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There\u2019s nothing like getting into the great outdoors to refresh your spirit.<\/p>\n
But not all doses of nature are created equal.<\/p>\n
According to the sage 20-5-3 Rule<\/a>, you should ideally aim to spend at least 20 minutes in green space three times a week, 5 hours in a semi-wild environment once a month, and 3 days completely off-grid each year.<\/p>\n The best way to fulfill that last requirement is to go backpacking.<\/p>\n What\u2019s great about backpacking is that when you pull into a state or national park, you\u2019ll see tons of people fishing, picnicking, RV-ing, picture taking, and day hiking at accessible points close to the parking lots. But once you get deeper into the park, the crowds fall away, and you\u2019ll often only see a few other people. It can feel like you\u2019ve got thousands of acres of wilderness all to yourself. Just beyond the slipstream of comfort<\/a>, you find an experience that\u2019s wilder and more satisfying than car camping<\/a> and really does body, mind, and soul a great deal of good.<\/p>\n Of course, the same reason backpacking is a less popular and more solitary experience \u2014 the fact that it\u2019s harder to plan and carry out than other outdoor activities \u2014 also makes it more difficult to get going with.<\/p>\n If you weren’t a Boy Scout as a kid and didn’t backpack with your family growing up, the idea of taking a trip into the woods, carrying everything you need on your back, can feel a little intimidating and overwhelming.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where this guide comes in.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve always wanted to get into backpacking, but haven\u2019t known how to start, below we\u2019ll outline exactly how to take your very first trip \u2014 and make it a big success.<\/p>\n The overarching principle behind this first-time backpacking trip is that you want to make it as enjoyable and successful as possible, giving yourself the best shot at getting hooked on this activity.<\/p>\n To that end, you’re going to plan an initial trip that has a bit of challenge, for interest, but is largely accessible and low-key. You can achieve this, by following these steps:<\/p>\n For your first trip, you\u2019re only going to be camping out one night. You might have an idea in your head that only multi-day backpacking trips count as \u201creal\u201d backpacking trips. But 1) This isn\u2019t the case; even though we\u2019ve been on several multi-day trips, we still enjoy popping off for a quick overnighter. There’s no right or wrong way to backpack. 2) Adding days adds complexity, and for your first trip, you\u2019re going to keep things as simple and low-stakes as possible.<\/p>\n The purpose of this first trip is just to acquaint yourself with the general dynamics of backpacking and the use of your gear. It\u2019s simply to get your feet wet and build a little comfort and confidence with the endeavor. (This is doubly true is backpacking with kids<\/a>!)<\/p>\n We\u2019re not affiliated with this app<\/a>, but are fans of it, and it will make planning your trip a whole lot easier. Amongst other handy features, you can filter your searches for trails by which ones are good for backpacking. <\/p>\n As you pick what trail you\u2019re going to backpack, take into consideration these factors:<\/p>\n Choose a loop if possible. <\/strong>It will make your hike more interesting than an out-and-back route.<\/p>\n Choose a trail with a \u201cpayoff\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 a waterfall, lake, scenic view, etc. \u2014 if possible. <\/strong>This will also add interest to your hike.<\/p>\n Choose a moderate\/hard trail. <\/strong>The trails that are rated \u201cEasy\u201d on AllTrails are typically short, flat, and\/or even paved. You\u2019ll want a bit more challenge. Even some trails rated \u201cHard\u201d can be doable for your first time out. There isn\u2019t a strict criteria for what makes a Hard trail Hard, and some Hard trails are harder than others. Elements that make a trail easier\/harder include its rockiness\/smoothness, the steepness of its slopes, the altitude, the total elevation gain, and the elevation gained per mile. And the difficulty will also depend on your personal fitness level. But don\u2019t get lost in the technical weeds in figuring out how hard a trail is; looking at the AllTrails reviews will generally give you a good idea of a trail\u2019s difficulty. Also see if the reviews mention first-time-out buzzkills like the fact that the trail is overgrown, hard to follow, offers minimal sun cover, or includes lots of downed trees. Overall, opt for a trail that\u2019s easier rather than harder and looks like a good time.<\/p>\n Choose a trail\/route that\u2019s about 10-15 miles long. <\/strong>That distance might not seem like a lot if you\u2019re thinking of regular walks around your neighborhood, where you might be able to go a mile in 17 minutes. But when you’re wearing a pack and particularly when you’re hiking uphill, you’re going to be moving a lot more slowly; plan on averaging about two miles per hour + time for breaks.