AllMountainSports.com - Advice, Tip and Gear for Backpacking, Camping and Winter Sports » Women’s Tips

Women and Their Backpacks

All Mountain Sports Staff — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:42:34 +0000

After purchasing your backpack, we hope that you use it for some adventurous backcountry trips. The women at AlpineWoman have gone on some of these very adventures ourselves, and want to offer you some of the wisdom we have acquired. Having been on a variety of trips with both men and women, we have concluded that women have some unique challenges and benefits that are important to acknowledge while taking part in outdoor activities. Oftentimes, women who immerse themselves in adventurous endeavors want to “compete” with their male counterparts, proving that women are just as capable of carrying heavy packs and scaling steep mountains as anyone. While we know, for a fact, that this is true, we need to recognize that women are very different than men and that, in reality, we don’t want to be just like our male companions.

One of the first mistakes we often witness is a strong, healthy woman picking out a pack the same size and shape as her male partner’s, assuming that this is the most sensible pack decision for a long trip with lots of gear. Having gone through the thought process, she has concluded that it is only fair to share the load and carry equal weight while backpacking, since, after all, she and her partner will be sharing all of the food and equipment. While several of us at AlpineWoman have actually bought a pack, using this logic at some point, we have found that it is a miserable mistake to make.

First, a perfectly fitted, loaded pack should correspond with the size of the individual wearing the pack. Based on the size to weight ratio of pack fitting, a smaller person should naturally carry a smaller pack. You should never carry more than 30-40% of your own body weight when hiking for a long period of time. Even if you are extremely strong you will most likely find that a pack that is too big for you will actually cause pain and discomfort vs. manageable, sore muscles. Not all pack manufacturers put a women’s specific label on their packs.

Many manufacturers emphasize the fact that they design packs that fit all body shapes and types. These companies don’t label their packs “Women’s specific,” but they are highlighting an important point. Everyone needs to consider their own body first, and ignore all other pack features. In other words, we are not suggesting that a “men’s” pack cannot be worn by a woman, and vice versa. When buying a pack, planning a trip, and packing your load, remember your individuality and make all decisions based on that information first.

Brought to you by AlpineWoman.com

Backcountry Nutrition

All Mountain Sports Staff — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:41:54 +0000

For individuals who have never spent much time venturing outdoors, it is important to realize that nutrition concerns differ considering your location, chosen activity, altitude and weather. Women usually take their nutrition pretty seriously and tend to value a good meal, simple or elaborate as it may be.

On extended trips it is very difficult to feel like you are maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, due to the limited time fruits and vegetables stay fresh, as well as the weight that these food sources add to an already heavy pack. The most important advice we want to share with our women readers has to do with dieting. We believe that it is most important to lead a balanced life. Most importantly, don’t try to start or maintain a diet while venturing in the backcountry.

It is extremely important to maintain an appropriate calorie intake while exerting a lot of energy – not only while hiking, skiing, etc., but also staying warm, and functioning away from the comforts we are accustomed to every day. It is extremely important that you are getting a lot of complex carbohydrates while doing a high level of activity. These complex carbs, found in gorp, granola, etc. should replace sugar snacks that will shoot your insulin high and then leave you lagging in a matter of hours. In addition to this nutrition necessity, we recommend bringing protein, found in tuna, beans, peanut butter, cheese and meat snack sticks.

If you have enough room in your pack, it is sometimes nice, on an extended trip to bring a little fresh food for the beginning of the trip – maybe a green pepper, an onion and a carrot. This adds a bit of weight, but is a treat after your first couple long days. Finally, carbohydrates like rice, pasta and crackers should be included as daily meal necessities.

When these foods, day after day, start to leave your taste buds wanting, check your pack for that one sweet snack reward that you brought for that very deserving moment!

Hygiene and Femininity in the Backcountry

All Mountain Sports Staff — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:40:41 +0000

The term “hygienic” takes on a whole new meaning the further you are from a sink, shower, and toilet. Learning to redefine your previous understanding of feminine hygiene is important when wandering into the backcountry for any extended period of time, (even one night of camping, for some). Here are a few tips to make this transition a little less shocking. First, be prepared to go au natural – you will be much happier throughout your trip, guaranteed. For some, this information may come as common sense or second nature, but I have actually been a first hand witness to a young girl trying to pack her blow dryer, in addition to six pair of jeans, before heading out on a five night canyon trip. Needless to say, there was a quick, and powerful intervention before we hit the trail! Although I rarely see situations this extreme, it is a good jumping off point for the new backpacker. Usually, women who have decided that they want this type of activity to be a regular part of their life are not too concerned about letting go of the makeup and hairdryers during outings. But, like I said earlier, this is only the first step.

