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Monday, July 27, 1998
Backpacking basics: Be honest about what you
can carry
By TOM WHARTON
Salt Lake Tribune
People who sell backpacks for a living often face a simple
but difficult problem.
Their customers are often less than honest.
That dishonesty does not equate to a rash of stolen backpacks.
But it does mean many backpack buyers do not honestly admit to
themselves how much they can carry and where they plan to use
their packs.
Thus, backcountry enthusiasts often spend too much money on
gear and wind up less than satisfied.
Backpackers have a tendency to be dazzled by too many fancy
features and marketing campaigns, often opting for gimmicky models
or packs that accommodate more gear than the hiker can comfortably
carry.
John Zobell sells backpacks at the Denali store in Salt Lake
County. He said backpackers often make the mistake of buying for
features instead of fit. And they often purchase a pack that is
too big.
The human psyche often demands that a pack must be full, even
for a short overnight trip. So backpackers who purchase a pack
that carries too much will likely fill it and thus carry more
weight than necessary.
"You should carry 25 percent of your body weight to a
maximum of 30 percent," said Zobell. "You need to reach
a happy medium for what you really need and what is going to make
the trip more comfortable. But there are some big packs available
for people with too much testosterone."
Marc Holbrook, a backpack-fitting expert at REI, offers similar
advice. He said it is important to pick a pack that fits the type
of backpacking you are going to do.
For example, folks who seldom backpack more than three or four
nights at a time can get by with a pack that carries 3,000 to
4,200 cubic inches. Holbrook recommends a pack capable of carrying
5,500 cubic inches for a seven- to 10-day trip. And there are
internal frame packs as large as 7,000 cubic inches for the few
who enjoy long expeditions.
Another myth is that internal-frame packs are better than more
traditional external models.
"If people admitted to what they were doing with their
packs, most would use external packs," said Zobell. "They
are built for carrying heavy loads on established trails. That
is what most people do. And external frames are easier to pack."
Holbrook likes an external frame's ability to carry weight
and the fact that many important pieces of backpacking equipment
can be attached to the frame. He said they can carry heavier and
bigger loads and provide better ventilation between the back and
the frame.
So why is it that most outdoor stores carry numerous models
of internal frame packs as opposed to only a few external models?
"Most of the advertising shows internal frame packs,"
said Zobell. "You see guys climbing grand mountains in them.
And most of the research and development is going into internal
frames to make them more comfortable."
Internal frames do have some advantages. They are great for
mountain climbing, backcountry skiing and rugged off-trail use
such as the kind found in many southern Utah slot canyons.
They are also self-contained. All the gear fits inside, either
loading from the top down or using a panel-loading system that
makes it easier to get at gear. That means there is little chance
of gear getting dusty or dirty.
"We have a bigger selection of internal-frame packs,"
said Holbrook. "But they may not be better. They look cooler."
Holbrook said while there are no hard and fast rules for distributing
weight inside a backpack, it is usually a good idea to put the
heaviest gear on top and the lightest on the bottom. When hiking
in more rugged terrain, he suggested putting the heaviest gear
in the middle so there is no problem with the center of gravity.
Zobell said a person starting backpacking from scratch can,
on the low end, get into the sport for about $350, spending $100
for a pack, $100 for a sleeping bag, $100 for a tent and $50 for
a lightweight stove.
"It is a good idea not to go too expensive right off the
bat," he said. "But you should spend enough to have
an enjoyable trip."
Some household items can work, but purchasing lightweight items
such as stoves, cooking pots, dishes, water purifiers, tents and
sleeping bags can take weight off a backcountry user's back, ultimately
providing for a more enjoyable trip.
Paul Henderson, chief interpreter at Canyonlands National Park,
sees many relatively inexperienced backpackers at his park. He
said park rangers' two biggest concerns are backcountry users
who fail to carry an adequate supply of water and those who neglect
to purchase a good topographic map.
"For some reason, people refuse to believe they will need
a gallon per person per day," he said. "They look at
a gallon of water, realize what it weighs and then find it hard
to believe they will need it."
Because many Canyonlands trails are not manicured or marked,
backpackers also need a good map and should possess some basic
map-reading skills.
But then, one of the main pleasures of backpacking is possessing
many different types of outdoor abilities.
Owning basic gear and knowing how to use it only adds to the
sport's enjoyment.
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