General Energy Conservation
Expending as little energy as possible to arrive at a destination, employing practices such as physical fitness, appropriate pace, rhythmic breathing, rest breaks, nutrition, and water
What is energy conservation
Fatigue develops more slowly, allowing for greater enjoyment
How does physical fitness influence enjoyment during a backpacking trip?
Going too fast leads to premature fatigue
What pace problem do most groups encounter?
Rhythmic breathing
What type of breathing should backpackers employ to maximize energy conservation?
To prevent exhaustion
What is the purpose of a rest break?
To replenish lost water and burned-up energy, to prevent fatigue, and to prevent crabbiness.
Depends on the purpose and goals of the trip (energy conservation may be less important if the primary goal is physical fitness)
To what degree should energy conservation be practiced
If all participants are physically fit, frustration and conflict resulting from differences in pace and hike-length preferences are less likely to occur
How does physical fitness influence interpersonal relationships during a trip?
If carrying on a normal conversation while backpacking becomes difficult, the pace is too fast.
Breathing at a steady controlled rate coordinated with the steps taken
What is rhythmic breathing
Slow the pace or shorten the time between breaks
How should you adjust if people find it difficult to make it to the next rest break?
When the last person in the group arrives at the location
What is: when the last person in the group arrives at the location.
The temperature of the body doesn't change much, which minimizes perspiration and subsequent body temperature changes.
How does energy conservation influence body temperature
Those who are physically fit are less likely to become ill or be injured because of fatigue.
How does physical fitness influence participant health on a trip?
Throughout the day the group takes short, occasional breaks, and participants are not exhausted at the end of the day
What is how you can determine whether the pace is appropriate for the group?
On flat ground take longer steps; on the steeper ground (up or down) take shorter steps
What is: How should the length of your stride vary related to the slope of the terrain?
How long should you hike between breaks?
How long to hike between breaks, how long the break will be, and that backpackers should put on their packs when one minute of the break remains.
What information should the leader communicate to the group about and during breaks?
They cause maximum fluctuation of heart rate and may contribute to greater energy use
How do fast starts and long rests influence endurance
Those who are physically fit will be less fatigued and thus have clearer judgment, resulting in greater safety for all participants during an emergency
How does physical fitness influence emergency situations
Set and hike at a pace appropriate for the whole group, which is usually slower than the pace at which the leader would like to hike
What is the group leader's goal related to pace?
About three steps per breath
What is: On flat ground, with a pack of average weight, what is an appropriate ratio of steps to breaths?
Breaks should be short as possible. Aim for 5 minutes about taking as long as necessary. (Five-minute breaks minimize the amount of lactic acid buildup in the muscles caused by activity.
What is: How long should breaks be?
Contouring means avoiding elevation changes, a practice that helps conserve energy.
What is: How does contouring influence energy conservation?
(1) Less tired at the end of the day;
(2) Able to go longer with fewer and shorter breaks
(3) Energy is available in the event of an emergency
(4) Chances of emotional outbursts because of exhaustion and frustration are minimized
What are four ways that energy conservation influences endurance
At least as fit as the average participant in the group. The leader should aim to be as fit as the strongest person in the group
How physically fit should the leader be?
Heartbeat and breathing should determine the pace. Pace should not be established first and the heartbeat and breathing coordinated to match.
What two physiological functions should be coordinated to regulate pace?
As the going becomes more difficult, take more breaths in relationship to the number of steps. Extremely difficult conditions may require multiple breaths per step
What is: on steeper terrain, at higher elevations, or with a heavy pack, how does the step-to-breathing ratio change?
(1) a reasonably comfortable yet durable site,
(2) Available water source, and
(3) A place where the entire group can be on one side of the trail, out of the way of others who may be hiking.
Clothing is one way of regulating body heat. As the body heats up, layers of clothing should be removed; as the body cools, layers of clothes should be added. By adding and removing layers, the person does not have to work as hard to maintain constant body temperature.
What is: how does clothing relate to energy conservation?