First Backpacking Trip: Preparations

I can't wait for this weekend to come and I will be gone on my first "proper" backpacking trip. I am calling it first "proper" as I have been on a few hikes in the past but all of them have been during daytime and in the night we just relaxed in our cozy hotel rooms. But this time we will be camping during the night in ass-freezing inclement weather.

This backpacking event is being organized by ORGT and there is a trip leader who is going to lead us. We will be hiking on a portion of the Ash Loeb Trail. Asheville, NC is a nearby city. We are expecting to hike about 6 miles/day. Forecast is sunny (51F High) and a low of 28F is expected. It's going to be windy which would only worsen matters. Showers are also expected.



We must be well prepared to combat such adverse climate. We must be wisely deciding what things to carry. And since we are hiking about 6 miles a day, weight must be minimized. I am excited to see my internal frame backpack provided by ORGT. We also have a stove, tents (each tent for 2), sleeping bags (0F), rain cover for backpack. There are few other important things: headlamp, water bottle (or hydration pack), swiss knife, water-proof matches/lighter, spare batteries, first aid kit, water purification method (as we will be drinking from creeks), compass, trowel (why? keep on reading).

Danger of getting a frostbite or hypothermia is always there. We have been told to ask ourselves the following 3 questions regularly: "Am I cold? Am I wet? Am I hungry/thirsty?" and if the answer is yes to any of these questions fix the problem right away.

Another important factor in wilderness backpacking is clothing. Getting wet and cold can very easily put us in serious danger. Cotton is very bad for hiking as when wet, cotton retains moisture and absorbs body heat. So NO COTTON! Lightweight moisture wicking polyester is the best choice for shirts (base layer). One should wear a fleece over a shirt which serves the purpose of insulation by trapping warm air around body. To keep out wind and water, a jacket should be worn over the fleece. Hats are also very important as a great percentage of body heat is lost through head (check this out). Other clothing includes pants (water-proof), boots, liner gloves, insulated gloves or mittens.

What else is needed for survival? Food. To save time during day, we will just be eating protein bars and snickers. Also it has been advised that eating fats is good in such conditions. For dinner, water will be boiled and poured into some frozen food: hopefully dinner will be ready in 5 minutes. One cannot expect to cook splendid dinners in such cold weather where you don't want to take your hands out of the gloves.

Apart from harsh weather, there is a continuous danger of being eaten by bears. No kidding. But fortunately, in this part of US, you only find black bears (no grizzlies) who don't really attack humans. In any case, on any confrontation with bears, we have been told to scream and act as huge as possible. Bear would run away in all likelihood unless you are standing in between the bear and its cub.

We are almost prepared now. But why are we carrying a trowel? Trowel to dig holes and do you-know-what-i-am-talking-about. After completing the operations, one is supposed to fill back the hole and extra care must be taken to keep the holy trowel tidy. Also, don't forget to put a cross (or some sign which your group has agreed upon - accidentally we have decided to use a cross. so now you know what you would get if you start digging a cross ) so that nobody else end up finding the hidden treasure. And also be sure to go in the direction of downwind so that campground should not stink. (More entertaining stuff on hygiene)

You might be wondering why I am putting myself in such an adverse condition in the first place. I will write about that after returning from the trip. For the time being, just quoting from Bear's blog:

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in an attractive well preserved body; rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly worn out, covered in scars and screaming “yahoo! What a ride!

I need to report at ORGT at 8AM SHARP on Saturday morning. It's quite a challenge in itself as I don't remember when I woke up that early last time. Anyway, I will be back on Sunday night.

That's too much of talking from my side. Enjoy Police-Walking on the moon.

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Someday

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore, 
There is society, where none intrudes, 
By the deep sea, and music in its roar: 
I love not man the less, but Nature more, 
From these our interviews, in which I steal 
From all I may be, or have been before, 
To mingle with the Universe, and feel 
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
-- Lord Byron

I dream when I would be on a motorcyle 
with a backpack driving through the most exotic 
places in the world,
enjoying nature and music, meeting new people
and cultures, learning new ways and arts. 

I dream. Someday.

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