AboutTom Newman Expertise Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 43 in Fort Wayne, IN. We have an outing every month. Most months involve tent camping, usually in State Parks. We have made 4 trips where we have hiked 50+ miles on the Appalachian Trail. We expect to continue this until we have hiked the whole trail... (40+ years).
Expert: Tom Newman Date: 6/16/2008 Subject: The nitty-gritties of backpacking
Question During the summer I volunteer as a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout camp. Last summer we went on a 3-day hike, led by an experienced Boy Scout guide. This was my first long hike. There were a number of things that I wasn't really prepared for and which nobody bothered telling me about. Things like the experience of using a cathole. And walking for three days in extremely sweaty clothing. And one of my scouts getting heat rash. And water coming out of our expensive new water filter looking like apple juice. That's not to say that we didn't have a great time, of course, put I'd like to be better prepared this time around. Specifically, I'd like to hear what you have to say about the following questions. Please answer in as much detail as possible.
1. Using the cathole: Nobody ever claimed it as the most comfortable experience, but for some reason I wasn't expecting it to be quite as bad as it was. It's hard to squat for that long, especially if you have occasional stomach issues like I do so it takes longer than otherwise. And by the time your halfway done you've got ten flies buzzing around you. I guess that says something about their sense of smell, but that doesn't stop it from being annoying. Is there any way to make the experience a bit less unpleasant?
2. Sweat: On this past summer's hike I brought extra clothing in an attempt to avoid having to wear sweat-drenched clothing for three straight days. Of course, that added considerable weight and bulk. I don't want to do that again, but on the other hand I still don't want to have to spend several days in a soaked undershirt. Aside from the fact that I prefer not to smell like a sewer rat, wearing sweaty clothing can cause rashes (especially in the groin area), and I suspect in some cases it can lead to hypothermia.
I can think of four possible ways of addressing this issue:
(a) Wash and/or dry clothing as it gets soiled and sweaty. Questions: What would I need to bring along in order to be able to do the wash? What's the best way of doing it?
(b) I could bring more clothing, like I did last summer, although that adds considerably to pack weight. Questions: For a three day hike, which articles of clothing could I manage to leave behind in order to make my pack as light as possible? Should I bring spares "just in case"? Any other tips on lightening the clothing load?
(c) Another option is sweat-wicking clothing. I've heard good things about it, and I've tried underwear from a few brands (Under Armor, Ex Officio, some other brand I can't remember the name of), with varying results. Questions:
- Do they really work as well as advertised?
- Do all the brands work as well as the others? What should I look for in choosing sweat-wicking clothing?
- Are there any cheaper brands that work well?
- How many days, would you say, could you wear Under Armor underwear (for example) without having it stink to high heaven and risk getting a rash?
(d) The Boy Scout guide who went with us told us that experienced backpackers just don't wear underwear. Is this true?
One of my scouts got heat rash in a very uncomfortable area. What's the best way to treat heat rash?
Finally, is it true that deodorant attracts mosquitoes?
3. Clothing:
(a) Most pants I've worn on hikes rub against my thighs so that by the end of a full day of hiking my thighs feel like they've almost been rubbed raw. And when I'm sweaty it just gets worse. Possibly wearing shorts might solve this problem, but that won't work in the winter, and I anyway prefer to wear pants even in the summer (just my personal taste). Maybe a different material would do the trick? Wider pants legs?
(b) Most rain protection that I've worn on hikes does a good job of protecting you from rain, but you get wet anyway because it makes you sweat a lot. I've only used cheap plastic ponchos and rain jackets, so maybe that's the problem, but I'm not interested in paying $300 for an expensive sweat-wicking rain jacket / pants combo. Is there a happy medium here?
(c) Some socks I've used get soggy from sweat. Others are insulated and get my feet very hot in the summer. What are the pros and cons of different socks types for summer use?
(d) Does white clothing really keep you cool? Is it really that much better than other types? What about other lighter-colored clothing (say, red or light brown)?
(e) Is it really so necessary to get expensive hiking boots for a backpacking trip?
4. Packs: Is there any way to get a good pack without emptying the bank?
5. Sleeping bags:
(a) Is it really necessary to get those expensive sleeping bags and pads?
(b) My sleeping bag always gets damp in the morning (from sweat? dew?). Is there any way to prevent this?
6. Water:
(a) Water is heavy! How much water is it really necessary to carry around?
(b) We bought a fancy $80 water filter for our hike - a Katadyn Vario. We used it a few times with good results, but then we came upon a stream that was brownish-red. From what I had read I expected this to be filtered just as well as the others (I've read that the Vario and other filters can basically filter from straight mud and will filter all dangerous things out of the water except viruses). But the water came out looking like apple juice. This spooked our guide, who insisted we hike over to the nearest Boy Scout area to fill up on water - a good hour or more of hiking, and we were out of water. What went wrong? Or was it indeed filtered correctly and there's nothing wrong with drinking apple-juice colored water?
