Are you ready for an adventure?
›EXPERT Q & A
This issue’s expert is Chris Townsend, a renowned expert on long-distance backpacking and the BMC’s hill-walking ambassador. He’s chalked up more than
15,000 miles in the wild places of North America, Scandinavia and Scotland through a series of solo walks, sometimes lasting up to six months.
“DON’T CHOOSE SOME EPIC BACKCOUNTRY EXPEDITION WITH HUGE DAILY DISTANCES FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP.”
of the enthusiasm – geekiness, to put it another way – of some of these folks can be intimidating, with detailed pack lists, equipment analysed down to the gram and thousands of words expended in the minute analysis of stoves and tents. But in amidst all this there are many gems of wisdom to be found – don’t be afraid to wade in.
6
Don’t be afraid to experiment – but stick with what works for you The world of backpacking gear is a big one. Gear companies range from huge brands to internet-only cottage companies, while the gear itself covers a spectrum from wooden-frame backpacks to ghostly cuben-fi bre lightweight rucksacks, from hefty synthetic sleeping bags to lightweight
down wonders. Most gear also comes in countless different shapes and sizes; stoves operate differently and run on different fuels, tents can be alloy or carbon, and most types of equipment run the gamut from relatively affordable to extremely expensive. A backpacking setup is something you can go on tinkering with endlessly, and what works for one person may be a completely different experience for another. Finding a balance between sticking with what works and keeping an open mind is another key part of the art of backpacking.
Words: Carey Davies.
Carey is the BMC hill-walking development offi cer and former TGO journalist. Follow him @BMC_Walk.
Q. What’s your number one tip for fi rst-time backpackers? A. Don’t try to do too much too fast. Start out with short trips and be prepared to make them even shorter if they seem tough. Aiming for high mileages or lots of summits on your fi rst trip could lead to disillusionment. Better to feel you could have done more, rather than wish you’d never set out. Q. What’s more important, comfort or weight? A. The balance between comfort and weight is simple: comfort fi rst! But that means comfort when walking as well as camping. A heavy pack full of camp luxuries that makes your back ache isn’t comfortable. Everyone is different, though, so you need to work out what works for you. It’s possible to be comfortable with very light gear. Q. Should I try to go as lightweight as possible straight away? A. As lightweight as possible means being safe and comfortable with very light gear. This does require some experience, so I wouldn’t suggest this for a novice. However, most novices tend to carry too much rather than too little. If you look at other peoples’ gear lists (there are many online) you can get an idea of what’s needed for different conditions. Initial choice of gear is important. Most weight comes from your pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and stove/cookware. If these are heavy, shaving grams off other items won’t make much difference. Q. What’s been your worst backpacking error? A. I’ve made a few. One of the worst was buying a chunk of open- cell foam in a market because it was much cheaper than a real camping mat (I was a student!). This soaked up condensation, and I had a really unpleasant wet and cold night that sent me home early. Lesson learned. Q. I’ve seen you use lightweight tarps in Scotland. Are you mad? A. I may be mad, but it’s not because I use tarps in Scotland. A well-designed shaped tarp can be roomier and more stable than a tent while weighing less. Last year I spent two months walking 750 miles on the Scottish Watershed. I used Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar tarp shelter and it worked well in some really big storms.
›EXPERT Q & A BUY:
International Trekking £18.95 / £17.05 (members) The reference tool for every trekker, from novice to expert, gap-year traveller to seasoned trek leader.
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SHOP:
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SUMMIT#74 | SUMMER 2014 | 67
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.
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