As soon as I was done eating, the wind started up again. As the sunlight faded behind the mountain and thunder rumbled in the distance, I put out the fire, cleaned up, and crawled into the tent. Only minutes later, as the fog enclosed my shelter, the storm took control of the night. For hours I laid there listening to the power of wind, the pattering rain, and the ominous thunder. I finally dozed off and slept comfortably until the sun pierced through the tent. I crawled outside to be met by the dispersing clouds rolling up and down the jagged hills. The cool breeze and the light rain glimmered in the morning sun. After a delicious breakfast and a steaming cup of coffee, I began to hike up into the clouds, anticipating the final summit. Although many people believe backpacking is a miserable, uncomfortable experience, backpacking can be a simple and relaxing way to connect with nature.
The very first step to backpacking is to plan and prepare for the trip--this is vital to having an enjoyable experience. The key to preparation is to assume the worst of the trip. While everyone hopes for the perfect circumstances, that does not always happen. The key points to preparation are planning, communicating, packing, and understanding (Paajanen 2012). Planning the specific location, the route and an alternate, plan for the needs of the best and worst scenarios, and plan for possible problems. Also tell a friend or family your specific plans in case any difficulties occur. When talking about packing for the worst, pack to survive dier heat, frigid cold, or a medical emergency. In a broader sense, learn the basics of survival--in advance. It could be the difference between life or death. Planning out the trip to the smallest detail will ensure a quality, relaxing trip, and help prevent unforeseen, unwanted, circumstances.
While backpacking is not a difficult sport, there is some needed gear that make life much easier and a whole lot more comfortable. The essential gear boils down to boots and clothing, a sleeping bag, a stove and cookware, a backpack, a tent, and water treatment (Logue 54-148) Protecting feet with a solid pair of boots is very important. Lightweight boots are used for easy trails, while midweight boots help with tough, off-trail terrain, and heavy-weight boots are used for harsh terrain with snow or ice. Proper clothing will help to defend against the elements and also keep the pack weight down, use the layering system. A base layer is used to keep the body dry, a middle layer is used to provide warmth and comfort, and an outer layer provides more warmth and protects against wind, rain, or snow. The right sleeping bag will stay warm at night. Think about the season use: 40+ degrees for summer months, 20-40 degrees for spring and fall, and 20 below for the winter months. As most areas are starting to ban fires, buying a camp stove is a great idea. Small and lightweight, they easy to use and make eating more convenient. Along with the stove, a fork, knife, spoon, and a 1.5 liter pot will suffice for cooking utensils. A solid backpack is a must for any hiker. The main qualifications for a backpack are fit, size, and convenience. Make sure the pack is very comfortable, make sure that it is workable and has some easy access, and finally shoot for a pack around 4,000 to 6,000 cubic inches or 60 to 80 liters. Tents are another significant piece of equipment, think about size, weight, and weather durability when purchasing a tent. Basically, choose the size then find the lightest tent that fits the environment it will be used in. Finally, a water treatment system will save pounds of weight. Types of treatments include, filters, chemicals, and ultraviolet. Filters will strain out all material including bacterias, though they do not treat viruses. Chemicals will kill bacteria and viruses, but foreign material remains in the water. Ultraviolet treatments are the most effective and expensive, but they don’t filter foreign material. Although an expansive list of gear, these items will ensure an excellent trip.
Inevitably, backpacking requires some fairly intense hiking, while it may be physically strenuous, hiking is the most incredible time to connect with and relax in nature. Henry David Thoreau was a transcendentalist, known for secluding himself to nature. He once said, “It is with that spirit that many backpackers seek the solitude and simple life of long-distance hiking--to be dependent on no one but themselves for an extended period; to commune with nature day after day after day; and to have no other worry but where to camp and where to get water” (Logue 39). This is the core of hiking, to be immersed in nature, away from the distractions of life. There are three elements to hiking, “determination, flexibility, and endurance” (Logue 40). A large part of hiking is in the mental aspect. When pain, a gear malfunction, or rough weather arises, it tests the determination and the endurance of the hiker. The whole experience comes down to the focus of the hiker: the hardships or the enjoyable moments. Finally, flexibility is so important. While long-distance hiking is based off of goals, the experience of the hike is more memorable than the destination, enjoy and have some unplanned fun. Long-distance hiking is a refreshing way to connect with nature, as long as mental focus is in the right place.
While everyone wants a cozy campground and a raging campfire, low impact camping practices are a necessity in every backpacking expedition. Most people think that low impact camping is synonymous with a bad time, but low impact camping is just as comfortable, if not more.There are a few leave no trace principles that are vital to follow when camping: camp on durable surfaces, minimize campfire impacts, dispose of waste correctly, and be considerate of others (“The Leave no Trace Seven Principles”). The main idea is to not affect the environment around you. Which can mean camping in a less scenic area or skipping the campfire. However, the more the environment is protected, the more use it can handle. Low impact camping creates a comfortable environment for the camper and all who will visit afterward.
In order to truly enjoy a backpacking trip, the food has to be delicious and rejuvenating. The average person burns around 5,000 calories on an average eight hour hiking day (Logue 273). In order to maintain energy, a hiker needs to focus on high nutrition, high carbohydrates, protein, calcium. When thinking about food for a trip, pay attention to the weight of the food, the preparation process, the taste, and the cost. Packed food needs to be fairly light, which will save energy. When on the trail a quick and easy preparation is a huge blessing. Obviously, tastier food will contribute to overall happiness. Options for food include dehydrated foods, store bought ready to eat foods, and fresh produce. Dinner time is one of the best times, so make sure that the meals are up to par and they will become a source of energy and life.
Possibly the most important aspect of backpacking is the location. It is intimidating at first choosing the destination. Most states have some great trails within themselves,which are a great place to start. However as time passes, people want to be challenged and see different places. Some of America’s great long distance trails include the continental divide trail at 3,100 miles, the Appalachian trail at 2,186 miles, the Pacific crest trail at 2654 miles, and the American discovery trail at 5,000 miles (Jory 2015). Some of the best states to backpack are California, Alaska, Utah, and New Hampshire. Although any location will provide stunning scenery and great adventures. Just make sure to be prepared for the climate. Make sure the destination is an exciting and motivating area, as it is one of the most important decisions.
Backpacking is an incredible experience. With something new to see around every curve, these trips are worth the preparation challenge. As technology and population continue to expand, spending time in nature is a very relaxing hobby. On top of just being relaxing, backpacking enables one to truly be rejuvenated and refreshed by the vastness of nature. While it is a complex sport, it is surprisingly easy and can be a very comfortable and fun experience. While most people believe that backpacking is disgusting and miserable, backpacking is a comfortable and relaxing sport.
Works Cited
Logue, Victoria. Hiking and Backpacking: Essential Skills, Equipment, and Safety. 2nd ed. Birmingham: Menasha Ridge, 2005. Print
Paajanen, Terri. "Chapter 1: Preparation And Avoidance." Complete Guide to Surviving in the Wilderness: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Alive & Get Rescued. 17-26. n.p.: Atlantic Publishing Company, 2012. Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
Jory, Taryn C. "The Best Backpacking In America." Backpacker 29.8 (2001): 39. Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
"The Leave No Trace Seven Principles." The Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
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