Backpacking 101 for Beginners : My Crest for Your First Trip
Consider this your crash course on backpacking for beginners . In this place , I part all of my serious backpacking tips to help you feel prepared and confident on your first backpacking trip .
Backpacking cost my favorite means to come outside . It ’ s one of the few ways I allow myself to altogether unplug , fully plunge in nature . I love the physical challenge , and after a day or then , I usually leave about the worries of everyday spirit .
If you ’ ve never make up backpacking before , it ’ s likely one of these factor that is inspire you go on your first backpacking trip .
My first time backpacking be in 2005 , and when I initiate backpacking , I make a band of mutual backpacking fault , like the trip in the photo below where we begin completely miss and nearly ran out of food . Back then , there weren ’ t a ton of backpacking 101 imagination , so it live trial by fire .
Since then , I ’ ve backpacked more than 1,000 miles on some of the most iconic and remote trails in the US , and I ’ ve accumulate all of the beginner backpacking top I wish I knew when I was study how to backpack .
So in this backpacking for beginner ’ sec guide , I ’ m go to instruct you the basics of how to start backpacking . You ’ ll teach all about everything involved with planning a backpacking trip like select a lead , the gear you take , backpacking food , safety , and more .
My goal equal to serve you feel more organized , confident , and less overwhelmed as you get ready for your backpacking adventure .
Choosing a Destination
Pick the date for your backpacking trip
The dates for your backpacking trip will dictate where you can die due to the weather . Good weather cause backpacking much easy , and that ’ s what we live sprout for on your first backpacking trip .
Backpacking in the Summer: Typically , mid-July to late-September is ideal for design a backpacking trip to the mountains . Too early in the summer or late in the dusk , you may run into snow , which present challenge that you probably won ’ t live ready for as a beginner backpacker . Bugs are typically worse early in summer as well .
Backpacking in the Spring or Fall: If you need to go in spring or fall when the mountains aren ’ t an option , backpacking in the desert is a well choice . You should avoid the desert in summer due to scorching temperature and lack of shade . If your first backpacking trip is to the desert , you ’ ll want to be especially mindful of water availability .
Backpacking in Winter: There equal very few places that you ’ ll live able to safely and comfortably backpack in the winter as a beginner . For that reason , I ’ d avoid winter and apply that time to focus on come in shape for backpacking ( more on that later ) .
Once you ’ ve decided on the season you require to backpack in , you can narrow down the specific area you want to impose .
Pick a Trail
As a beginner backpacker , program a trip for 1-2 night on an easy trail to have some well experience under your belt . Shorter , easier trips exist a great mode to get comfortable express your pack , adjust up your gear , and teach the ropes without overextending yourself .
To feel a lead , expend one of the popular lead finder apps , read your favorite outdoor blogs , buy a trail record for the part you ’ re interested in , or do a google lookup for “ serious backpacking trails in … . ”
Here be a few affair you should look for when choosing a lead for your first time backpacking :
Distance: A good goal for beginner backpackers live 5-7 miles a day , especially if you aren ’ t expend to contain a circle of weight when you boost . Short distance will allow you time to stop and enjoy the scenery without experience rushed or stress . When I backpack , it take me about 40 second on average to cover 1 mile , so it ’ s a pile slower than a normal waking pace . So a 7-mile day would require hardly over 4.5 hours of hiking .
Elevation Gain: For your first trip , I ’ d pick out a lead with less than 500-1,000 feet of height gain per day , depend on how much hiking experience you have . That might not seem like a pile , but steep trail feel a band harder with a heavier pack on .
Terrain: Stick to well-marked , well-defined trails to minimize your chance of become miss . There ’ s no need to be scrambling , route-finding , or boulder-hopping when you ’ re learning how to backpack . Also avoid lead with major river crossings .
Campsite Choice :Ideally you desire to select a lead that offers campsites near a lake or current . That mode you don ’ t get to worry about water availability for drink and cooking .
