Backpacking — meaning carrying everything you'll need overnight on your back into the wilderness — is one of the most rewarding things you can do outdoors. It's also one of the easiest things to do badly the first time. Here's how to do it well.
Pick the right first trip
The mistake is going too big. The right first trip is:
- 2 nights, 3 days max
- 5-8 miles per day, mostly flat
- A campsite at a lake or river (water access matters)
- Within 2 hours' drive of a major city (so escape is possible)
- A trail with established camp sites (not bushwhacking)
Examples: a section of the Appalachian Trail near you. Olympic National Park's Hoh River Trail. Sequoia National Park's Lakes Trail. Yosemite's Cathedral Lakes.
Pack for weight, then trim
Aim for a total pack weight of 20% of your body weight or less — including water and food. For most adults, that's 25-35 pounds.
The big-three weight items: tent, sleeping bag, backpack. Spend the most money here. Modern lightweight gear can save 5+ pounds vs. older gear.
Practice the kit before the trip
- Pitch the tent in your living room. Twice.
- Light the stove and boil water in your backyard.
- Sleep one night in the bag in the backyard. Confirm it's warm enough.
- Wear the boots on at least 20 miles of dayhikes before the overnight.
The mental discipline
Things go wrong. Rain falls when forecast clear. Stoves stop working. You get lost on a side trail. The seasoned backpacker's response is: stop, breathe, think. Almost no backcountry problem is solved by hurrying.
The bring-extra rule
- Always carry a spare day's food
- Always have a backup water purification method
- Always carry a headlamp + spare batteries
- Always carry duct tape (10 ft on a trekking pole)
- Always carry a paper map of the area
The first backpacking trip teaches you what you don't need. The second teaches you what you do.
Beginner-ready kit: tents, sleeping bags, backpacks.