A good 30% of the expedition has been in tropical climates. When it is wet all the time, everything get compromised more easily. Sleeping bags get mildewed, clothes get waterlogged, and nothing every dries. So recently a writer at CNS Matresses wrote this guide with some pointers to help with all the troubles of the wet climates.
What to Pack
- Backpack: Temperatures can get to be pretty hot during the day in tropical climates so packing light is key. In terms of the all important backpack, keep it medium sized. A backpack with an internal frame is your best bet. Given the higher temperatures, you want a breathable backpack that allows air to circulate between the pack and your back. Make sure it’s water resistant as well – this is very important given that weather is often unpredictable and generally very damp.
- Sleeping Bag: Again, keeping things light comes into play with your sleeping bag. While some choose to skip the sleeping bag altogether, it’s recommended that you invest in a compact and lightweight sleeping bag. A sleeping bag with Thinsulate Lite Loft for instance will keep you warm even when it’s saturated by the humidity. It also dries out quickly in the sun. Since the ground is likely to be uneven, bringing a small sleeping pad or travel mattress is recommended.
- Tent: A factory seam sealed tent is very important, especially if you find yourself camping in the jungle. Bugs can get in through even the smallest opening and wreak havoc while you sleep. A good tropical climate tent will promote air circulation under the fly and be water resistant. Four season tents aren’t recommended because of their restricted air flow. A summer tent is a better bet. If you are using a used or borrowed tent, make sure that you examine it carefully and patch any holes or rips.
- Clothes: Cotton, while comfortable dry, is anything but when wet! In high humidity, cotton clothing will never dry out! Not only that but it will get moldy while tightly packed in your backpack. Cotton socks and underwear are big no-no’s when hiking in a tropical climate.
Socks should be some sort of a blend with no more than 10% cotton, if any at all. Thin-topped, dense-soled socks are recommended by experts, as are polypropylene sock liners to wick away any perspiration on your feet. Good lightweight, waterproof and broken-in hiking boots are essential for hiking in a wet climate.
Pants that zip at the knee or slightly below are great for hiking in tropical climates. Eddie Bauer and other brands make lightweight zip away pants/shorts that cover your legs if you need to wade through water. Nylon zip away pants by Royal Robbins are also a good option for you as they dry quickly. Another benefit to having versatile clothes, packing light is a breeze because you only need a couple changes of clothes!
A military-style poncho, lightweight hooded rain jacket/pants, a swimsuit, a hat, T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts and at least one mid-weight fleece are recommended but use your best judgment based on the length of your trip.
Of course you’re also going to want to pack plenty of food and water. Remember it’s going to be hot so you might need more water than you would in a more temperate climate. Use the water sparingly and remember that you’ll need some for washing dishes, brushing teeth, etc. Bring sun-block, bug repellant, a compass, maps, and any other camping basics that you would bring on any other trip. Make sure you do plenty of pre-trip research to see what sorts of wildlife you might encounter, poisonous and otherwise. If you take all the proper precautions, you’re bound to have a fun and educational trip.
