Warren,
1) Travel *light*. If you are overloaded you are going to find yourself
looking for things to toss out on the way and cursing armchair enthusiasm.
Lightweight usually = "more expensive" when it comes to buying outdoor gear,
but the cost is worth it later on.
2) Priority - invest in the best quality lightweight hiking boot you can
afford. You will not regret even a penny later on. I would look at some of
the lighter high-top Danner boots if you can find them - something like the
Danner Light II or II Mountain. Boots that are cheap will bite you, have you
blistered, and cursing - or lame. Boots that are too heavy will slow you
down *alot*. Consider that climbing (even walking on level ground) uphill;
the effort to lift your feet depends greatly on the weight of your boots. In
overall fatigue, every *ounce* on your feet equals *pounds* on your back.
Don't be tempted to skimp on boots. When buying boots; *try them on with the
socks you'll BE WEARING on the hikes* (see socks further below). Carry spare
laces.
http://www.danner.com
3) Priority - Water. Take as much as you can reasonably carry. You can drink
it, pass it on (around to others if necessary) or dump it. But when and as
you need it, you will curse not having enough. Go for light plastic
containers found in outdoor shops that will go in belt pouches and fill with
distilled drinking water. I have Lexan containers that are literally
unbreakable, but light and compact. Get a first class water filter for
drawing from natural sources of water. I have a Katadyn Pocket filter - but
any good like First Need, PUR or the other better ones are fine. Read up and
understand what the hazards are and how to use your filter, and what it's
limitations are. Some filter everything but viruses, some will not eliminate
certain cysts etc. Some require adding iodine or other chemical. Make sure
you retain your water containers (whatever they are) when empty for
refilling with your filter if needed.
4) First aid kit. Light - Bandages, gauze, tape etc for abrasions. Butterfly
sutures for cuts, antiseptic wipes (alcohol) etc. A small kit from any good
outdoor shop will probably be fine. I would add some aspirin or other
preferred pain reliever, and an antibiotic (broadspectrum for bad infections
including tooth absesses) tetracycline, Amoxycillin or the like - see your
doctor for a prescription (tell him where you are going/what it's for).
5) Priority - Sun protection: light broadbrim hat, good polarized
sunglasses, cotton bandana for the neck if needed. Safety strap for your
sunglasses so you don't lose them and hard case for packing/pocket for
protection. A cheap spare sunglass that will also protect your eyes from UV
and flying stones etc are the Silencio wrap-type shooting glasses. These are
about $10 in my neck of the woods. *** Redundant spares on a trip like this
might avert some misery in the event of a mishap - or alternately a mishap
suffered by someone else in your party if travelling in a group ***.
6) I always carry a knife of some sort - usually a Swiss Victorinox or
Wenger type with a few gadgets on it - and a belt knife. In that area you
might at least take a pocket kife with you. Make sure it is sharp.
Flashlight.. get one of the good LED headlights (Petzl or the like) that
runs on AA batteries. A headlight keeps your hands free, can be donned for
walking in the dark if needed. Try and take a few lithium AA batteries along
as they will last, and spares are less likely. A small penlight is good for
rooting in the pack or other odd tasks. Compact binoculars of at least 7X.
These are very handy. Good value for money are the Bushnell or Pentax or
Minolta. Olympus make some too. Area USGS Map & compass (know how to use
them) if you are not on a "guided tour" with an experienced outdoor
outfitter/guide service. Toothbrush, toothpicks (handy when you need them),
matches and *toilet paper*.
7) Some hard candy perhaps (personal preference), beef jerky, dried fruit,
nuts etc. If it turns out hot and you perspire much you'll want to have
something salty along - salted peanuts or the like.
8) Lightweight sleeping bag and foam mat. Second item is essential to a good
nights sleep whether it is warm or cold out. Best is the self-inflating
kind. But the blown closed-cell foam will do and is lighter. Sleeping bag
should be comfort-rated down to at least the coldest expected nightime
temperature. Pay more for less weight. It is worth the money.
8) Good day or weekend pack. Get all your gear together and check for volume
total before shopping for pack. Get a lightweight but well-made pack from a
good outdoor shop - sleeping bag can be attached to top of pack - maybe
underneath if necessary. Make sure you have a belt to hang water bottles etc
on if your pack lacks a hip belt. But hipbelts are highly recommended as
they stabilize the pack, eliminate swinging and hence greatly reduce
fatigue(!)
Lastly ... Everyone has their own preferences on clothing .... But I would
pack a wind and waterproof lightweight outer clothing layer. I like genuine
cotton Ventile fabric (THE best) if you can find it (very difficult these
days) and afford it. Otherwise lightweight waxed cotton (a bit heavy even in
the lighter weights - but it *breathes*) or coated nylon (cheap, light but
you'll get condensation). Fleece type jacket or pure wool sweater in
addition to a pair of lightweight wool pants. Fleece pants work too. I
prefer light cotton shirt, shorts or lightweight cotton slacks for general
wear. Good socks (!!!) to go with your good boots - I like Thorlo; pricey,
but great socks. (Your feet will refrain from cursing you for all this).
Gloves; you might consider a lightweight pair to protect your hands when
scrambling - I like the light leather goatskin type.
Camera gear (I knew there was something else!)... I would go with one body,
a wide angle and a long (85mm or more) - or a short tele zoom (35-70mm).
Polarizing filter, perhaps yellow and orange or red filter for B&W. Take a
small point & shoot or other small "rangefinder" as a spare camera. *Spare
batteries*. Lots of film - I would pack Velvia or the Agfa 50 ASA slide film
equivalent, some slow B&W. Table tripod - I have used these in all kinds of
places. They provide a stable base on top of a boulder, ledge, flat ground,
you name it. Doesn't take up much room either. Monopod is good too and
doubles as walking stick which will be very handy walking up and down steep
ground. Large ziplock bags with silica gel canisters for moisture
protection. Pad out gear in pack to protect from slips and falls.
That's not everything, but a start. Practice: find the longest staircases
you can find if you live in the city (Eifel Tower has some long streches ;)
) or take hikes up the steepest and highest local hills you can find. You
will need to be in shape for this - as some have pointed out. When ascending
- pace yourself. Slow, steady pace with regular stops (timed) for breathers.
Descending don't try and go too fast - a slip can be deadly - or at least a
disaster - on steep/high ground when going downhill.
I envy you :) Have a good trip when it comes around. And good shooting!
Lee
----Original Message Follows----
From: "W.Xato" <xato0@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: Oly List <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [OM] Hiking Advice
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 10:39:28 -0700 (PDT)
I'm hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at the
end of September (two days, from the North Rim,
camping with tents provided, and then up to the South
Rim on the second day) and wonder what advice the
group might have on what to carry. The minimum would
be water and sunscreen but I must take photos.
I was thinking of taking the Pentax 645 with 45mm and
120mm lens with a Velbon CF640 and Acratech head. But
then on the other hand I have an embarrasingly
complete OM system: one of almost each body (except
the OM-3Ti) and 16mm through 300 lens. What to take?
I was thinking 21/3.5, 28/2, 50/3.5 and 100/2.8 and
OM-3 and OM-4T. I would be shooting Velvia and Pan F.
This should still weigh less than the Pentax stuff.
Thanks,
Warren
=====
Warren Xato
For where to go when you know when
-PhotoDates-and-Places@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs
http://www.hotjobs.com
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|