Pack, unpack, pack, unpack again...

[GPSGuided]

How do you organize and store your gears for your walks? Do you unpack everything after each walk and then repack before each walk? Or do you keep your core gears packed and always ready to go?

[whitefang]

I unpack and clean my gear and then store it organised in a cupboard ready to be packed again when it's time to go for another walk.

[perfectlydark]

Similar to whitefang except 'organised' is something to work on (it just gets shelved wherever theres room and the next trip is always preceeded by rants and cursing as I cant find stuff)

[whitefang]

The only reason my stuff is now organised is because I got sick of the cursing.

[Tortoise]

Very good question, GPSG.

I unpack and clean my gear and then store it organised in a cupboard ready to be packed again when it's time to go for another walk.

Sounds so simple, doesn't it?!

Do you unpack everything after each walk and then repack before each walk? Or do you keep your core gears packed and always ready to go?

Aaaaarrrrrgggghhh. Is it dry or only nearly dry? What's core? Day walk or multi-day? Which pack? Which layers (thermals, shirt, gloves, head gear)? Which rainjacket? How big a first aid kit, etc etc etc, and for an overnighter, add which sleeping gear, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc At least I now know which tent, which mat and which base layers.

Have tried umpteen methods of simplifying it, none of which has been successful. Yes, I know if I got rid of a lot of choices it'd be simpler, but it depends on the weather, the terrain, whether off track or on track, who I'm going with -determines if I share any gear like a stove etc; how fast or slow we go, if I need to have nothing more than the absolute essentials to keep up or if it's an easy walk and I need to load up for training purposes.

Currently trying method Q (having done A-P) - all possible rainjackets on one shelf; all possible thermals, shirts and pants on another shelf, 'core core' stuff in a 'daywalks' tub, which will be needed for overnighters as well,... but I'm losing focus...

[ofuros]

Air what needs to aired, clean what needs to be cleaned, refuel, replace food used, then re-pack backpack.
So it's ready to go at short notice & all i have to do is throw it in the back of the ute....

If it's a longer or colder trip, I'll just add more fuel & food or extra insulation.

[GPSGuided]

the next trip is always preceeded by rants and cursing as I cant find stuff)

Hence this post. I am a little fed up by the night before where I'll be spending an hour or more digging all kinds of places for my gears, and that's just for a day walk - Not helped by the fact that I have to also look after some of the gears in my wife's and son's packs. Bathroom for the hydration system that takes days to dry out, cupboard for the bush gears, my study for the maps and miscellaneous electronic gears and maps and there's kitchen for food supply...

[Graham51]

I unpack it all, air it out and clean and then store in a semi-organised way. Sleeping bags don't want to be kept compressed between walks. Same with sleeping mats which like to be kept with the bung open, not compressed. I have a list on the computer and can usually pack up reasonably quickly. Having said that, it takes about the same time for two days as it does for ten.

[ILUVSWTAS]

When I first started walking i'd religiously pack, re-pack and double check everything.

Now I usually throw everything in my pack drunkenly the night before a trip and hope I haven't forgotten anything important.



Experience huh.....

[wildlight]

Have found a way that seems to work well for us here.
Immediately when we get home from a trip, we set to work airing, drying and washing those items which need it. They are dried off asap, then repacked. Sleeping bags shouldn't really be repacked- but for us it seems better from a logistics perspective to pack it all, ready for next time.
With regards to consumables- food, fuel and some water- we replace fuel when we get home, there's always some water in a bottle in the pack as well as in the car. There is food for 5 light days in the pack. The food is basic stuff- and the plan is to upgrade with better food in Mansfield or Traralgon as required. The food in the pack suffices if we get to the town too late to go shopping.

I like the idea of being ready to move quickly. Often the week is exhausting- the last thing I want is procedures building up before a trip.

We keep basic food supplies in our car, as well as about 15 litres of water, and some basic fuel (gas canister and small Shellite).

As for packing- the kit remains fairly constant. We always have winter kit- items can be left in the car during the walk if the forecast is for conditions which don't require the "warms". But at least there's no scrambling to pack and assemble, before leaving home.

