Taking a backpacking trip is a unique experience that will leave you with great memories to share for many years.
But come on, that walking up the street and down the street carrying a boat is not cool, so to avoid ruining the adventure it is better to measure what you are going to piggyback.
Light luggage, a sincere budget and a paradise destination, will be the key to making your first trip a success. Here are some tips to prepare your backpacking trip.
- WALK WITH A BACKPACK
To get used to the weight, doing small walks with a backpack will make the day of the trip do not feel that the world is coming over you.
Come on, not everyone can go on excursions a few days before leaving. If that’s your case, try loading the luggage using the treadmill; the landscape is not so nice but it works.
>> Also check, Everything You Need to Know about Backpacking Base Weight
- TAKE LONGER WALKS
Longer walks help develop endurance. Even if your trip does not involve traveling such extensive routes, it is a good idea to get used to it.
You can start using a hiking bag with a weight you tolerate. From then on you place an extra weight that you can bear.
Always remember to wear comfortable shoes even if these are not hiking shoes. The idea is to adapt.
- DECIDE YOUR DESTINY
If you already feel prepared to carry enough weight in your travel backpack, it is time for you to decide where you are going.
The first step is to evaluate your budget and your skills. Not all travel destinations are made for backpacking so you have to take several factors into account.
Choosing a difficult destination without being prepared can be a complete disaster. If this will be your first trip, take your time to choose. It’s not just about spending time outdoors.
- CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE PERMISSIONS UP TO DATE
Well, well, you’ve already decided where to go; now it’s time to check the permit that your destination is requesting.
Not all countries have special regulations, but it is important that you verify that you meet the requirements to enter and stay in place for the duration of the trip.
Some permits must be requested months before the trip, so make sure you have this up to date before embarking.
In the same way, some trails or national parks have special regulations, so it is worth checking this detail before going out with your hiking team in tow.
You should also check the documents that you must take to the place where you go. To do this, use a travel fanny pack where you can take them comfortably.
Having the documents you need up to date will help you optimize your budget since you won’t have to face unexpected expenses for fines.
- HAVE ALL SUPPLIES AT HAND
Taking a backpacking trip means having to store a huge amount of supplies in a bag.
Enough supplies for sleeping, dressing, cleaning and eating already take up enough space so organizing them in a backpack is not an easy thing if you want to travel light.
The sleeping bag next to the sleeping pad, the tent, enough food, a personal GPS tracking device and a hiking stick, are just some of those that should not be missing.
The list is extended depending on the destination but what should be noted is that a single supply that fails, the trip is ruined.
So that this tragedy does not happen, it is good that you know the place very well, so you can take what you need.
- PACK ENOUGH FOOD AND WATER
Knowing the climatic, geographical and economic conditions of your destination, will give you an idea of the type of food you should bring, in addition to the amount of water to be packed.
The amount of water you will need will depend on whether there will be any water sources nearby. In this case, you can carry enough bottles of water to recharge on the road.
When plotting your routes, you will have to calculate the filtered water bottles that you will have to pack so that you do not fail during the crossing.
As for the food, being the first trip you may not know how to calculate the amount you will need to consume.
Remember that you will be spending large amounts of energy so hunger will not take long to arrive.
Over time you will learn to calculate the portions so that you do not run out of food but also do not carry so much that it is impossible for you to carry the backpack.
Canned and processed foods are some of the options that take up less space and do not need a cumbersome preparation.
Document online and learn easy and quick recipes to prepare at a campsite, they will surely be useful.
- INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
To make your first backpack trip much more enjoyable, sharing the experience with friends can be excellent advice.
By joining a group and living a new experience with people you appreciate, the adventure is magnified and the memories multiply.
Although you do not need to travel accompanied, if your friend has already backpacked before, you can nurture the experience and avoid falling into common mistakes.
It is essential to equip every group member with an outdoor GPS tracking device so that you can share real-time location without losing anyone.
- FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF “LEAVE NO TRACE”
The 7 principles of Leave No Trace or “without a trace” set the rules for enjoying the outdoors without leaving a negative impact.
These principles are particularly relevant for backpackers because being in direct contact with nature, it is very easy to leave a negative impact on the environment around you.
Respecting nature is the premise of these agreements created by the authorities to minimize damage to the environment.
Apart from not dirtying the place, it also involves respecting the fauna and flora of the site. The more wild, the stricter the agreements are.
Of the 7 agreements, the most precious are: take all your waste and leave intact what you see.
- TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST WHERE YOU WILL BE
Let someone know where you will be, whether or not your first trip, family or close friends should know your route.
Even if you carry your mobile phone, a GPS, map or a specialized guide, it is important that someone else knows your location in case of unforeseen events.
You should keep in mind that it will be easier to notify rescue agencies in case of emergency if someone knows your location.
- BE FLEXIBLE
Even if you have planned your trip in advance, you should consider aspects that are not under your control and that could alter your itinerary.
If any of this succeeds in changing plans, be flexible. Nature is uncontrollable so it is best that you adapt to it.
A more trained backpacker will give you the opportunity to avoid common mistakes, help you carry the load, give you company, is useful as a guide and can help you in case of accidents.
