| There are some things to consider before you | | | | test it out and learn how to use them. |
| start backpacking for the first time. Beginners | | | | The most important backpacking gear is your |
| need to know about backpacking equipment, gear, | | | | hiking boots. It's important that your hiking boots |
| supplies and essentials. | | | | are comfortable so having a perfect fit in the first |
| Backpacking can turn into a horrifying experience | | | | place and breaking them in later is crucial. |
| if you're not prepared with the basics. | | | | The best way to break in your hiking boots is to |
| Backpacking can be done in either urban areas or | | | | take on short hikes with a full load. At the same |
| in the wilderness or a mixture of both and the | | | | time it's a good time to test your hiking/camping |
| requirements of backpacking equipment and gear | | | | backpacking gear including your backpack. |
| are different as well as the planning. | | | | See if your clothing is too hot or too cold for you |
| Common tips for Beginners | | | | or if they pose any other problems like 'riding up' |
| There are some backpacking tips that apply to | | | | and rubbing against your skin. |
| both the wilderness and civilization. | | | | Test your backpack whether they're comfortable |
| Here they are: | | | | or not. Try all the straps and identify which ones |
| - Break in your hiking boots by taking them for | | | | help distribute the load better. |
| short hikes. | | | | Take your backpacking equipment a gear testing |
| - Test your backpack clothing to check if they'll | | | | not just on smooth walkways but also on uneven |
| be comfortable for you by using them on short | | | | ground going uphill and downhill to maximize |
| hikes. Fully load your backpack with all you need | | | | testing. This will also toughen up your feet and |
| for the backpacking trip and take them on short | | | | reduce the chances of blistering when you go for |
| hikes to test for comfort and to find out which | | | | the real trip and at same time improves your |
| of the straps does a better job in distributing the | | | | strength and fitness which is crucial for a good |
| load. | | | | backpacking trip. |
| - Test and learn how to use your camping | | | | Learn and practice how to use all of your hiking |
| equipment including camping stove, water filter, | | | | and camping equipment so that you are more |
| camping tents, GPS, altimeter and headlamps. | | | | prepared for less than ideal situations. |
| - Get your body in shape because backpacking | | | | Use a camping list or camping checklist and pack |
| can get very nasty if you're not fit. | | | | your hiking/camping gear and equipment early so |
| - Travelling light is oftentimes much more | | | | that you can make sure that you don't miss any |
| enjoyable than having too much on your | | | | backpacking essentials including the first aid kit, |
| backpack. | | | | personal medicine and safety and emergency |
| Backpacking in Urban Areas for Beginners | | | | equipment. |
| Traditionally, backpacking is a cheap way to get | | | | Pack heavier equipment close to your body so as |
| from one place to another. It involves more than | | | | to avoid your load from pulling away and make |
| just walking and hiking. | | | | the backpack feel heavier than it is. Rain gear and |
| Historically it's a cheap form of travel. Though it is | | | | a waterproof enclosure containing extra layers, |
| an enjoyable experience, it's more of an education | | | | gloves and hat should be kept at the top of your |
| than a vacation. | | | | backpack where it is easily accessible. |
| You're likely to experience a lot more of the | | | | Your clothing and sleeping bag should also be in a |
| important stuff when you're backpacking than | | | | waterproof enclosure so that it stays dry even |
| when you're just using some kind of modern | | | | when your backpack is underwater. |
| transportation. | | | | Other things that need to dry include electronic |
| An hours' travel by car can mean a whole day or | | | | equipment like laptops, cameras and camcorders, |
| like 2 or more if you're backpacking but a | | | | personal essentials such as toilet paper and daily |
| backpacker also experiences a lot more. | | | | essentials like snacks, compass, pocket knife, |
| Backpackers see a whole lot more than the | | | | maps and guidebooks, sunscreen and insect |
| normal tourist. They mingle with local people and | | | | repellents. Pack these in the outer pocket of your |
| witness what real life is really like at a certain | | | | backpack as you are likely to use them more. |
| place. It's like you're living there for some time. | | | | Water bottles should be kept upright and should |
| There is a sense of community as you stay in a | | | | be easily accessible as well. Your camping tent can |
| backpacker's hostel or lodge where you'll meet | | | | strapped to the outside of your backpack |
| other like-minded individuals sharing the rooms, | | | | including the tent poles. |
| kitchen, toilet, lounge are, etc. | | | | The first aid kit should be kept where the |
| Backpacking is about travelling with a small budget | | | | contents can be secure yet is still easily accessible. |
| and to avoid the risk of theft backpackers don't | | | | For beginners, choosing which camping food to |
| usually carry expensive electronic equipment. | | | | bring could be a problem. Unfortunately the best |
| The rising trend is backpacking with a big budget, | | | | way to determine which kinds of food is right for |
| staying in lavish accommodations and carrying | | | | you to bring camping or backpacking is by trial |
| expensive equipment such as laptops and PDAs | | | | and error. Take some advice here and there and |
| especially for young generations to satisfy their | | | | see if it works for you. |
| need to stay connected. | | | | To be safe, base your decisions on taste, |
| Backpacking in Rural Areas or the Wild | | | | nutritional value, weight, ease of preparation and |
| In some places, having a big budget doesn't help. | | | | packaging. A favorite among hikers and |
| Small villages and towns may not be able to offer | | | | backpackers are dehydrated food which are light, |
| lavish accommodations other than the | | | | have good nutritional value and also taste good. |
| backpacker's hostel and sometimes not even that | | | | Hiking has been long considered as one of the |
| equipment such as laptops and blackberries may | | | | most effective ways to increase your fitness and |
| be rendered useless especially in you are | | | | it can be grueling. |
| backpacking in the wilderness. | | | | Good preparation of backpacking equipment and |
| Backpacking Gear | | | | gear and researching the place where you're going |
| The initial cost can be quite high if you are | | | | to explore as well as keeping yourself in shape will |
| backpacking in the wild especially you are hiking | | | | help you go through the expedition with minimal |
| and camping as camping equipment like sleeping | | | | problems. |
| bags (especially down) and camping tents can get | | | | At the same time backpacking can be highly |
| quite expensive. | | | | satisfying so if you're thinking of going |
| Backpacking, for beginners, also requires a lot | | | | backpacking, do it, it can be the most memorable |
| more preparation and research. Care should be | | | | days of your life. |
| taken in preparing equipment and you need to | | | | |