Why does the altitude “hit” us?

When we take our first steps at altitude, some interesting changes take placeWhen we open a bottle of water, we feel a puff of air as we twist the cap, potato chip packages swell to the point of bursting, and water boils at a lower temperature. Also, we feel less energetic and move more slowly..

Why is all this happening?

These effects do not occur by magic, but because as altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases. because as the altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases.. That is, the force exerted by the air on the Earth’s surface decreases.

So, water boils at a lower temperature because its boiling point is determined by atmospheric pressure and potato chip packages swell because they are hermetically sealed at a standard atmospheric pressure which, as it decreases, causes the air inside the package to expand.

And, as you may have noticed, you may feel more tired. This is because atmospheric pressure helps transport oxygen to the body. As the pressure decreases, less oxygen is available to your body, which makes you feel tired and find it more difficult to breathe.

How does atmospheric pressure decrease at higher altitudes?

At sea level, the average atmospheric pressure is about 1013 hPa (hectopascal). At 1500 masl, the pressure decreases approximately 15% at 850 hPa. At about 3000 masl, the pressure drops to approximately 700 hPa, with 30% less air pressure and oxygen. Therefore, it is not surprising that you feel headaches or upset tummy.

At 5500 meters above sea level, the pressure drops to about 500 hPa: half the atmospheric pressure at sea level. To reach these altitudes, it is important to acclimatize properly..

Is it possible to measure the air pressure air pressure during an ascent?

You can use an altimeter, which is essentially a small barometer. An altimeter makes use of the normal change in pressure with altitude and must be calibrated at a known altitude at the beginning of the ascent.. Since the actual pressure change is usually slightly different, altimeters may have small errors (usually no more than 7 to 15 meters).

Pressure altimeters provide more accurate elevations than GPS units, which often have a 15 to 30 meter difference and do not always work under dense cover (e.g., within a forest).pressure altimeters, which often have a difference of 15 to 30 meters and do not always work under dense cover (e.g., inside a forest).

On the other hand, many cell phones already have pressure sensors and there are altimeter applications that you can download free of charge..

Would you like to know how you can prepare, move and make decisions at altitude? In this article of our blog, we leave you a lot of tips: Prepare body and mind for altitude.

Introductory workshop on the tourism cycle

Topics

  • Specific equipment for travel
  • Basic repairs
  • Planning and logistics
  • Seven Lakes Patagonia Itinerary

Specific equipment for travel

CLOTHING

The clothing will depend on the place you choose and the time of year, as a general rule we recommend the method of clothing by layers, which will allow you to adapt to the weather changes that will occur and also to the heat that you will generate with your body while pedaling. First layer: moisture management, absorbs sweat from the skin. Second layer: insulation, retains body heat to protect you from the cold. Third layer: protection from wind and rain. Regarding footwear, we recommend you to wear trekking shoes that can be used both for pedaling and walking.

TEAM

  • For you: tent, sleeping bag, insulator, flashlight, kettle, heater (MSR type, gas or similar), two bottles of water, helmet, sunglasses, sunscreen and cocoa cream.
  • For the bike: luggage rack, panniers, pump, lubricant, patches, solution and tire remover.

FOOD

The food will depend on the itinerary (number of days), it is important during the planning to find out where there are food stores and if they are open during the time of the trip to stock up or if it will be necessary to carry it all from the beginning.

Some recommendations:

  1. Full breakfasts to make your morning run smoothly.

Example: coffee or chamomile/boldo tea or your favorite infusion + bread with homemade jam or dulce de leche. Caramelized. Other options: oatmeal, nuts and cinnamon or fruit with cereal, nuts and honey.

  1. In the stops you make during the morning or afternoon, you should not miss the food you need to eat (cereal bars, nougat, fruits, dried fruits, cereals) it is convenient to include stopsevery hour to eat .
  2. Ideally, lunches should be light, so that you can continue pedaling for the rest of the day. An important fact is that the more you eat, the more blood gets to the stomach and less to the legs, so it is important to make several stops during the day and not two or three with a lot of food.

