From My Backpack

Alexandra, after our recent confabulation I'd like to pass along some of my thinking about my backpack and what I carried in it.  It may shed some light on the package I'm sending with my old gear. 

Love you no matter what, Dad

I.                     Why I was carrying anything at all

Most experienced backpackers pack as light as possible and only include things that are absolutely essential for the planed excursion.  The primary objective for these folks when they assemble a pack is to make it as light as possible.  This makes good sense because more weight means more calories are required, endurance decreases and injuries are more likely if one's exhausted.

I also tried to keep the weight of my pack down, but my primary objective was to bring along everything I would need for an extended stay; perhaps indefinitely.  This was partly a fantasy of mine, being a" Mountain Man"; but mostly it was a fundamental attitude; Be Prepared For The Worst!  Growing up with the bomb, as I experienced it - I remember clearly our Duck And Cover drills in grade school - led me to believe that everything could change for the worse, even worst, at any time.  I still remember watching the Cuban Missile Crisis on TV and wondering if my world would end today.  I kept my pack full of everything I would need if civilization ended for a while.  I felt confident that with the equipment in my pack, I could survive for quite some time.

II.                  My particular considerations

A)       I was fit and strong

I'd determined by trial and error that I could pack 90 lbs without decreasing my mobility substantially; provided I could get the calories.  This became my upper limit and my Expedition Pack was right about 87 lbs.  This allowed me to include lots of stuff, e.g. hunting, fishing, climbing gear and my 24 lbs of water (see below).

B)       I'd been educated about the outdoors

Brian Poppawell and Scott taught me technical rock climbing and mountaineering; the Red Cross taught me Life Saving and the South End Rowing Club taught me open water swimming and kayaking; the YMCA taught me free diving; various American River Guides taught me whitewater rafting; The Portagee taught me tracking and trapping and the Davenports taught me hunting and woodcraft; Daniello Piccininni taught me how to fish;  Uncle Lester, Dr. Otkie and Albert Piccininni taught me firearms.  Consequently, I'd bring along hunting, fishing, trapping and climbing gear.

C)       I harvest wildlife for sustenance

When I had my druthers, I'd go backpacking where there was legal game, some of which was always in season (upon reflection, maybe these were really hunting and fishing trips?).  I'd hope to get most of my food this way but planned on getting only about a third (and yes, I've eaten some weird things).  I'd usually eat more than I'd planned on, so I had some cushion here.  Sometimes there'd be plenty of game; enough for all my needs.  My trapping gear was very light, but with both my hunting gear and fishing tackle, it added quite a bit of weight.  (Plus, I just feel better when I'm armed.)

D)       I need a lot of water

When I'm traveling in the mountains with my backpack on I need at least a half gallon of water a day.  If it's hot and I'm exerting myself, I'll need a lot more.  I take 3 gallons; typically about 2-5 days worth.  At 8 lbs. per gallon that's 24 lbs.  Most folks don't need anywhere near as much water; and those 24 lbs. make any pack very heavy. 

E)       I hate tents

I believe, intellectually at least, that it is a mistake not to include a good Adverse Weather tent in my inventory.   But I hate tents!  They make me feel so cut-off from everything, hiding in a little bag.  When I'm in the mountains, I want to be "in the mountains", not in a tent; I might as well go Car Camping for Pete's sake.  Why, I can't even see the stars!  I rationalized its exclusion by learning how to construct a reasonably weatherproof shelter with my space blanked and cord; as long as there was something I could tie my cord to a few feet off the ground; and I always had my staff.  So, except for me, I recommend everyone purchase a tent.

F)          I didn't do it for the Hike

  Sometimes I did.  For instance, I hiked to the top of Half Dome twice.  I went directly there, spent the night, and came back.  That is to say, I had a firm schedule and destination. Lots of folks backpack this way and there are even names for it now: Thru-Hiking and Section-Hiking.  When I backpacked in the mountains, I was just as likely to reach my planned destination as not; I'd get diverted so easily while pursuing something that just came up.  From my perspective, these folks kind of rush through the whole 'been-there done-that got-the-Tshirt' kind of thing.  A friend and I went on one of these once, and pretty much all we did was walk, eat, and make & break camp; maybe a short stop for a quick dip or a view.  In comparison, one time I caught sight of a California Condor in the Ventana Wilderness and ended up spending the entire afternoon marveling through my binoculars.  I think I only covered about 4 miles that day, and that just wouldn't do on a hike.

