Lightening the Load on the Backpacking Trail : Camping: Good boots, easy meals and a plan for the unexpected are essential for those answering the call of the wild.

Call me a snob, but I don’t consider it camping unless I’m toting a backpack. Others can pitch a tent in a crowded campground--I’m not happy unless I have the wilderness virtually to myself. But the spectacular scenery and solitude of the backcountry come at a price, not the least of which is hard work, not to mention discomfort--where did they hide the bathroom?--and the real potential for danger.

As an experienced backpacker--that is, someone who has trekked unescorted into mountains, deserts and remote coastal realms and returned unharmed to tell the tale--I’m frequently amazed by the many people I meet on the trail who have ventured into the wild completely unprepared for the unexpected--such as a sudden mid-summer snow squall that sweeps down from high mountain ridges. When heavy clouds block the sun, the wind picks up and the flakes begin to fall, those tank tops the hikers are wearing don’t offer much warmth.

I was fortunate to be introduced to backpacking by friends who knew what they were doing. And subsequently, I’ve picked up helpful tips from experienced guides on rafting, rock-climbing and trail-riding excursions that involved wilderness camping. City dwellers with limited camping or hiking skills might begin by signing up for one of the many inexpensive hiking trips offered throughout the country by the Sierra Club Outing Department, (415) 923-5522. In the wilderness, experience counts.

Among the lessons I’ve learned:

Pick your destination--and season--wisely. I’m something of a softy, so I have no interest in braving bitter cold, ice and snow, which require special skills. I try to backpack when the weather is ideal, and for me this means summers in California’s Sierra. Days generally are sunny, warm and dry, and nights are nippy but not excessively so. It’s not for nothing that the Sierra is known as the “gentle wilderness.”

Travel light. Among regular backpackers, trimming weight from the pack is almost a compulsion. Some of us have been known to cut the borders off maps to reduce our load by a fraction of an ounce. We carry the tiniest of travel toiletries, and all food is removed from cans, boxes and jars and packed in sealed plastic bags. My practice is to prepare a detailed menu for each meal on the trail--mostly featuring freeze-dried foods--so that I don’t carry more than I need. Some experts figure a hardy backpacker can comfortably carry a pack that is about one-third of his or her weight; less sturdy souls may want to try a pack no heavier than one-fourth their weight.

Dress properly. A good pair of boots, which have been broken in, is essential. When you are toting a heavy pack, sneakers and sandals don’t offer much protection against stubbed toes in rocky terrain. Shorts and T-shirts are standard garb for warm-weather trips during the day, but nights at mountain elevations can get frosty. So pack a pair of long pants and a heavy sweater or jacket for evenings. Check in advance on average high and low temperatures. I always carry a rain poncho that fits over both me and my pack.

Equip yourself adequately. As a first-timer, borrow or rent as much equipment as you can because buying the basics can be expensive. Generally, you will need a sleeping bag (make sure it’s warm enough for chilly nights), a rainproof lightweight tent (four pounds or less), a pack (internal or external frame), a portable stove (many national parks prohibit wood fires), a portable water purifier and lightweight cooking and eating utensils. Be prepared for emergencies. You want to keep your pack light, but carry a little extra food in case a sprained ankle or other development delays your return to civilization. To keep extra clothing dry in a rainstorm, place items in plastic bags before you stuff them in your backpack. A basic first-aid kit is essential. Waterproof matches are a good idea too.

Don’t forget the mosquito repellent. These pesky critters are everywhere, and they can easily ruin a trip.

Carry a good map, and stick to the trail system. This is especially important for novice backpackers. Even now, I don’t trust my navigational skills enough to abandon a trail and hike cross country. So I stick to designated trails, which generally are well marked in national parks and forests. But occasionally I have come to a fork in the path, where there was no sign to point the way. This is when a good map--preferably a detailed topographical map--is very handy. These maps generally are sold at ranger offices. Don’t go alone. It’s common sense. If one person is injured, the other can go for help.

Be bear smart. Bears are pretty smart when it comes to pilfering your food. To protect your supplies, either pack food in bear-proof containers, which can be obtained in some national parks where bears are a particular nuisance in campgrounds, or hang food packs from a high tree limb--well away from the trunk. You should never store food in your tent or even eat in your tent, because lingering food odors and crumbs may attract bears and other wildlife. I’ve never lost anything to a bear yet, but I’ve seen several ransacked campsites.

Walk softly. To preserve the wilderness for the hiker behind you, observe trail rules and practice environmentally sound backpacking. Check with rangers on local regulations before entering the wilderness. Pack out all trash; dig your latrine away from water sources; wash cooking utensils--and yourself--away from lakes and streams; travel in small groups, and walk single file to avoid widening the trail.