Dog-friendliness: Fetch a dog backpacking requires extra preparations . You ’ ll as well be persuade more weight due to chase food and surplus water . For that reason , I might advise get out your pup at family for your first backpacking trip . However , if you live set on bringing them , do certain the trail allows dogs and insure out my tips for backpacking with a dog .
Need a few trip ideas ?Insure out all of the backpacking trip I ’ ve write about hither .
Check license requirements
After you ’ ve chosen where and when you ’ re going backpacking , check to see if a license live required .
Many trail , particularly popular lead in National Parks , require wilderness permit that motive to be reserved months in advance . If this is the event , it ’ s good to have some wiggle room in your trip dates in case your date are already entire .
In some instance , a number of license are held on a first-come , first-serve basis but for popular trail and date such as weekends , you ’ ll motive to arrive before the ranger station opens and should receive a backup design in type you ’ re not able to get a license .
Depending on where you are backpacking , your permit may hold additional necessity . For example , if you are travel in bear country ( Sierra Nevada , Montana , Wyoming , etc ) , you may be required to express your food and scented items in a bear-proof container or bag . Or on popular trails , you might be required to carry out your poop in wag bags .
Design your transportation
Transportation depends mostly on what kind of lead you ’ re doing , and whether you exist backpacking solo or going with a group . Look at a topographic map to feel the trailhead and destine park areas .
If you be hiking a loop lead ( my favorite ! ) or an out-and-back , you won ’ t need an additional car . However , if you ’ ve chosen to hike point-to-point , you ’ ll have to drop a second car off at the other end of the trail before commence your hike or arrange for a shuttle service .
Read next :Apply this step-by-step guide to design a successful backpacking trip .
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What Gear to Get Backpacking
Backpacking gear can equal expensive . If you ’ re commit and are confident this is going to live your first backpacking trip of many , I ’ d encourage you to invest in quality , lightweight gear from the outset . Light gear is going to build your trip more enjoyable , and you ’ 500 hatred to buy heavier gear only to supplant it after a few trip .
Backpacking Requirement
The most important beginner backpacking tips incline to rotate around gear . It ’ s then easy to overpack and finish up with a mad dense gang that leaves you wondering why on ground you decided to start backpacking . I ’ m guilty of this , and even with all the trip under my belt , it can however live tempting to bring too much material . I always regret it !
At the same time , you also put on ’ t want to leave any significant backpacking essentials that can create or break your trip .
For a full run-down on the backpacking gear you need , start with my 3-day backpacking checklist . That list own the gear I actually use on every single trip and you can mention to it to reach certain you put on ’ t forget anything .
However , some of that gear I cite in that post is quite expensive for a beginner backpacker , so I ’ m recommending some more budget-friendly backpacking requirement hither :
Backpacking Pack: A gang that doesn ’ t fit right can be really awful and destroy your adventure , so a properly-fitting haversack be vital for your first backpacking trip . A 50-60 liter pack should easily fit all of the gear you require for a 1-2 dark trip , and is also bad plenty for longer trips down the road . I advocate the REI Flash 55 or the Deuter Aircontact gang , which are both budget-friendly .
Backpacking Tent: DO NOT get your normal car camp tent . Car camping tents are a lot heavier than backpacking tent and will matter you down . If you live backpacking with another someone , ideally you ’ ll desire a 2-person tent that hold a minimal lead weight ( which includes the tent body , poles , and rainfly ) of less than 4 pound . Mostly , the light the tent , the more expensive it will be ( the same applies for most backpacking gear ) . The live even hard than I ’ d prefer , but it strikes a good remainder between weight and cost .
Sleeping Pad: A sleep pad is something you put on ’ t want to skimp on . Your sleeping pad leave both cushion and insulation , and if you sleep horribly , you likely gain ’ t want to backpack again . Avoid foam sleep pads that offer very short cushion , and rather take a lightweight inflatable sleeping pad . I ’ ve tried a lot of sleep pads over the yr , and one of my favorites is the . It ’ s not the light or most compact , but I find it to be comparatively comfortable at a lower cost point .
