The most important rule when packing a backpack is never taking an item that “you may need”.

You will hate it if you have to carry something you are not going to use. Every little bit of weight counts.

When you pack a backpack, it is not like packing a car with every possible thing you may need.

I spent two and a half years walking across the United States to show what you can do on faith in God. I was on the walk for about a year when my brother wanted to join me while I was in the Mississippi Delta. His bus arrived in Greenwood, Mississippi. I went to pick him up at the bus station and when he got off the bus with his Army backpack, he was wobbling back and forth under the weight of the pack. I had been staying with a local family who had taken me to the bus station. We went back to their house and i began to unpack my brothers pack to see what all he had packed. His pack weighed over 100 pounds. It was full of stuff that he felt he “might” need. He did not like it as i began taking things from his pack and telling him he would not need them. He kept saying ” I might.”.

Remember you will be carrying this on your back, for many miles. Maybe over some rough terrain. Pack according to where you are going.

Know where you are going and pack accordingly. If you are hiking in the south in the summer time, you will not need a heavy duty sleeping bag. If you are traveling where it will get very cold, then pack the heavy duty sleeping bag.

To start, I would go to an outfitters, let them know what you are thinking of doing. They will help you get your gear together.

If you are going on a long trek, have the following.

Sleeping bag, Tent, dry food, water, water purification tablets, lighter, no more than 3 changes of clothes. Pick your clothes so that you can layer, or take off as weather permits. You need a knife, You can pack, one small pan for cooking..do not pack a whole kitchen, nor pack a whole bathroom. If you are going in the woods, take compass and map. Take a small mirror. Take a small book. Have at least 4 pairs of socks. Small spool of fishing line with a hook. Flashlight.

Take your I-pod, camera, journal. and have fun.

Put your pack on, if it seems too heavy ..it is! No one else will want to carry your pack. It is up to you you are your own pack animal. Have only what you will “need”..and you will have fun.

A good rule of thumb to is to ask if an item has more than one purpose to it.