Backpacking Basics Unveiling everything A Beginner Must Know To Start Backpacking

Best Backpacking Tips for Beginners

Posted on Jul 29, 2021 By Diana

Best Backpacking Tips for Beginners

Are you thinking about backpacking the globe? Hmmm if so, you are ready my friend! In this backpacking guide, we will share with you the A to Z of backpacking for beginners

It can be loads of fun travelling places with minimal load and lots of freedom. It is never too late to take your first backpacking trip and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.

Here is everything you need to know

Backpacking Tips For Beginners

Below are some tips that can help you make better decisions regarding your backpacking trip.

Ask for help

Hope you don't mind asking experienced backpackers for assistance now. An old maxim says "experience is the best teacher when it's not yours". Let them share their stories with you, so you can avoid costly mistakes and leverage their knowledge of what works.

Consider proximity

Choose a place close to your house, except you, are backpacking with others, it is satisfactory to choose someplace near and may be effortlessly accessed by way of you, might not it be great that you spend less time riding to and fro?

The fewer roundtrip miles the better, when you consider that you will be carrying a backpack full of stuff, you will agree that picking a shorter distance is better than long.

Aim low to go far

After hiking for a while you will realize it's not just about the mileage but also about picking less elevated gain routes to your normal day hike.

Go with the crowd

If you are hiking alone, don't go alone, make sure there are people around because two are better than one, should you run into problems on a well-traveled path others will be there to salvage the situation.

Nearness to water

Ensure there’s a water source near your camp, don't rely on a small water source like springs or stream, double-check with the locals, let them be your counsel on such affairs.

About Children And Pets

If it is your first time, do not carry youngsters or pets. Since you are just having to learn the ropes - how to trail the path, bringing the younger fellows or your friends with fur could stress you out.

The Summer Is Your Friend

You will need all of the light to enjoy the hike, summer is the best of all-season because it offers the highest daylight hours thereby making it easy for you to return to camp. Stay tuned to the weather forecast and be quick to go back home if it's going to be stormy.

Use A “walk-in” Campgrounds

Campgrounds close enough to the car campground make it easy for you to transition in and out backpacking.

HAVE A CHECKLIST

See our post on: Best Backpacking Gear: All That You Need To Backpack Across Western Europe This Summer

Navigation: waterproof map, compass, watch, and pre-planned itinerary (In case of emergency, give a copy of your map and itinerary to someone who cares)
Versatile Clothes
Walking shoes or sandals: I recommend shoes because they cover your feet fully, thereby shielding you from harm.
First-aid Supplies
Comfortable Backpack:
Source of light: Headlamp, Fire.
Repair kit including a knife.
Nutrition: camping stove, nuts, and dry foods are easy to cook, Refillable Water bottle
Toiletries: Soaps, brushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, Microfiber towel, Toiletry bag, Sun protection & Repellants: sunglasses, long sleeve shirts, and long pants (zip-off convertible), cap, insect prevention, and mosquitoes repellents.
For ladies only: use chapstick for lips, a small tin of suntan lotion...

What To Consider When Choosing Backpacking Destinations

Backpacking Basics Unveiling everything A Music Lover Must Know To Start Backpacking

Choosing a destination should be easy when you consider what matters to you such as how much time you have lot for the whole experience, for instance, if you only have a week for backpacking, it will only be wise to choose a location you can reach within six hours or less.

Be clear on which activities you want to engage in because they make you happy. Do you like visiting historical landscapes, using the summer to catch fun at every rock music festival or would you rather engage in an active hiking trip? It’s okay to combine some activities, just be clear from the start.

Choose a destination location whose culture you like, where you can afford, with favorable weather, and most importantly that your heart is eager to visit.

Here are 10 Steps To Choosing the Perfect Backpacking Destination

Important Clothing & Gears to Bring

Backpack: Are you buying or borrowing, either way, you need to be clear about what matters about backpacks the first is that it needs to be comfortable on your hip and your shoulder so it is important to load it up and test it go for about a 30-minute walk in with a 30 lb worth of weight.