III.               Approach in creating my backpack inventory lists

I packed for an extended stay.  I was making what seemed to me like a lot, so cost wasn't an issue; I could afford the best of, and precisely, what I wanted.  I consulted with experienced backpackers and studied the literature.  I didn't sacrifice utility for weight.  I'd pack for worst-case; weather, disaster, etc.  I'd live off the land as much as possible.  I'd satisfy my peculiarities. I eventually began to Leave No Trace (I miss the good old days when I'd cut off low hanging pine boughs, pile them a foot or two high, and have a deliciously comfortable bed).

IV.            General categories of stuff I'd carry

A)         Water : bag; bottle; filter; purification pills

B)         Food : Dry; Dehydrated; Spices, Liquid

C)         Clothing : Feet; Head; Torso; Rain; Legs; Hands

D)         Shelter : Space Blanket; Cord

E)         Fire : Matches & Lighters; Mechanical starters; Solar starter; Accelerants

F)  Gear

1)    Wilderness Aid: Pills; Bandages; Needle & Suture; Anti-Bacterial salve; Snake-bite Kit; Signaling mirror; Instruction Booklet

2)    Orienteering: Navigation; Climbing; Swimming; Instruction Booklet

3)    Camping: Sleeping; Eating; Hygiene; Light; Multi-Purpose

4)    Hunting: Rifle; Ammo; Wrist Rocket (sling shot)

5)    Fishing: Rod & Reel; Tackle; Bait

6)    Trapping:  Wire; Cord; Instruction Booklet

7)      Walking stick (staff)

V.               My inventory lists

Ali, I've some bad news.  I produced the above list before I actually examined the contents of my backpack. I just discovered that I can't send you all my stuff because most of it has gone missing.  Don't ask, it's a sad story ...  Here's what I am sending:

A)        Swim-backpack (my old school bp)

I've used this pack for an overnight only once (top of Half Dome.  Ali, you've just got to spend the night there sometime!); and that was ad hoc.  I assembled two kits; my Day Trip Kit and my Swim Kit.  Both included my Basic Kit, containing:

For my swim pack, I used a purpose-built waterproof bag to keep things dry.  By varying the amount of air in the bag I could adjust the pack's buoyancy depending on whether I wanted to leave it on the surface while I dove, or take it with me.  If the water was calm, I'd usually leave it on the surface; otherwise I kept it with me.  Additional items were added ad hoc.  (I don't include a timepiece in my inventory because I always wear one.)

B)         Expedition pack

My Expedition Kit started with my backpack and Basic Kit, and added:

v      Water: 3 gallon water bag, hand pump-purifier and purification pills

v      Food: Trail Mix, 10kcals (kcal; kilo calories =1000 calories), week's worth Dehydrated @ about 4kcal/day, 2 cans Beer, salt & pepper, hot seasonings, vitamins

v      Clothing (the more pockets, the better): Boots, 3 wicking liner socks, 3 outer socks, shade/rain hat, cold weather hat, poncho, quick drying pair of pants and shorts, protective gloves, cold weather gloves, 2 sets of wicking long undergarments, 2 quick drying shirts, piling jacket, Gore-Tex topcoat and 2 cotton bandanas (APR).

v      Shelter: Space Blanket, plastic bags, additional cord.

v      Fire: Waterproof matches, disposable lighters, fire sticks, magnifying lens, tube of accelerant, cotton balls, four aught steel wool

v      Wilderness Aid: Painkillers, antibiotics and uppers, both OTC and prescription.  Cotton bandages, Band-Aids and medical tape.  Needles & sutures.  Antibacterial salve and snakebite kit.  Joint wrap, signaling mirror and Wilderness Aid Manual.

v      Traveling: Sighting Mirror Compass, USGS Topological maps and pencils, star maps, Rope and carabiners, magnet, Orienteering booklet.

v      Camping: Sleeping bag and pad.  Pot, pan and handle, steel wool scrubber, grill, cup and spoon, stove with windbreak and fuel.   APR (all purpose rag - a small cotton cloth), tooth paste and brush, soap and TP.  Headlamp flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs, and a couple of candles for my small miners-type lantern.  Various rubber bands and waterproof bags, aerial flair and whistle, yet even more cord.

v      Hunting: I'd become proficient enough with my Wrist Rocket sling shot to harvest game, so I always brought it along (about 10oz.).  Warning!  Diversion ahead =>.  I'm on my 2^nd Browning Take-down semi-auto SA-22, Grade I; the 1^st was purloined while I was working in NY.  There is a popular take-down 'survival' rifle, the Armalite AR-7, which would have been perfect if only it was accurate and dependable.  For ammo, I'd take a box of 35 rounds of high-velocity hollow-point, .22 Long Rifle, 10 rounds of  standard velocity and 5 rounds of bird shot.  I kept an additional box and a barrel cleaner in my backpack at home; so far I've never had reason to bring them along so they've always stayed home.