<\/p>\n You can break up the mileage according to preference and where campsites are located along the trail (AllTrails will sometimes indicate this on the map). For example, if you\u2019re taking a 12-mile trail, you can get to the trailhead at noon, hike 8 miles in four or five hours, make camp and relax for the night, and then hike 4 miles out in the morning.<\/p>\n Be sure there are adequate water sources along the trail to refill your water bladder as you hike. You will need around 1 liter of water for every 4-5 miles you hike.<\/p>\n Go for a longer trail if you\u2019re physically fit and\/or the terrain\/trail is easier; choose a shorter one if you\u2019re less physically confident and\/or the trail\/terrain is harder. Note that whatever trail you choose, you\u2019ll need to be in reasonably good shape to enjoy backpacking; if you\u2019re not fit, you\u2019ll struggle, and even when you are, rucking with a heavy pack can be strenuous (especially if you\u2019re hiking at higher elevations). Be working out regularly and taking lots of walks in the months before you go.<\/p>\n As you select a trail using the above considerations, don\u2019t get too hung up on finding a \u201csexy\u201d trail. Something local that\u2019s flat and more pedestrian is more appropriate for a first-time trip than heading into the alpine environs where the weather and wildlife are more unpredictable and you\u2019re not acclimated to the elevation.<\/p>\n Some parks (particularly of the national variety) require getting a permit ahead of time. They typically also reserve some slots for walk-up campers, but know the regulations, and get an advanced reservation if you can.<\/p>\n With backpacking, you can hypothetically camp anywhere in a park (unless the park has particular restrictions). But practically, there aren\u2019t often a lot of good spots (i.e., flat, open areas where you can pitch a tent and make a fire) along the trail, and you\u2019ll want to make camp at the rustic-but-established campsites you\u2019ll only find in certain areas along the way. Unless there\u2019s a reservation system in place, these spots are taken by backpackers on a first-come-first-served basis, and you don\u2019t want to hike 10 miles into the mountains, get to your planned-on camping area, and find that all the good spots are occupied. So rather than taking your first backpacking trip on the weekend (especially a holiday weekend), go on a random weekday when it\u2019ll be much less crowded \u2014 like a Monday or a Tuesday.<\/p>\n Remember, the names of the game for this initial outing are enjoyment, simplicity, and low stakes. Inclement weather and very hot\/cold temps make things significantly less fun \u2014 and potentially dangerous.<\/p>\n Ideal backpacking weather resides between the low 80s for the high and above freezing for the low. The 80s may not seem too hot when you\u2019re lounging in the backyard, but when you\u2019re schlepping a heavy pack uphill with the bright alpine sun beating on you, it feels very hot indeed. 50s, in regular life, seem chilly, but again, when you\u2019re moving under weight, that actually feels perfect. When the temps dip below freezing at night, it can get pretty uncomfortable and make it hard to stay warm when you sleep, necessitating a better sleeping bag.<\/p>\n In many areas of the country, the best time to take a backpacking trip is in the shoulder seasons (spring\/fall), as the temps will be ideal, and it\u2019ll be less buggy. But there are places in the mountains where you have to wait for summer for the snow to melt and the ideal temperature range to arrive.<\/p>\n Shortly before you go on your trip, check the forecast for rain. While you can look up national parks on weather apps, with state parks, you have to make do with checking the town closest to the park; either way, remember that storms in the mountains can be unpredictable, and it will get significantly colder as you go up in elevation (dropping ~3.5 degrees F for every 1,000-foot increase). So the forecast isn\u2019t foolproof, but you can pick a day to go that looks to be almost assuredly balmy and clear. If bad weather crops up in the forecast for the day you were planning to go, reschedule for another time.<\/p>\n You do need a lot of special gear for backpacking, and backpacking gear is expensive. So for this first trip, borrow as much of it from friends and family as possible; once you\u2019ve established that this is a hobby you\u2019d like to stick with, then you can purchase your own.<\/p>\n Here are the essentials you\u2019ll need to pack:<\/p>\n Here are some things that are nice to have, but aren\u2019t essential:<\/p>\n No need to bring a toothbrush; you can skip that habit for a day (we won\u2019t tell your dentist). No need to bring contact solution either; you can sleep in your contacts for a night (we won\u2019t tell your optometrist). But if you wear contacts, do bring an extra pair, in case one pops out.<\/p>\nPlan Your Itinerary<\/u><\/h2>\n
Make it an overnight outing.<\/h2>\n
Download the AllTrails app.<\/h2>\n
Pick your route\/trail.<\/h2>\n
Get a permit\/reservation.<\/h2>\n
Go on a weekday.<\/h2>\n
Check the weather.<\/h2>\n
Gather Your Gear<\/u><\/h2>\n
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