The impressions of the track and its success often depend on how well the equipment is chosen. The first lines in the list of “equipment” are deservedly occupied by things without which there is nothing to do in nature – a tent, a backpack, a sleeping bag, comfortable clothes and shoes. We have already written how to assemble a backpack correctly, how to make it lighter, about clothes for a winter hike and made a video about summer hiking clothes.
But when preparing for a hike, every little thing is important. In this article, we talk about equipment that will make your trip more comfortable and safer .
Trekking poles
Modern sticks are completely different from Soviet alpenstocks and homemade staffs. They are light, comfortable, have a lot of useful properties and ways of application. Here are some pros and cons to making sure your sticks have a place in your backpack:
- They help to evenly distribute the load on the limbs when moving up or down the slope. With skillful handling, each stick takes on 5-15 kg of weight!
- They create additional points of support, making it easier to walk on slippery ground (snow, ice, mud).
- Facilitate life on a hike for beginners in tourism, people with problem knees. Mandatory on ascents, when crossing fords.
- Additional options: with a stick, you can dig a furrow around the tent to drain water in the rain, attach guy wires to it in case of strong wind, and use it as a hanger for drying shoes.
- They consist of several parts: an aluminum rod in 2-3 knees, a pointed tip, removable nozzle rings for various types of soil, a cork or foam handle of a special shape for easy gripping with or without gloves, and a lanyard.
Due to the variable length, the sticks are adjusted to your height, direction of movement. When ascending, they must be shortened; when descending, they must be lengthened. On average, you should follow the rule: the length should be such that the arm is bent at the elbow at an angle of 90 degrees to the body.
Do not believe the tourists who say that walking with sticks is uncomfortable and they get in the way. Most likely, these people do not know how to use them. The principle of movement is similar to skiing – at the same time, the opposite arm and leg are carried forward. Practice walking with them in the nearest park or on the street, and sticks will become your best friends in the mountains.
Tourist foam
It is a foam or inflatable mat that is placed under the sleeping bag inside the tent. Serves for comfortable sleep and rest, protects the sleeper from the cold, smooths out small uneven ground.
The most reliable, budget, time-tested option is the Izhevsk foam rug with a thickness of more than 1 cm. Cellular corrugated models of the Therm-A-Rest type are more comfortable, but more expensive.
“Self-inflators” give the effect of sleeping in a home bed, even on very uneven ground. They are the most capricious in handling – such a mattress is easy to pierce on stones or tree roots. If you take a self-inflating rug on a hike, be sure to grab a repair kit, or better, a spare foam.
Air mattresses and yoga mats are not suitable for replacement. The first – because of the large weight, the need to take a pump with you and the risk of piercing. The second – because of the small thickness, which does not provide thermal insulation.
Seat
It has many popular names – pendal, podpopnik , hoba, penozad. Represents a rectangular piece of thick foam with an elastic band and a fastener.
An indispensable thing for halts allows you to sit on cold ground, stones, damp wood without health consequences. The seat can be used as a cutting board, a coaster for hot, and to inflate a fire with it.
Forgotten at home or lost on the route, the pop-up is easy to replace with a home-made one. To make it, cut off a part of the sleeping mat (put a backpack or warm clothes under your head instead), make 2 holes along the edges, pass a cord or a piece of rope from the awning through them.
Raincoat
The cape will protect you from cold and dampness, help out in many hours of rain, which even the strongest membrane cannot withstand. It is made of waterproof fabric, the seams are additionally sealed with silicone, impregnation or glue.
Windproof suits are available in 2 versions: in the form of a set of a windbreaker and pants or a raincoat / poncho. Each has its pros and cons. The set covers more of the surface of the body, protects the bottom of the trousers from getting wet, but it takes more time to put on, it is worse ventilated due to the tight-fitting silhouette. It is convenient to throw on a poncho right on the go, but its length is often not enough to cover the legs below the knee.
Do not even try to take with you a plastic cape from those sold in hardware stores! It is suitable only as an accessory to the outfit of an avid gardener. The probability that you will tear such a raincoat on the very first thorny bushes is 99.9%.
Cape on a backpack
It will protect your shoulder friend from moisture, dirt, and it is also convenient to pack a backpack for transportation on an airplane. It happens that the standard cover that comes with the kit is small and does not completely cover the sides. In order not to worry about things getting wet, purchase an oversized cape in the equipment store.
Sunglasses
Protect eyes from bright sun, wind, fine dust. For hiking at altitudes of no more than 3000-3500 meters, city sunglasses are suitable . For high-altitude tracks in Nepal , climbing, and winter trips, it is recommended to purchase a ski mask or special mountain goggles with protective curtains on the sides. Pay attention to the degree of protection against UV rays, it should be at least 3.
Head Torch
With the help of a wide elastic band, the lantern is attached to the head, freeing both hands. This is very handy when driving or camping in the dark. A headband is a must when climbing, it will greatly facilitate camping life on easier routes.
Camping flashlights have several modes of operation, including SOS signal. Runs on standard batteries or rechargeable batteries. When you go camping, be sure to check the charge level and buy extra batteries.
Multitool
A small, lightweight set of tools is useful for independent travelers, survivalists, and cyclists. The kit usually includes: a screwdriver with interchangeable nozzles, an opener, a penknife, nail scissors, wire cutters.
To avoid misunderstandings with the police, choose a multitool with a knife blade no more than 9 cm in length. Such a blade is not considered a melee weapon, it can be fearlessly carried with you. Don’t forget to pack your instrument in your luggage when you travel by plane. Sharp objects are not allowed to be brought into the cabin.
Pouch for dishes
Its second, unofficial name is “zhorik”. An optional, but handy thing that makes it easier to find a bowl with a spoon throughout the tent. It will also protect your equipment from contact with greasy or poorly washed dishes.
In the “zhorik” it is convenient to keep accessories for morning washing (toothbrush and paste), a lighter or matches for making a fire, fire mittens.
When packing, you should beware of the temptation to take “in reserve” things that lie in a backpack with a dead weight. But some little things make camping life much easier, without taking up much space and weighing almost nothing. We wish you not to go to extremes and gather your mind.
