The mountain transition - equipment and backpack preparation

Hiking is an excellent opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in nature with friends or family, and why not alone. Moving on our own two feet and carrying a backpack full of what we need, we will be able to explore nature away from the noisy city.

One of the advantages of the transition is that we do not have to carry any technology with us. With the help of a set of basic items and a suitable choice of route, we will be ready for the mountain.

To calculate how much equipment we will need, we need to think about how long the transition will be, how far away the place is, how good our physical training is, and what the weather conditions will be like. In an endeavor like this, the best friend is definitely the backpack.

We should take seriously the equipment needed for a mountain trek

And while hiking in the mountains is a pleasant and positive experience, we must not forget that in seconds it can become life-threatening. When we are in the mountains, we must always have one thing in mind, but also be properly equipped.

What does this include:

• in accordance with the meteorological conditions clothing - water and windproof. It's always nice to wear spare clothes;
• shoes made especially for hiking in the mountains;
• a backpack, the full contents of which we will cover a little later;

The clothes for our transition

Check the weather forecast and prepare according to it. However, be prepared for changing conditions and also for unplanned overnight stays. In the mountains, it's better to be prepared than to be sorry. So put extra clothes in your backpack to change into if you get cold or wet. Don't forget socks too!

Bringing a windproof mountain jacket is a huge advantage. They can be useful to us in the changing conditions in the mountains. Often these jackets are also waterproof, which will protect you in case it rains. Additionally, the long sleeve is recommended during the transition because it protects us from insects and sunlight.

A good pair of shoes

We can't go on a hike with the same shoes we wear in the city. This puts us at risk of injury and also ruins our favorite sneakers. Therefore, specially made shoes for hiking are more than mandatory.

The choice of shoes is determined by the distance and duration of the hike. For short daily hikes, low, mountain-friendly shoes are more than enough. They offer our feet a flexible but secure sole that makes walking even easier. However, low shoes are not always suitable for the area we have chosen.

For hikes in places with high vegetation, difficult terrain or bad conditions, medium to high boots would offer us more. In general, they keep our ankle more stable, which protects it from sprains or strains.

Also, they do not allow water to enter the shoe and so, if necessary, we can go through shallow streams. Higher shoes in combination with long pants protect our feet from insects and prickly plants.

Once we have covered all the pieces of clothing, let's figure out how to prepare our backpack.

The things we must put in the backpack

Here are the items we need:

• Navigation aids - compass or map of the area;
  
• Tent;
• Sleeping bag;
• Knife;
• Lighter;
• Flashlight;
• Sunscreen;
• First aid kit;
• Outerwear;
• Water;
• Food;

With so much luggage, you're probably wondering how to put it all together. Don't worry, the mountain backpack has a volume of up to 30-40 liters and you will even have free space.

How to arrange your backpack properly

Before embarking on a mountain hike, few people realize that the correct arrangement of our luggage in the backpack is of great importance. In case we have not fulfilled this condition correctly, our transition can be ruined by the discomfort in the back and waist caused by the weight of the backpack.

What determines how we will feel the weight of the backpack is its center of gravity. When it is located far from ours, the backpack will pull us back strongly, which will very quickly become a problem when we step on the path.

To save ourselves this trouble, here's how we should approach to arrange our luggage properly. We start by placing all the bulky but light things in the bottom of the backpack, such as the first aid kit. They will serve as the basis for the rest. On the second level we place slightly heavier objects, such as outerwear. Place the heaviest objects - the tent, water bottles or others on top.

In the side pockets, collect small items, but also those that you may need urgently - a knife, a flashlight, a lighter. So they will be convenient for you to take. In order not to create unnecessary discomfort, the backpack needs to be well balanced on the left and right side, and this is especially true for the side pockets.

With this arrangement, you provide the perfect center of gravity for the backpack. It should be as close as possible to your back and shoulder height. In this way, he is above our own center of gravity and will not constantly put pressure on us.

What do we need these tools for?

It is mandatory to have a way of orientation in some form - compass, GPS or map, so as not to get lost deep in the mountains. Even if that happens, you don't have to worry because you have everything you need in your backpack. Lantern and fire for the night, shelter in the form of a tent, sleeping bag, extra clothes, water and food.

The tent and sleeping bag go hand in hand. It is important to know how to set up your tent in case you need it. The sleeping bag allows you to spend the night peacefully under any circumstances. We recommend that you do not neglect this piece of luggage, even if your transition is only daily. Nothing is certain in the mountains, so the tent and sleeping bag will be of great benefit to you if something changes.

You already know what you need for a successful hike in the mountains. Find a partner, pack your backpack and enjoy a wonderful experience in nature.

Photo credit: Kilpi; Husky