It's worked for me- developing the routine took a while… but it's down pat now. Our kit is very light weight- we have embraced the UL philosophy in all except a couple of areas where a little extra weight equates to WAY BETTER comfort. Swapping out a critical item (like the tent) takes but a moment when leaving home. We use a tarp tent in all but the ugliest conditions. Site selection and pitching technique play a big part in success with tarp tents.

My "office pack" contains the electronics which accompany us on a walk- so it's a simple transfer just prior to setting off. My Nikon Coolpix goes with me everywhere, and gets replaced by D800e and primes if it's a "photo trip". It's rare that I would be disappointed with the performance of Coolpix P7700, even if a "walk" turns into a "photo trip". Knowing HOW to shoot properly with it, takes it to a different level. There's always a spare tripod in the car, suitable for mountains. That way the "work" tripod is left as a "work" item. I carry an iPad mini with full keyboard case, and leave laptop at home or work before departure. The iPad setup means I can do just about anything online, with a compact little unit.

Having structure to the prep routine makes departure an absolute joy. It helps with spontaneity.

Cheers- WildLight

[Picaro]

Air what needs to aired, clean what needs to be cleaned, refuel, replace food used, then re-pack backpack.
So it's ready to go at short notice & all i have to do is throw it in the back of the ute....

If it's a longer or colder trip, I'll just add more fuel & food or extra insulation.

Oh, how I wish I could do this.!

Sad, pathetic gear freak here.....I have 5 or 6 of most things. Supposedly in the name of determining my best setup, and then thinning....I tell myself it will happen, but in the meantime, each trip I have to mentally wrestle with each choice....seriously, I need to thin out.

[wayno]

unpack it, check it if it needs repair. clean and air what needs doing.
I leave it unpacked, I don't make exact gear choices till i know when and where 'm going on the next trip and when i've got a weather forecast for the trip, then its a case of "what shall i wear today?"

[GPSGuided]

... then its a case of "what shall i wear today?"

Dressing up can take half a day! LOL

[DanShell]

unpack it, check it if it needs repair. clean and air what needs doing.
I leave it unpacked, I don't make exact gear choices till i know when and where 'm going on the next trip and when i've got a weather forecast for the trip, then its a case of "what shall i wear today?"

Im similar to this. We have a dedicated wardrobe for hiking gear that WAS nice and organised once upon a time

[sim1oz]

We unpack then clean/air/repair/refill and put things in their respective storage spaces:

- shelter gear repacked and ready to go
- down sleeping bags in large storage bags
- mattresses stored flat under bed with valves open
- eating system gear in box, eg. pots, stoves, drink bottles, bladders
- food box for all non-perishable foods, eg. milk powder, scroggin
- dehy meals in freezer
- each persons clothes sorted into separate box
- pile of packs
- kits box, eg. repair, first aid, emergency
- little things box, eg. PLB, emergency blankets, whistles, head torches

What we each carry changes depending on when and where we are going and how many of us (2-6) so I prefer to have everything 'ready to pack'. For shared gear, I pull out what we are planning to take and distribute it to each person's pile. Each person is responsible for their own clothes. It takes between 30-60 minutes to pack and be out the door. Sometimes the most time consuming part is deciding on the food. Something about too many options....

I dream about having my bag always packed and ready but it won't happen until the kids have all flown the nest...

[GPSGuided]

Dream of a custom cupboard just for bushwalk/camping gears, with specific partitions! A new house is needed.

[sim1oz]

Our eldest is finishing school and hoping/planning to take a gap year before settling down... I have already worked out how all our gear will be neatly stored on shelves and/or hung up in the cupboard. Will save a bit of time as our gear is currently spread across three rooms Not sure if there will be space for her to move back in

[Ellobuddha]

Total unpack. Always start a fresh pack depending on where/when/duration/weather possibilities

Clean/Wash/dry

Ive got four big plastic tubs with lids that stack up. One for equipment, (safety gear, cooking, lights, first aid, maps, firekit etc etc etc) one for general clothing, one for cold weather clothing and another one with rare use gear such as microspikes etc. I still have a messy pile of tents, tarps, poles etc. Then theres the pack stack. Quilt and bag are laid out on bed in spare room. Shells and down hanging in cupboard. Still can never get it tidy though.

[wayno]

... then its a case of "what shall i wear today?"

Dressing up can take half a day! LOL

I just can't find a thing to wear today...