Example: fruits, cheese sandwich, carrot, tomato, avocado and rucula, various salads, tuna.

  1. And at dinner, eat abundant, carbohydrates are one of the best options.

Examples: polenta (with sauce or vegetables), noodles or rice (with sauce or olive oil and grated cheese) and for dessert the inevitable square of dark chocolate before bedtime.

HYDRATION

In the same way that we are going to find out the places to stock up on food, we are going to find out if there are rivers, places or towns where we can refill our water bottles along the route we are going to take. Depending on the number of days we will be on the route and how desolate it is, we will think about the liters of water we need to carry. We recommend at least 3 liters of water per day. There are different methods to make water drinkable, some of them are:

  • If the water is cloudy you can wait for it to decant or filter it with a cloth. Then boil it for a few minutes.
  • If the origin of the water is very doubtful and we can neither filter nor boil it, there is another method that consists of putting the water in a plastic bottle and leaving it in the sun for at least 4 hours (this system is known as SODIS).
  • Another method is to add 2 drops of bleach or chlorine to 1 liter of water.
  • There are also water purification tablets, which we recommend to carry in the first aid kit.

HOW CAN WE TELL IF WE ARE WELL HYDRATED?

By the volume (quantity) and color of urine: if the urine is light in color, we are well hydrated. The darker it is, the less hydration in the body. It is important to be attentive to these symptoms during the trip.

FIRST AID KIT

Bring anti-inflammatories, bandages, bandages, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

Basic repairs

WHAT SPARE PARTS TO CARRY FOR THE BICYCLES?

The minimum and indispensable to solve punctures: patches, solution, tire remover, two spare tubes and a multitool (the basic tool that cyclists should have in their saddlebag). It is also advisable to carry a spare tire.

Planning and logistics

WHERE TO START

It is advisable to start by answering these questions: 1) Where would you like to travel to? When? 2) How much time do you have available? 3) Are you going to travel alone or with company? Once you have this information, a research and planning stage begins:

  • The climate of the place you want to travel to influences the equipment you will need.
  • At what time of the year it is convenient to go to that place (beyond the weather, the places and routes can be altered by vacations, regional festivities, holidays, etc. This is a very important variable if you are looking for peace of mind and, above all, safety when traveling).
  • How to get there and how to get back (You have to analyze all the options and make the best decision possible. Very rarely do we go on a cycling trip pedaling from home and we have no choice but to take a plane, a bus, a train or a boat. This sometimes implies disassembling the bike, packing it well, crossing our fingers so that nothing breaks on the trip, arriving at the destination, putting everything together and then starting to pedal. Once the trip is over, the same steps must be taken for the return trip).
  • And what are the possible routes to build a travel itinerary taking into account all the above points.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A ROUTE?

This depends on the type of trip you want and can do, as well as your time availability. You can choose a route according to the destination you want to visit or according to the experience you want to live. The recommendation for a first trip is that you choose routes that transmit confidence and safety (such as the Seven Lakes route in the province of Neuquén, which has campsites and grocery stores along the way, for example). If it is not your first trip and you want to do something a little more adventurous, there are applications that will help you a lot to choose alternative routes.

WHICH BIKE SHOULD I CHOOSE? WHAT DOES IT NEED TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A TRIP?

The most important thing is not the bike, but your head and your desire to travel. It is not essential to have the best on the market or the latest technology. To travel by bike you have to go simple: it should be easy and economical to fix it, no matter if you are in a town or in a big city. Ideally, it should be a mountain bike or a hybrid, that is, one that combines the best of the road bike – its speed – and the best of the mountain bike – its versatility, since it adapts better to different terrains. To simplify: if you are going to ride on asphalt roads, a hybrid with thin wheels is recommended. If you are going to do a bit of everything, going from asphalt to gravel and from gravel to dirt and from dirt back to asphalt, a hybrid (but this time with wide wheels) can also be a good option. But if you know from the beginning that you are going to ride only on gravel, secondary roads and trails, then a mountain bike with suspension will be the best option.

WHAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL WEIGHT TO LOAD

The limit is not to carry too much stuff. Think of it like this: what you carry, what you will have to carry/carry/pedal. The ideal weight is subjective because it depends on each person, the equipment you can get or buy and the type of trip you make. In general terms, the ideal is always to travel as light as possible, carrying everything you need.

WHICH SADDLEBAGS TO CHOOSE? HOW TO DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT?

Some national brands that manufacture saddlebags.

  1. Halawa
  2. DC BIKE Galván 3551, Villa Urquiza, CABA, Argentina

In relation to weight, the recommendation is to load the panniers evenly, if one weighs more than the other, you will feel the bike unstable and it will tend to fall to the heavier side. If you are going to use front and rear panniers, the heaviest weight should be in the rear ones and as far back as possible and in the front ones everything that is lighter and we want to have at hand (such as the windbreaker jacket or raincoat), this is because you have to move the handlebars easily: the heavier the load in front, the more difficult it will be to maneuver the bike.

SOME TOOLS FOR PLANNING

Where to find itineraries for cycling?

Wikiloc application, a platform where travelers from all over the world upload their routes and share their experiences, information about the road, places to stop, etc. Cicloviajeros: life on the road.

Where to check the weather conditions?

meteored.com, accuweather.com and windguru.com

How do I know the elevation gain of the route?

The most useful and quickest thing to do if you are planning a trip is to use Google Maps. If you want something more specific, we recommend the pages Ride with GPS y Wikiloc. And if you are a craftsman or craftswoman of maps, the best thing to do is to draw the route you are going to do with the Google Earth (for that you have to download the program on your computer) and use the option “View elevation profile”. If you are traveling, the most recommended option is to use the application maps.me application, which can be used without data. Another alternative is to carry a GPS.

BIKE PACKAGING

In relation to this issue, if we decide to arrive at our point of departure by other means of transportation (bus, train, plane or ship) it is necessary to find out what are the packing requirements for the bicycle or if it can be stored without disassembling it.

HOW TO CALCULATE THE TIME TO GO FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER?

This will depend on each one, the ideal in a first experience is, before leaving on a trip, to have cycled a few days with all the equipment in the saddlebags, this will allow us to test the weight we are carrying and give us an idea of what will make our trip (obviously without counting the slopes and slopes that may exist in our real itinerary), from this point we can set parameters of how many kilometers to do per day, it is recommended that the first bike trip, is in a place where the distances between each place does not exceed 50 / 60 kilometers. In our personal experience, on a road with slopes (route 40 Patagonia) we did 10km/hour.

SAFETY MEASURES ON THE ROAD

Ride with reflective bibs in heavy traffic or on foggy or rainy days. Add a rear-view mirror to your bicycle (check if it is well placed because sometimes with vibration it can come loose and in those cases it is convenient to secure it with tape and/or seals). Using the mirror you can see what is happening with the traffic behind you without having to turn your head, which is key when you are on the road with a lot of traffic. Wear a helmet (many people find it annoying but it is a very important safety measure. Besides, in sunny places, it is a very good protection to avoid heat stroke).

Always pedal on the white line. In cases where you see a car in front and another one behind, the best thing to do is to go to the side of the road. If you can continue pedaling, great, and if not, brake and wait for the cars to pass. When riding with another person, the distances between one and the other should not be too big, always one behind the other, NEVER IN PARALLEL. Never be overconfident: use all your senses when pedaling on the road. Avoid using headphones since your ears are your best allies.

Do not exceed speed on steep descents. The adventure can be a lot of fun, but a bike loaded at more than 50 km/h is not very maneuverable and a hard hit can end your trip.

