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If you are the adventurous type who enjoys the camping experience, you will love to go on a backpacking trip if you have not experienced that already! However, if you want to have one of the best backpacking experiences, you will have to plan that trip very carefully. The last thing you will want to do is end up having a backpacking trip that becomes disastrous because of poor planning. If you do not know about the area where you will go mountain biking and hiking, you could end up facing some unimaginable challenges. Let’s talk about how you can plan for a backpacking trip so you can be the best prepared to face whatever could come your way. Most of all, you want this excursion to be an enjoyable one.
Be Specific Of What You Want Your Camping Trip To Look Like
The first thing you want to do is determine where you want to go. For example, do you want to go backpacking in North America, South America, or Europe? Of course, you could choose Africa, Australia, and Asia too, or even locally. Once you decide where you want to go, you need to know about the region where you plan to do your backpacking.
If you go to a foreign country, you must know about their laws, culture, and medical facilities. It does not matter if you are not going to be in any urban area. You need to know all of that because if you get sick or become seriously injured, you will have to go to a medical center in an urbanized area.
Once you figure that out, you will know what areas you plan to go backpacking. Next, you will need to determine how long you will travel, as well as what type of trails, landmarks, routes, and national parks you want to visit. Additionally, the vertical distance and how many kilometers or miles to cover are other things to determine ahead of time.
Don’t forget about the logistics, such as the types of permits you will need for your backpacking trip and any unusual rules and regulations to know. For example, are you going to go alone, or will you have others join you? You will also need to understand how you will get to different places. You need to hash out the details before going on this trip.
Know About The Conditions Of Where You Plan To Go
You have decided where you will go for your backpacking trip and other essential details. The next step in your planning is to look into the conditions you will likely face on your journey. That way, you can prepare for them appropriately and lower the risks as much as possible. But, unfortunately, there may be only so much in your control.
That means you will want to know about the hours of sun exposure you will face, as well as the climate of the area you are going, wildlife, footing, vegetation, and insects. In addition, prepare yourself for encountering hazards such as lightning, snowfields, avalanches, tides or flash floods, and so on.
You will want to record your findings in another file and ensure that you list the sources so you can keep tabs on any information that could be contradictory. You may find more accurate information on conditions in the area where you are backpacking in other sources later.
Plan Your Gear And Food
If you are new to backpacking, you have to dedicate time and effort to choose the best gear and the right food, so you have the energy to go hiking and stay active. The best thing to do is to research the type of gear that you will need based on where you plan to go backpacking. Then, prepare yourself to make investments in the appropriate equipment to take with you so you have the best chance to stay safe.
You also need to plan your food to get high-calorie meal supplements such as bars and snacks such as trail mix. However, when it is early on in the trip. Stick to real food that you can keep in the cooler for a day or so, such as ham sandwiches. Take non-perishables with you that are tasty and healthy such as canned beans, dried fruits, powdered cheese, and milk, and also take plenty of water with you. You will also want to ensure that wherever you camp is near a water source. You can grab water with buckets and heat it on a stove or over a campfire, so it kills bacteria, viruses, and harmful microbes. However, before you go on your trip, you will need to prepare yourself physically.
Improve Your Fitness And Skills
If you are an avid hiker, that is great; you have the tools to prepare yourself to go on a backpacking trip. However, if you are not looking to gain the strength and skills to become one, you need to practice hiking daily. That way, you will have the endurance to go on this trip. If you are not fit enough to endure a backpacking trip, then you will end up becoming exhausted and burning out quickly.
You will want to build your strength gradually when it comes to hiking. That means to hike for ten minutes a day for a few days, then go up to 15, then up to 20, and so on over weeks. You can also do some intense workouts to strengthen your muscles and gain the skills to handle what you will encounter on your trip. Watch videos on other skills you need to acquire when you go on this trip, such as tying knots and even going to the bathroom in the woods. If you prepare yourself well in all aspects, you will do great!
Conclusion
If you plan to go on a backpacking trip, you need to plan it out carefully. It is critical to decide where you will go and learn about the laws, regulations, environment, and prepare yourself for potential hazards you may face while you are on your trip. You also need to plan for the right gear and know about the best foods to take and eat on your journey. Last but not least, you need to know about the skills to utilize, and you need to improve your fitness. If you are not overly fit, then you need to begin hiking and working out, so you build strength and endurance to have an excellent adventure on your trip.