[GPSGuided]

I just can't find a thing to wear today...

Go here...
http://www.montbell.com

[GPSGuided]

Ive got four big plastic tubs with lids that stack up...

I think this is a logical solution for those who don't have a dedicated cupboard. Whilst we already have 3 of these large tubs for storage, they are scattered across the house and the capacity is nowhere near enough. I can imagine at least 6 tubs will be needed to get close to pack everything out. Just the packs will need 2-3 tubs.

[wayno]

Ive got four big plastic tubs with lids that stack up...

I think this is a logical solution for those who don't have a dedicated cupboard. Whilst we already have 3 of these large tubs for storage, they are scattered across the house and the capacity is nowhere near enough. I can imagine at least 6 tubs will be needed to get close to pack everything out. Just the packs will need 2-3 tubs.

I'm banned from buying more gear unless i am getting rid of gear,, partners preference is that i just get rid of the gear and skip the purchasing phase..

[GPSGuided]

I'm banned from buying more gear unless i am getting rid of gear,, partners preference is that i just get rid of the gear and skip the purchasing phase..

I suspect you'll have a close following when you start to put gears up here to sell...

[ofuros]

Air what needs to aired, clean what needs to be cleaned, refuel, replace food used, then re-pack backpack.
So it's ready to go at short notice & all i have to do is throw it in the back of the ute....

If it's a longer or colder trip, I'll just add more fuel & food or extra insulation.

Oh, how I wish I could do this.!

Sad, pathetic gear freak here.....I have 5 or 6 of most things. Supposedly in the name of determining my best setup, and then thinning....I tell myself it will happen, but in the meantime, each trip I have to mentally wrestle with each choice....seriously, I need to thin out.

Picaro, your not alone with a mountain of gear & so many choices.
I just like everything in the one place so I don't forget anything. Packed pack, boots, hat & bamboo walking staff are all stored together.
All I need to do is charge some batteries for my camera, add a relevant map & I'm off.
Nothing worse than throwing everything in the car, travelling to your access point, all keen & fired up
for a new adventure & finding you've left your walking boots behind......trust me it happens !

[Ellobuddha]

Ive got four big plastic tubs with lids that stack up...

I think this is a logical solution for those who don't have a dedicated cupboard. Whilst we already have 3 of these large tubs for storage, they are scattered across the house and the capacity is nowhere near enough. I can imagine at least 6 tubs will be needed to get close to pack everything out. Just the packs will need 2-3 tubs.

Yeah - definitely need more tubs for tents, packs, dehy foods etc

[MartyGwynne]

Yes four basic plastic tubs (big fish box type with good lids)
Labelled Food (may contain traces of gear)
Utensils (which would make do to cater for about twenty people but its all there)
Clothes (anything used for camping kayaking walking etc)
More clutter seldom used but looked at anyway...
Then there are five other spots in various cupboards wardrobes etc or its still in the back of the ute maybe or do the kids still have it....

How does one dry out the hydration bladders? I may make this a whole new thread mine are still out from five weeks ago!

[DanShell]

How does one dry out the hydration bladders? I may make this a whole new thread mine are still out from five weeks ago!

Assuming your opening is not large enough to get your hand in it, you just need to make sure the two sides are not touching each other and the lid is off. It will get circulation and dry out.

Some brands even have a plastic thing you can stick inside the bladder to keep the sides separated.

[wayno]

hydration bladders with big openings that are easy to clean and dry out are the way to go... not to mention easier to fill.

[puredingo]

When I first started walking i'd religiously pack, re-pack and double check everything.

Now I usually throw everything in my pack drunkenly the night before a trip and hope I haven't forgotten anything important.



Experience huh.....

Sounds like me. My gear is stored temptingly close to my beer fridge, start packing, peruse the maps once more, put a bit of music on and then wonder where all those empties came from?

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

I unpack it all, air it out and clean and then store in a semi-organised way. Sleeping bags don't want to be kept compressed between walks. Same with sleeping mats which like to be kept with the bung open, not compressed. I have a list on the computer and can usually pack up reasonably quickly. Having said that, it takes about the same time for two days as it does for ten.

Pretty much exactly this for me. The only thing I don't always have ready to pack is food, but can rustle that up pretty quickly.