published Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 at 9:35 pm by
Alan Henderson
If you are looking for something that can literally be a life changing experience. Having the time to pull back and enjoy nature is something that you will never forget. Backpacking is not only a hobby, but can also be a demanding sport as well. However, there is no reason that anyone cannot partake in some of the easier trails and get exercise to work themselves up to some of the more challenging backpacking trips.
When you are leaving on a backpacking trip, one of the first things that you are going to have to do is learn how to pack your bag appropriately. You will learn very quickly that you will only want to pack what you absolutely need. Carrying unnecessary items through rough trails will wear you down quickly and can end up taking some of the enjoyment out of the trip.
If you have never been on a backpacking trip, it is a combination of hiking and camping. You will move during the day and then make camp at night. That being the case, you are not only going to be carrying food supplies, you are also going to have to carry all of your sleeping gear as well. Depending upon the backpacking site that you choose, you could be moving from campsite to campsite, cabin to cabin or you may be totally on your own.
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published Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 at 10:21 pm by
Alan Henderson
Just because winter has rolled around, it is no reason to stop your backpacking trips. Winter backpacking can be a great time and as long as you know how to handle the weather and pack appropriately, it can be a truly invigorating experience. Not only that, but there will be a lot less traffic on the trail and you can truly have these beautiful settings to yourself.
Something that you will obviously want to do is to stay warm. Your clothing is a great place to start, but it may not be in the way that you think. While most people will run to the parka and the heavy sweatshirts, this is actually something that you will want to avoid unless you are backpacking in severe weather conditions. For normal trails, you will want to wear lighter layers that can be peeled off as the day goes on and then put back on as the sun goes down.
Since you are going to be on the move, your body will naturally heat up throughout the day. Believe it or not, you are not going to get as cold as you think. By wearing breathable clothing that is insulated, you can have thinner layers that will be much more effective. Some of the clothing may cost a little more, but it is better than lugging all those extra pounds around with you.
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published Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 10:19 pm by
Alan Henderson
We have all heard the stories about that fact that you have not truly lived until you have backpacked through Europe. While this was once considered something that the “hippie generation” did, people are quickly realizing that this is a great way to see the country and not really spend a lot of money.
Backpacking is a truly wonderful experience and if you enjoy backpacking where you live, why not take a trip to Europe and keep your costs down by backpacking your way across the country? This enables you to have a great vacation and not have to be concerned with a lot of the details that you normally would on a vacation. No hotel or restaurant reservations, just you and the country and nothing in between.
Europe is a beautiful part of the world, but with the economy being the way it is, traveling to Europe may not be in your budget. Between airfare, hotels and food, it could set you back quite a bit. This is why backpacking your way across Europe is such a great idea. You can keep your costs down and still enjoy everything that Europe has to offer.
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published Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 10:08 pm by
Alan Henderson
When you get into backpacking, the first thing that you are going to realize is that there is a huge variety of packs to choose from. While everyone has different tastes, the backpacks are more about functionality than anything else. While you obviously want a pack that you like, you also need to make sure that it is the right type of pack for the trip that you are taking. It is no surprise that many backpacking enthusiasts actually have several different packs in their basement.
Because there are so many suppliers, you are going to find a variety of backpacks at every price point. Whether you surf the web for the best deal or go to a storefront, you will have more than enough options in what you are looking for. If you do shop online for a better deal, you may still want to head to a store that has the same pack to make sure that it fits right and is exactly what you are looking for. This is going to be your lifeline for the duration of the trip, so shop wisely.
You will quickly realize that everything starts with your pack. The size and durability of the pack are going to dictate how many supplies you can take and what kind of load that you will have to pack. For instance, a heavy backpack with few compartments is not going to be ideal for a mountain trip that lasts a week. You go with something like that, you are just asking for trouble.
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published Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 at 9:41 pm by
Alan Henderson
Backpacking is a great experience, but if you ask someone that has packed too much stuff, they will tell you that it is one of the worst
things that you can ever do. It is not the trip that was bad, it was their lack of preparation that made the trip a negative experience. The best tip that you will ever get in regards to backpacking is to make sure that your pack is set up appropriately and that you are not carrying unnecessary items with you.
The first thing to consider when you are setting up your back is how long you are going to be going for and what type of trail you are traveling on. There are always basics that you are going to need, such as a flashlight, first aid, etc…, but if you are going on a trail that has prepared cabins, you are obviously going to pack differently that you would if you are forced to camp outdoors each night.
One of the first things that you are going to learn as you get into backpacking is that you need to pack light gear. Saving a few ounces here and a few ounces there can make all the difference. If 16 items are packed that weigh 2 ounces less than an alternative, you have just shaved 2 pounds off your pack. That may not seem like a lot, but when you are hiking 10 miles up hill, you will definitely start to feel it.
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