Backpacking is one of my favorite activities but can be very dangerous if you are not prepared. In addition to my Tips for a Remote Day Hike here are a few extra tips to help you stay safe and have a good time.
- Plan everything before
- Research the conditions (trail, weather)
- Select the correct gear
- Train carrying weight
- Create a meal plan, and ensure you have a water filtration device
- Have a method of navigation
- Ensure you are physically prepared
- Do a final pack check the day prior
Pick an Easy Trip
If this is your first backpacking trip you will want to pick an easy overnight trip that has a water source and is close to home so you have plenty of daylight time to get to your campsite. Make sure you reserve a campsite or have a permit to stay overnight and don’t put in too many miles or elevation gain. This is important because hiking any distance with 30 to 50 extra pounds on your back is much harder and slower than hiking with a daypack. Remember, you want to have fun!
Use Proper Backpacking Gear
Don’t skimp on this one, either borrow or purchase gear that fits your body well. Sturdy hiking boots and thick quality wool socks are the foundation of a happy trip. Building on that, you will need a backpacking pack to hold all your gear including food, water, tent, sleeping bag, pad, kits, stove and more.
Remember that your clothes should be either wool or a synthetic fiber such as polyester that wicks sweat away from your body. There is a saying “Cotton Kills” in the backpacking community because cotton can take a long time to dry and if the skin remains moist for too long it pulls heat away from the body and makes you susceptible to hypothermia.
Bring Enough Water
Not bringing enough water or a reliable filter for a known water source is one of the biggest mistakes new backpackers can make. Water is heavy and It is easy for an inexperienced backpacker to underestimate the amount of water they need on a backpacking trip. Bring enough water so you can drink a liter every two hours while hiking. For more information on this topic, check out this post on how to estimate the right amount of water to bring. Food is another important thing to bring enough of but it is equally important to not bring too much food! Backpacking with the right balance and quantity of food is such a big topic that many books have been written on it. So for that reason, I will save backpacking food for another post.
Set up a Secure Campsite
Most trails have designated campsites for backpackers. Plan your hike so you arrive several hours before sunset so you can leisurely set up your tent, cook and clean up before dark. Be sure to follow all rules for your camping area including staying at least 200 feet away from the water source and setting up your tent on designated areas. Find a level spot that will drain well in case of rain and clear the ground from rocks and sticks before you set your tent up. If you have never set up your tent before, please practice at home before you get out to your campsite and make sure you have all parts and nothing is broken. Orient your tent so the narrowest side faces the wind and use your stakes even if you don’t think it will be windy. Hikers usually share a tent with a friend or family member, so it is best to distribute the weight of the tent, stove and fuel among your group so nobody is overloaded with too much weight.
Hiking is a safe and healthy activity but it can quickly become uncomfortable and even dangerous if you don’t start out slowly and pace yourself with new challenges on each new trek. Even if you are a strong hiker, start out with a trail rated easy before you jump ahead. Backpacking like many sports is a progression and takes time, training and a lot of experience before you can safely tackle difficult routes.