What to carry on demanding hikes

Just returned from a 19 day visit to six of the western National Parks. Many of the day hikes were demanding and I found myself debating whether to carry my G9 or my 7D plus lenses (a much heavier and more cumbersome package - not to mention the risk of damage). Of course, the scenery was spectacular and I wanted to do it justice. I'd be interested in how others have dealt with this issue. Maybe a super-zoom point and shoot?

PS: I ended up packing the 7D after the first hike to get the very best shots. However, this made it even more difficult to keep up with my 25 year old son!

Make the kid carry it! It'll be good for him

Haha. Love the idea, but I'm not sure I'd trust him with the gear.

I guess that all depends on how you carry it, how picky you're going to be about the resulting photos, and what your particular fitness level is.

The G9 is small, easy to carry, and will probably let you enjoy the scenery a bit more since it's easily carried on a belt pack or in a jacket pocket.

I've found that a good backpack helps a lot (opinions will vary here, but I like my Tamrac Expedition 7x pretty well) . Of course I try to pack it as light as possible, usually taking my 40D (w/o grip) 24-70L, Tamron 90mm Macro, and maybe the Tokina 10-17 fisheye if I feel like it. I leave the other lenses at home, unless I'm pretty sure I'll use them. Straps like the BlackRapid will help take a lot of stress off of your neck when the camera is out of the pack. It keeps the camera from swinging around a lot better than a neck strap as well. The rest of my rather large backpack carries my lunch/snacks, rain poncho, GPS, and bottles of water in a waterpoof pack. It's probably not the best way to do things, but it works pretty well for me (usually about 8 miles or so in the Smoky Mtns).

The main thing that allows me to bring my DSLR gear more easily with me on hikes is a decent well padded backpack that rides on my hips. I often carrying a 17" laptop as well so I'm currently using a LowePro CompuRover AW.

The other thing that makes hiking more comfortable is a BlackRapid strap that makes it possible to carry a DSLR across the shoulder but allows you to whip the camera up quickly to take that elusive shot.

I recently bought a Lowpro 2S lens case which straps onto the side of the back pack. This enables swap outs between two lenses without taking my backpack off.

Typically I carry my 50D with a 17-85 kit lens, a 70-200 F4, and a 1.4 extender. If the hike is not too difficult I might put in a macro and/or a wide angle, and a small Slik tripod and/or a Manfrotto monopod. Mostly I shoot outdoor panoramas so I might tote a full size tripod if the hike has an early morning or evening/night component.

Then there's food and water, a raincoat, bug spray, spare socks, Bandaid strips, a pocket knife, cell phone etc.

You need a backpack that will carry your gear safely, while at the same time taking most of the stress off your shoulders. Fitness level is also a big factor. Ideally, the backpack should have separate compartments for gear and other necessities so that you're not rummaging through the pack to find something, provisions for carrying water and a tripod. Anticipating your needs, and thereby minimizing the amount of your gear, also helps.

Regarding backpacks, "most" camera backpacks are usually heavy, which is not a good starting point. Take the aforementioned Tamrac Expedition 7...I originally bought one of these a while back, so I'm able to comment on it from experience...it's freaking heavy when empty...close to 7 pounds. The outer pockets are pretty much useless IMO, and no way to carry water bottles without having to buy accessories to clip onto the outside. My Tamrac has been relegated to the attic...one of those "buy before you try" decisions that I learned from. It'll hold a ton of gear, but it just didn't work for me.

Some camera backpacks do a decent job...the Lowepro Rover AW II, which I now use quite a bit (and its waterproof sibling, the Dryzone Rover for when I'm in or near water). The Rover is surprisingly light...only about three pounds give or take. Has a bottom compartment for your gear, and a roomy upper compartment to carry the necessities (light jacket, first aid kit, food/snacks, penlight, etc.), as well as two outer pockets for water bottles (each will hold a 1-liter Nalgene bottle), and a tripod carrier.

There's also "real" hiking backpacks that could be modified with a camera insert...these are better designed to distribute the load, are fairly light themselves, and usually have an internal frame to help things out. A 30-liter pack with several external lashing points should do well for arduous day hikes.

Last but not least, if you're going to do any type of hiking, a lighter tripod is a must. If you don't have a carbon fiber tripod, you should consider one. These will typically weigh in at half the weight of "traditional" tripods. They cost a bit more, but the weight savings are well worth it (and your back will appreciate it).

Regardless of age or fitness level, the key is to lighten the load as much as possible, while still allowing yourself the gear choices to come away with the ideal shot. Start with a good backpack choice, and work your way from there. Cut a few ounces here, and a few ounces there, and the weight savings will start to add up quickly.

Thanks for the thoughts. I like the focus on a good carrying system rather than compromising on equipment.

I´ve just got back from a month trekking in the Pyrenees northern Spain. I took a Canon 500D a 10-22mm, 24-105mm, manfrotto tripod and two filters a Pl-CIR and a 110 ND. The 500D is quite light the only problem is it´s not weather sealed so I had to be careful in storms, on long treks the 24-105mm was left in the car as it´s heavyer than my tent. In winter its more of a problem, I take the 500D skitouring but it would be nice if there was a good camera for the mountains, something small light with a good zoom,takes RAW and is weather sealed.

