Getting Started
Planning a backpacking trip can feel intimidating, but thoughtful preparation empowers you to detach from the city and dive into nature. Below is a list of items and considerations to take into account when planning a trip.
If you're backpacking for the first time I recommend taking the easy route and going with some experienced friends for just a couple nights. I suggest keeping your hike under 5 miles with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It can be pretty tough figuring out just how much gear to bring or how hard it is to hike up that squiggly trail on the map. If you do need extra help or forget something, a knowledgeable friend by your side is priceless.
Route Planning
Choosing Your Destination
What are you craving the most? Granite mountain top views? A warm lakeside campground? Wildflower bonanza? Quiet seclusion? Once you know what you want, it's time to start digging into your options.
After word of mouth, backpacking books have been my go to resource for discovering my next trip. Trip information is thorough, illustrated, and well-vetted. These books serve as a catalogue helping you dial in the right trip for your location, tastes, abilities, and season.
In addition to checking the web, I recommend calling in advance to the local ranger station. You can ask for up-to-date information on trail conditions such as snow, downed bridges, or mosquitos. Forest rangers are super helpful and have all the information you need.
Mileage & Altitude Gain
Be sure to evaluate the difficulty of the trip ahead of time, which is well represented by the mileage and elevation change. Familiar hikes that you’ve been on before can serve as a reference when compared against your prospective trip and help you determine how far you want to hike. Reviewing an elevation profile map can help you plan out your hike and understand where the trail is most challenging.
Weather
Reviewing the weather forecast can help set realistic expectations and influence what clothing and gear to bring. I visit these websites frequently before the trip:
Water Crossings
Reviewing the map ahead of time will help you understand water availability during the hike in and while at camp. A few pounds can be saved by filtering water along the way rather than carrying it on your back.
Backpacking State of Mind
Backpacking offers a bounty of challenges that counterbalance the distracting luxuries of modern civilization. Going out into the wild is as much about what you’re exposed to as what you’re not. Being forced to go on a material and tech diet creates space to explore the quieter areas of nature and your psyche. Once the comforts of the city are left behind, you become more intimate with your gear, hiking partners, and yourself. So this being said, prepare to leave your comfort zone from time to time and embrace simplicity.