Back Packing to save your Back

Which strap do you use to lift a backpack ?

• Both shoulder straps

• The Haul Strap

• The hip strap

• Whichever is easiest to reach

The heavy items should go where in a backpack ?

• At the base so the hip strap can take the weight

• Wherever they fit

• As high in the pack as possible

• Against the back, above the sleeping bag

The correct order to tighten pack straps in is:

• Hip strap

  Shoulder straps

  Lifter straps

  Sternum strap

• Hip strap

  Lifter straps

  Shoulder straps

  Sternum strap

• Shoulder straps

  Hip strap

  Lifter Strap

  Sternum Strap

• Shoulder Strap

  Hip Strap

  Sternum Strap

  Lifter Strap

A rule of thumb for maximum pack weight is:

• 20kg

• A third of your body weight

• 20% of your body weight

• 15kg

The main purpose of the hip belt is to:

• Transfer 80% of the pack weight to your strongest muscles

• Stop the pack from sliding down

• Transfer 50% of the pack weight to your strongest muscles

• Holds the pack on your back while you adjust the shoulder straps

One recommended method for waterproofing your gear is to:

• Keep it out of the rain

• Cover your backpack with a plastic bag

• Line your pack with a tough garbage bag, and place dry items inside

• Place a tough garbage bag around each item before you put them in your pack

If the load lifter straps are loose, what effect could this have?

• The load of the pack will no longer be lifted up

• The weight of the pack will push forward, towards your back

• Nothing, these straps are mainly for comfort

• The weight of the pack will be leveraged away from your shoulders, pulling you backwards

What must you do prior to lifting your pack ?

• Ensure all straps are loose

• Give some items to a group member so it's lighter

• Ensure all straps are pulled to where you had adjusted them on your last hike

• Ensure the hip strap is undone and all other straps are pulled tight

Items you may need to access quickly or often, such as a first aid kit or trail snacks and sunscreen, should be packed where ?

• Against the back, above the sleeping bag

• In the top or outer pocket of the pack, within easy reach

• In your jacket pocket

• In a separate dry bag you can attach to the outer straps

The NOLS' ABCDE of packing stands for:

• Airway

  Breathing

  Circulation

  Disability

  Exposure

• Airflow

  Breathability

  Circulation

  Distance

  Emergency

• Accessibility

  Balance

  Compression

  Dry

  Everything Inside

• Accessibility

  Balance

  Comfort

  Distance

  Everything outside