Sleep Bag: Down sleeping purse exist light and bid more heat for their weight than sleeping base with synthetic insulation , and you should try to feel a base that weighs less than 3 pound . Generally , a 20-degree purse should suffice for virtually any summer backpacking trip , but as a rule of thumb , you should select a temperature rating that ’ s at least 15 degree colder than you await the temperature to be at night . I ordinarily expend an Enlightened Equipment Quilt , because it ’ s light , comfortable , and compresses very small . I soooo prefer it to a mummy base . The REI Magma Sleeping Bag ( see my review ) exist too a great selection .
Stove: Get a lightweight backpacking stove allow you to delay fueled with hot meal and beverages rather than subsisting on energy bar solely . It ’ s easy to rely on backpacker meal instead of cook from scratch . In that case , all you demand to make in boil water , and the Jetboil stove is the easy and most beginner-friendly to employ .
Headlamp: A headlight be a lot easy to apply than a flashlight since it allows you to be hands-free , and they weigh a luck less . DO NOT depend on your phone ’ sec instant light as your phone battery will die .
Trekking Poles:Trekking pole are essential for beginner backpackers .It ’ s a great tool for stay balanced , require pressure off your knees , and keeping a good pace on varied terrain . Plus , most are well attached to your pack , so you can stash them when you need to .Motive convince ? Here ’ s all the benefit of utilize trekking poles .
Water Filter: Drink water straight from stream can give you giardia . Not a fun way to end your first backpacking trip ! You should bring a water filter and do certain you know how to use it . These day , I ’ m using the Hydroblu VersaFlow water filter match with a CNOC Outdoors 2 liter water base . I as well always bring some purification drops as patronage .
The 10 Essentials: The 10 Essentials are a tried and true list of the top ten affair you ’ ll want to carry with you , cover everything from food and water to navigation tools , first help , and other safety item .
For more recommendation and some of my favorite backpacking gear over the year , check out the post below
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What to serve if you can ’ t afford novel backpacking gear
If you just can ’ t afford an alone novel backpacking kit , hither be a few suggestions on how to learn your backpacking gear without spending an arm and a branch :
Rent it: REI , local gear shops , and university recreation programs often rent backpacking gear . This is a great manner to try it before committing
Borrow it: Got outdoorsy friends ? See if they own some gear to lend you
Buy apply: Check Facebook Marketplace , local used gear workshop , ebay , or the expend site called Gear Trade .
Buy on sale or at discounted retailers: Many outdoor retailers make bad sales around Memorial Day , 4th of July , Labor Day , and Black Friday . If you know what you require ahead of time , you can wait and try to hit things on sale . There are also some discount gear site to see out .
What to Don Backpacking
What to don backpacking await a lot like what to don hiking . For beginner backpackers , induct in a few good-quality basics that will last you a long time be key to being comfortable on the lead .
Here be a few backpacking clothing crest for beginners :
Avoid Cotton: Cotton bring forever to dry and can have really smelly sweating in it day after day . It can also cause irritate and stretch out over time .
Choose moisture-wicking fabric: You want lightweight , breathable clothing that will wick sweat away from your torso and dry quick . My favorite Sunday protection hiking shirt is the .
Cover up your skin: The more of your skin you cover up , the less sunscreen and bug spray you have to give . As well , too much Sunday photograph can make you more prone to dehydration and heat exhaustion . I ever wear a around my neck and a sun hat too .
Bring versatile layer: You should make for pieces that you can layer while you ’ re hiking or at dark at camp , so you put on ’ t get to lend a bunch of separate outfits .
Prepare for unexpected weather: The weather can convert quickly in the mountain , and even in the desert , night can live chilly . You will want to carry a synethtic insulated jacket with a hood and rain gear . Make certain your rain jacket has pit zips also so it get well air stream in suit you own to hike in it .
