 Getting ready for your trip The most important part of any outing, whether backpack or car camping, will take place at home. Careful planning is a must to having a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some important things to keep in mind: Clothing Warm and dry. That's the most important two words on any outing. A warm and dry body is the best precaution against hypothermia, exhaustion and exposure. Wear cotton and wool and waterproof down or fiber filled outer clothing for maximum protection from wind and cold. Pack a waterproof poncho (even better, a rain suit) for stormy weather. Dressing in layers lets you adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Be sure your sleeping bag maintains body warmth. Nighttime temperatures can and usually do dip below freezing, even in the summer at higher altitudes. Your boots should be sturdy, well insulated and waterproof. They should be well broken in and should fit comfortably while wearing two pairs of socks, one pair of cotton socks under a pair of wool socks. The boots should have ankle support and protect the feet from sharp rocks while providing good traction. Your boots are your "wheels" and your feet are your only means of transportation. Treat them both well for a good trip. At the end of the day, take your boots off as well as the socks you wore all day and let them dry out overnight. Carry a pair of sandals or lightweight tennis shoes to wear around camp. Even if you normally don't wear a hat, a wide brimmed ball cap is highly recommended. Not only to shade the eyes but also to keep the sunburn to a minimum. A wool beanie at night will help keep you warm since the body losses most of its heat through the head. Head wear, day and night, is important to help prevent sunstroke and hypothermia, two of the major hazards in backcountry travel. Equipment Equipment for backpacking is a major investment. As such, take time to select what you need for the kind of backpacking you are going to do. Acquiring equipment takes some research from sources such as backpacking catalogs, magazines and the Backpacking Merit Badge pamphlet. Talk with other backpackers both at home and especially on the trail. Talk to your local supplier and ask lots of questions. Always remember the weight of any item you buy. Follow the old saying, "watch the ounces and the pounds will take care of themselves." Whatever you plan to take will be on your back so make every ounce count. Experienced backpackers even cut off the ends of their toothbrushes to save weight. Cut every corner you can and with every trip try to decide what you might be able to leave at home. However, whatever you decide to leave at home, you will wish you had it on your next trip! Be sure it isn't really important. Stoves A lightweight stove isanother important piece of equipment. A stove cooks efficiently and is usually very reliable. Even wet, most stoves will not fail to operate. The reason for a stove is simple, wood for cooking fires is unreliable and in many places, wood fires are prohibited. What stove to buy is a matter of preference and experience. The two most popular styles of stove are white gas and propane. The arguments for or against each style will not be debated here. You should have both styles demonstrated to you and your group by experienced backpackers and salespeople. Try both styles as part of your preparation for a trip. Ask a lot of questions. Whether you eat well, could depend on your stove. Be Prepared! The Boy Scouts of America has an outstanding record of providing for the physical well being of its members. All Boy Scout outdoor activities must meet minimum standards of health, safety and program. As Scoutmaster, you assume responsibility for the health and safety of the members of the troop. The following points are provided to help you prepare for each outing. Review them with all members going on each outing.
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