Our national parks provide access to some of the best backcountry hiking destinations in North America, spanning from the Appalachian Trail in the East to the Pacific Crest Trail in the West, with numerous miles in-between.
If you’re ready to move on from day-hikes to overnight backpacking trips, it is important to prepare beforehand before venturing into the wilderness and backcountry after leaving the crowds behind. Going out for a hike can be a short outing or a longer adventure lasting multiple days.
Planning ahead
If you venture into the wilderness or backcountry without a plan, there is a potential for unpredictable events to occur, and not all of them are positive. Conducting research beforehand can prevent life-threatening situations, which is particularly important for those with less experience.
- Visit the National Park Service websites for trails and hiking, and wilderness and backcountry camping.
- Request the proper permit. Check the park’s page on nps.gov to see if the park requires one.
- Obtain detailed maps of trails you plan to hike. Locate campsites and water sources on the map and plan accordingly. Expect to cover 5 to 10 miles a day, depending on the terrain.
- Download GPS and compass apps to your phone. Don’t forget to pack a battery-operated phone charger.
- Before you leave the trailhead, make sure somebody back at home knows where you’re headed and how long you’ll be gone.
Packing your pack
Make sure to bring only necessary items and leave behind anything unnecessary. When packing your backpack, aim for a weight of 40 pounds or lower so that all essential backpacking gear can fit comfortably. To maintain balance, place heavier items in the center of the pack and surround them with lighter items. Additionally, arrange items such as water, food, and maps in easily accessible locations for quick retrieval.
The following text may be rephrased step by step while maintaining the same meaning: 1. Clothing 2. Items worn on the body 3. Garments or attire that people put on 4. Pieces of fabric or clothing that individuals wear 5. Material used to cover the body for protection or decoration 6. Fabric or garments designed to be worn by individuals for various purposes
When thinking in a sequential manner, it is crucial to consider layering as the weather can swiftly and significantly fluctuate based on your geographical position and the season. Take into account the following items when packing.
- Good hiking boots
- Synthetic hiking pants or shorts
- Long underwear
- Synthetic shirt
- Fleece or hoodie
- Light jacket
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- At least one pair of socks for each day
- Cold weather hat/beanie and light gloves
- Light-weight sandals to wear around campsite
- Sleeping bag (down or synthetic)
- Inflatable or closed-cell foam pad
- 3-season tent
- First aid kit – Read up on how you pack a good first aid kit
- Headlamp
- Matches or lighter
- Duct tape and/or repair kit
- Pocket knife
- Environmentally-friendly toiletries
- Trowel
Eating right
- Lightweight backpacking stove and fuel
- Compact pot set and utensils
- One cup, bowl, and spork for each person
- Sponge and soap
- Don’t forget water! Carry a minimum of 32 ounces of water with you at all times, and keep a filter or other system handy so that you can purify water from springs and streams.
Define Your Trip’s Parameters
General questions serve as a satisfactory starting point in the process of trip planning. It is not necessary to have immediate and specific answers to all these questions; however, it is advisable to initiate the process of narrowing down your options.
Begin by inquiring about your desired destination, the preferred dates, and the type of journey you plan to embark on. What led you to choose hiking over car camping?
How long do you plan on traveling for? Which specific trails, routes, landmarks, or campsites are you interested in visiting? How many miles or vertical distance do you aim to cover during your trip? Do you have anyone in mind to accompany you on this journey?
Lastly, take into account the practical aspects. Are there any permits required? If yes, where and when can they be obtained? How will you reach the starting point of the trail and return? Should you be mindful of any specific land-use regulations or obligations that are noteworthy?
I recommend compiling all of these details into a document that can be shared with your emergency contacts before your departure.
Research Conditions
After establishing a relatively defined trip plan, conduct research on the anticipated conditions to ensure adequate preparation, minimize risks, and eliminate unfounded hypothetical situations.
I am solely interested in factors that will affect my choice of equipment and supplies or require specific abilities. I suggest considering the climate, amount of sunlight and daytime hours, different types of walking surfaces, vegetation, wildlife and insects, navigational aids (such as signs, marks, rock piles, and poles), availability of water, distance from civilization, and potential natural dangers like avalanches and persistent snowfields, river crossings, potential sudden floods or tidal movements, and lightning.
In order to facilitate easy comparison with conflicting information from other sources, it is important to compile and cite the results of your research in a separate document.
Create or Collect Navigational Resources
Before I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2002, I made use of the resources that were readily accessible and appeared to be adequate. One of these resources was the Appalachian Trail Data Book which I purchased, and I also downloaded the Thru-Hikers’ Companion provided by the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. In the subsequent summer, when I wanted to explore Colorado’s Front Range, I decided to buy a couple of National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps that covered the specific area.
However, once I began venturing away from conventional routes, I found it necessary to produce these materials myself. During this undertaking, I formulated what I consider to be an efficient collection of maps and resources, encompassing both intricate paper topographic maps on various scales, digital maps stored on a GPS application, instructions and recommendations for routes, and a data sheet encompassing significant landmarks and distances along a trail or path.
Gain Fitness and Skills
There is no superior method for enhancing your hiking fitness than through hiking, and there is no superior method for acquiring backpacking skills than through backpacking.
Most likely, neither you nor I have the time or ability to think step by step.
To optimize the limited time available, another option is to increase the intensity of your workouts. I personally achieve this by running 60 to 70 miles weekly. An alternative approach, suggested by experienced ultralight backpacker Alan Dixon, focuses more on hiking and is considered more practical. Additionally, you can enhance your knowledge and skills by accessing tutorials related to navigation, wilderness hygiene, campsite selection, backpack packing, and knot tying.
A test hike also holds significant value as it serves as a systems check to be conducted in a relatively low-risk setting. The objective is to enhance your preparedness for the actual trip. This can be accomplished in a local environment such as a nearby park or even your own backyard. It provides the chance to utilize your gear, practice skills, and identify any areas that require improvement before embarking on a more dedicated itinerary. Emphasize recreating the components of a real trip, including hiking with a loaded pack, refilling water bottles, changing layers, setting up shelter, and cooking a meal.