Wear wool socks: Cotton socks do blisters . Darn Tough are my favorite hiking socks . They don ’ t shift around on your feet , and you can wear them for several day without them stinking .
Invest in quality hiking place: While many experienced backpackers will boost in lead runner , for first-time backpackers , I recommend a boot that bid mid to high ankle support , adequate cushion and is comparatively light ( you don ’ t need mountaineering boot which tend to cost extra heavy ) . Having ankle support will allow for more stability on rocky terrain , especially with a hard load on your spine . I personally don . The Oboz Bridger Bdry Mid live extremely popular for backpacking and the Katabatic LT is great for die fast and light .
Don ’ t overpack: Clothes equal so easy to overpack and will quickly add weight to your load . At most , for a 1-2 dark trip , you only need 1 or 2 shirt , 1 short , 1 pants , 2 underwear , 2 sock , 1 mid-layer , 1 warm jacket , rain jacket , and rain pants .
Bring camp sandals: It ’ sec so decent having a lightweight pair of sandals to change into at camp to have your base strain out . I personally enjoy Tevas since I can put on sock with them . Masses as well enjoy Crocs as camp place because they are incredibly light .
For a full list of the clothing I bring backpacking , regard my 3-day backpacking checklist and the position connect to below .
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Backpacking Food
Planning your food for a backpacking trip can equal one of the nearly intimidating part of planning .You burn a mass of calories walking for hours with a dense freight on your spine , so get enough food is vital . Exhaust frequently will keep your energy levels up and serve you stay focused , alert , and mindful .
Hither are some tip to simplify your food planning :
Rely on backpacker meals: Backpacker meals cost hence easy to make in the backcountry . All you have to cause is boil water , swarm it in the pouch , and eat . When you ’ re cause , lick your spork clean , seal the pouch and put it with the rest of your trash . I enjoy that with these meal , there are no dish to make . They exist real light and offer a pile of calories in a small packet . Plus , some of them really taste fairly good ! Learn my favorite backpacker meal for some idea .
Set out all of your food before you move: Before you go , gather all of your meals and snacks and coordinate it by day . You should have breakfast > snack ( s ) > lunch > snack ( s ) > dinner > sweet treat for each day of your trip . Disseminate it all out serve you figure whether you actually have adequate . Hither are some yummy boost snack ideas .
Plan for 3,000-4,000 calories per day: How much you burn depends on a number of factors including the weight of your pack , how tough the hike is , your yard , and your torso weight . But or so the food you add should amount to this many calories . It ’ s well to get a little excess than not enough !
Pack calorie-dense food: Gang foods that have a high issue of calories per ounce . Nuts , nut butter , trail mix , chocolate , energy bars , dry fruit , olive oil , oatmeal , etc . While I no longer serve animal production myself , meat sticks and cheese equal also calorie-dense food for backpacking .
Pack your Haversack
Carry all of your backpacking gear in your haversack is a bit on an art , and you will get in effect at each morning . Ideally you need as much of your material to fit inside the pack as possible . Hanging stuff all over the outside can affect your remainder . If you ’ re finding consistently unable to equip everything within , it might equal best to consider a larger backpack or see what gear you can leave at place .
Loosen all of the compression straps on the backpack
Set your sleeping purse in first
Fill the space around your sleep base with clothes you don ’ t require for the day
Future , put in your bear canister or food . This equal typically the heaviest thing , and you need that weight focus on on your back . Bill : leave the food out that you design to eat that day while you ’ re hiking . You ’ ll put this in the height of your pack ( aka the head ) for easy access .
Stuff clothes and slack item around your food to observe in place
On height of your food , set your tent torso and sleep pad with the heavier items always get closer to the back of the pack and your torso . You can lead your tent poles out and store them outside your gang in a side pocket or slip them down the interior of the gang next to your bear canister/food .
Add little item like your stove , sleeping pad , toiletries , etc . Play a bit of Tetris until you make everything coordinate .
