What To Do In The Offseason
Repair and Organize Gear, Go Over Photos, Train and Dream About Next Season
Now is a good time to take stock of your backpacking equipment, to repair what is broken, and most importantly, organize it.
If you have a ripped sleeping bag, or a zipper that needs replaceing, winter is the time to do it. Most manufacturers of quality backpacks will fix zippers for you if you send it to them, often free of charge. (I know Kelty does this; they repaired two of my backpacks last January free of charge).
Many large stores that sell backpack equipment will work on it. Rei is one of the best. They sewed the mesh on my daughters backpacking tent when her dog tore a couple of holes in it. I plan to take in one of my sleeping bags to Rei to fix a rip in it.
Organizing your backpacking gear is important. For me that means keeping it together, in one storage location. That lessens the possibility of something coming up missing next time I am packing for a trip, and wasting time looking all over the house and garage for it.
Winter is also a good time to check the online deals for backpacking equipment. Campmor, Rei-Outlet, and Sierra Trading Post have good buys on gear now and again. (I have found the best deals at Campmor and Sierra Trading Post; It seems like Rei-Outlet raised their clearance prices a couple of years ago).
Winter might also be a good time to go over the photo collections you made from past backpack trips, and remember how darn good it was up there. That will get you to dreaming about next season, and the adventures you will have, and the breathtaking wilderness sights you will see.
Now that I am older I try to stay in shape in the offseason. I find that much easier than losing all my leg and back strength during winter and having to work to gain it back. On my daily walks I always carry a small external frame pack with a stuff sack full of dumbells in it. My pack weighs just short of 40 pounds. By carrying that every day I know I am ready to go backpacking at any time.
I generally get the bug to go before spring, and head out in late December, down to the Canyon Country.
