The best outdoors experience is to explore it by hiking and backpacking are two best ways to experience the beauty with your own eye. From walking on trails to hiking up hills and exploring the deep jungle, the possibilities are limitless with the help of best 15 hiking and backpacking tips for beginners.
But for the beginners who always wish to go for hiking and backpacking, Here are the best 15 hiking and backpacking tips. Which will help you make the most out of your backpacking and hiking tips and make sure you’ll have a safe hike. As people quote, failure to prepare is preparing to fail
Read the following tips to learn about backpacking and hiking that will make your next outing a great experience
Know The Area Before hiking and backpacking
Planning Trip:
There are guide books guidebooks which are easily available for every region or you can refer to Internet. These guidebooks explain everything about the destinations like exactly how to get to the trail, how long the trail is. And what all you will see along the way.
Understand The Area:
It is very important to understand the area in which you are planning for backpacking. Things like weather conditions, what animals and plants you will encounter in the area. All this information are easily available in the front section of guidebook.
Climate Knowledge:
weather can be you enemy in the trail, so check the weather forecast about the area before leaving. It is my recommendation avoid hiking in monsoon season and at the time of heavy snowfall. Both season may lead you to wrong directions and you may stuck.
Way to Get Back:
don’t just depend on GPS, compass or map while coming back to home, trail looks different from the opposite side. You will find trail diverting toward multiple path or you may see intersection of trails. To better tackle these type of situation you can put a landmark while going up for hike. Whenever you changed the trail you can put some stones or cut marks on trees. These trick is often used in trekking.
Keep Enough Food and Water/Track Your Nutrition Intake while hiking and backpacking
Of packing enough food is Avery Common mistake done by hikers. You should always pack enough food as per your body requirements.
Your body burn food to energized itself, and a hiking trip requires a lot of energy to walk. Focusing on foods like cereal, fruits, granola, or trail mix. Peanut butter also a great lunch option with protein. Sandwiches of pack cheeses and hard meat, as they last better. I recommend Carrying candies and protein bar is very helpful while hiking. It will give you instant energy for you body.
Dinner is the main area of problem because after reaching you might want to setup you camp and sleep but never do this mistake as you have to hike next day as well for which body require energy and recovery.
Trust me, your body will thanks in the morning! For dinner you can choose some instant cook option like rice or ramen or smashed Potatoes. You can also go for tin food.
Water should be in you first priority in the checklist. Average body requires 3-4 liters of water in a day but when you hike your body will ask for more so better Know what and where the water sources are along your trail, and make sure you take a hydration break while refilling water container. This will make your water supply last longer. Water treatment is must If you are using stream water as your supply. You should boil the water and kill all microorganisms before drinking. There are other water treatment sources are easily available in the marketing like water treatment tablets or portable water treatment portable machine.
No Overpacking
over packing is a common mistake made by many new backpackers. It may be tempting to stuff extra supplies or luxury items bag, but it is very important to realize that every pound of weight counts.
Your backpack might feel light in beginning, but after miles into your hike you’ll feel like you are carrying a bag of stones. As exhaustion sets in, it will be more more difficult for your shoulder to carry same amount of weight. Only pack what is necessary and find the lightest option in all category.
Water is the only supply in which you cannot cut the weight. You should carry water as ,I h as possible so it’s better cut the weight in other supplies.
Chances are, you will be crossing a long and rough terrain. Each mile consists of approx 2,300 steps, so plan accordingly. Carry less clothes; carry light sleeping bag and tent and try to carry few pieces of cookware as per the requirement.
Stay Dry
While pitching your tent, do not pitch on a low spot in a valley or camp within 300 feet of a water source. Flat ground is best for pitching up a tent, but make sure there is proper water drainage.
A wet sleeping bag can spoil your outdoor trip. Crawling into a soggy wet sleeping bag is not a good idea. Wrap your sleeping bag in waterproof container, even if you backpack is waterproof.A plastic trash bag is recommended for covering sleeping bag. Make sure to invest some money on waterproof map, as well.