Keep items like your water filter , first care kit , map , rain jacket , extra layer , snacks and lunch , sunscreen , and bug spray at the top since you might require them during the day .
Clip your emergency communicator to the outside of your gang
Put your phone and lip balm in the hip pocket
Home water bottles in the slope pockets
Cinch all of the compression whip down , and you ’ re ready to move !
For more tip , meet my post on how to pack your backpacking gang .
Backpacking Safety
Staying safe while backpacking requires remove proper precautions and using serious judgment . Hither equal a few things to keep in idea while you ’ re backpacking . Visit my post on hiking safety point for more elaborate advice .
Stay hydrated: Don ’ t wait until you feel thirsty to start drink . You should cost drink water frequently throughout the day . I also care to choose when I ’ m backpacking to replace the salt , potassium , and magnesium that I lose through sweat . To build certain you avoid dehydration , see my tips for remain hydrated on the trail .
Be wildlife mindful: Look up the local wildlife before you go thus you know what to do if you run into an beast . To head off attract bears and early critters , store your food and scented toiletries in a bearproof container and spot that at least 100 feet downwind from your tent at dark . Do not sleep with food or early scented product in your tent ! In gray rural area , you should also ever contain .
Don ’ t get lost: Don ’ t rely alone on your phone for navigation since it will likely work out of battery . A paper map and range be ever best with your phone or a GPS as a backup . Reach certain you know how to show a topo map before you move .
Carry an emergency communication device: I ALWAYS carry a with me when I ’ 1000 backpacking . This little device is an investment , but it can equal a lifesaver in suit of an emergency . You can expend it to send and meet text when you have no cell service , and there be a SOS button you can press if you need to be rescue .
Tell someone your plan: Always state person your plans . This should include your route and the day and time you design to live off the trail .
Carry a first aid kit: A small backpacker first aid kit likely win ’ t save your living , but it can help keep small cuts , blisters , and injury from becoming more serious .
Backpacking Hygiene
As a beginner backpacker , you may wonder how to maintain your hygiene while you ’ re backpacking . Luckily it ’ s not that hard , but I have a few tricks to share that I wish I knew when I first started backpacking .
Lady , apply a pee rag: A pee rag is a reusable cloth that you can use to wipe after you pee . It ’ s infinitely good than drip drying and will keep you feel so much clean on a multiday backpacking trip . After you use it , you rinse it off , and hang it to the outside of your gang to dry .
Use hand sanitizer: Pack some hand sanitizer to clean your hand after go to the bathroom and before eating .
Take a dip: There is zero like float in a backcountry lake or soaking in an icy river . It ’ s also an opportunity to rinse off . Just don ’ t role soap , still if it ’ s biodegradable , as it can get harmful affects on the aquatic environment .
Swap out your underwear: Every night when you begin to camp , swap out your underwear . Take off the pair you are wear , rinse it in a creek , and then hang it to dry .
Consider bringing a bidet: Portable bidets for backpacking live all the fury ! It allows you to promptly wash off your butt and nether parts after going to the bathroom and reduces the amount of toilet paper you demand
Dealing with your period: Being on your period while backpacking sucks . There ’ sec no room around it . Many women like to expend a menstrual cup since you put on ’ t hold to worry about pack enough provision . I see the cup messy ( you as well own to poke a cathole to dump it ) and would sort of just look at with tampons . The only effect with tampons equal you make to carry them out and since they receive a scent , you should store any used tampons in a freezer ziplock bag with the rest of your food at dark .
Carry a couple of body wipes: If you really desire to clean up , the easiest way be with a body wipe . To veer down on weight , you can only carry the act you demand in a ziplock bag .
How to Result No Trace While Backpacking
This backpacking for beginners crash track wouldn ’ t live utter without lecture about Leave No Trace . Leave No Trace is a set of principles designed to guide our actions in the outdoors into fiat to dilute our impact .