When there are bike paths, use them. When there are paved shoulders, use them too. ALWAYS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

 

SEVEN LAKES PATAGONIA ITINERARY

1 Los Siete Lagos – difficulty level: low/medium (combines asphalt, long climbs and fun descents).

The road that joins Villa La Angostura with San Martín de los Andes is one of the most classic two-wheeled routes, with a low level of difficulty, in Argentina and one of the most recommended to start cycling, since it is a stretch that is prepared to receive cyclists: it has restaurants, inns, organized and wild camping sites during the high season (from December to March). There are 108 km along Route 40, recently paved in its entirety. In addition to lakes Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner (where you can camp on the shore), Hermoso, Machónico and Lácar (the famous seven) there are many other hidden water mirrors, which are not visible to the naked eye and from the road, but are easily accessible by bicycle. Along this route you will cycle through the Nahuel Huapi and Lanín National Parks. You can start from either Villa La Angostura or San Martín de los Andes, although the first option (from South to North) is usually recommended because there are fewer climbs. The estimated time to cover all this road, pedaling between 20 and 27 km per day, stopping at the lakes and going at a leisurely pace, is five to six days. The best time to ride it is in October, November, December and March. It is important to check the weather conditions at meteored.com, accuweather.com and windguru.com before the trip for better accuracy. We do not recommend traveling in high season (January and February) due to the large amount of traffic during the summer vacation months, nor during the winter since temperatures are above freezing and the road is covered with snow. The return: if you want to return by bus from San Martín de los Andes to Villa La Angostura once the trip is over, you can take a bus from the Albus company .

Preparing body and mind for altitude

If you are planning to ascend beyond the end of the vegetation, it is important to know a few things about altitude and how it can affect your body and mind, it is important that you know a few things about altitude and how it can affect your body and mind..

Travelling along the edge of the hill Vallecitos at more than 5000 meters above sea level (masl) at dawn or contemplate Mount Aconcagua from the summit of the Penitentes at more than 4000 meters above sea level, are moving experiences. Therefore, so that you can immerse yourself in high altitude mountaineering and enjoy the experience in the best possible way, here are 5 things you should keep in mind.

At high altitudes, there is less oxygen

The Andes mountain range is like an amusement park for high altitude mountaineering, but its practice has significant effects on the body and mind. People perform better, both physically and mentally, at sea level, where the atmospheric pressure is 1 atm. Once we reach 2500 meters above sea level, the atmospheric pressure and oxygen percentage decrease, making it more difficult to breathe.and it is more difficult to breathe.

Move slowly and at a slow pace. Avoid sudden movements, such as bending down and getting up quickly. Rest as needed and take deep breaths.

The higher you go, the more intense the environment is

Walking at high altitude can also affect the hydration of your skin. It is important to always wear sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses, and sunglasses, along with clothing that covers your head and neck.

The rarefied air is accompanied by a lack of humidity.

Drink plenty of water, a few days before and throughout your altitude exposure.

Take into account the weather

Mountain weather can change drastically in a matter of hours, or even minutes! Rain, hail, snow, cold, and high winds are a real possibility throughout the year when hiking above 3000 meters, are a real possibility all year round when hiking above 3000 meters above sea level.

Once you are in the field, it will be impossible to control the weather. Therefore, you should always analyze several forecasts before setting out and, if possible, find a way to check their updates during the outing.

Plan your trip according to the characteristics of the seasonal climate of the place you are going to. For example, in the north of Argentina, during the period from December to March, thunder and intense storms are common, so it is advisable to avoid those months.

Above the “vegetation line”.

The landscape changes as we ascend. The altitude of the “vegetation line” varies according to the climate, but in all habitats it represents the same thing: the limit to which vegetation is able to grow because conditions become too harsh to be tolerable.

The terrain becomes much looser and rougher, so it is essential to have the right hiking shoes and ankle protection.

In this zone, the pircas often mark the path to follow and it is more difficult to find well-formed trails. In addition, low-impact practices become stricter. The lack of trees and vegetation diminish the protection against bad weather.so we recommend that you plan your plan your options in advance to know how to evacuate to know how to evacuate the area or take shelter in case of a storm.in case of a storm.

Altitude sickness is real

The body does not react well when we climb high altitudes too quickly. When we set up an itinerary without foreseeing the acclimatizationaltitude sickness can manifest itself due to the change in air pressure and lack of oxygen.

To acclimatize, the body needs to gain altitude progressively. However, even if a correct acclimatization plan has been followed, altitude sickness can still manifest itself.

Symptoms of altitude sickness may include nausea, headache, thirst, lack of hunger or coordination, shortness of breath, confusion and vomiting.

