Are you preparing for a backpacking trip? Our collection of backpacking hacks and tips for beginners will help boost your confidence and minimize the weight of your bag, ensuring a smoother journey.
Going backpacking is one of the best ways to explore nature and escape the usual routes. However, beginners may find it daunting to begin this new hobby. One must consider the extensive range of gear to examine, the difficulty in determining the optimal backpacking routes, acquiring permits, and ensuring an enjoyable trip with minimal weight.
Practical Backpacking Tips for Beginners
Waterproof Your Backpack
Even in Southern California, where drought is common, it is always important to have a backpack rain cover, regardless of how you predict the weather will be. Despite the intense heat and dryness in the valley, unpredictable weather can occur in the mountains, especially during the summer when thunderstorms can suddenly appear. It is wise to be ready for extreme weather conditions and hope for a dry and calm climate by ensuring that you have your pack cover easily accessible.
Create an Effective (and Light) Layering System
Make sure to have three layers: a base, mid, and outer layer that can be easily worn together or taken off depending on the weather. I always choose merino wool for my outdoor adventures. During summer, the lightweight base layer provides protection against the sun, and as the temperature drops, extra layers can be added for warmth. Wool is great because it keeps you warm, resists odor, insulates well, and prevents bacteria that causes bad smells. Personally, I love wool throughout the year.
Hydrate BEFORE Your Trip
When preparing for a backpacking trip, it is important to remember that being adequately hydrated from the start is crucial for optimal body functioning. This is particularly important for individuals hiking at high altitudes or susceptible to altitude sickness. It is advisable to begin considering this a few days prior to the trip by consuming ample water and electrolytes, while reducing intake of caffeine and sodas that can deplete your body’s hydration.
Staying well-hydrated before your backpacking journey is beneficial, as it can make it easier to stay hydrated during the trip, particularly in high elevations where altitude sickness can occur unexpectedly.
Bring a Change of Shoes
Even if you are aiming to be an ultra lightweight backpacker, it is important to allow your feet to breathe and rest from hiking shoes. Therefore, I always bring my lightweight water shoes on hikes as they can serve as both hiking shoes on easy terrain and offer ventilation for my feet. Similarly, my son carries a light pair of flip flops, which also come in handy for nighttime bathroom trips.
Test Your Food Before You Go
Many people suggest trying out different food options before embarking on a trip. However, I understand the hesitation to waste expensive pre-packaged dehydrated meals that you may not even end up eating. Contrary to popular belief, being exhausted and hungry does not automatically mean you will eat anything. It is common to lose your appetite while on long hikes, making it crucial to pack food that you genuinely enjoy. If you enjoy the food at home, chances are you will also enjoy it while hiking.
Other Must have for your first hiking trip
When preparing for a brief hike, there is no need for excessive packing. Given that you will be taking all your belongings with you during the hike, it is preferable to pack lightly. Nevertheless, if you intend to hike for the entire day, there are a few essential items that you will require. Here is a list of hiking gear to serve as a reference for your packing needs when going on a hike.
- Navigation Tools: Make sure to bring a map, compass or GPS for your hiking trip. You’ll want to know where you are and where you’re going at all times, but you will also want to know where all the campsites, emergency exits, water sources and rest areas are located. The American Hiking Society recommends bringing along a map or compass — even if you have a GPS as a backup. When you know what to expect, you can plan other details better and enjoy the hike without worrying about getting lost.
- Adequate Water: Water is perhaps the most important item on your hiking gear list. Without enough water, your body cannot perform at its best. Make sure to hydrate before the hiking trip and sip water throughout the day. Whether it is cold or hot outside, an adequate water supply should always be a priority.
- Adequate Food: You want the hiking experience to be as fun as possible, and everyone is happier when their bellies are full. Bring along extra snacks so you and your hiking companions can enjoy long moments near a mountain stream.
- Clothing and Rain Protection: Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, the weather proves the forecast wrong. You cannot always predict a sudden storm or rain shower, but you can prepare for surprises. To solve this problem, pack a lightweight poncho or dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes easily.
- Safety Items: If you are hiking an easy, well-maintained trail that sees a lot of foot traffic, you may not be as worried about safety. No matter what you anticipate your hike to be like, you will want to include a firestarter, a flashlight and a whistle in your safety kit, so you are prepared for any situation. A fire can signal for help and keep you warm, a whistle calls for help and a flashlight will guide you in the dark.
- First-Aid Kit: Build a personalized first-aid kit, which might include blister treatment, bandages, tape, antibiotic ointment, gauze pads and any medications that you or your companions may need.
- Multi-Purpose Tool or Knife: Another hiking must-have is a knife or multi-purpose tool. You never know when you might need to cut fabric to make bandages or even just open a stubborn package of trail mix. A knife can also come in handy if you need to make a fire.
- Sun Protection: Bring along sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn and ultraviolet (UV) radiation and don’t forget sunglasses to shield your eyes. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher and sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. If possible, aim to hike on shaded trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun shines strong, and use mornings for open-area hikes. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more if you’re sweating a lot.
- Backpack: Choose a pack that feels comfortable for you and that won’t put excess strain on your back and shoulders. Always wear both shoulder straps, and make sure the backpack rests close to your body and high on your back. Backpacks with padded, adjustable hip belts are great for hiking, as they take the strain off of your shoulders and back.
- Trash Bag: Pack a trash bag to keep the trails you trek beautiful, clean and free of garbage. A zippered plastic bag is perfect for containing wrappers and other trash until you get back. Be sure to help younger hikers dispose of their trash properly.
- Bug Spray: Ticks, bees, spiders and mosquitoes are some of the insects you might encounter on your hike, depending on where you go, the time of day and the season. However, you don’t have to let these pests ruin a great hike. In buggy areas, you can use DEET insect repellent. Be sure to reapply frequently. DEET is not suitable for small children, so choose an alternative like citronella spray for the kids.
- Toiletries: If you plan to hike far away from public restrooms, prepare for bathroom breaks by bringing toilet paper, hand sanitizer, waste bags and any other necessities.