Sleeping bag

Without proper sleep, the hike is going to be very stressful, So take into consideration the weather to know whether you will need a synthetic fill or a down fill bag before you buy and this goes back to the point of asking those well-versed for help as it relates to hiking in the area you want - they could guide you through this phase also

Sleeping pad

Insulation and cushion are both important to have a restful night’s sleep. Depending on what you need, you could choose from a wide array of closed-cell foam pads, insulated air pads, and self-inflating pads. Any of the above is high-quality with you relying on your choice.

Tent

The advantage of sharing a tent with another person overusing a tent alone, for example, a two-person tent weighs less and costs less than a one-person tent. Plan to share since a two-person tent weighs less and costs less than two one-person tents.

Stove

Do you already have a single burner camp stove that weighs less than one pound then you can bring it along, just consider the fuel type but you don’t have to buy another stove.

Water treatment

Just like in everything looks can be deceptive, some water sources look very clear and clean but they could be Infectious, therefore it's important to filter or use chemical treatments such as tablets or drops that you can put into the water to bottle filter it.

Kitchen supplies

Leave your fine china dining sets at home, it’s hiking time. Only bring the essential items such as cups, pots, pans, plates, and utensils that can allow you to cook as planned and enjoy your meal.

Layers should be used to organize your backpacking gear:

Base layers that are next to the skin (also known as long underwear): It's crucial since even hot days may turn into chilly nights.

Hiking layers: It’s okay if it is Nylon pants (either rollup or zip-off is fine too), then T-shirts, sun shirt, sun hat.

Insulation: a lightweight fleece pullover, Puffy vest or jacket, warm hat, and gloves.

Rainwear: Bring a waterproof/breathable jacket; whether you also bring rain pants depends on the weather forecast (rainwear is also good at preventing mosquito bites).

Layering up lets you quickly adapt to changing conditions and protect your clothes from storms. If you have a favorite pair of athletic tights or yoga pants, they can work as either your base layer or hiking pants. You can also wear non-cotton tights as a base layer if you're going backpacking in the rain because they're more susceptible to brush snags and rock abrasion than regular hiking pants.

What Shoes to Bring Backpacking

Backpacker: Hiking boots are essential to a successful hike. A few backpackers will insist on wearing supportive over-the-ankle boots, while others will rather go with lightweight trail running shoes or footwear. Wearing wool or artificial socks is fine, and remember to bring an ultralight pair of footwear or water sandals.

What Clothes to Bring Backpacking

Backpackers can transform her zip-off hiking pants into shorts

You don’t have to buy a set of special “hiking clothes” for this first backpacking trip. Yes, it’s your first but you can simply check your fitness clothing and find wear like nylon and polyester that quick-drying fabrics. (Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from the skin to keep you dryer.) Avoid cotton, which slurps up water and takes a long time to dry when wet—that can chill you and, in a worst-case scenario, lead to hypothermia.

Basic Backpacking Checklist

We've covered the essentials thus far, but that's not all you'll need. Because there isn't a convenience store nearby, you'll need the means to ensure you have all of the necessary goods in your backpack. Check out our comprehensive Backpacking Checklist to identify more items to carry on this or future excursions. Make notes of everything that worked properly and what failed to work as intended as you get back unpacking your backpack. After a while you would have gathered experiences from a few trips doing this, you will have the custom-designed checklist that suits you just right.

Backpacking Meals

Backpacking Basics Unveiling everything A Music Lover Must Know To Start Backpacking

Breakfast: Morning is the ideal time to start on your hike and it will be a bad idea to do so on an empty stomach. Coffee with a calorically dense bar is a popular way to start your trail mornings, this will give you quick energy. For additional calories, munch on some trail mix or mow a packet of almond butter. Below a list of suggestions on breakfast:

Coffee (Starbucks)

Tea (Bengal Spice)

Bars (Kind, Larabar, Luna, Clif Bar, ProBar, Ivan Bar, Bobo's, and others)

Pop-Tarts

Granola & Cereal (Bear Naked)

Powdered Milk (Nido)

Breakfast Drink Mix Packets (Carnation)

Trail Mix

Nuts and Seeds (Almonds, peanuts, etc.)

