| You feel the weight of the world on your | | | | center, in close proximity to your back. Position clothing |
| shoulders...literally. The night before starting your | | | | around the gear, to create some insulation. In addition, |
| camping trip, you tossed all of your gear into your | | | | create horizontal balance with this hefty gear. |
| backpack. And now every step up the mountain is a | | | | Underneath the heaviest gear, pack lighter gear, |
| struggle. As the mountain becomes steeper and | | | | such as your tent and sleeping bag, which you will not |
| steeper, you increasingly begin to dread the way that | | | | require throughout the day. |
| you packed your backpack. You assumed that if you | | | | If you are using a pack for hiking trips lasting |
| successfully fit all of your gear into the various | | | | multiple days, it may contain straps and hoops. These |
| compartments of the pack, then you would be | | | | pieces are ideal for placing items such as tent poles. |
| prepared. | | | | However, you should keep in mind that balance is |
| But as you near the mountaintop, the poor weight | | | | always the name of the game. If too much weight is |
| distribution in your backpack meets gravity, causing | | | | added to the outside of the backpack, gravity could |
| you to lose your balance. Suddenly, gravity takes over | | | | pull you backwards, causing back strain if you lean |
| and you start falling backwards. As your arms and | | | | forward to perform a balancing act. |
| neck lanyards flap in the air, you realize how important | | | | Small but significant |
| proper packing of backpacks, actually is. | | | | Aside from the main compartment of your hiking |
| Packing it up | | | | backpack, you should also consider smaller pockets; |
| On any camping trip, the backpack is one of the most | | | | like round neck lanyards, these storage tools may be |
| vital tools that you will need. It is virtually a moving van | | | | small in size, but they are vital to your hiking |
| without wheels. Much of the equipment that you | | | | experience. Side mesh pockets are some of the most |
| require can be stored in a backpack. Whether your | | | | useful types of pockets. When you need to hydrate, |
| hiking trip is going to last a day or a week, there are | | | | you want the process to be easy as 1-2-3. These |
| definitely right and wrong ways to pack your stuff. But | | | | pockets literally put items such as water bottles, bags |
| never be alarmed! The process is much easier than it | | | | of chips and sunscreen bottles, within reach. |
| may seem at first. Just follow some basic guidelines: | | | | Besides mesh pockets, today's backpacks contain a |
| Throwing your (backpack's) weight around | | | | variety of other pocket types, which can store a |
| Using the proper weight distribution is one of the keys | | | | cornucopia of items. There are perfect pockets for |
| to packing your backpack properly. This will allow you | | | | wallets, mobile phones, pens, change, etc. And with |
| to maintain proper posture, and help your body to feel | | | | portable electronic devices becoming more important in |
| comfy whether you are scaling a mountain or crossing | | | | our lives, many backpacks include storage areas for |
| a stream. Here are some guidelines to follow: | | | | portable MP3 or CD players, and special designs to |
| At the top of your backpack, you should pack | | | | prevent the cords from becoming a bird's nest. |
| equipment that you might need to use throughout the | | | | How important can packing your backpack before |
| day. This could include your parka, a flashlight, and your | | | | your next hiking trip, be? It can make your hike |
| favorite sweet or salty snack food. These items | | | | comfortable. It can make your hike efficient. In fact, it |
| should be as easily accessible as flat neck lanyards. | | | | can even save your life! |
| Place the heaviest items towards the backpack's | | | | |