How to fit a backpack for comfort

Backpacks can become very uncomfortable very quickly if not packed and fitted correctly; this article explains the basics of how to pack your backpack for comfort.

The key is weight distribution no matter what type of pack you have. You want to keep the weight as close to your body as possible and in an area that doesn’t cause excess strain on your back and shoulders. This centers the weight with your natural centre of gravity and transfers the weight downward in line with your spine to your hips allowing your hip / waist belt to transfer the weight to your strongest muscles, your butt and upper legs! So…

Place your heaviest items as close to your back as possible and in between your shoulder blades and above. If you’re trekking rocky or more difficult terrain, try not to place heavy items above your shoulders as this could throw you off balance.

Next, radiating outward, place your medium weight items and then finally your light weight items, as per the diagram in the link.

I usually start by placing my lightest items at the bottom. Things like sleeping bag and light clothing etc. Also things you may need during the day and when you reach camp.

Next, put some of your medium weight items that you won’t require right away and build up to where your heaviest items will go.

Then place the heavy items in and pack light and medium weight items around them to the extremities of the pack.

When everything is in, make sure you tighten all of the compression straps to secure the load. Again this helps keep the weight close to your body.

Munich 2007

Before you all ask, no I wasn't in Munich for the October Fest! We did drink a lot of beer whilst there though.
Such a great city to visit with lots to do and see.
We stayed in a Backpacker hostel that was really central for just Euro13 per night. Very clean and tidy and from what I understand this is the norm in Munich outside of October.
Munich is filled with loads of great buildings. If you like architecture, you can spend days just wondering around the city admiring the buildings. In between all the great architecture is loads of Beer Halls and Beer Gardens too. A fantastic was to break up your day! I visited the famous HoftbrauHaus in the city centre, an architcetural masterpeice in itself, for a quite a brew to break the day. Several hours later, Wencke (my travel partner) and I stumbled out of there a wee bit smashed but with some good memories (if we could remember in the morning) plus we met some good people in there!
Whilst on beer, we also spent a day in the city park where there happens to be the famous 'English Beer Garden'. It was a surprisingly hot day and so to cool down we (again) drank a few steins of beer. Although this did help to cool us down we needed extra help. Running through the middle of the park is a river. Many locals came to the park and river bank to sunbathe (many nude) and so we decided to join them. The river was so inviting I ended up in there in my undies. As it turned out the river was also freezing!
Things to do there?
Bike tours are great. There are so many to choose from it's crazy but a great way to see the city. There are also many night time Pub tours you can do. Again, a great way to see the city by night and meet a lot of great people.
If you're feeling a little more adventurous there is the 'Nightclub' district at the end of the underground line. Everybody in Munich knows how to get there, so just ask around! Clubs to cater for all kind of taste. We staggered out as the sun was coming up and I can say that I had no regrets!
Munich is a real party town! Get yourself there if you like to party.

First post!

Well given that this is a new blog and this is my first post, I guess I'll start with a little bit of travel history.
I've been very fortunate in my life to have had parents that loved to travel and as kids they would take me and my sister away to various places in the UK and Europe for family holidays (I was born in England). We weren't well off by any meens but some how they always managed to make a great week away somewhere. We even did a couple of British Holiday parks like in that TV program 'Hidy Hi'.
I guess this is where I got the travel bug from. Thanks mum and dad!
After moving as a 10 year old to New Zealand, you suddenly realise what a great and diverse world we live in and it just makes you want to see more. So I did!
I guess this is where I'll leave it for now and follow on with some travel spots and memories.