Pick Comfortable Footwear Hiking and Backpacking
Footwear is the weapon of hiking you should select your footwear wisely and go for light comfortable and durable shoes. Choosing wrong shoes will cause you blister or it can run against your back of you leg. As a advice never wear new shoes on hiking or trekking it is better to wear it for 10 days at home so it can adjust according to your feet.
Wear comfortable ventilated, yet padded cotton socks And we suggest bringing along few extra pair of socks to change as the ones you are hiking in will get moist fast while hiking for miles. Moisture softens the skin and will make it more prone to cuts, blisters and sores if not kept dry. Consider changing of socks twice a day will help your feet to stay dry.
Store Food Properly
Proper packing of food helps your food to stay longer along with that it helps animals to stay out from you campsite who are looking for easy meal.
With proper food storage and hanging food out of the reach of animals, you can minimize the risk of losing food while sleeping.
Waterproof Your Backpack
There are variety of waterproof backpacks are easily available in the market or you can opt of rain cover which also helps. I prefer to use rain cover even if my backpack is waterproof because few bag are not come up with waterproof Ziplock.
Do Practice
Do not go for a long day hike if you are a beginner. Try few half day hike before heading up for the long trail. Practicing I’m small trail will help you in gain the stamina for long trail and also helps you in understanding you walking pace. Take a note of you pace of walking which will help you in reaching in time on long trails.
These smaller excursions will develop your skills when you are closer to home, where it is safe. If any problem arise, help is around you.
If Possible, Use an Established Campsite
Look for the establish campaign sites as a beginning which will easy you night stay and search of campsites and water. This will also develop confidence in yourself for hiking and sleeping alone at night. There You can also meet other experienced hikers and gain some motivation and lesson for your long day hikes.
Get a Good Headlamp
For camping at night light is must to see what you are doing or to search things. Depending on fire light is this century is not a good idea when you have the option of flash lights or headlamp. Not only I. Finding you way back to home at night it also helps in sending emergency signals for help. It is my recommendation to carry one headlamp and one small flash light (dynamo flash light). With it carry backup batteries for your light just in case your current battery lost the power.
Practice Before hiking and backpacking
Practicing means both physical and technical training you must do before hitting the trail. As a part of physical training you can go for Regular jog and 30 mintiest freehand workout it will not only boost your stamina but also make you fit for trails. And in technical training you should practice how to pitch tent at your backyard and make sure you check and inspect all your equipment multiple times before using it into wild.
Know the Rules
Many campsites are monitored by local authorities and it has some rules and regulations. You make sure you inquire all rules and regulations before heading. Rules like permission for campaign, campsite zone, if is there any fee or any other things you should be aware of before entering the territory.
If you took the finial decision to go for a back packing hike make sure you follow all the above instruction before leaving and help yourself in not committing any mistakes which will take you away from a successful backpacking hike.
Emergency kit for hiking and backpacking
You should keep a small box of emergency kit box with basic things like bandages, antiseptic liquid, mosquitoes repellent, Swiss knife, whistle (it helps in emergency call), paracetamol, cotton, cramp bandage and wound healer. You can take these under the guidance of your parents or doctor. Emergency kit is an important essential which you should carry in all types of trips. These can helpful for you or for others in panic situation.
Now Enjoy the Outdoors!
I hope the above hiking and backpacking tips helps you in planning your first trip in the wood. Outdoor can be a wounded to explore but it can also be dangerous. If you facing difficulties in learning all the techniques below are 10 checklist you can note down and do check before going for hike.
Best 15 Hiking and Backpacking Tips For Beginners Check List:
- Navigation aids: trail write-up, topographic map, GPS receiver and compass.
- Sun protection
- Insulation: jacket, hat, rain coat or poncho, gloves
- Illumination: head lamp, flash light and batteries
- First-aid supplies
- Repair kit and tools: Multi-tool and duct tape.
- Fire starters
- Extra nutrition
- Hydration
- Emergency shelter: Space blankets
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