Lifestyle

What I Wish I Knew Before Setting Out On My First Backpacking Adventure

There is a reason why so many people like embarking on different adventures, and some can’t even live without that adrenaline rush. With the mundane routines of our daily lives and the endless loops we find ourselves in, going on an adventure is a lifeline –– an out from the mediocrity of the normal and a chance to experience something new.

While people will have different preferences when it comes to thrill-seeking, backpacking is an adventure in its rawest form. You delve into the unknown, on foot, with nothing on you but a backpack and your survival skills. But so you could learn from my mistakes, there are some things I wish I knew before my first time backpacking.

IMAGE: PEXELS

Pack Lightly

This isn’t exactly an airport, and there isn’t an airport trolley to carry your luggage for you. Your backpack is yours to carry, and yours alone. The biggest and first mistake most first-time backpackers do is overpack, and it never ends well.

You’ll literally feel the weight of each item on your shoulders, so you really need to be selective because there’s no point in straining yourself. Lose any extra clothes that you probably won’t wear, and make sure to pack only the essentials. It will make your life so much easier, and your back will thank you for it.

Notify Friends And Loved Ones

Backpacking is an adventure, and it’s quite a challenging one, too. You never really know how it will end, though you always hope it will end well. So, you need to notify your friends and loved ones of where exactly you’re going, and what trails you’re going to be using. This is a very important step because it ensures that people close to you will know where to find you in the event that you get lost, injured, or worse. Nobody likes to expect the worst, but you should plan for it nonetheless.

Get The Right Gear

A lot of different factors play into the success of your backpacking trip, but none is as important as getting the right gear. From your GPS and tents to your own backpack, every piece matters and contributes to the adventure going smoothly, or failing miserably. The reviews on Gear Signal aim to give you that knowledge about backpacking gear, and how to choose them.

It is crucial that you read what more experienced backpackers have to say about gear that worked for them, and those that didn’t, because it will help you settle on which to buy. No one wants to spend money on poor equipment that they’ll have to change a few months later. So, it’s better to listen to the professionals to get it right from the first time.

Relax

Planning is important and everything, but spontaneity is at the heart of backpacking, so you can’t afford to get frustrated every time things don’t go your way. The itinerary is going to change several times, and you’ll find yourself bunking in a tent as opposed to your initial plan to stay in a hostel for the night. To really make the most out of your journey and enjoy yourself, let go and be flexible. You’ll find that your trip is much more enjoyable then.

Clothing Matters

At the end of the day, this isn’t a fashion show, and selecting clothing, shouldn’t really be based on how good they look, but rather how functional they are. It goes without saying that you must select weather appropriate clothes to get you through different conditions. But the materials of the clothes also matter; stay away from cotton because when you sweat, it will really make your life miserable. Get wool socks and decent hiking boots for those long treks, and pack raincoats if it might rain.

Don’t Forget Sanitary Products

You really don’t want to know what it’s like to go on a backpacking trip without basic sanitary products. You’re going to be camping a lot, and that entails using nature as your own bathroom quite often. Without wipes, soap, some source of water, and the rest of those products, your trip can come to an abrupt end on account of many things, and it will not be fun.

Going backpacking might be the most adventurous thing you’ll ever do, and once you get a taste of it, you’ll always go back for more. But you need to do it right so you could have a good time, and that means planning and packing carefully. It also helps if you go with an experienced person for the first time, as they’ll show you the ropes and help you get the hang of things.

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