HOW TO GET OVER YOUR FEARS OF FIRST TIME BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
FEAR: WILDLIFE AND STRANGERS
The primary obstacle that people frequently mention to me when considering backcountry camping is their fear of encountering wildlife or unfamiliar individuals in the wilderness. I have been backpacking for approximately 6 years, and thus far, I have not experienced any alarming encounters with humans or dangerous wildlife. Nonetheless, these concerns are legitimate and can be addressed through proper preparation.
WILDLIFE PRECAUTIONS
When it comes to wildlife safety, conducting research is crucial. Which animals are frequently found in the area you plan to explore? In my personal experience, it is important to exercise additional caution around bears, mountain lions, moose, and snakes. By this, I mean taking precautions beyond basic common sense, such as avoiding approaching animals or feeding them.
SAFETY FROM CREEPY HUMANS
As I mentioned earlier, neither I nor any of my friends have ever faced any problems with encountering scary individuals while in the wilderness. I believe that using common sense plays a significant role in this. If you come across someone who seems suspicious, it’s best to keep your distance or even consider turning back. Personally, I don’t carry any weapons, but having bear spray accessible does provide me with some comfort regarding unfamiliar people, bears, and mountain lions.
It is important to be cautious of individuals who exploit opportunities and illegally enter vehicles parked at trailheads. Although I have not personally experienced this situation, I have heard of it happening to others. To prevent theft, make sure not to leave any belongings within the visible range of potential thieves. Additionally, remember to take along your garage opener, car registration, and identification, while leaving valuable items at home.
FEAR: GOING ALONE
In all honesty, I wouldn’t suggest going alone for your initial backcountry camping experience. It will be more convenient if you plan your trip with someone else. For one, you won’t feel completely isolated during your first night in the wilderness. Additionally, you can divide and distribute some of the equipment weight, making your backpack lighter. Lastly, trips accompanied by others not only provide a higher level of safety but also tend to be more enjoyable.
If you don’t know anyone with backcountry camping experience, your best option is to go with someone who has backpacked before. They will be able to guide you on how to do it. However, if you can’t find such a person, you can either team up with another beginner and learn together, or seek out individuals or groups in your local area to join.
FEAR: NOT KNOWING WHERE TO START
When it comes to selecting a backpacking trail, it can be quite daunting. For your initial experience with backcountry camping, it is advisable to opt for a location in proximity to your residence. To find local trails, conduct an online search or contact the ranger station at a nearby park to solicit recommendations.
If you’re looking for backpacking trips in your local area, there are a few excellent websites to check out. The Outbound and All Trails are both great options. Those residing in Washington should definitely consider visiting the Washington Trails Association website. Additionally, some websites provide trail reports, allowing you to stay updated on recent conditions such as bugs or snow pack in the area.
When considering the details, I would start with planning an overnight excursion that is relatively brief. For instance, if the maximum distance you have previously hiked in a single day is 8 miles, I would avoid selecting anything that requires walking more than that each day. Keep in mind that your backpack will be heavier compared to day hikes, so it is advisable to take it slow during your initial attempt.
FEAR: NOT BEING FIT ENOUGH
Feeling physically unprepared is a fear that many people have when embarking on their first backcountry camping trip. I want to make it clear that it is normal to feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed initially. However, don’t let this discourage you! There are several ways to alleviate these feelings and increase your preparedness.
GET OUT ON SOME DAY HIKES
Before embarking on an overnight backpacking journey, it is highly recommended to have prior experience with day hikes. It is essential to have engaged in a few complete day excursions in nature and attained a reasonable level of physical fitness. While it is not necessary to be extremely fit for backcountry camping, having a basic level of endurance from walking will be beneficial.
When I first started, the biggest challenge I faced was handling the weight on my back. As a petite individual, it felt incredibly uncomfortable and burdensome. In the following section, I will provide tips on handling a heavy backpack. However, my suggestion is to practice wearing a backpack prior to actually embarking on a backpacking journey.
