Backpacking Course 425 Instructor: Shane Watts, Scoutmaster 585

About me...  Scoutmaster, Troop 585  Father of one girl and three boys ages 9, 7, 5 and 2  Avid ultralight backpacker, outdoor enthusiast, with over 1 year sleeping in a tent  Started troop backpacking program in 2012 Troop 585  Backpack January-September  miles per year  50 miler every other year  1-3 hikes/backpack trips per month, May-Aug.  Condition on Pipeline Trail in Woodinville

Goal: Goal: Enable you to begin or enhance a backpacking program in your troopFocus: Fundamental but non-obvious backpacking principles and techniquesAgenda:  Incorporating backpacking into your program  Backpacking skills  Backpacking gear  Where to go backpacking

Incorporating backpacking in your program Incorporating backpacking in your program  Understand likes and dislikes  Get Wilderness First Aid certified  Start small  Keep it light  Skills before gear  Exciting destinations and activities  Conditioning program  Slide shows = marketing

BackpackingSkills Backpacking Skills  Adjust the fit of your backpack  Place and pitch your tent  Stay reasonably dry in the rain  Hang a bear bag  Select and prepare food  Make and break camp systematically

haul loop hip belt Skill: Adjust the fit of your backpack Skill: Adjust the fit of your backpack

Skill: Place and pitch your tent Skill: Place and pitch your tent  Five W’s  Tight with an air barrier  Ventilation  Pitching a tent in the rain

Skill: Stay reasonably dry in the rain Skill: Stay reasonably dry in the rain  Embrace reality  Keep your important stuff dry  Pitch your tent right  Keep the wet out  Get dry before you get into your sleeping bag

Skill: Hang a bear bag Skill: Hang a bear bag One tree model PCT style Two tree model

Skill: Select and prepare food Skill: Select and prepare food  How do you view trail food?  Freeze dried vs. regular  Cook vs. non-cook  Don’t carry water in food  Practice stove and meals at home  Eat heavy/bulky food first  2,500-3,500 calories per day

Skill: Make and break camp systematically Skill: Make and break camp systematically  The importance of systems  Who, when and how?  Promoting performance Example: 1. Arrive at camp 2. Locate the bear-muda triangle 3. Pitch dining fly 4. Pitch tents 5. Hang bear bags 6. Setup kitchen

BackpackingGear Backpacking Gear  Backpack  Clothing  Footwear  Sleep system  Tent  Stove  Water purification

What’s in your backpack? Pack your skills, not your fears. What’s in your backpack?  10 Essentials (+ extra food, clothing)  Sleep system  Tent (part)  Cooking system  Water purification system Pack your skills, not your fears.

Backpack Backpack  Price: Depends, but generally mid-range  Volume: 50L-70L  Weight: 2-3lbs  Torso length: Fits or is adjustable  Nice features: External mesh, diagonal pockets, hydration port  Know how to pack and wear it

Backpack: What goes where? Backpack: What goes where?  Weight high and close  Hurry/frequent use items in top/outside  Food above fuel  Break down larger items  Stuff the spaces  Weight loaded: Acceptable – 25-30% of your body weight Better – 20% of your body weight Ideal – 15% or less of your body weight

Clothing Clothing  No cotton!  Shell: waterproof with sealed seams  Layers: base, mid and outer  1-2 sets  Laundering clothes on the trail

Footwear Footwear  Boots vs. Shoes  Weight  Wet feet and blisters  Expense  Socks  Gaiters  Orthotics

Sleep System Sleep System Sleeping bag  Fill: Synthetic or down?  EN rating: degrees  Weight: 2-3lbs Sleeping pad  Fill: Air or foam?  R-value: 2.5 – 5  Weight: 1.5 – 2.5lbs

Tent Tent  Type: Backpacking (dome or hybrid)  Quality: Mid-to-high  Size: 2-3 person  Weight: ~ 2 lbs per person  Nice feature: Air vents  Fly: Full-length (no toupee tents!!!) WARNING: Tents must be unpacked, dried and cleaned after each use!!!

Backpacking Tent Summer Car Camping Tent

Stove Stove  Liquid fuel vs. Canister  What are you cooking?  How big are your pots?  What will the temperature be?  How important is weight?  How far are you going?  How careful are your Scouts?

Water Purification Water Purification  Filters  Tablets  Boiling

Where to go backpacking Where to go backpacking  Quick & easy backpacking trips  More adventurous backpacking trips  50 mile backpacking trips

Find your own hike Find your own hike

Make your own map Make your own map

Quick & Easy: June Lake Quick & Easy: June Lake  Length: 2.8 miles RT  Elevation: +200 ft.  Highlights: Nearby Ape Caves, Lava Canyon, Mt. St. Helens  Location: Near Mt. St. Helens

Quick & Easy: Barclay Lake Quick & Easy: Barclay Lake  Length: 4.4 miles RT  Elevation: +500 ft.  Highlights: Log bridge, lake with mountain views  Location: Hwy 2 near Baring, WA

Quick & Easy: Snow Lake Quick & Easy: Snow Lake  Length: 8 miles RT  Elevation: +1,800 ft.  Highlights: Amazing views, before and at lake  Location: I-90 near Alpental ski resort, Snoqualmie Pass

More Adventurous: Gravel Lake More Adventurous: Gravel Lake  Length: 14 miles RT  Elevation: +2,700  Highlights: Kendall Katwalk, Stunning mountain views  Location: I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass

More Adventurous: Dorothy& Bear Lakes More Adventurous: Dorothy & Bear Lakes  Length: 7.5 or 11.5 miles RT  Elevation: +1,600 ft.  Highlights: Two beautiful lakes, exciting stream crossing  Location: Hwy 2, south of Skykomish

More Adventurous: Goat Lake More Adventurous: Goat Lake  Length: 10.5 miles RT  Elevation: +1,400  Highlights: Waterfalls, lake, mountain views and history  Location: North Cascades, Mountain Loop Hwy

50 Miler: Goat Rocks Wilderness 50 Miler: Goat Rocks Wilderness  Length: miles  Elevation: Depends on route  Highlights: The “knife edge,” amazing mountain views  Location: Goat Rocks wilderness, near White Pass, WA

50 Miler: Enchanted Valley/LaCrosse Basin 50 Miler: Enchanted Valley/LaCrosse Basin  Length: 50+ miles  Elevation: +10,000  Highlights: Wildlife, waterfalls, moutina valleys and views  Location: Near Lake Quinault

50 Miler: North Cascades Triple by Pass 50 Miler: North Cascades Triple by Pass  Length: 50 miles  Elevation: 13,000  Highlights: Easy, Park Creek and Cascade passes, insane mountain views, horseshoe Basin, Sahale Arm  Location: North Cascades, 21 miles past Ross Lake on Hwy 20

Backpacking Course 425