I do a lot of skiing and mountaineering and my 40D comes with me everywhere. I used to carry it inside my backpack but then when I wanted to take photos it means stopping, unslinging my bag, opening the bag, getting the camera out, powering up, taking the shot, and then doing all the steps in reverse.

Lately I've stared to carry my camera on the right-side hip belt of my backpack in a top-loading bag. This give me easy quick access to it and I don't have to stop the whole team to get a few shots. The downside of course is that it's a little more vulnerable and if I fall I could land on it and possibly damage it; but that's a risk I'm willing to take so far!

Yes same here, it´s the best way if you are in a team and you use one lens. What lens do you use? But normally if I go to take photos I go alone to have freedom and time.

Usually either the 28-135 or 17-40 depending on whether I'm after people or landscape shots.

BobL wrote in post #10670591
The other thing that makes hiking more comfortable is a BlackRapid strap that makes it possible to carry a DSLR across the shoulder but allows you to whip the camera up quickly to take that elusive shot.

Are you able to use the BlackRapid strap while wearing the backpack? The backpack doesn't interfere with the strap?

Yes, my Expedition 7 is a big on the heavy side, but I got it for a song... so I don't complain too much. I'm not a hardcore hiker by any means, so this is just what works for me.

The RS5 I have works fairly well with a backpack, but it's bulkier shoulder pad gets in the way a bit. The RS7 would probably work a lot better for this purpose, (especially since it has an additional front bumper as well to prevent forward motion of the camera while you're walking). My workaround with the RS5 has been to put the Blackrapid strap on and open the storage pocket, put the backpack on over the Blackrapid, and then close the storage pocket over the backpack strap. Either way, it's still worlds better than using a neck strap or one of those contraptions that attaches to your backpack straps and keeps the camera in front of you.

bahelmer wrote in post #10683653
Are you able to use the BlackRapid strap while wearing the backpack? The backpack doesn't interfere with the strap?

There's no interference if the BlackRapid is put on after the Back Pack. I wear the BR so the camera hangs by my left hip and on my right I have a 2S lens bag with my 17-85 or 70-200 with extender on it. The back pack hip strap stops the camera from bashing into my hip. Having the lens case means no need to take off the back back to swap between lenses.

I am thinking of adding a small karabiner to my back pack hip belt so I can lock the BR to camera swivel to it, This will reduce the "dangle" effect of the camera when scrambling up steep slopes or bending over. Either way the BR is MUCH easier to use and easier on ones neck than the standard camera strap.

argyle wrote in post #10671914
You need a backpack that will carry your gear safely, while at the same time taking most of the stress off your shoulders. Fitness level is also a big factor. Ideally, the backpack should have separate compartments for gear and other necessities so that you're not rummaging through the pack to find something, provisions for carrying water and a tripod. Anticipating your needs, and thereby minimizing the amount of your gear, also helps.

Regarding backpacks, "most" camera backpacks are usually heavy, which is not a good starting point. Take the aforementioned Tamrac Expedition 7...I originally bought one of these a while back, so I'm able to comment on it from experience...it's freaking heavy when empty...close to 7 pounds. The outer pockets are pretty much useless IMO, and no way to carry water bottles without having to buy accessories to clip onto the outside. My Tamrac has been relegated to the attic...one of those "buy before you try" decisions that I learned from. It'll hold a ton of gear, but it just didn't work for me.

Some camera backpacks do a decent job...the Lowepro Rover AW II, which I now use quite a bit (and its waterproof sibling, the Dryzone Rover for when I'm in or near water). The Rover is surprisingly light...only about three pounds give or take. Has a bottom compartment for your gear, and a roomy upper compartment to carry the necessities (light jacket, first aid kit, food/snacks, penlight, etc.), as well as two outer pockets for water bottles (each will hold a 1-liter Nalgene bottle), and a tripod carrier.

There's also "real" hiking backpacks that could be modified with a camera insert...these are better designed to distribute the load, are fairly light themselves, and usually have an internal frame to help things out. A 30-liter pack with several external lashing points should do well for arduous day hikes.

Last but not least, if you're going to do any type of hiking, a lighter tripod is a must. If you don't have a carbon fiber tripod, you should consider one. These will typically weigh in at half the weight of "traditional" tripods. They cost a bit more, but the weight savings are well worth it (and your back will appreciate it).

Regardless of age or fitness level, the key is to lighten the load as much as possible, while still allowing yourself the gear choices to come away with the ideal shot. Start with a good backpack choice, and work your way from there. Cut a few ounces here, and a few ounces there, and the weight savings will start to add up quickly.

Agreed on the Lowepro Rover AWII - got one and it makes hiking with a camera a breeze. Puts the weight where it should be - on the hips. Also its big enough for most camera gear and hiking kit (FA kit, food, torch etc) plus the external pockets are good for water bottles/snacks. Also pretty good padding for protection of your gear. The bottom compartment can also be removed for use in a separate bag if required (IE long, multi day hiking trip where you need more gear).

I also had a Tamrac which is also now gathering dust!

Another thing to consider is using a belt set up for your camera which allows you to have a backpack

A CF tripod is worth its additional cost because a tripod is only any use if you take it and use it. A heavy alu tripod will get left behind ( I know I have been that person) whereas a lighter CF will be taken and used.

Spend wisely and pack carefully - your back will thank you for it after a day of walking!