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There is one very important rule to follow when packing your backpack: Every item must have a dual purpose, or it can't go on the trip. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, but by following it as closely as possible you can significantly cut down on the weight in your pack, and make more room for stashing the essentials. It makes the trip more enjoyable if you know that every ounce you carry has not one purpose, but two!

For example, when you venture into areas that require a bear cannister, rather than bemoaning the weight of the cannister, keep in mind that bear cannisters make great camp stools, and allow you to keep your food and toiletries all together and easy to locate.

I always pack my food in separate zip-lock bags for each day, and mark them "Sunday", "Monday", etc. That keeps me organized, and I don't have to put any thought into what I'm going to eat that day. At the end of the first day, when my food is gone, I use the empty bag for my trash, and use it as many days as I can until it's full. The bag from day two is used for my dirty socks and undies. I don't really want them mixing and mingling with the clean shirt I will be wearing the next day. The bags are good for carrying out human waste if it can't be buried, or for stashing wet items until they can be hung to dry.

I keep my sleeping bag in a stuff sack in the bottom of the main compartment in my external frame pack. Even though I have a zippered compartment designed for stowing my sleeping bag, I don't put it there. The stuff sack goes into a plastic garbage bag. If I am caught in the rain and my pack cover leaks, I have an extra layer of protection from the rain. I won't need my bag until I get to camp and set up my tent, so the bottom of the pack is a good place for it, and the weight of the bag is well-positioned there. Unless my boots are very muddy, I use the garbage bag to stash my boots overnight. I fill the stuff sack with clothes for a pillow.

My bear cannister goes on top of the sleeping bag, and I put everything that will fit into the cannister. That includes my bowl, cup, fuel, stove, etc. (I only ever take a bowl, a fork, a spoon, and a cup for eating. I can eat anything out of a bowl, drink anything out of a cup (it's also a measuring cup), and eat anything with a spoon or fork. If I need a knife, my Swiss Army Knife will cut anything!

On top of my cannister, I put lighter things, like my camp shoes (which double as water shoes), a water bucket (can be used to carry things across creeks if needed), my water filter, my day pack (if needed), my (one) cooking pot and if there is room, my sleeping pad.

In the compartment at the bottom of of my pack, designed to carry my sleeping bag, I keep my clothes. They are easily accessible there, and of course I layer them in the order of probable need...rain gear that I may need in a hurry goes on top, but if no rain is forecast and the sky is clear, it might go further down.

Strapped to the bottom of my pack is my tent. If I need to set it up quickly, it is easy to get to. In case of a dire emergency, it can be used as an emergency blanket until conditions or the situation changes.

I use the outside pockets for first aid items, foot care items, sun block, extra water bottles, matches, a map, and my knit hat and gloves. Gloves can be used as pot-holders; a hat can be used the same way.

Other items are stashed anyplace that I can find room.

In summary, chose only essential items. Always use a list when packing, otherwise
you may forget something critical. If an item can be used for a dual purpose, you cut the weight of your pack, and finding room for those essential items is much easier!

Learn more about this author, Gena Reddoch.
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