Backpacking can be a great adventure. Backpacking, while very affordable, still requires a lot of planning.
You may decide to travel between cities, and stay wherever you can find on the way. You may even have a few nights of roughing it in the wild. These 10 tips will help you have a great experience on your first backpacking trip.
As much as you may feel that a backpacking trip should give you the freedom to go wherever the mood may take you, it is far more sensible to have a plan and stick to it, particularly if you are heading out into nature trails and rural areas.
Keep a map and compass with you at all times. Without familiar landmarks, it is easy to get lost in a foreign country.
If you are planning on any serious backpacking, you will need a strong, quality backpack, preferably with an internal frame and lots of different sized pockets. Your backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 25% of your own body weight.
You’ll probably end up needing a hat, lip balm, and sunscreen. If you are visiting a region that gets cold at night, you may want a knitted hat to keep your body heat from escaping most of it through your head.
Your sleeping bag should be designed for the conditions you will be in. Checking the weather patterns for the region is obviously necessary.
Tennis shoes won’t endure the distance of a hiking trip, but hiking boots can be heavy. New trail running shoes combine the best of both into a lightweight, waterproof and durable shoe ideal for backpacking.
Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. It’s a good idea to take a water filter or water purifier, even if the region has good drinking water.
Take a small bag for first aid items. Your menstrual cycle can be changed by the change in altitude, so go prepared.
Have a flashlight and extra batteries and bulbs. To prevent it being turned on in your bag, take out the batteries. Pop them in when you need to use it.
A comfortable investment might be the best sleeping pad that you can buy. Look for a bag with a sleeve to keep in a good position for sleep.
Someone should know your planned route, and if there are changes. This could be a one time experience, but be careful.
About the author: Susan Sullivan is an experienced author and currently writes about sunglasses for the Electric Sunglasses site.