Almond Butter Packets (Justin's)

Peanut Butter Packets (Justin's)

Instant Oatmeal (Quaker)

Lunch: We mostly eat cold lunch on the trail to prevent waste of energy, time, fuel required for cooking, and other valuable resources. Having tortilla or bagel sandwiches with hard meats and cheeses is not a bad idea. Foil packets of tuna or chicken with Peanut butter, honey, jelly are also good sandwich fillers.

Bagels or Tortillas (Thomas Bagels, Mission Tortillas)

Hard Meats - Salami, Summer Sausage, etc. (Applegate)

Hard Cheese - Parmesan, Romano, etc.

Almond Butter Packets (Justin's)

Peanut Butter Packets (Justin's)

Jelly or Honey (Nature Nate's)

Tuna or Chicken in foil packets (StarKist)

Snacks

Snacking is very important to enjoy your trail because you'll burn many calories during your hiking days, therefore taking a bit of snack every hour or two to keep the engine running. Keep the healthy snacks where they can be easily reached in your backpack. Here are some suggestions:

Bars (Kind, Larabar, Luna, Clif Bar, ProBar, Ivan Bar, Bobo's, and others)

Trail Mix

Nuts & Seeds (Almonds, peanuts, etc.)

Dried Fruit (Mango, Apple, etc.)

Fruit Leather Strips (Solely)

Jerky (Jack Link’s)

Crackers (Triscuits, Goldfish, Ritz, etc.)

Candy (Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Chocolate Almonds, etc.)

Dinner: Freeze-dried meals are a convenient, lightweight, and tasty option for backpacking dinners. The price for most freeze-dried meals ranges from $7 to $12 and can feed two hikers. Freeze-dried meals tend to be more expensive than DIY options if you're on the trail a lot.

Freeze-Dried Meals (Some of our faves: Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken and Dumplings, Beef Stroganoff, Chili Mac)

Instant Mashed Potatoes (Idahoan)

Ramen (Maruchan)

Instant Soups

Stuffing

Instant Mac & Cheese (Velveeta)

Pasta and Rice Sides (Knorr)

Couscous

Chicken Packets (StarKist)

Tuna Packets (StarKist)

Dehydrated Vegetables (Just Veggies)

Plan music lover activities

Musical Instruments to Take Backpacking

We decided to throw in a little bonus on musical instruments to bring along on your backpacking trip.

Guitalele: Even though it's as small as the ukulele, it has a built-in microphone, six strings, and a bigger chord.

Flute: Though it sounds is heard in most folk songs, the flute is still pleasant to the hearing and its feet fits well into the bag

Ukulele: Originally from Hawaiian culture, Ukulele is an impressive musical instrument small but can brighten your mood and it fits into your backpack.

As a music lover, can you play any musical instrument? Then bring it alone to amuse yourself.

Here are a few more: Violin, Clarinet, Mandolin, Kalimba, Mouth harp, Harmonica, Djembe, Flute, Fiddles, Ocarina, Jaw Harp, Melodicas, Jew’s Harp, Percussion, Recorder, Guitalele.

Prepare for your trip

Your budget

Save towards it. A year of travel across the world is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $30,000 per person. I normally advocate setting aside at least $1500 per month for long-term budget travel. The ideal method is to choose destinations where the exchange rate is favorable, hostels are inexpensive, and food is even more affordable.

Your Body

Start some workout routine. Get your heart rate up by going for a stroll two or three times a week. Make sure you're wearing the same shoes you'll be hiking in. On weekday walks, bring a lightweight daypack. Do resistance exercises like stretching, squats, and lunges to increase your activity frequency.

Your Schedule

Clear your desk of any important and urgent task, delegate authority to someone that can get the job done when you are not around.

The first step in arranging a backpacking trip is to choose a destination. The next step is to decide on the type and length of the path you want to take.

Conclusion

If you are a beginner backpacker, keep your load light so you can enjoy the experience. Don't bring children or pets if it's your first time backpacking - they can stress you out. Consider choosing a place close to your residence and don't be alone while backpacking - having people nearby is safe. Do you find this post helpful? Comment below. Cheers