You can try hiking a nearby trail with your backpack or simply take a stroll in your local park. It might seem odd to walk around the park with a large backpack, but that’s alright… at least you’ll be ready for the actual experience! Get a sense of what it feels like to carry the weight of your pack, perfect the fit of your backpack, and make any necessary adjustments.
PREP IN YOUR BACKYARD
It is not advisable to set up your tent for the first time in a remote location. Utilize your backyard or a nearby park to practice setting up your tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and so on. Also, practice packing your backpack and assessing how everything will fit. Through this experience, you will gain knowledge about what works and what doesn’t.
Ultralight Backpacking Tips That Actually Make Sense for Thru-Hikers
1. Quilt Instead of Sleeping Bag
In recent years, quilts have experienced a surge in popularity. In our annual Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, more than half of the participants last year indicated a preference for quilts instead of traditional mummy bags. Quilts are not only significantly lighter but also offer less constriction, making them more comfortable for numerous hikers.
2. Tarp or Trekking Pole Tent Instead of Freestanding
If you’re already carrying trekking poles, you can easily reduce weight by swapping them for dedicated tent poles. The lightest option available is single-wall varieties. By using a simple tarp, you can further reduce weight (and save money) if bugs and privacy are not a major concern.
Ultralight tent fabrics such as DCF will offer the lightest choices, however, minimalist silnylon tents and tarps are still affordable options that are lightweight.
3. Minimalist Pack
When considering a backpack, look for one that is constructed with durable, ultralight substances and has a straightforward layout. Generally, this type of backpack includes a spacious roll-top main compartment, a mesh back panel, minimal padding, and pockets for water bottles (hip belt pockets may or may not be present). Ultralight backpacks can weigh less than two pounds. However, frameless packs are lighter, although they are not as suitable for beginners.
4. 3/4-Length Sleeping Pad
To decrease the weight of your sleeping pad by 25%, the simplest method is to opt for a shorter pad. For individuals who are shorter, choosing a 3/4-length pad will essentially provide the same coverage as a full-length one. Similarly, taller individuals who have their legs hanging off the edge can easily resolve this by placing folded clothes or partially emptied backpacks underneath.
If you desire the most lightweight sleep system achievable, opt for inflatables as they have a higher insulation-to-weight ratio, despite being more expensive than foam pads.
Minimize Luxury Items
5. Eliminate camp shoes or just bring flip-flops.
Considering the weight of over a pound, is it worth wearing a pair of Crocs if you only wear them for a few hours a day? Additionally, hikers who wear trail runners often experience enough breathability that they do not require a shoe change regardless.
Either opt for inexpensive Walmart flip-flops, which are lightweight and weigh only a few ounces, or if you decide to wear them, it would be prudent to avoid walking on steep or rough terrain.
6. Eliminate common heavy, low-calorie backpacking foods.
Many of the favored foods for thru-hiking lack high calorie content. Although it is difficult to entirely dismiss these low-calorie staples, it is preferable to mix them with foods that have a higher energy density (>125 calories/ounce).
Some common culprits that need to be avoided include:
- Tuna packets (30-40 cal/oz)
- Flour tortillas (85 cal/oz)
- Cheese (100-120 oz)
Alternative options that have a higher energy content:
- Nuts and nut butters (170-210 cal/oz)
- Olive oil (250 cal/oz)
- Protein bar (130-150 cal/oz)
7. Eliminate battery bank for short trips / short-duration resupplies (like AT).
Despite the convenience of a worry-free phone usage, I often forget to bring my battery bank along on trails with frequent town stops, even though it weights nearly half a pound.
By keeping my phone off or in airplane mode most of the time, I can easily make a single charge last for four or five days (even though my phone is not new). Utilizing guidebook pages for navigation will greatly increase your battery life.
8. No books, no camera. Use your phone for that.
On the contrary, if you have a strong fondness for entertainment media and/or photography, it could be beneficial to carry a seven-ounce battery bank to ensure your phone remains charged. This will allow you to avoid the much heavier burden of carrying a book or camera gear.