If you notice these warning signs early on, the recommendation is not to take medication, but to hydrate well and stop the ascent until you feel an improvement. In case of severe multiple symptoms, the best way to solve it is to get off, rest, hydrate and eat light food.

Hiking at high altitude is worth it for the unique sensations you will experience: the intense physical activity is compensated by the breathtaking views and the unique mountain air. You will be able to enjoy the experience safely if you go slowly, discovering your rhythm and taking into account these tips.

Y if you want to keep on learning about high altitude mountaineeringwe invite you to take a look at this other article of our blog, where we have more information waiting for you: Why does altitude hit us?

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Layered clothing

When you’re out in nature, layered clothing becomes your smart technology thermostat: it allows you to regulate your comfort by putting on and taking off “layers” of clothing as your activity level or the weather changes.

To understand how to properly wear layers of clothing for outdoor for outdoor activities, we need to know the function of each:

  • First Layer: manages moisture and wicks sweat away from the skin.
  • Second Layeris insulating and retains body heat to protect you from the cold.
  • Third layerprotects you from wind and rain.

Even if you don’t wear all three entry layers, it’s a good idea to wear garments that to carry garments that fulfill the purpose of each oneso that you can shed your clothes if you get warm and always be prepared to deal with wind and rain.

First Layer: Moisture management

It is the layer that is attached to the skin and its function is to keep perspiration away from the skin.. Por eso, en condiciones frescas o frías, se necesitan primeras capas tales como interiores térmicos largos y absorbentes, to keep your skin dry and prevent you from getting cold..

Materials:

You can opt for synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, or natural fibers, such as merino wool and silk. Todos cumplen su función, pero existen diferencias en cuanto a la absorción, el secado, la retención de olores y la durabilidad.

Weight:

The options are: light, medium and heavy.However, you may also find terms like “ultralight” at one end of the spectrum or “expedition” at the other. Heavier (thicker) fabrics will keep you warmer, although that is not the main purpose of a first layer.

Warm climates:

Here are some considerations on first layers for warm climates:

  • Any t-shirt or summer shirt is a good is a good first layer, especially if it is made of a fabric that made of a wicking fabric, as moisture wicks through the fibersmoisture is wicked through the fibers and allows evaporation.
  • Underwear, such assuch as briefs and bras, also should also absorb moisture.
  • The UPF-rated base layers give you extra sun protection for sunny days. protection for sunny days.
  • Cottoncotton, considered a definite NO in winter, as it absorbs water and in contact with the skin can cool you down, is fine if you are outdoors during a super dry summer day..
  • There are membranes designed to cool the skin on hot days, such as fabric impregnated with ceramic particles.such as fabric impregnated with ceramic particles.

Second Layer: Insulation and Sheltering

The second layer is what helps retain the heat radiating from your body.. Como las prendas por sí solas no tienen la capacidad de generar calor, es importante que esta capa sea eficiente.

Interlayer materials:

There are synthetic and natural options. A continuación, analizamos algunos de los most common materials:

  • Polyester fibers (the old and well-known polar):
    It is available in light, medium and heavy weight versions (sometimes marketed as polar 100, 200 and 300). (sometimes marketed as polar 100, 200 and 300). Keeps you warm even if it gets wet, dries quickly, and is rbreathes well. Sin embargo, el viento atraviesa fácilmente las fibras, lo que puede disipar el calor. Algunas prendas traen membranas rompe viento, pero de no ser así, podés combinar tu polar con una tercera capa que sea rompe viento.
  • Down jackets:
    Being very compressible, they take up little space in the backpack. Además, offer the best warmth to weight ratio. Las plumas can be goose, duck or blended.varying in their compression and heat retention capacities, depending on their fill power (fill power), ranging from 450 to 900. loses insulating efficiency when wetalthough there are technologies that minimize this effect.
    The great disadvantage of the feather is that it comes from animals. There are traceability standards that ensure dignified treatment of the animal. When purchasing these garments, everyone is aware of what they are doing.
  • Synthetic padded jackets:
    Synthetic insulations mimic the efficiency of the feather and every year they are getting a little closer to this standard. Although synthetic fibers do not compress as well as goose down, are a popular popular choice for rainy conditionsconditions, as they maintain insulation capacity when wet.

Third Layer: Climate protection

The third layer protects you from wind, rain and snow. The so-called parkas are a fundamental piece of your equipment, because if wind and water seep into the inner layers, you can get seriously chilled.

Most are treated with durable water repellent (DWR), so that water is quickly wicked away from the fabric.

They can be grouped into the following categories:

  • Waterproof / breathable parkas:
    It is the most functional option for adverse weather conditions, although it is also the most also the most expensive. Existen variedad de membranas en el mercado, siendo Gore-Tex la más conocida.
  • Water resistant / breathable parkas:
    They are are best suited for drizzle, wind and high levels of activity. They are also they are more economical. Están hechas de telas de nailon o poliéster apretado, que permiten bloquear el viento y la lluvia ligeros.
  • Soft parkas (soft shells):
    Emphasize breathability and are technical garments designed for activity in wet conditions. designed for activity in wet conditions.. La mayoría cuenta con paneles de tela elástica donde el ejercicio lo requiere.
  • Waterproof / non-breathable parkas:
    These basic parkas are fine for for rainy days with little or no activity. (e.g. fishing). They are usually made of coated nylon, which is water and wind resistant.

Some examples

We are often asked how to apply coatings for a given climate. Sin embargo, cualquier sugerencia basada únicamente en el clima, pasa por alto temas claves, como el nivel de esfuerzo y el metabolismo personal.

Therefore, the examples below are for a hypothetical person, who is not particularly hot or cold naturally and who is going to do a half-day trekking, intermediate level:

  • Layers for cold weather (some wind):
    Top, long thermal interiors; underneath, medium polyester interiors. Lightweight warm jacket with synthetic insulation. Medium trekking pants. Jacket and pants windbreaker/breathable (can be waterproof jacket and pants).
  • Rainy weather layers (cool temperatures):
    Top, long thermal underwear; underneath, lightweight polyester underwear. Lightweight breathable micro fleece. Synthetic trekking pants. Lightweight, waterproof and breathable jacket and pants (with open vents).
  • Layers for warm weather:
    Polyester underwear and short-sleeved synthetic T-shirt. Convertible trekking pants. Jacket breaks wind light.

It is essential that you take the necessary time to adjust the adjust the layers as conditions change.. Por ejemplo, si la lluvia y el viento disminuyen, podés guardar la campera impermeable. Si el trekking no te hace entrar en calor rápidamente, arrancá la caminata con una capa intermedia. Luego, mantenela a mano para los momentos de descanso o de hidratación.

Degree of difficulty in mountain and adventure

Before embarking on an adventure itinerary, it is important that you always know its level of difficulty. For this, in the mountain and adventure tours, we use grading systems that allow you to obtain information in advance about the difficulty of each route. In this article of our blog Blog, we want you to know the way we measure the degree of difficulty of the routes of mountain and adventure Huka, so you always know the level of preparation you will need and the requirement to which you will be exposed. To this grading system, you can also add a plus sign (+) where the difficulties slightly exceed the characteristics described here.

BEGINNER

Relaxed (1)
Enjoy an adventure, clear your mind and connect with nature at your own pace.

  • Activity: 1-3 hours, most days.
  • Distances: less than 5 km, most of the time.
  • Surfaces: flat terrain.
  • Elevation change: little or none.

Easy (2)
Ideal for newcomers to more active travel.

  • Activity: 3-5 hours, most days.
  • Distances: walking up to 10 km most of the time.
  • Surfaces: uneven terrain, with some steep climbs and descents.
  • Elevation change: up to 600 meters per day.

INTERMEDIATE

Moderate (3)
For those who are taking their first steps or want to continue adding experience in nature.

  • Activity: 5-8 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: walking up to 16 km, most days.
  • Surfaces: undulating or hilly terrain with some steep climbs / descents and uneven trails.
  • Elevation change: up to 1000 meters per day.

Demanding (4)
Recommended for people engaged in physical activity with basic activity skills.

  • Activity: 8-10 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: up to 20 km most days.
  • Surfaces: Mountainous and exposed terrain with steep ascents and descents and uneven trails.
  • Elevation change: up to 1200 meters per day.
  • Altitude: up to 4500 meters. Altitude experience may be required.

ADVANCED

Difficult (5)

Designed for trained and experienced people in the field.

  • Activity: more than 10 hours, at least, some of the days.
  • Distances: 20 km or more most days.
  • Surfaces: remote, hilly and exposed terrain with steep ascents and descents, uneven trails with loose features.
  • Elevation change: up to 1200 meters per day.
  • Altitude: can exceed 4500 meters. Altitude experience is required.

 

How to assemble the backpack

Assemble your backpack efficiently, it can hold an incredible amount of gear, but it is also important that its distribution is balanced and does not move when you walk. that its distribution is balanced and that it doesn’t move when you walk.. The mochi can be divided into three zones and peripheral storage:

  • Lower area: ideal for bulky equipment and items not needed until camp.
  • Central zone: good for dense and heavy equipment. The closer the weight is to the back, the better the balance.
  • Upper zone: Recommended for essential items you may need on the road.
  • Pockets for accessories: the ones you need frequently and in an emergency.
  • Loops for tools and lashing points: For large or long equipment, such as trekking poles.

The idea is to fill the nooks and crannies until you have a solid, stable load with equally and stable load, with the weight equally balanced on each side.. Una vez llena, se ajustan las correas de compresión, para optimizar la carga y evitar que se mueva mientras caminás.

Lower zone

Here are the bulky items you don’t need to use until camp.. Por ejemplo:

  • Sleeping bag (backpacks usually have a bottom compartment designed for this).
  • Layer you plan to sleep in.
  • Lightweight camping footwear.

Packing this type of soft equipment on the bottom creates an internal shock absorption system for the back and backpack.

Central zone

In this part, you put the heavy equipment that you are not going to use during the trekking.. Incluye:

  • Meals planned for camping or later days.
  • Kitchen kit.
  • Fuel.
  • Camel bag (sachet-type water tank).
  • Tent body and roof cover.
  • Extra clothing.

Pack heavy items in this area and against the back, creates a stable center of gravity and directs the load downward, rather than backward.. Esto es importante porque si se colocan muy abajo, hace que la mochila se combe y, colocados demasiado alto, hace que se sienta inestable.

You can use soft items, such as socks or socks or clothing, to fill in the spaces and and create cushioning between bulky items.

Do you carry liquid fuel? In this case, use only approved fuel bottles and make sure that the cap is tightly closed. Pack it upright and down (separate) from the food, so that, in case of a spill, food will not be contaminated.

Upper Zone

On top of everything else, we place the essential elements to use on the trailss:

  • Waterproof jacket.
  • Warm jacket.
  • First aid kit.
  • Water filter or purifier.
  • Toilet kit (paper/wet wipes, personal trash bag, dustpan).

Depending on the weather and the itinerary, the tent can also be stored in this part, for quick access if a storm arrives earlier than planned.

Accessory pockets

All backpacks have several pockets: on the lid, front, sides and on the lumbar belt. They are used to organize the smallest essentials:

  • Chart and compass.
  • Electronics.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen and lipstick.
  • Headlamp.
  • Repellent.
  • Lunch on the go.
  • Water bottles.
  • Rain cover (if you don’t have a rain cover, bag the entire contents of the backpack).
  • Car keys (there is usually a clip inside one of the pockets).
  • Documentation.

Tool loops and tie-down points

Some backpack models have loops and lashing points to carry objects and tools to carry objects and tools, such assuch as:

  • Trekking poles.
  • Tent poles.
  • Insulation for sleeping.
  • Piqueta.
  • Crampons.
  • Rope.

The daisies and compression straps can also be used to hold equipment that cannot be carried elsewhere. However, always minimize the amount of minimize the number of items you carry on the outside of your backpack, as they can snag on branches or scrape against rocks.They can snag on branches or scrape against rocks.

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