Death By Ladoog VIII

UPON RETURN FROM THE TREK

If you are reading this – it can only mean that you have survived the trek and that you are hail and hearty. CONGRATULATIONS! I have no doubt that you are in agreement with me that our alpine regions are truly awesome and breathe taking.

Post trek, there is nothing much to be done – but to clean and pack away your trekking gear – until they are needed for your next trek whenever that is likely to be. But there are still few tips I need to give you – before I finally close this series of blog, after this post.

THE CORRECT WAY OF WASHING/PACKING A SLEEPING BAG

You must wash and dry your sleeping bag after a trek. You can either do it at home or give it to a dry cleaner. If you are washing it at home – you can either do it with hands or you can do it in a washing machine. If you are washing it in a washing machine – make sure that you are using a “FRONT-LOADER” washing machine. YOU MUST NOT USE A “TOP-LOADER” – or your bag will be shredded to smithereens!

Thereafter dry out the bag – make sure that it is absolutely bone dry before you pack it away. If it is not, you run the risk of mildew formation, which would ruin the bag forever.

Same thing with the tent – make sure it is bone dry before packing it away.

Metal tent stakes or pegs: they have to be cleaned of earth – with water and oiled before packing away. This will prevent the formation of rust.

FINAL IMPORTANT TIP

When stuffing sleeping bags or down jackets into their holders, NEVER stuff them by folding or rolling them. Stuff them freely by disorganized pushing them into the sack. You don’t want “Memory” to form on the bag or the jacket.

How to pack sleeping bags correctly without running the risk of "Memory"

Trekking is a healthy lifestyle – ENJOY!