#1. When preparing your “wardrobe” for your trip, save weight!! You are going to end up dirty, stinky and ragged no matter what you do. Don’t bother bringing a fresh outfit for each day. I bring one daytime outfit and one evening outfit no matter how long I’m planning on being gone. I bring an extra t-shirt, so I have something dry to put on the following day, and I trade off wearing these two t-shirts. Depending on the type of climate I’m backpacking in, I might bring an extra pair of shorts, in case my one pair gets wet. Although this topic deserves an article of its own, bring clothes that are designed for backpacking. Avoid cotton and canvas, and try sticking to nylon, Polypropilene, and Capilene. These fabrics are lightweight and quick to dry. Cotton t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc. don’t wick as well, and take longer to dry. Although I pack light, I rarely skimp on socks or underwear. I will bring enough that I can change every day or every other day, again depending on the environment I’m traveling in. I found out the hard way that backpacking in wet, dirty, or stiff socks gives you blisters. All said and done, your clothes should take up less room in your pack than anything else.

#2. Packing your toiletries should take very little time or energy. I highly recommend that you leave all your makeup at home, and that you avoid wearing any before you head out on the trail. Besides the obvious reason of not wanting to sweat and smear mascara all over your face, you should realize the benefits of saving weight and time. I also recommend avoiding antiperspirant/deodorant. This might be a harder one to give up, but trust me when I say you will be much less annoyed by your own aroma than the collected clumps of old deodorant clinging to your pits. My friends and I have a backcountry hygiene, self-cleaning theory. Basically, the belief is that avoiding all the man-made products that change your appearance or natural odor allows the body to purify itself and do its job the natural way. I have found that taking extra products on the trail is more of an inconvenience than a luxury. If you find yourself wanting a moisturizer or lotion for your face or hands, I usually use sunscreen, morning and night. Finally, another topic worthy of its own article, is that of biodegradable soap. Do not bring a traditional soap that can effect or harm the environment. Use a biodegradable soap for all of your washing needs. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s or Camp Suds. My toiletries kit usually consists of a toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, contact stuff, (unfortunately), biodegradable soap, and a small, quick drying camp towel. I replace a brush with a rubber band and a baseball cap. That’s it, that’s all and that’s the way you save time, energy, and weight! Now, the hygiene question on everyone’s lips: “How do I deal with my personal waste?” The simple answer to a difficult question is, “pack it out.” The finer details can be broken into three categories.

a. Peeing – Squatting in the woods is an art to master! I have perfected squatting and peeing with a fully loaded pack. This has saved me time and afforded me a certain kind of convenience that is only mastered with practice. The number one rule with peeing is stay away from water! You should find a spot at least 200 feet from running or standing water. I like to recommend the drip-dry method, mostly for the sake of the environment. The drip-dry method saves a lot of paper waste as well as time and energy. If you are on an extended trip and choose to drip dry, but have hygiene concerns, I highly recommend bringing sanitary wipes and cleaning yourself whenever you put on fresh underwear. Be conscious of packing these wipes out with you in a zip-locking bag.

b. Pooping – Although constipation is a common backpacking problem, you may have to poop while you are on the trail. When preparing to poop, find a spot at least 200 feet from water. With a small shovel, dig a hole 6 inches deep. Squat, poop and wipe. There are differing opinions on wiping. Some people insist on wiping with anything that is already there in the environment, for instance leaves, bark or dirt. You can run into some problems if you follow this advice, but it is an option. The other obvious choice is toilet paper. Again, there are two camps on toilet paper waste. In areas with rich soil, it is sometimes acceptable to bury a moderate amount of toilet paper in your six-inch hole. I recommend packing all toilet paper out with you. This way you are sure that you are doing the most low impact practice, regardless of your location or situation. If you are in a fragile, desert ecosystem, it is an acceptable practice to smear your poop on a rock instead of burying it in a hole. In this environment you should definitely pack out your paper. After pooping in a hole, cover the hole, making it look as much like you found it as possible.

c. Menstruating – Do not leave used feminine hygiene products in the backcountry. Even when buried, they are often dug up by wild animals, and are bad for the environment. Pack out all waste in double, zip-locked bags. Animals are very attracted to the scent and will be drawn to your pack or tent if they smell menstrual blood, hence the importance of double bagging. Another option that I haven’t had the opportunity to try, is a menstrual cap. A product called “The Keeper” allows you to leave all hygiene products at home. This being the most environmentally sound option, I recommend researching it before you head out on a trip. Keep sanitary wipes handy, and clean your hands thoroughly.

Taking care of yourself while on the trail may seem intimidating at first, but with knowledge and practice is refreshingly easy. You may be blessed with a sense of freedom rarely felt at home. Most importantly, be environmentally conscious in all of your decisions.

Brought to you by www.AlpineWoman.com

Cooking in the Backcountry

All Mountain Sports Staff — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:48:36 +0000

by E.S.

Cooking in the backcountry can seem bland and boring. Personally, though, I have had some of the best meals ever after a long day of hiking. I find that when I am that hungry and tired food tastes so much better than when I have cooked at home. For the most part this is true, but here are some additional tips when rice and beans and pasta and red sauce get old.

Never, ever skimp on the spices when you are packing your kitchen for your long trip.

I usually make an Italian spice mix, a Mexican spice mix and then bring small samples of other, worthy spices. Two good spice staples to always bring along are seasoned salt and lemon pepper. These two spices can bring any dish to life.

In addition to spices, I like to bring small vials of cooking liquids. I usually bring a little olive oil, some balsamic vinegar, and some Italian salad dressing. These help in cooking, and providing flavor. Coming Soon – recipes and more!