I wanted to say thank you to everyone who pledged their support to me for the USA Today “Best Hiking and Travel Bloggers” contest! I appreciate all of your votes more than you know. Voting is still happening so feel free to pop over and vote today!
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Learning to backpack is intimidating. Sure, enthusiasts will tell you “It’s easy!” and “People are so friendly!” And while that is all certainly true, it is tough to jump into a new sport while trying to muddle through the gear and the lingo, all while huffing and puffing and attempting to not get lost on the trail.
Am I right or am I right?!
A few weeks ago, an Instagram follower asked me for some advice on backpacking for beginners. I started to think it through in an email response to her, but then I got a couple more emails after I wrote “The Death of Backpacking.” It appears y’all are interested in backpacking but are looking for a bit o’ help; happy to oblige!
Get In Shape
Sure, fitness is a relative term but let me be honest: backpacking is not easy! Not only are you climbing up the side of mountains but you are also carrying a really heavy pack! {And trust me: those backpacks always feel way heavier on trail than they do in your kitchen!} Bottom line: be aware of your fitness capabilities and don’t try to jump into the deep end of the proverbial pool if you aren’t ready. Jog a couple miles, do a couple squats and make sure you can handle the physicality that backpacking will throw at you.
Don’t Skimp on Gear
I’m sure someone out there will yell at me for this, but you get what you pay for when it comes to backpacking gear!
Camping gear is expensive but honestly, the prices just rise as you consider backpacking gear. And while an inexpensive sleeping bag from Target may work while you’re camping 100 yards from your car, it just won’t cut it if you’re sleeping under the stars in the Alaskan backcountry. Cheap gear will likely weigh more, take up valuable real estate inside your backpack and truthfully, just won’t work as well.
I lived in Spain in 2002 and while there, some classmates and I trekked the last 100 miles of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage trail in the northern part of the country. On our first day of hiking, a friend heckled me for my $300 Marmot sleeping bag. “Why did you spend so much on a blanket?!” he asked. “You just need something to keep you warm, right?!” He drove me crazy, but I’m not even ashamed to say that I got the last laugh on our first night. I woke up at midnight to find him miserable and cold: his bag wasn’t cutting it. In the end, I actually shared my mummy bag with him so that he didn’t freeze, but the lesson was learned. Don’t buy cheap gear!
Side note: I’m not saying that you can’t find good deals and some companies have more expensive gear than others. My advice is to go to a specialty store like REI to find specific gear like tents, sleeping bags and rain gear.
Test Your Gear Before You Hit The Trail
Y’ALL! I can’t even tell you how important this tip is as I have seen so many newbies struggle with their brand-spankin’-new gear!
Maybe you bought a fancy new water filter or backpacking stove in preparation for your trip? Great idea and we all know how fun new toys can be! However, take it from me: you will definitely want to set it up and try it out before your first trip! If you’re trekking with experienced hikers, they will likely be able to help you function your new gear. However, what if your stove is some weird kind that no one has ever seen? If you can’t get it to work, you’re SOL on dinner that evening!
Avoid Ultra-light Until You Have Experience
Ultra-light backpacking is the new rage and it’s easy to see why. After all, the thought of carrying less weight for dozens of miles is far more appealing than carrying more!
However, cutting weight comes with sacrifices and you really shouldn’t toe that line unless you are already comfortable in the backcountry. Sure, some weight-saving tips won’t make any difference to your safety. I mean, sawing a toothbrush in half doesn’t really alter your perspective on the world, you know?
But, other means to cut pack weight could be disastrous if you aren’t prepared to deal with the consequences. Ultra-light often means the bare minimum in food, water and clothing, but this is only a good idea if you absolutely know what you need for a trip. As a beginner, you’re likely dialing in your own system, so it’s best to err on the side of safety. Pack some extra water, some extra food, and some extra clothing. Sure, your pack will weigh a bit more but as least you know you’re covered.
Familiarize Yourself With LNT
If you don’t know what LNT means then you aren’t ready for the backcountry!
LNT, or Leave No Trace, is the ethical code that helps backcountry enthusiasts play in the wild responsibly. It sounds simple but really, it’s a lot tougher than you would think!
In short, you want to leave the backcountry the exact same {or better} as it was when you arrived. Obviously, this means no littering, but it is so much more complex than people realize.
Brushing your teeth? “Broadcast” the spit {or spray it everywhere} so that it doesn’t collect in one single area.
Eating from a dehydrated food bag? Drink the “gray” water instead of dumping it out. Gross, but necessary.
Pack out your toilet paper.
Don’t have any campfires if you can help it as they scar the environment. This is especially true if you are camping at high altitude or near lakes. And yes, this applies in the winter too! {unless you’re in a survival situation, obviously!}
Truthfully, I am still learning more and more LNT from Will and it’s been eye opening. There are plenty of courses and books to educate you on the topic, so definitely check it out before heading out on your next trip!
Learn How to Pack
Sometimes I am great at this and other times, I just plain suck. Regardless, it’s always a happier trek when I remember to pack my backpack the proper way!
In essence, you always want to keep your heaviest items in the center of your backpack and close to your spine. Typically, your sleeping bag goes on the very bottom {and some packs have separate compartments for that very purpose.} If you put your heavy items on top of your sleeping bag, you’re likely packing smart. If the heavy stuff sits too high, your backpack will feel wobbly and almost like it is going to tip. If the burlier items sit too low in the bottom of your pack, it will sag and weigh against your shoulders.
Additionally, you’ll want to come up with a system that works for you. I like having snacks accessible while hiking so I tend to cram bars in the waist pockets so that I don’t have to stop to get to food. It’s also clutch to have set pockets for certain items. For example, I always put my headlamp in my front pocket so that I can easily find it, even after dark.
And don’t forget ziploc bags or dry bags for anything that absolutely can’t get wet! It’s always ideal to get a laminated map but if you can’t, stick it in a bag so that it isn’t ruined in a rogue rainstorm.
The Ten Essentials
These aptly-named items are clutch for your safety and success in the woods. Learn them. Love them. Live them.
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Obviously there are a ton of tips to include, but any glaring items that you’d like to add?