Backpacking: Guide for Beginners

When starting out with backpacking, it is advised to select trails and trips that match your existing fitness levels. Similar to hiking, backpacking is an excellent way to jumpstart your fitness regimen and improve your physical condition. However, attempting a highly demanding trail may cause dissatisfaction and potentially deter you from future endeavors.

Before discussing how to find the appropriate backpacking trail, it is important to note that engaging in physical preparation and developing a strong understanding of your body will enhance your self-assurance as a novice backpacker prior to embarking on your initial multi-day journey.

What Are Some Different Types of Hiking?

Hiking, which is essentially walking in natural surroundings that are not roads or sidewalks, offers a range of possibilities. The length and difficulty of hikes can vary, with options for both long and short distances, steep or level terrains, and trails made of pavement or dirt. Whether you choose to embark on a multi-day hike or just spend a few minutes exploring, this diversity is what makes hiking an enjoyable activity.

Below, we have broken down the four types of hiking that people might talk about.

Day Hiking – Day hiking is the most accessible form of hiking, and involves hikes that can be completed in one day. Distances for day hikes can vary based on your goals, experience level, time availability, comfort level, and walking speed.
Backpacking – Backpacking involves carrying everything you need for multiple days in the wilderness. For this type of hiking, you would carry a large, specialized backpack with a sleeping bag, enough food for the duration of your trip, and other necessary gear for surviving outdoors for more than 24 hours. These trips can be as short as one night, or last for months.
Fastpacking – Fastpacking is very similar to backpacking, except you cover much larger distances in a shorter amount of time. This style often involves jogging and carrying highly specialized ultra-lightweight gear.
Thru-hiking – Thru-hiking is backpacking a long trail that starts and ends at different locations that may take weeks or months to complete. Popular thru-hikes are the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail.

We will only focus on day hiking for the purpose of this blog.

Planning Your Hike

The most significant hurdle to overcome is determining the initial steps in planning your hike.

How to Choose a Trail

To begin planning your hike, the initial step is to select the trail you will hike. Once you have obtained the specific information about the chosen trail, including its distance and elevation gain, you can proceed with organizing the items to bring.

Many excellent apps are available to assist in locating nearby trails, offering comprehensive information presented in a user-friendly format. Our website provides a convenient and complimentary tool for searching hikes in close proximity to you. These hikes are categorized by difficulty level, enabling you to make informed decisions about the challenges ahead. Additionally, you can explore region-specific trail guides and books for purchase. If you are new to hiking, it is recommended to opt for well-maintained and clearly marked trails until you develop a greater sense of confidence in navigating.

To ensure you are not denied access to your hike at the trailhead or faced with a fine, it is important to check if any special permits are needed. Certain hikes, such as Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, necessitate obtaining advance permits, while some trails require picking up a complimentary wilderness permit. Conversely, there are hikes that do not require any special permits at all. Familiarize yourself with these regulations beforehand.

If you are a beginner in hiking, it is best to select a trail that is not too long and has less steep slopes. It is recommended to start with shorter hikes and gradually increase the difficulty and length to gain confidence in outdoor activities. It is crucial to keep in mind that hiking should always be enjoyable and within your skill level.

Training and stretching

To get in shape for backpacking, the most effective method is to start being active.

Starting with any activity that gets you active, such as local hikes, long walks or runs in the neighborhood, incorporating hiker yoga poses into your routine, or doing at-home workouts, is a great way to begin.

To prepare for hiking, follow a methodical approach similar to training for a 5K race by gradually increasing your distance and intensity as you advance, starting with a slow pace.

To ensure you feel confident and fit while hitting the trail, incorporating gentle stretches and exercises into your regular routine is essential. Additionally, stretching also plays a crucial role in preventing injuries.

Always pay attention to your body and any pain signals, as this can serve as valuable practice for determining when to push yourself or decide to end a bigger and more demanding backpacking adventure.

Dealing with aches and pains

If you have weak knees or sensitive feet, there are proactive measures you can take to prevent multi-day hikes from exerting a significant toll on your body. Backpacking requires strenuous effort and may result in fatigue and discomfort in your body and joints.

To better enjoy the trails, it is important to learn how to protect your knees while hiking and eliminate hiker foot pain. You wouldn’t want to be in pain while out on the trail for days.

Improving your lung capacity

When I was a beginner hiker and starting to get into backpacking, another issue that used to bother me was constantly feeling breathless while on the trail. This would make me feel ashamed and reluctant to hike with individuals who I knew were more physically fit than me.

Even after 15 years, I continue to experience a quick loss of breath, even when I am in top physical condition. While it is a common occurrence for many individuals, if you are bothered or uncomfortable with this, consider trying these straightforward exercises and measures to enhance your lung capacity.

When deciding which trail to choose, consider the location and the current weather and trail conditions. Before starting your hike, check the weather forecast for the specific area you plan to go. Unfavorable weather conditions can make your hike less enjoyable or even unpleasant. While most beginners prefer sunny days, with more experience, you may discover the unique charm of hiking in the rain or snow. Checking the weather will also help you pack appropriately. Remember that weather can change rapidly, particularly in mountainous regions.

Before choosing a trail, it is important to check the condition of the trail. If the trail is in an area with heavy snowfall, it is likely that the trail will be covered in snow throughout the winter and potentially into the spring. Hiking on snow-covered trails is possible, but it typically requires special equipment. Ensure that the trail and trailhead you plan to hike are open and free of obstacles.

If you are considering a visit to a State or National Park, you can get information about the conditions by visiting the park’s website. Additionally, you can explore online forums and Facebook groups for this purpose. It is common for passionate hikers to share trip reports about the trails they have recently explored, therefore conducting an internet search can often provide current trail conditions.

What to Bring

After determining your desired hiking location, the next step is to strategize what items to bring along. The initial necessity is a backpack. At the beginning, any backpack available in your household will suffice. Nevertheless, as your interest in hiking deepens and you gain expertise, you might consider purchasing a more comfortable backpack specifically designed for hiking longer distances. These particular backpacks are equipped with various compartments and straps to ensure weight distribution that is more soothing.

After obtaining a backpack, the next step is to collect the required equipment. The list of 10 essentials is an excellent resource for novice hikers as it contains items that are essential for ensuring safety and effectively dealing with any unexpected difficulties while on the trail.

Included in the list are the following: