Trading city gray for mountain green
Hints,tips on backpacking for beginners
Photo by Larry Schmidt
Backpackers at Rock Mesa
By CHARLOTTE STEPHENS
Of the Emerald
Backpacking is a popular form
of recreation in Oregon.
Last weekend I became an
“Instant Expert” on back
packing by scrambling five miles
down the French Pete Creek
Trail and staggering five miles
back up, both ways with the
necessities of life for modern
civilized man precariously at
tached to my tired, civilized
back. (The uphill stagger was
made a bit easier by a lighter
pack as I had consumed many
necessities.)
On the basis of this experience,
I feel qualified to recommend
backpacking to anyone in
moderate or better physical
condition who enjoys green
Oregon scenery and occasionally
gets tired of the gray Oregon
scenery found in many gray
Oregon cities.
A good backpack with a light
aluminum frame generally costs
from $30 to $60. However, if you
aren’t sure you want to invest
that much, most Eugene outdoor
stores rent backpacks for about
$1 to $1.50 a day.
Be sure that your backpack fits
you. When you pack it, distribute
weight throughout it and put the
heaviest things on top.
Since your feet are what you’ll
be walking on, it’s a good idea to
make them as comfortable as
possible. A pair of inside-out
cotton socks, covered by thicker
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wool socks, Keep leet relatively
happy and blister free.
For many trails, sturdy shoes
can be substituted for hiking
boots. The type of boot or shoe
that is best for you depends a lot
on what type of feet you have and
where you plan to be hiking.
Whatever you wear on your feet,
be sure it’s waterproofed.
If you plan any swimming or
wading, a pair of tennis shoes will
help protect against sharp rocks
and bottle caps. (Unfortunately,
there are bottle caps in many
otherwise beautiful places—be
sure not to add any.)
An easily accessible bag for
storing empty food containers
and other trash until you get
home keeps trails the way they’re
meant to be—natural and clean.
Food should be as compact as
possible. Protein and sugar are
two important elements to keep
stocked up on when you’re hiking.
Cheese, crackers and salami (or
a similar meat) make excellent
meals, require no cooking and
store well. Oranges are heavy
but thirst-quenching. Dried fruits
are available at most grocery
stores. Packets of Kool-Aid can
be added to water along the way
and provide a lot of sugar. m
Instant foods that need only h^
water added weigh little and are
ready to prepare. Freeze-dried
meals are available at outdoor
stores—however, they are often
expensive and not really
necessary for short backpacking
trips. Plan to take more food than
you think you’ll eat in case of
emergencies.
Although you may not need to
use it, a first aid kit is vital. It
should contain any medication
you take regularly or for
emergencies, bandages, an
tiseptic, possibly a needle and
thread, sunburn lotion, scissors
and moleskin. (Moleskin is used
for treating blisters and is sold
with foot supplies in most
drugstores.)
In your pockets you should
have a pocket knife, matches in a
waterproof container and insect
repellent.
In Oregon, it helps to be
prepared for rain. Ponchos which
fit over backpacks are very
convenient. Instant tents cost
around $3 and provide a one or
two-man sleeping shelter in caiMj
of rain. Layer clothes on and dQ
as the temperature changes. A
wool shirt or sweater worn close
to the body is good insulation
when it’s cold.
The most important thing to
remember is to enjoy yourself.
Stop frequently to rest and look at
things. It’s hard to observe the
scenery while you’re actually
walking because many trails
need caution to avoid falling off.
Stop (if it’s warm) before the
warmest part of the day and
wade in a creek or fish or just
enjoy being surrounded by the
color green.
"Try it—you’ll like it!”
1972