How I Pack for Rocky Mountain National Park, by OutdoorsDevon on YouTube. 12 min 34 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 34 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay everything out and sort it into groups: sleep system, cook and food, clothes, first aid and small bags, then water and exterior gear. Check that the bear canister fits inside your pack before you commit to the load.
Put your sleeping bag into the 10L dry bag and roll out the air. Place it at the bottom of the pack, with the sleeping pad alongside or wrapped around it to fill dead space.
Load the bear canister next, sitting upright and centered against your back, with the stove, pot and food packed inside it. Keep heavy items close to your spine and above the middle of the pack.
Fill the gaps around the canister with soft items like the insulated meal pouch and spare layers so nothing shifts. Pack small bags such as the first aid kit and electronics into the remaining pockets and lid.
Put your fleece, rain jacket and other clothes into the 5L dry bag and push it into the top or front of the pack, where you can reach it without unpacking everything.
Work from the bottom up and keep the load symmetrical left to right. Compress each layer as you go so the pack stays tight and the seams are not stressed.
Attach the water filter and bladder to the outside or in an easy-reach pocket, and strap trekking poles and bear spray where you can grab them without taking the pack off.
Lift the pack by the haul loop and check the final weight and balance. Adjust the load, tighten the compression straps and confirm the hip belt carries most of the weight before you set off.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the bear canister centered and upright so it does not pull the pack to one side or dig into your back.
Put anything you may need during the day, like rain gear and snacks, near the top or in an outside pocket.
Weigh your full pack before the trip and cut anything you did not use on the last hike.
Check the park rules on bear canisters and food storage before you leave, since they vary by area.
Questions
Where should the bear canister go in my pack?
Upright and centered against your back, above the sleeping bag. That keeps the weight close to your spine and stops the pack from swaying.
How do I stop my pack from feeling unbalanced?
Pack heavy items near your spine and the middle of the pack, keep both sides even, and tighten the compression straps after each layer.
Do I need a dry bag for my sleeping bag?
Yes. A 10L dry bag keeps the down dry if it rains and lets you compress the bag into a tight bundle at the bottom.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
