek.

There will be Rain - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen
There will be Rain - Inca Trail - Rachel Kristensen

4. There will be rain.

The third day of the trail takes hikers into a cloud forest, a subtropical ecosystem where clouds, mist, and rain constantly roll over the Andes Mountains throughout the day. As you walk into the lush and tropical Amazon, remember: you are in a rainforest.

It will rain at some point, so bring a rain jacket and weatherproof your bag.

DCIM100GOPRO
DCIM100GOPRO

5. It really will be the trip of a lifetime.

There is a reason the Inca Trail is on so many bucket lists. Every single turn of the trail takes hikers to a place of extraordinary beauty, from alpine meadows to the lush Amazon rainforest. Every step changes the setting. By the time you finally find yourself at Machu Picchu, it’s likely you’ll have found the trek turned into something life altering.

Enjoy, and make sure to bring a camera!

In trailblazer, explorer Tags explore, learn, contribute, how-to guide, tips, america, peru, travel guide
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