Answer Hi Aryeh,
You have some really good well thought out questions.
1. Using the cathole: Nobody ever claimed it as the most comfortable experience, but for some reason I wasn't expecting it to be quite as bad as it was. It's hard to squat for that long, especially if you have occasional stomach issues like I do so it takes longer than otherwise. And by the time your halfway done you've got ten flies buzzing around you. I guess that says something about their sense of smell, but that doesn't stop it from being annoying. Is there any way to make the experience a bit less unpleasant?
One thing that I have found is that if you can find a fallen tree, you can sit on the tree with your butt hanging over the side. Do your thing and there is no squatting. Just keep in mind that you want to do this at least 200 meters from the trail or campsite. Also with kids you will want to make sure that they do not touch the feces with the trowel when they fill back in the hole. One way to enforce this is make them wipe off the trowel after use and then lick the blade. They will be very careful not to touch the feces if they know that they will have to lick it afterwards.
Sorry about the flies, I can't help you with that problem.
2. Sweat: On this past summer's hike I brought extra clothing in an attempt to avoid having to wear sweat-drenched clothing for three straight days. Of course, that added considerable weight and bulk. I don't want to do that again, but on the other hand I still don't want to have to spend several days in a soaked undershirt. Aside from the fact that I prefer not to smell like a sewer rat, wearing sweaty clothing can cause rashes (especially in the groin area), and I suspect in some cases it can lead to hypothermia.
The best solution here is to bring two sets of clothes. One for hiking and one for camp. When you begin the hike take your "dries" and put them in a large freezer bag. Zip it about 3/4th full and then sit on it removing all the air, then finish closing it. This will keep the clothes dry, even in the rain and it will take up much less space in your pack.
Hike in the clothes that you have on and then when you get to camp and begin to cool off, take your wet clothes off and put the "dries" on. In good weather hang the "wets" up to dry. On day to change back to the "wets" and air out your "dries" by hooking them to your pack. Once they are dry you can put them back in the zip lock bag.
Continue this process throughout the hike.
As far as clothes, you should wear nylon or light synthetic fabrics and avoid cotton at all costs. Cotton looses its ability to keep you warm when it gets wet and takes a very long time to dry.
I can think of four possible ways of addressing this issue:
(a) Wash and/or dry clothing as it gets soiled and sweaty. Questions: What would I need to bring along in order to be able to do the wash? What's the best way of doing it?
Don't worry about this unless you are going for over a week. If you hike that long you will probably be hiking near a town and you can go to a laundromat and wash your clothes there.
(b) I could bring more clothing, like I did last summer, although that adds considerably to pack weight. Questions: For a three day hike, which articles of clothing could I manage to leave behind in order to make my pack as light as possible? Should I bring spares "just in case"? Any other tips on lightening the clothing load?
Take light clothes like nylon or synthetic blends instead of cotton.
(c) Another option is sweat-wicking clothing. I've heard good things about it, and I've tried underwear from a few brands (Under Armor, Ex Officio, some other brand I can't remember the name of), with varying results. Questions:
- Do they really work as well as advertised?
Yes they work well
- Do all the brands work as well as the others? What should I look for in choosing sweat-wicking clothing?
While some brands might be slightly better than others, don't worry about brand, just get lightweight sweat-wicking fabrics. Remember when hiking you don't need pockets.
- Are there any cheaper brands that work well?
- How many days, would you say, could you wear Under Armor underwear (for example) without having it stink to high heaven and risk getting a rash?
It is said that underwear is good for 4 days, day 1 normal, day 2 backwards, day 3 inside out and backwards, day 4 inside out and normal. Now I don't recommend that, but if you have a "wets" and "dries" pair of underwear, you should be able to go at least a week. Of course you might want to take a third pair in case you have an accident and they have to take you to the hospital. (remember what your mother told you).
(d) The Boy Scout guide who went with us told us that experienced backpackers just don't wear underwear. Is this true?
I used to wear briefs until I began hiking as an adult then I changed to boxers and that is all I wear now. I use sweat pants for my "dries" and do not wear underwear with them. I do wear underwear when hiking.
One of my scouts got heat rash in a very uncomfortable area. What's the best way to treat heat rash?
There are several powers on the market for jock itch, make sure someone in your party has one. One thing that I heard about, but didn't believe until I tried it was using mouthwash in that region. I tried it and it really did work. The alcohol in the mouthwash tends to dry out the sweat glands and keeps you dry.