v      Fishing: My beloved Eagle Claw safe in its tube matched up with my traditional Mitchell 308 reel.  Line and weights, hooks and lures, the most attractive bait in existence that's suitable for backpacking (often illegal so only if starving).

v      Trapping:  Wire, cord again, Instruction Booklet

v      Walking Stick: Before Leave No Trace I'd pick up a walking stick soon after starting off and upgrade it along the way.  I eventually had one worth keeping and brought it with me to use until I could find a better.  Sadly, I haven't seen it in years.  

VI.            Some thoughts on your pack

A)       Pick your objectives and then customize your inventory

Since my objective was an extended stay, I took a lot of civilization with me.  You should also define your objective in having a backpack, which would in turn guide your personal inventory kits.

B)       Get the largest pack you can

This is an outgrowth of my fundamental approach to most everything; I want choice.  If I have a large pack, I can choose to carry more.  The extra weight is likely not even a pound and you could live with that.

C)       Make sure it's comfortable

Thankfully you'll probably never experience the joys of using a rigid external-frame pack, or Lord forbid, a Pack-Board, so this won't be as big a consideration for you.  Most all the modern high-end backpacks are extremely comfortable in comparison.  Still, any trade-off sacrificing comfort should be considered carefully.

D)       Make sure it's properly engineered

My pack, my dearly departed 8000 in³ Gregory Cassin, was magical; even at 90 lbs I barely knew it was on my back.  It was so well engineered, it put all the weight on my hips, and so comfortably that I only noticed the weight when I doffed or donned it.  It was so secure I could even climb with it.  In such a backpack, the shoulder straps don't carry any weight at all; they and the chest straps only hold the pack tightly and firmly against your back.  I've just visited the websites of the market leaders, and Gregory's technology still seems to define the state of the art (how's that for brand loyalty!).  They don't even sell the Cassin anymore which means they've improved on it.  Better than a Cassin, wow ... Ali you're in for a treat!

E)       Make sure it's convenient

I'd be surprised if any high-end backpack didn't have various accessories available.  Hydration packs didn't exist in my day, but you may want to investigate them as the ultimate in convenience.  I purchased a few "pockets" which attached to my shoulder strap so my maps, compass, pencil, binoculars, smokes, matches, trail mix and pocket knife were easily at hand.  You'd probably find them convenient as well.  I'd also recommend you consider a waterproof covering for your pack if one is available. 

My Cassin could be reconfigured in the field into a leave-behind unit and a "day" pack; essentially two packs in one.  When I'm in the mountains I'm traveling, camping or adventuring.  For the most part, I only carried the entire Expedition Kit when I was traveling.  Otherwise I'd reconfigure and leave most of my stuff to be picked up later.  You can imagine what a welcome relief dropping all that weight was.  After using it, I don't think I would even consider a backpack that didn't have this feature.  

F)         Get a repair kit

The problem with rips and holes is that they keep getting bigger.  When you somehow poke a hole in your pack, you can fix it immediately so it doesn't grow.  Maybe you'll never need it, but a repair kit is just a few grams, and ya, here I go again; Be Prepared!

G)       My kit was designed and assembled 30 odd years ago

I haven't even really kept up with the literature since the late 80s so I expect there is lots of new knowledge and technology available.  Some stuff can't be improved upon, like a magnesium striking block for fire.  Other things, like metallurgy, have made tremendous advances.  Cutting tools of yesterday can't compare to a modern blade.  Has there been a significant advance in water purifiers?  All I can suggest is to consult with experts and review the literature.

When you're working on your inventory, maybe we could do some shopping?

xoxo Sunshine

Dad

P.S.  I can't believe I didn't mention what I carried on my person at all times.  I guess I just took it for granted, but here's the list:  The Single Most Important Survival Item is a good knife.  It needs to be large, indestructible, and somewhat heavy for chopping wood and bones, digging, etc.  A small compass.  Matches, lighter and manual fire starters and cotton and/or steel wool tinder.  Iodine water purifier. Swiss Army Knife (although I'd probably replace that with a small, light, modern multi-tool.  Wire and cord.  Large, thick plastic bags.  Except for the knife, and the belt that held it, all this stuff could fit in one pocket and weigh less than a pound.  Oh, I almost forgot; everything kept in waterproof containers.