Five Beginner Tips for Trying Out Backcountry Camping
By Kieran Dunch
So, you’ve seen pictures like this on social media, or read a blog, or seen Into the Wild and you’re thinking “huh, I want to do that”. Great! You’ve completed the first step to making your backcountry camping dreams a reality.
The benefits of backcountry camping are numerous, with increasing numbers of people trying it out for the first time. Post-Covid, folks are clambering for more ways to enjoy their outdoor life in the fullest way they can. One question remains for city dwellers looking to step into the wild, maybe for the first time: How do I start? I’ve brought together the five pieces of advice I give to anyone interested in trying backcountry camping.
1. Start small
It’s a human tendency to look at a new hobby and step right in. Generally the rule is the harder a hike is, the less people will be doing it, and the bigger the payoff, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case for new hikers choosing an ambitious first trip. There are many factors at play your first time hiking, but my primary concern with a new hiker is their physical capacity. Surprisingly, it is the new hikers who consider themselves the most physically fit who find trouble on the trail by overestimating their ability. The last thing you want to do is start too ambitiously and find yourself struggling to finish the hike. Start slow, and go from there.
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Choose a small overnight hike to start- this gives you a chance to experiment and get used to the many different aspects of hiking.
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Plan a trip that will be primarily fun, not challenging. Trust me, once you have the practice, the challenge will find YOU!
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Stay close to home- This is optional, but choosing a spot that is easy to get to from your home will give you a larger security net in case something goes wrong, or even if the weather turns.
2. Don’t invest too much money into your hobby too early
Another common tendency I see is new hikers picking up and investing in the most expensive gear for their first trip. Once they are on the trail, they realize too late that they didn’t need half of the stuff they bought, or even that backpacking is not for them. Now they have a problem of lost income dedicated to starting out with the ‘best’ equipment. There are complaints that the economic barrier for entry into backpacking and backcountry camping is far too step for those without a sizeable income. Although I agree, it doesn’t have to be this way. I recommend starting your collection small with the important essentials worth looking into, and build your collection slowly from there. Here are some other ways to cut costs:
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Rent equipment- A good number of outdoor stores offer rentals on their best equipment. Do this to get a taste of a piece of equipment you have your eye on, or are dipping your toes in hiking and backpacking.
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Borrow from a friend if you can- Experienced hikers are some of the most generous people when it comes to helping out newbies. Give it a shot!
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Invest in one or two pieces of equipment that can last you a long time, or are multiple use. That way you can own a small collection of gear to build over time.
3. Do your research
Once you have a destination or hike in mind, be sure to put the time in doing your research. You should know exactly what you are getting into when it comes to elevation gain, distance and time hiking. You really can’t know too much about your destination. I recommend finding multiple sources for your information, hiking books and blogs are a great place to start. Try and find trail reports from someone in your difficulty level to avoid surprises. Someone’s ‘easy’ might be your ‘impossible’, especially starting out. No matter what, be sure to give someone else a trip itinerary in case of an emergency.
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Collect information, noting the hike distance, time hiking, elevation gain and difficulty level.
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Plan as well as you can. Research includes a checklist of supplies, menu planning and daily hiking schedule.
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bring a map, an itinerary , and emergency supplies. Hopefully this one makes sense as is.
4. Bring a friend
Don’t go alone on your first trip. It takes hikers a decent amount of skill to do solo trips, and a primary reason for this is first aid. An easily avoidable situation can become very difficult or painful without a hiking partner. I suggest finding someone who is at a similar level to you, or even someone who is a bit more advanced. Having an experienced friend walk you through your first trip can be very rewarding, and it can help you save $$$ by using their prime equipment instead of buying your own. Having a partner of your own skill is important too, and if it goes well, you might be making yourself a hiking buddy for life!
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Choose someone you can work well with- backpacking can be stressful enough without interpersonal issues coming up when it starts to pour rain!
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Bring someone experienced- try not to plan a trip with someone else who hasn’t tried out backpacking before, go with someone who can teach you more about backpacking as you go!
5. Pack the Ten Essentials
The Ten Essentials are a very well known list of must-haves on any backcountry trip. Take these with you to stay prepared for most situations. Here they are:
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Navigation (map & compass or GPS)
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat)
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Insulation (warm clothing)
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Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
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First-aid supplies
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Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
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Repair kit and tools
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Nutrition (usually a day’s extra food, less for an overnight trip)
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Hydration (plenty of water)
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Emergency shelter (plastic tube tent/garbage bag)
Start small, gain experience and grow! Backpacking is one of the most rewarding hobbies to get into, and with the right tools and knowledge it can be a great hobby for you, too! What do you consider the key ingredients to a successful hike?