How to properly pack your pack? What should I bring? What will I need? I definitely learned the hard way about improper packing. I was packing for the Snow 1 field trip. Before this field trip, I did not have a good overnight backpack that would hold a sleeping bag, warm clothes, and all of the gear that we needed. So, thinking it was just an overnight trip, I borrowed my boyfriend's pack to use (Problem #1). Let me preface this by saying that I am a 5'2" and 115 pound woman, and the backpack was designed for a 6 foot tall man with storage of 5,000 cubic inch frame. Even after adjusting the straps down to the lowest setting, that pack was no way close to fitting my short torso and frame. When I adjusted the hip belt so that it fit around my waist, the shoulder straps were raised about four inches off my shoulders (Problem #2).

I proceeded to gather and collect my gear, packing the sleeping bag on the bottom. I continued to pack in a logical fashion with the gear and the clothes that I would not need immediately towards the bottom of the pack. As I worked my way up, I packed my harness, webbing and climbing gear, headlamp, gloves, and rain jacket at the top so that it was easily accessible. Because the pack was so large, I continued to pack in until it was full (Problem #3) without really taking into account if I really needed everything I was packing. I guess I thought if there is room-fill it! When I finally had everything I thought I needed packed, including water, food, and snacks, the pack weighed 55 pounds- almost half of my weight and it was more than half of my height (Problem #4)! I took out a few things, but I thought to myself, "I have everything I need, it will be o.k." (Problem #5-I had drastically over packed).

To make a long story short, I participated in the Snow 1 at Stevens Pass with the Everett chapter. As we hiked the relatively short distance to the ice-axe arrest practice area, I felt like my hips were going to pop out of my sockets! The backpack did not even come close to fitting my frame and subsequently all the weight was shifted to my shoulders and a minor amount on my hips. As a student, we were responsible for pulling a first aid sled up the mountain behind us, extra weight that I did not account for in my initial packing plans. Overall, I made it through the weekend and toughed it out. I was very lucky in the fact that we did not have to hike in very far. After that weekend, I learned an important lesson: A properly fitted pack and proper packing is essential to climbing success.

Soon after that experience, I bought an overnight backpack. It is a women's model that has a small hip belt and is properly fitted to my short frame. Now, I am very aware of the weight of everything I pack. I no longer bring everything I think I will need, but rather strategically figure out the requirements and essential clothes that I will need. I bring clothes that are easy to layer. I have adapted my packing style to maximize backpack space by using lightweight stuff sacks and by rolling my clothes. I have learned that it is necessary to balance the weight of the pack so that the heavy items are equally distributed in the pack. Thank goodness the Snow 1 field trip was a short trip and not a long hike in!