drawing showing how to pack a pack

“Has anyone seen a good drawing of a pack that shows where stuff should be packed? I need one for my backpacking class, and was hoping that one already existed somewhere that I could use. I need one for internal frame and external frame examples.

Also, what gear do you stow where in a pack? I most often use an external frame pack, with 4 outside pockets, a division in the main compartment, and a top flap pocket. I put gear that I might need on teh trial in side pockets or just under the top flap. This includes windbreaker, food, water, maybe gloves, first aid kit, hat, sunglasses, water filter, etc. Stuff I won't use till evening I put deep in the pack, like warm clothes, tent, dinner food, stove, and changes of clothes. I put gas on the outside in a pocket. Of course the sleeping bag goes on the bottom strapped to the frame. I may but a few things in with the bag, in the stuff sac, if I need room.

Of course the general principle is to have the heavier stuff high, and close to the back, but it all seems heavy enough really, and the heaviest thing is the sleeping bag, which always ends up strapped on low anyway.

I would appreciate hearing other opinions, strategies on packing.”

“http://www.rei.com/reihtml/LEARN_SHARE/detail.jsp?URL=/reihtml/LEARN_SHARE/camp/packing2f.jsp&ls=Camping "> How to Pack Your Backpack ”

“Very nice, thanks! I'll use it. I am hoping to get one that is pretty specific, because you would not believe what some students bring on an overnight trip. Last trip, a woman showed up with a rented backpack that had no waist belt, and a suitcase to carry the overflow. She could not bend over and tie her shoelaces, or strap on her snowshoes. She had a six pack of soap bars, and 6 big candles. It was amazing, and not like I didn't tell them what to bring, and have a list.

Several students have said that they would like to know how to pack a pack, like where to put specific items, so I thought such a specific diagram might help.”

“How about bringing in your pack and all your gear and giving a packing demo. That way, students can as "Hey, where is your 6-pack of soap?" and you can take that time to explain what they definately do not need as well.”

“I usually do that, but things are generally just thrown in. Maybe this time I'll pack it up ship shape. Good idea. Thanks.”

“I do exactly what Switchback suggested when teaching my Boy Scouts about backpacking. We bring in an external and an internal pack and show how each of them are packed using the items from the suggested gear list that we give the boys at that session and discuss what you need and don't need. The next session everyone brings their stuff and we all pack together while the experienced guys help/check over what the newer guys are doing. Once everyone is packed we fit the packs to everyone one at a time to get a good fit. When everyone is packed and adjusted we go for a short walk with the gear so everyone can get a feel for what they are getting into and make adjustments to the fit and the load.”

“Good stuff!!..

Idaho Bob -- your story reminds me of some of the packs I have seen.. WAY too heavy.. or POORLY packed..”

“I remember when I used to carry a big-assed Rambo knife backpacking. Never used it once, but I still took it.”

“Dang, I completely missed the part about different startegies for packing.

For me packing has always depended on where I'm going and what I'm doing. No matter what you want the heavy stuff close to your back. Heavy up high is a method that is best used for external frame packs used on maintained trails. Internals are usually packed with heavy stuff in the middle or low. The big concern is what kind of trail and terrain you will cover. If you will be on trail then the traditional methods always work. If you will be doing a lot of off trail scrambling or hiking anywhere footing is dicey you need to pack the weight lower to obtain a lower center of gravity so you will have a better balance.

I don't put the tent too deep in the pack cause you never know when you will need to set it up in a storm. Don't want get everything wet when getting it out.

My big packing tip is this. I line the main compartment of my pack with a trash compactor bag (they are twice as tough as normal garbage bags) and put everything in it that you won't need quickly. Twist it shut and tuck the opening downwards and your stuff will never again get wet from rain.”

“I occasionally take people from our work club on trips. I used to bring a scale, weigh the packs, and take things out of their packs. One guy brought his ring of keys: truck, house, office, ex-wife's house, sons ..etc...etc... Another guy brought a 1 lb tub of butter for 1 pkg of noodle type dinner that reqd 1 Tbsp. Another brought a blanket. The list goes on & on & on....”

“How about some paper sacks or plastic bags to put the excess in and label them.

I never thought about a list of what you dont't need. Don't forget to put that kitchen sink on it.”

“A list of what not to bring is a good idea. The students who bring the way stupid stuff are usually the ones that rent a pack, sleeping bag, and pad, so that makes it hard to inspect their gear before the morning of the trip. I usually take a spring scale and weigh the packs before we leave. It seems no matter what I say, they don't learn some things until they experience it ont the trip.”

“I take kids out backpacking and they always have things like full size flashlights, big ole cans of deoderant and a ton of junkfood. I have each one spread out their stuff on a picnic table and we end up with a "keep" pile and a "leave behind" pile, then they are allowed to pick one item from the "leave behind" pile. I have more trouble with the parents. They nick named me Sargent Carter because they think I'm being too picky. Most of the time they still don't get the connection between how much stuff they are carrying and how wiped out they feel on the trail. But every time we go through the same thing.”

“If you download my packweight estimator from the photo page, it shows exactly what I put in each pocket of my external frame pack.

In our Scout troop, the demonstration using actual packs seems to keep their attention.

For first timers, we asked them to bring their packed pack to the Scout meeting before the trip. Then when thru it. The ideal situation is to confiscate the packs at that point. If you don't, then their mothers add about 5-10 lbs of heavy stuff the night before. No, lie! You should see the bug eyes on some of the boys when they pull out the stuff their moms added (food, jackets, shirts, etc.).”

“LMAO Phil. That's great--I can just see 'em doing it too.”

“What's somewhat tough to figure out is how to best pack that bear canister. If you put it inside, the pack doesn't wear as well since the whole thing stiffens up. Also, if it shifts, you're lopsided in a big way (since it contains food).

If you put it on the outside, you're bottom heavy and more likely to turtle over (it's happened.)

Someone ought to invent smaller diameter carbon fiber flex tubes that may be tied together. This way they can be more evenly distributed throughout the pack.

There's gotta be a better way.”

“Thanks Phil. I'd like to use your pack list if thats all right with you. The total newbies in my class usually rent their gear, so a pack inspection doesn't work. I have to give them enough info that they can rent the right size pack, fit it to their bodies, and put their gear in it. Showing them to take small size rather then full size is a good idea. I had one guy bring a coleman gas lantern. I had one Indian gal who said she had hiked in the Himalayas, but showed up for a fall hike in hot weather wearing Sorell type winter boots, waterproof nylon wind pants that she would not take off, and she could not go more than 50 yards without a rest break. I thought she was going to die. I think her trekking was done on horseback, and she had never done anything phyisical in her life. I had one college man tell me a two mile hike with a full pack for a winter camp was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life.”

“My best advice for folks is to use ziplock freezer grade bags to divy up stuff, especially socks,, neat, light, and simple. I still use the same external frame canvas pack I started in the scouts with. simple, light, and stronger than nylon.”