Things to Consider Before Going on a Backpacking Trip
Fancy trips with a lot of suitcases and luxurious hotels are sometimes not enough for adventurous people. They will be unable to roam around while being tied down to their belongings in the hotel room. Some people like to go backpacking because of the freedom it provides. Not to mention, the amount of experience gained by getting involved with the local and foreign cultures. You need to plan your backpacking trip well in advance to have a pleasant time and we are here to ensure that goes down smoothly.
Go for a One-Day Hike with a Backpack
You can walk for miles and miles without getting exhausted because you’re only carrying your own weight. It is a whole other situation to move around with all of your stuff on your back as you may trip or worse; terminate the trip before it starts. You need to prepare yourself by walking around with a backpack and when you’re comfortable enough, go for a one-day hike to test your ability.
Know Your Limits
Self-awareness is not something we are born with, but we should know ourselves and our skill levels before attempting to go anywhere. Some sites are too dangerous if you’re not an expert, especially if you’re going without a ranger. Remember those that get lost in the Amazon? Or die from fatigue and the inability to cope with the situations they face? You definitely don’t want to be one of them. For first-timers, telling your friends to come along could be safer and you will have more fun together.
Do Your Research
When you settle on a certain place, you need to research multiple things. This includes:
- Figure out which language the locals speak and either try to learn it if you have the time or download a speaking dictionary.
- Check the weather forecast to schedule the trip away from windy or rainy days to avoid being stuck.
- If you are going somewhere away from any facilities, make sure there are water and food sources available and if they are scarce, carry the amount you will need for the whole trip.
- Ask for the required documents or permits that you will need. On a side note, always keep your identification papers stashed in a safe place under your shirt just in case of theft.
Have a Checklist
Comfortable clothes and sneakers should be your dress code. You would probably want to go camping so, a sleeping bag is going to be your new best friend. Also, there are tons of useful resources on different kinds of gear and what would be best to get to the kind of trip that you’re planning to take. You must read extensively reliable guides and blogs to help you determine exactly what you need for your checklist. Don’t forget a flashlight in case you need to walk around at night. Furthermore, the old-fashioned way of navigation as a map and a compass can be useful if your phone died out or for a more realistic venture.
To make your walk lighter, get rid of any extra luggage, and when you take pots and cups with you, make sure that they are light-weight and made of eco-friendly materials. Applying sunblock is necessary to protect yourself from heatstrokes and sunburns. Also, insect-repellents are highly effective as some bites could leave you in pain for days.
Leave No Trace Principles
They are the ethics that you should consider and apply wherever you go. You should respect nature and understand that it’s not your right to ruin the Earth’s creation. So, when you camp, choose a durable place devoid of plants to set your campfire without doing any harm to your surroundings. If you find a wild animal, leave it alone the same way you would want to be left unscathed and in peace. Lastly, help others along the way, even if they are complete strangers.
Give the Details of Your Whereabouts
You can never be too prepared for a wild adventure, tell a trusted friend or family member your exact plan and timeline of your journey. By doing that, you’ll be reassured that someone out there will send you help when things go south.
Make Memories
Take a camera with you to record everything around you. The landscapes, waterfalls, flowers, and people are all worth photographing. As a matter of fact, if you take a photo of yourself every day, you will notice how much everything affected you and changed small details in your features.
A backpacking excursion could be the best decision you ever make or your worst nightmare, it all depends on how prepared you are. Do not be discouraged by the number of precautions because your safety should be the priority and that doesn’t mean that you will have any less fun. You’ll come out of the experience a more loving and appreciating person.
