McNETT® - Essentials for Adventure^TM

Backpacking Tips

• Hiking Tip

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    From the top of the ridge you can see your car at the trailhead far below. Do you take a compass bearing and try to hold to it as you scramble down through dense forest? If you drift off your bearing, even slightly, you could miss the trailhead and wind up lost in the forest. By “Aiming Off” you could deliberately choose to take a bearing that will intersect the road then walk to the trailhead and your car.

• Backpacking Tip

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    Steps to Lifting a Backpack
    1. Lift to bent knee.
    2. Slide onto one shoulder while swinging slowly around and slide other arm in opposite strap.
    3. Fasten hip belt, then snug up other straps and off you go...!

• Packing Tip

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    Proper Backpack Weight Distribution:
    A. Small, “Quick Access” Items i.e.: sunblock, head lamp, etc.
    B. Heavy Weight Items i.e.: food, water, fuel, etc.
    C. Light Weight Items i.e.: rain gear, clothing, etc.
    D. Medium Weight Items i.e.: tent, ground sheet, etc.
    E. Sleeping Bag

• Ultralight Tip

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    Going Lighter – The “Big 3” Gear Items
    To dramatically reduce the weight of your fully loaded backpack get the weight of your “Big 3” gear items down. The “Big 3” are your tent, sleeping bag and backpack (empty) combined.