Comm 3 Informative Speech

Heather Billings

I.                    Introduction

a.       Imagine you’ve prepared for a year for a 6-day, 60-mile backpacking trip over the tallest mountain in the Continetal U.S, Mount Whitney.  Are you up to the challenge?

b.      I will explain what is needed to participate and succeed in a trip like that.

c.       I will cover various aspects of food, clothing, and other equipment you need to make it in the backcountry.

d.      In addition to the research I’ve done, I have been backpacking for four years; and I helped plan and lead the backpacking trip I described earlier.

II.                 Body

a.       Food is one of the most important items you will pack.

                                                               i.      Water is the means of survival.

1.      It hydrates your body.

2.      According to Dr. Vernon G. Vernier, a doctor well-versed in outdoors practices, the average hiker needs 4-6 quarts of water per day.

3.      It allows you to prepare hot meals.

                                                             ii.      The way to get safe drinking water on the trail is a water pump.

                                                            iii.      Backpacking meals are light and easy to prepare.

1.      Mountain House is the best-tasting brand.

2.      All you need to do to cook these is boil some water and dump it in.

                                                           iv.      You need a stove to heat the water.

                                                             v.      You also need something to heat the water in.

1.      A cup and spoon is all you need for any meal on the trail.

2.      Mess kits are too heavy and you never use all the parts.

                                                           vi.      Granola bars are great to eat while hiking.

b.      Having and taking the right kind of clothing is also important.

                                                               i.      Your shoes and socks are very important.

1.      Running shoes with good insoles are all you need.

2.      Hiking boots are often too heavy.  A pound on your foot translates to five on your back.

3.      Socks should be long to protect against ticks and made of synthetic fabrics or wool (not cotton).

                                                             ii.      A baseball cap and sunglasses with sunscreen work really well for sun protection.

                                                            iii.      Your shirt should be nylon or polyester, not cotton.

                                                           iv.      Zipoff pants are the best to take.

1.      You don’t have to carry both pants and shorts.

2.      It makes changing from pants to shorts so much easier.

3.      They are extremely light.

                                                             v.      For pajamas or warm clothing, take fleece.

                                                           vi.      For rain protection, take a shell jacket and shell pants.

c.       There are a lot of other necessary little gadgets you should take, too.

                                                               i.      Obviously, you need a backpack.

1.      Internal frames have the backpack’s support on the inside.

2.      External frames have metal piping around the outside to support the bag.

3.      Both have a hip belt.

                                                             ii.      A tent is your protection from the elements and small creatures.

1.      Backpacking tents are lightweight.

2.      They are also small, usually sleeping 1 or 2 people.

                                                            iii.      Sleeping bags should be warm and quick-drying.

1.      REI.com, a well-known outdoor equipment authority and retailer, says that down sleeping bags are the best because they are the lightest and warmest.

2.      Polyfill bags can work too, but they are bulkier and do not have the low temperature ratings of down bags. 

                                                           iv.      A flashlight is a must.

1.      LED lights are the best.

2.      Small flashlights also work, but you will need to carry extra batteries.

                                                             v.      A first-aid kit is absolutely necessary.

                                                           vi.      Make sure you know how to use you map and compass.

III.               Conclusion

a.       Now you know what you need for a backpacking adventure and how to pick the food, clothes and other essentials that will keep you hiking.

b.      I want to hike up Mount Whitney again in a few years.  Who knows?  Maybe some of you will be coming with me.