Lightweight Hiking Guide
Choosing the right equipment and food for your lightweight hike can make a world of difference to the success of your hike. Experience will teach you a lot, but for now, read the guidelines below and you will be making a good start.Before taking any item, there are four questions that you should ask:
- Is it necessary? If the answer is 'Yes", take it. If in any doubt, leave it at home.
- If is effective? ie, will the tent keep out the rain? Will the sleeping bag keep you warm?
- Is it as light as possible? The weight carried on one's back will have an important influence on your enjoyment. The correct pack weight is as little as possible, but the maximum weight must not exceed 1/5th of the body weight of each hiker.
- Is it compact? Generally the smaller the better because this saves weight and means can more easily accommodate other items deemed necessary.