Hauling Gear - How To Lighten Your Camping Load

Author: Darren Lintern

Source: articledashboard.com



Hauling personal gear by campers and hikers can be one of the less exciting parts of a camp adventure. In order to lessen the downsides, take a moment to really consider what you truly need for where you're headed. Making a few enquiries into the precise campsites you will pass through on your trip will expose a lot of back saving information.

You'll find out if the campsite is equipped with running water (some do, many do not), and if there are washroom facilities (rare, but less so as time passes). Attempt to make contact with someone at the camp, either via email or phone, and ask particularly about quality. Having some water that's suitable for cleaning dishes or bathing is fine, but it's not something that you'd want to drink.

Always take along several gallons of drinking water, just as a precaution. But bear in mind that a gallon of water weight approximately 8lbs (3.6kg). You don't want to travel too much with that on your back.

Consider the climate conditions. Modern sleeping bags have become much lighter of late, but they can still weigh approximately 4lbs (1.8kg) at best. Although they can be rolled up into a tight bundle these days, they are still often the bulkiest item to transport.

Today's tents are much lighter and made from a tough, lightweight nylon material. With inner frames, using fibreglass or aluminium, it's possible to get a durable tent into a low mass parcel.

To lighten the camping load, opt for a tent that's no bigger than what you truly need. If the weather is forecasted to be fine, trade in extra space for weight. Equipment can be left outside in some places and still be safe.

It's always crucial to pack a first aid kit, but those strictly required items can be carried in a lightweight, small package. Anti-bacterial cream, tweezers/scissors, bandages, and a few other important accessories can weight under 2lbs easily.

A jam-packed backpack can easily reach twenty pounds as a minimum, and often closer to 40lbs before you know it. It may not sound like such, that's until you start heaving it across the trail to get to the campsite, then hauling it back to the vehicle, before moving on to the next campsite. If you add in a long hike, that weight will feel significantly heavier as time goes by.

Take along only the basics and your camping adventure will be that, kit travel traile, much more enjoyable. Give careful thought to you camping supply list. You'll be astonished about how much you can really do without while away from home.