Clothing and Backpacking By Gabriel Troullier

Backpacking and being out in the wild can be very enjoyable and very dangerous depending on how you prepare and plan your trip. One of the major things that can cause someone to loose their life or have a comfortable trip is the clothing that they bring. Rain, Wind, Snow, and Heat can be harmful elements if you are not properly clothed. Introduction

The Purpose of various items Different Types of Clothing Clothing Strategies Footwear Risks of Not being properly Clothed and how to avoid them Things You Will Learn

Purpose Keeping you well insulated throughout your trip. Keeping you protected from the outdoor elements. Keeping you comfortable to enjoy the great outdoors. Preventing outdoor injuries

Different Clothing Base layers – Long underwear, Thermals, Tops and Bottoms Insulation layers – Sweaters wool & synthetic Outer layers – Element protection, breathable/water resistant, semi breathable/waterproof, non breathable/waterproof. Tops and Bottoms Wool – lightweight, fast drying, warm Synthetic fleeces– lighter than wool, faster drying than wool, warm Cotton – used in warm environments to repel heat

Clothing Strategy: Comfort Waterproof Fast Drying Breathable Insulation Durability Lightweight Freedom of Movement Characteristics

Clothing Strategy: Base Layer Staying Dry Managing Moisture Providing Warmth Providing Comfort Long or Short Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Base Layer Synthetic Material Light Weight Polyester Polypropylene Fast Drying Avoid Cotton – if wishing to stay warm

Clothing Strategy: Thermal Layer Warmth Retaining Heat Wick Moisture Synthetic Fleeces Wool Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer Made to protect against Rain, Wind, Snow Varies on what your doing Either more breathable and less waterproof or less breathable and more waterproof Three different types Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer Wet environments. Rain, Snow Cant breath so activities must be minimal Typically a durable polyurethane coated nylon Waterproof non breathable

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer Keeps you cool during high activity Not for heavy rain Made of tightly woven polyester or activent Breathable Water Resistant

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer The best for heavy precipitation and high activity Must sacrifice a little breathability Waterproof Little Breathability

Footwear Always Break in shoes before trip Three different styles - Above ankle – Heavy loads, rough terrain - Ankle – Moderate loads - Below ankle – Light loads, comfortable Many materials both natural & synthetic

Footwear Above Ankle At Ankle Below Ankle

Footwear: Socks Quick drying Water repellant Warm Soft Always have extra dry socks Wool or Synthetic

Other Beanie Hat Gloves

Dangers Hypothermia Frostbite Foot Immersion

Hypothermia Occurs bellow 95 degrees of body temp Most deaths occur 30 – 50 degrees Violent shivering Loss of coordination Loss of muscle strength

Hypothermia Stay Dry Wear proper clothing Stay hydrated Eat lots of little meals instead of few big ones Set a good pace Avoiding

Hypothermia Do not cuddle or apply hot packs Consume fluids and food Evacuation Use two sleeping bags zipped together with two people breathing inside so victim can breath the warmer air

Frostbite Freezing of the tissue Outside temp below 32 degrees Skin temp must be 22 – 24 degrees

Frostbite Protect hands and face from wind and cold (gloves, ski mask) Keep dry Thick wool or fleece socks Avoiding

Frostbite Thaw immediately If on hands put them into your coat against your body If on feet warm them against another person Run under hot water until finger tips or toes turn pink or red

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot) Prolonged exposure of feet to damp & cold conditions Mostly occurs between 68 & 32 degrees 1 st stage – cold, swollen, waxy, with blue and reddish splotches 2 nd stage – hot, swollen, red, blisters. Infection & gangrene are common problems

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot) Pain can last lifelong and tissue injury can be developed easily.

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot) Avoid non breathing footwear Dry feet Change socks when wet or sweaty Massage feet & elevate periodically Wear dry socks to bed or none at all Avoiding

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot) Consume 650 mg of aspirin every 6 hours Consume 1 ½ ounces of hard liquor every hour & 2 every 2 hours during sleeping time Evacuation

Conclusion Keeps you comfortable Protects you Allows you to travel in conditions normal clothing wouldn’t allow Helps prevents dangerous injuries

The End

Work Cited 1.Forgey, William. Basic Essentials Wilderness First Aid. 3rd ed. Helena: Falcon, Schneider, Russ, and Bill Schneider. Backpacking Tips : Trail Tested Wisdom from Falconguide Authors. 2nd ed. Helena: Falcon, Tulin, Philip. "How to choose backpacking clothing." Outdoor Eyes. 2 Nov Falk, Erik, comp. "Backpacking clothing for any type of weather." Wilderness backpacking. 2 Nov "How to prevent hypothermia." EHow. 2 Nov "Immersion Foot." Wikipedia. 2 Nov