I was 14 years old when I had the opportunity to spend a summer working with a youth crew in Mt. Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia. I picked weeds, helped with trail maintenance and learned how to properly pack a pack. The ranger in charge took one look at my backpack at the start of our trek up to Berg Lake and shook her head. I thought it was quite creative to have the extra shoes, water bottle and raincoat swinging on the outside of my overstuffed load; she knew otherwise. I watched, listened and learned as she pulled everything out and started from scratch.

If you’re new to backpacking, here are a few tips:

1. Lay out everything you need to put in the pack, including food.
2. Shrink bulky sleeping bags and coats by cinching them down in compression bags.
3. Depending on your centre of gravity, you’ll want to put the majority of dense and heavy items either higher and closer to your back (men) or lower and closer to back (women) when planning a hike on easy terrain.
4. Put your sleeping bag in the bottom of your backpack and place your tent, cooking gear, food, toiletries, extra clothes and luxury items (book, spare batteries, etc.) in the main body – making sure that there is adequate padding for your back (no hard edges sticking out) and that the weight is balanced.
5. Set your rain gear and a warm layer at very top of the main body (on top of your tent, etc.).
6. Keep your first aid kit, map and compass, headlamp, light snack and small ziplock with a bit of toilet paper and a lighter in top flap pocket.
7. Put your water bottle and lunch, easily accessible, in a side or outside back pocket.
8. Strap your sleeping pad and tent poles vertically on the sides of your pack. This is also a good place to tuck a collapsible umbrella (which can be pulled out quickly without taking your pack off for brief showers).
9. If you don’t have a built-in raincover, slip one in a side or back pocket (making sure you can get it out easily in a downpour).
10. I loop my small digital camera (in a padded camera bag) onto my hip belt so that it’s easily accessible.
11. Set your loaded pack on a bathroom scale. A comfortable overnight pack (short trip) shouldn’t weigh much more than 20-25% of your body weight. If it does, what luxury items can you leave behind? Do you really need all of those clothes? Depending on the length of trip, one set of quick dry clothes and a complete change will see you through. Have you packed too much food (e.g. a full bag of tortillas instead of the specific number you’ll need for a meal)?
12. Sift out the excess, re-pack and you’re ready to go.

Happy Trails!