Packing for Bushwalking

By Courtney and Ayden

Before
Packing
Pick the lightest possible backpack
Pick a backpack size depending on the trip (i.e
smaller pack for a shorter trip)
Consider a bigger pack for colder times of year
(bigger, heavier clothes)
Only pack necessities for your trip. Any
unnecessary extras will weigh down your pack
For longer trips where you will be camping
overnight, pack light and compact sleeping
apparatus (sleeping bag, mat, tent)
Maximize space where possible

Clothing
check list

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWAyxgEf2U
Y

Spilt into 4 groups with the people

around you!
Complete the puzzle
Put each piece where you think it
should go
Think about why it should go there

The er!!
w
s
n
A

Tips for packing food and water

Consider packing food items into a Bear
canister. This is so that the scent of food
doesnt attract any unwanted animals or bugs
You need about 3 litres of water a day. Pack a
suitable amount that will not weigh down your
pack and enough that will get you by until you
get to a water source. Research the area you
are hiking/camping for known water sources
You also need to consume around 2000-2500
calories a day. Store snacks in the pockets of
your pack to easily access and consume while
hiking. This will keep your energy levels
maintained until you can cook your meals

How to pack
Organize contents into categories and place in plastic bags or water-proof
bags
Take food items out of packaging and place into zip lock bags
Organize categorized bags by weight
Pack the lightest contents first (usually sleeping apparatus- also convenient
as it is the last thing you will need to take out of your pack)
Followed by medium to heavy weight items (clothes, cooking supplies and
tent- again convenient as cooking and pitching the tent will be done before
sleeping)
Place light weight emergency items at the top of the pack
Water bladders in the back pouch of the backpack or else have them inside
closest to the back, between the shoulder blades. If you have a water bottle
the pack should have a bottle holder on the side
In pockets of the backpack should be things you need to access with ease
(torch, map, compass, gps, whistle, pocket knife, insect repellent, medication
and band aids).

Weight
Distribution

Heavier items should be closest to the body (back of the pack) and not too low and
not too high in the pack (centred between the shoulder blades). This is so then there
is an even weight so that you are not slouching over or being pulled back by the
pack.
Water bottles and water bladders should also be closest to the body. Some backpacks
have a pouch to slide in a bladder. Water moves around and if it is too far away from
the body it can make you sway.
Lighter items can be distributed to the top, bottom and front (away from the body) of
the backpack. This is because they have less of an impact to weighing the backpack
down and forcing you to slouch or be pulled back.
As a guide, a loaded backpack should not exceed 25%-30% of your body weight
All this information will achieve better comfort and stability while walking

How to wear the pack

Hip belt sitting just above the hips
Clip then buckle together and tighten it
Check the padded sections to make sure they are comfortable
Pull stabilizer straps located on either side of the hip belt to fit
snug and stabilize the load.
Pull down on the shoulder straps to tighten them, this will
bring the pack closer to the body
Load-lifter straps are located just below the tops of your
shoulders, tightening or loosening these straps can adjust
where the weight is distributed (hips or shoulders)
Adjust the sternum strap so it is comfortable across your chest
Buckle the sternum strap and tighten until the shoulder straps
are pulled inwards comfortably, allowing arms to move freely

Now try those steps yourselves!

In small groups
again, help each
other out

Handy tips
Fill empty space with small compressible items
Use any cooking supplies such as pots for storage
If it doesnt fit in the pack, you probably dont need it

Review Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjQ03wWapGw

References
Backpacks:
Adjusting
the
Fit
REI
Expert
Advice.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-adjusting-fit.html

Rei.com.

Beginners Guide to Packing a Hiking Bag. (2013). Snowys

http://www.snowys.com.au/blog/beginners-guide-to-packing-a-rucksack/

Retrieved

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23

Retrieved

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2016,
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from
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Hamilton-Smith, E. (2012). In the Australian Bush: Some Reflections on Serious Leisure: World Leisure & Recreation: Vol 35, No
1.
World
Leisure
&
Recreation,
35(1),
10-13.
Retrieved
from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10261133.1993.10559134?journalCode=rwle19
How to Pack & Organize a Backpack | Wild Backpacker. Wildbackpacker.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016, from
http://www.wildbackpacker.com/backpacking-gear/backpacks/how-to-pack-a-backpack
How
to
Pack
a
Hiking
Backpack.
http://www.wikihow.com/Pack-a-Hiking-Backpack

(2011).

wikiHow.

Retrieved

22

August

2016,

from

How
To
Pack
A
Hiking
Backpack.
Crazy
backpacks.
http://www.crazybackpacks.com/how-to-pack-a-hiking-backpack/

Retrieved

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2016,

from

2016,

from

Packing
Your
Pack.
Outdoor
Education
10th
Grade.
Retrieved
https://sites.google.com/a/tarriers.org/outdoor-education-10th-grade/packing-your-pack

23

August

Preparation information for the trekking stage of your Kokoda Expedition. Kokoda Expeditions with No Roads. Retrieved 23
August 2016, from http://www.kokodaexpeditions.com.au/during-trekking.html
Shoenfeld, Y., Udassin, R., Shapiro, Y., Birenfeld, C., Magazanik, A., & Sohar, E. (1978). Optimal back-pack load for short distance
hiking.
Archives
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59(6),
281-284.
Retrieved
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