Backpacking
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Overview
Backpacking is an ancient form of backcountry travel, originally practiced for the purpose of getting from point A to point B, but more recently practiced for recreation and an opportunity for a multi-day escape from civilization. The multi-day part of backpacking is the critical part. This is what separates this form of hiking from day hiking.
Backpackers travel on foot during the day, and sleep in backcountry camps at night. Some backpackers travel at a leisurely pace, stopping often along the way, taking long lunch breaks, lounging on beaches and mountain peaks and enjoying every minute of it. Other backpackers, on the other hand, seem to fly from peak to peak, skimming through deep valleys, and stopping only long enough to filter fresh water from the occasional stream before getting back on the trail. They enjoy every minute of their trips, too.
Alone or With Friends
Whether you hike alone or with friends is a matter of both personal preference and availability.
Alone
Advantages
- You always get to travel at your own pace.
- You get to stop whenever you want.
- You get time alone with your thoughts.
Disadvantages
- You have to carry all the gear which would otherwise be shared (tent, stove, etc).
- In an emergency, unless it's a well-traveled trail, you'll be on your own.
- You might get too much time alone with your thoughts.
With Friends
Advantages
- Your pack weight goes down, since you can split up some gear.
- In an emergency, you have help.
- You have companionship. This is especially nice if you're stuck in a tent for days in bad weather
Disadvantages
- You need to compromise on pace, breaks, etc.
- Your tentmate might snore.
- If you're stick in a tent for days in bad weather, your tentmate might drive you insane.
Backpacking With Kids
Backpacking with kids can be a great family experience, as long as you remember that your kids may need to set the pace.
Younger Kids
Young kids are usually perfectly capable of walking 10 miles in a day, but not all at once. They'll need to take lots of breaks, and they'll need to explore everything along the way. They can also carry their own pack, although they're only going to be able to carry about 10% - 20% of their own weight, so you'll probably have to carry some of their gear. Do give them a pack, though. It'll make them feel like big kids, and get them used to it for later in life.
Older Kids
By the time your kids are teenagers, they can generally carry all their own personal gear, often including their share of food. Again, stick to a max of 10% - 20% of their weight for total pack weight, including water. Depending on the kids, you may find it's best to let them go ahead of you now and then. As long as you've taught them proper navigation and emergency skills, and they have a full compliment of gear, there's nothing wrong with letting them go ahead to a designated point, say the next lake, beach, etc, then wait there for you. This will let them travel at their own speed, while still letting you travel at your's. Everyone will enjoy the trip more.
Backpacking With Dogs
A well-behaved dog can safely go backpacking with you in most (but not all) areas. Be sure to check park regulations. Dogs can even carry much of their own gear, using specially-designed dog backpacks. As with anyone else, you need to slowly get the dog used to the pack, and be very careful with total pack weight. Some dogs can carry a lot. Some, none at all. Check with your vet.
If traveling in an area with hot springs, such as Yellowstone National Park, be sure to keep your dog on a short leash at all times, as many dogs have died after jumping into hot springs.
You'll also need to be careful backpacking, or even day hiking, with dogs in any area with new wildlife. Attacking a skunk can be unpleasant for everyone. Attacking a porcupine is always painful, and can be deadly, if far from the trailhead. One kick from a moose can kill.
Physical Requirements
Backpackers routinely carry 30-40 pounds in their pack for distances of 10 miles (16km) or more in a day. Sleeping is done on relatively hard ground. You could be exposed to extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, and water shortages. Sometimes, all those things will even happen on the same trip. Before you go out backpacking, be sure to spend some time day hiking, including time with your frame pack, loaded up to full weight. The better shape you're in before you start, the more you'll enjoy the trip.
Locations
Traditionally, backpacking was done in large parks. A growing trend, however, is for parks, communities, even multiple states and countries to get together, connecting trails together, sometimes for hundreds of miles. One of the first was the Appalachian Trail, so well known among hikers that it's often simply called "The AT." The Rails to Trails program has also opened up approximately 14,000 miles (22,000 km) of trails to the public, and continue to do so at an amazing pace. Throw in single-trail projects, like the North Country Trail, a 4600 mile (7360 km) trail from New York to North Dakota, and there's likely to be plenty of opportunity for backpacking anywhere there's backcountry.
Skills
Backpacking is mostly just walking, so there's not a lot of additional skills required. A few additional skills are required, and others are optional. Different trails and climates may require additional skills.
Required Skills
Additional Skills
