Headache after hiking with pack

[aaronp13]

I have an Eberlestock Blue Widow that I wear on back country hikes as well as some longer hunts. I  usually have no more than 30 pounds in that pack , but at the end of the day, I almost always have a tension headache. I was guessing it has something to do with poor pack fit.

Went on a 12 mile hike yesterday with a much smaller day pack weighing it at only 10 or so pounds and ended up with another headache. Does this happen to anybody else?

The day pack was a Mountain Hardware pack and is supposedly pretty quality. I can set the Eberlestock up so that the weight is all on my hips and there is little to no stress on my shoulders, but still end up with a tension headache.

Any thoughts? I started lifting weights regularly this year and am stronger than I have ever been. My back and shoulders should be strong enough to handle these packs without getting a headache.

[fishngamereaper]

Neck strain. Happens a lot. Anything pulling down on the shoulders stretches the supporting neck muscles. Best advice is to stretch really good, focus on posture(people tend to lean forward and bury chin to chest when hiking-remember chin up) and if all else fails grab some ranger candy.

[aaronp13]

Thanks for the reply fishngamereaper.

So in your experience, is neck strain mostly caused by a poor fitting pack or is it more closely related to poor posture? You are right about the chin to chest thing. I am guilty of that one, so maybe that would be all that is needed to fix this.

[Fl0und3rz]

If you are sweating a bunch and not hydrating properly, that could cause headaches, independent of pack fit or weight. Muscle cramping usually accompanies it for me.  Proper hydration should include electrolytes or at least salt in your snacks.

[Dhoey07]

If I don't hydrate well, I get the worst "hangover" headache after a good hike.  Drinking water is something that I constantly have to remind myself to do.

[fishngamereaper]

Thanks for the reply fishngamereaper.

So in your experience, is neck strain mostly caused by a poor fitting pack or is it more closely related to poor posture? You are right about the chin to chest thing. I am guilty of that one, so maybe that would be all that is needed to fix this.

mostly posture...wider shoulder straps help to and a good waist strap will help with shoulder stress ..hydrate as welll...

another thing is be wary of underlying problems .bone spurs,spinal stenosis etc...I had neck surgery and know plenty about the neck ..one stretch I do while driving is to push your head back into your head rest for ten seconds ..repeat several times ..also helps relieve headaches ..

[2labs]

I was going to suggest hydration. That's been coverd. And then maybe spinal alignment. Maybe a visit to a chiropractor? Firm believer! Flame on.

[aaronp13]

Thanks everybody. I think that hydration and posture are probably what I need to pay attention to most. I drink my water, but probably not as much as I should.

Also, I do the visit the chiropractor every few months. Desk job doesn't do your neck and back any favors...will be getting a standing desk in November, so maybe that will clear things up.

Will try the headrest stretch this weekend on the drive out to elk camp. Hope to be sharing a picture of a 3 point or better by the end of next week!

[Stalker]

Hydration, hydration, hydration..........  Especially when hiking and changing altitudes.  Whatever you think you need to drink, drink more. When your body is under a load and you are hiking steep country your body expels a significant amount of fluid that must be replaced.  Worst that will happen is that you stop a little extra to relieve yourself, but I think your headaches will be gone. FWIW

[saylean]

Pee clear, pee often. Words to live by.

[Naches Sportsman]

 Hydration is more than oh I need to drink water process. Hydration is key to performance tomorrow and the day after that. I like to keep to the saying hydration is a 36 hour process.  Over hydration is bad, but hydration is good. I usually drink 1.5 gallons of water a day and have 2 small gatorde or crystal light mixes with it. When I work harder, it is upwards on 2 gallons a day.  Find how much water is right for you and cut out the carbonated drinks.

If you feel like you need your pack properly adjusted, see if the manufacturer is local, it is worth it to get your pack adjusted by the pepole who built it. If not, there should be some outdoor stores like rei you could go to to get your pack adjusted correctly.

When I bought my nimrod hunting pack, I drove up and had it adjusted by the guy who built it. It was worth it.