Finally, is it true that deodorant attracts mosquitoes?
I don't think that it attracts mosquitoes, however it will attract bears. Bears are very curious and are attracted by strange smells. There are several "smellables" that should be put in a Bear Bag and deodorant is one of those things. Bears do not like the smell of humans and being "stinky" will allow the bears to know that you are coming and they will avoid you. All food and anything with a "good" smell should be put in a bear bag at night. This includes such things as toothpaste, and tampons if you have females in your group.
3. Clothing:
(a) Most pants I've worn on hikes rub against my thighs so that by the end of a full day of hiking my thighs feel like they've almost been rubbed raw. And when I'm sweaty it just gets worse. Possibly wearing shorts might solve this problem, but that won't work in the winter, and I anyway prefer to wear pants even in the summer (just my personal taste). Maybe a different material would do the trick? Wider pants legs?
Wear loose fitting pants like nylon sweatpants. If they don't have pockets, you will not feel the need to put things in them, making them tighter.
(b) Most rain protection that I've worn on hikes does a good job of protecting you from rain, but you get wet anyway because it makes you sweat a lot. I've only used cheap plastic ponchos and rain jackets, so maybe that's the problem, but I'm not interested in paying $300 for an expensive sweat-wicking rain jacket / pants combo. Is there a happy medium here?
There is not a happy medium. Gore-Tex is very expensive but the advantage is that is woven in such a manner that it will allow water vapor (sweat) to pass through it, while not allowing water (rain) to pass through it. If I don't have my Gore-Tex jacket, I don't wear any jacket. I find it better to get drenched with rain, than to get drenched in sweat.
(c) Some socks I've used get soggy from sweat. Others are insulated and get my feet very hot in the summer. What are the pros and cons of different socks types for summer use?
To me there is only one brand of socks in my world and those are Smartwool Socks...
https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm
They are made of wool so that they will keep your feet dry and will still insulate your feet when wet. They are also processed better than other wool socks so that you do not have to wear liner socks.
They are very expensive but well worth the money. In hiking your feet are the most important part of your body. Take care of them you will have a much better trip.
(d) Does white clothing really keep you cool? Is it really that much better than other types? What about other lighter-colored clothing (say, red or light brown)?
White and light grey are the best but fabric is more important than color.
(e) Is it really so necessary to get expensive hiking boots for a backpacking trip?
Again I will say yes, your feet are the most part of your body, there are a lot of places to save money, but shoes and socks are not the place. I am on my 3rd pair of $150+ boots, but they are gore-tex with great arch support. You will discover the difference between cheap boots and expensive boots with every step.
4. Packs: Is there any way to get a good pack without emptying the bank?
Packs are a good place to save money. Most people want the biggest pack that they can afford. Then because they have that big pack they have a need to fill it. This makes it much heavier and they enjoy the hike less. A smaller pack will make you evaluate each item as to wether it is really necessary.
5. Sleeping bags:
(a) Is it really necessary to get those expensive sleeping bags and pads?
The answer here is no. I have a $250 sleeping bag and a $28 sleeping bag. During most of the year I take my $28 sleeping bag. On a long backpack trip I would take my more expensive sleeping bag because it much lighter.
(b) My sleeping bag always gets damp in the morning (from sweat? dew?). Is there any way to prevent this?
My $28 sleeping bag has little zippers which when opened allow for air to get in the sleeping bag when closed. I really like this feature. Also you can not fully zip up your sleeping bag. If you get cold you will wake up and then you can zip it up.
6. Water:
(a) Water is heavy! How much water is it really necessary to carry around?
I am a mouth breather who drinks a lot of water. I carry 3 quarts per day, if I am worried about water on the trail. I have found that if I take hard candy like butterscotch or root-beer barrels to suck that it keeps my mouth wet and requires less water.
(b) We bought a fancy $80 water filter for our hike - a Katadyn Vario. We used it a few times with good results, but then we came upon a stream that was brownish-red. From what I had read I expected this to be filtered just as well as the others (I've read that the Vario and other filters can basically filter from straight mud and will filter all dangerous things out of the water except viruses). But the water came out looking like apple juice. This spooked our guide, who insisted we hike over to the nearest Boy Scout area to fill up on water - a good hour or more of hiking, and we were out of water. What went wrong? Or was it indeed filtered correctly and there's nothing wrong with drinking apple-juice colored water?
It could have been that the water itself had some color to it and the filter didn't get out all the water, just that the color was less microns than the filter too out. I am sure that the water was safe to drink. My filter has a charcoal filter that sometimes leaves some color in the water.
I hope this answers your questions, If not feel free to contact me here or directly at scout043@aol.com.