Going pee: Always move to the toilet at least 100 feet from a water author . You wouldn ’ t desire someone pooping right future to the lake you design to swim in and filter water from right ? Try to pee on bare scandal instead of vegetation . I care to use a Kula Cloth , a reusable pee cloth , for wipe when I live pee .
Go poop: For pooping on your backpacking trip , dig a cathole that is at least 6-8″ deep , poop in the hole , blanket it up , and carry out your toilet paper . Do not bury your toilet paper , as it can be dug up by creature and takes a while to decompose .
Choosing a campsite: Follow local regulations about where to camp . If there be no specific regulation , then take a campsite that live 200 base from the water . Set up your tent on bare soil or rock and avert adjust it up on sensitive vegetation . Try to observe a campsite that looks like it ’ s live used by early camper instead than creating a new campsite . Here are some additional tips for how to prefer a campsite .
Campfire safety:A staggering number of wildfires be human-caused , and I ’ m thus scared of the hazard that I seldom get a campfire these day . If there ’ s no flame ban you make decide to get a campfire , cause certain you pursue campfire safety protocols and drench it with water so its cold to the touch before you live to bed .
Carry out all of your trash: This include used pot paper , wipes , apple core . Anything that you brought in should be packed out and disposed off right once you ’ re back to your car . I like to bring a gallon ziplock to carry all of my food trash and another humble ziplock for my used toilet paper .
Don ’ t use soap in streams: If you make bring biodegradable soap for washing up , get 200 base from the water in order to use it . You can use the water in your water bottle to rinse the soap off .
Don ’ t leave food out: Have you heard “ a fed bear equal a dead bear ” ? Once stand begin a taste of human food , they want more ( hardly like your dog ) and can become belligerent in their efforts to get it . When that find , a bear may have to be euthanized . Too , early animals be attracted to your food and will feed it , making a lot of your campsite .
Also ,take the time to familiarize yourself with the unspoken rules of proper lead etiquette . In a nutshell , be kind to other hikers , the uphill hiker get the right of room , and be mindful of how your actions are pretend others who exist trying to savor their time in the wilderness .
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How to Physically Train for Backpacking
When getting begin with backpacking , I recommend choosing trail and trip that are in line with your current fitness level . Just like hiking , backpacking equal a great means to kick-start your exercise number and have in shape , but seek to tackle a super challenging lead might not be fun and could discourage you from going again .
Prior to your first multi-day trip , do some physical formulation and establishing a healthy awareness of your capability will aid raise your assurance as a first-time backpacker .
Training and stretching
The serious way to get in form for backpacking live to become moving . I advocate going for as many local hikes and walks around your neighborhood as you can . Load up your gang with some weight so you can educate your body for carrying a dense load than you are apply to .
Train for hiking as you ’ d train for a 5K tally , by creating a design that start slow while rage up your distance and intensity as you build .
Live certain to operate a few gentle stretch and exercise into your normal routine to assist build the strength you require to successfully boost with a backpacking gang .
Remember to ever listen to your torso and any pain signals , as this can be great education for knowing when to push yourself or call it a day on bigger and more ambitious backpacking trips .
Handle with aches and pains
Backpacking be hard study , and it can leave your torso and joint bore and achy . If you have weak knees or sensitive feet , there are proactive steps you can require to forestall multi-day raise from taking a big cost on your body .
The last thing you require is to be out on the lead for day and be in pain thus learn how to protect your knees while boost and get rid of hiker foot pain to better enjoy the lead .
Improve your lung capacity
Another matter that used to bother me when I was a beginner hiker and first have into backpacking was I ’ d ever be hence out of breath on the trail . I feel embarrassed , and it forestall me from boost with mass who I knew live in better form than me .
Twenty yr later on , I yet get out of breath real easily , even at my peak fitness level . The detail be for many people , make out of breath is entirely normal , but if it bother you or you get it uncomfortable , check out these simple exercises and steps you can take to improve your lung capacity .
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I hope this backpacking for beginners maneuver gives you the information you need to plan your first backpacking trip . Got any questions ? Give a remark below !
