So you are planning a backpacking trip, but are a little bit confused about what to pack, and how to get ready, along with all the other preparations. When you plan to go on a backpacking trip, the whole preparations are like getting up on a mountaintop. The journey is undoubtedly awesome, and it opens the world to you, but it is always a challenge, especially when you are a beginner. You see a world full of possibilities, learn so much about nature and become a part of it. You also hike through jungles, walk into the valleys and become a part of nature. It is indeed an adventure beyond anyone’s imagination.
But for beginners, it is always a challenge, and they always fear packing unwanted stuff, or missing some backpacking essentials. Surviving a multi-day or multiple week backpacking trips for a novice is always going to be a great lesson. Before embarking on a longer backpacking trip, we recommend everyone to do short trips, so that you can learn a thing or two about it. Backpacking demands endurance, experience, and willpower. In return, it gives you unlimited enjoyment and happiness. So if you are a beginner who wants to take a backpacking trip, this is your ultimate guide for your first trip.
Backpacking for beginners
For achieving some confidence in yourself, you must start from a multi-day backpacking trip. From that experience, you can have an idea about backpacking for longer periods and tours. These short trips will educate you on how to prepare right for the first time. It will make you confident in packing up your backpacks and the essential items you should always carry. Everybody is a first-timer at some point, and he or she needs proper guidance before setting foot on the road. So for this reason, we have come up with some amazing backpacking trips for beginners. They help you in your novice and advance backpacking trips. So read on and increase your knowledge about backpacking gear.
The ultimate guide for your first trip
Footwear
The first thing that comes to my mind when talking about backpacking is footwear. Our feet are the most important part of the body for backpacking, and they must be protected in any way. Buy comfortable shoes before leaving out for your journey, and make sure you have the best quality and specifications for your trip. If you are going to a cold place, make sure you have the right shoes and vice versa.
There are no standard shoes for backpacking. Everything depends on the terrain and weather of the place you will backpack through. If you are planning a trip that includes multiple terrains and weather, it is important to buy a multi-weather shoe that is best for your journey. And don’t just take your shoes out of the box and wear them on the trip. First, make your feet comfortable in them by walking around a few days earlier. In this way, your feet will get used to the shoe.
Traveling
One purpose of a backpacking trip is to visit a place by spending the least amount of money. For this reason, you need to plan your traveling very carefully, as it takes the most out of your pocket. When you are traveling from one country to another, try to get cheap flights by using any discount or promotion. Most travel agents have different tour packages and they only offer their customers when they are inquiring about it. So always investigate and avail as much discount as you can.
Guidebook and a map
When traveling in a specific area or a country, you must buy a guidebook and a waterproof map of that place to covers every small detail about it. It is important to have more than basic knowledge about the place you are visiting, as these things and information can come in handy. A map will always guide you through a wilderness, or even a city as sometimes you cannot access internet due to network difference or any other problem.
Always set your camp at an established encampment
No matter how much wilderness attracts you, it is wise to set your camps in an established encampment. Backpackers are attracted to the wilderness, which is why they start doing backpacking, instead of conventional trekking and traveling. But camping at established campsites is not only safe from wild animals, you can avail different facilities there as well, such as running water, supplies, toilet, and food.
Eat simple food
Always take foods with you that are easy to cook and nutritious. It will save you from a headache that is caused due to the food cooking in places where you shouldn’t even go. Food that just needs boiling, and is easily digested should be preferred. These foods also generate less trash, and you can carry it anywhere.
Practice at home before leaving
Pitching a new camp in your journey can be confusing and hectic even if you are an experienced camp pitcher. Similarly, you can struggle to get in your sleeping bag, or use a GPS device. So it is imperative to practice pitching your camp, opening and sleeping in your sleeping bag and learning how to use your GPS at home. It will also make you an efficient camp pitcher too.
Carry fewer items
When setting out on a backpacking trip, you need to keep the weight of your backpack as light as you can. A heavy rucksack will always consume more energy, and it will tire you on trekking trails. So excluding all the unnecessary clothes and other items you are carrying.
Check the weather
Always try to check the weather of the place you are going, and if it is raining or snowing, you need to plan accordingly. Sometimes it is wise to abandon your trekking or hiking due to the adverse weather. Always plan your next move carefully into the unknown.