Backpacking is an adventure that combines trekking and hiking with backcountry camping. It lets you widen your horizons beyond the campground to enjoy a deeper outdoor experience. The real appeal of backpacking is the remoteness it affords, a chance to step away from the concrete jungle and experience real peace and solitude. Regardless of choosing trekking or going on a mini outdoor trip, you must remember you will need to carry all of life’s essentials in your backpack. This article will provide you with essential tips on how to effectively plan and prepare your outdoor adventure.
Safety First
As great as trekking and backpacking are, these activities also come with certain risks. It is important to do everything to minimize them with some basic precautions. One of the first things you should do is let someone know your intended itinerary when you plan to return, and who is going with you. Since you are probably not going to have a cellphone reception at some point, it is smart to invest in a decent compass and maps of your hiking destination, and learn how to use both. Also, make sure to check the weather expectations, and adapt to the conditions, or even decide to postpone the trip if the weather is expected to get worse.
Planning And Preparing
Almost everyone you ask will agree with the idea of trekking and backpacking is pretty awesome but will also easily give up on it as soon as it comes to planning the trip. As it turns out the whole planning process is anything but complicated. The first thing on a list is choosing whether you are going for light trekking or more intense outdoor travel. This largely depends on your experience and physical health and fitness. After you decide on the type of activity, pick a travel partner or a group you can join. Next is finding a destination that suits your preferences perfectly. All you have to do from here on is to pack up your essentials and go.
Packing
As you will have to carry and fit everything into your pack, your backpacking gear has to be lightweight and compact. Other than a good map, compass, food, and water, that you should have with yourself regardless of the type of outdoor activity you are planning when considering longer trips, there are few more essentials to keep in mind. The main are sleeping bags and a tent. When it comes to a tent, the best option is to share it, as the two-person tents are lighter and cheaper. As for the bag, for shorter outdoor travel synthetic is a good enough choice because it’s versatile and generally quite affordable. You will also need some cushioning, and for the best compromise between comfort and value, choose a self-inflating pad.
Clothing And Shoes
For your first trekking or backpacking trip, you don’t have to spend a fortune buying special hiking wear. Just go through your wardrobe and find clothing made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabrics like nylon and polyester. As strange as it might sound, you should avoid cotton, as it slurps up water and takes a long time to dry, leaving you wet for a long time. Your footwear is probably the most important item you will have since your feet are crucial to a successful trip. Your boots or shoes should be well broken-in before you use them for trekking or backpacking. It is advised to wear wool or synthetic socks, and you might even consider bringing an ultralight pair of shoes.
Leave Only Footprints
The main reason people choose outdoor activities is the beauty of nature and the wilderness. However, it doesn’t take much to destroy it altogether. Backpacking is now defined by “leave no trace” ethics, and you must know how to follow it. Whenever possible, camp only on designated sites and light fires, if needed, only in established fire rings. Clean up the campsite before you leave, even if the trash wasn’t yours. The point is to leave the rest of the ecosystem in the same shape you found it. With a few exceptions, the trail should be considered “carry in, carry out”, including stuff like wrappers and empty canisters, but also leftover food, water used for cleaning, toilet paper, etc.
If you consider making any type of outdoor traveling a new routine, be assured it is the best step you can take towards a happier and healthier lifestyle. We hope that reading this article will remove all the potential concerns about trekking and backpacking and answer all the questions you might have had.