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The Backpacking List

Beginners Guide from a Beginner

Deirdre Leighton

Mar 21, 2017

University of Maine

Deirdre Leighton's Photos

I have recently started to think about the idea of backpacking. Now when a person hears the word backpacking, two concepts come to mine. Either backpacking through Europe or backpacking through the mountains. I am writing a list of the latter. However, I am not expereinced in the later as much as I am experienced in the former, but I have done lengthy research and I hope to be experienced some day because hiking really is an enjoyable hobby. Here is a beginner's list or guide to what a backpacker should have on a trip through the mountains.

Water Purification Tablets or Sawyer mini water filter
Backpack

Map (protective case/lamenated)
Compass

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Extra batteries
Runner's belt (to carry phone and lipbalm etc)
First Aid Kit (blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper. Nitrile gloves also deserve consideration.)
Lighter
FireStarter (Candidates include dry tinder tucked away in a plastic bag; candles; priming paste; heat “nuggets” (chipped-wood clusters soaked in resin). Even lint trappings from a household clothes dryer can work.) Or one of these cool expensive fire starters from REI

CampStove (Not necessary if you know how to build up a fire).
Knife
Waterproof Container
Backpacking Tents with footprint

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad
Whistle
Trekking Poles (Ski Poles)
Hand Sanitizer
Bug Spray
Toothbrush
Tissues
Biodegradable soap

Quick-dry towel
Trip initierary
Small Amount of Cash

Food

Food Compressible and rehydrateable
WATER WATER WATER (make sure you can carry it though)
Extra Day's Supply of Food
Energy Foods
Energy Beverages
Meals
Bear Canister

Clothing

Wicking T shirt
Wicking Underwear
Quick drying pants or shorts

Rainwear
Long sleeve shirt (Sun or bugs)
Fleece jacket
Hat
Hiking Boots

Socks (Wool)
Gaiters

Others/ optionals

Reading Material
Binoculars (light weight)

Phone
Camera
Sanitary Products
Pre-moistened wipes
Solar Charger

Duct tape

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The Backpacking List

Beginners Guide from a Beginner

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!