Backpacking guide for beginners

This article would enlighten you on all the necessary stuff you would need for your hiking trips as a beginner.

The necessary items have been shortlisted below:

• Backpack

• Hiking boots or shoes

• Portable canvas shelter

• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

• Stove and fuel

• Kitchen supplies

• Excess foodstuffs

• Water bottles and water-treatment supplies

• Appropriate clothing that would suit the trip and the weather

• Emergency and hygiene supplies

• Small repair kit

Below are some tips that would prepare you for your first trip:

1. Choose an easy destination:Short overnight hikes close to home are best.

We recommend that beginners go for brief hikes not too far from their homes. The most important thing is how interest or boring their adventure was. Difficult hikes make the adventure boring while simple hikes offer you enough time to study the entire area.

2. Get essential gear and clothing: you want to economize fund, you could hire or beg for gear.

You can minimize fund by hiring the most expensive substances like a portable canvas shelter, sleep sack, cushion, etc. ensure the suit you appropriately and also pack your personal belongings.

Your backpack should be weightless and compact. If you decide to hike with a friend, you would have to keep apart your portable canvas shelter, cooker, and pots. This article has shortlisted some very important items you would require for your mountain climbing trip.

Tent:  We recommend you share your portable canvas shelter or tent because a two-person tent is less heavy than two one-person tents. A three season’s tent is recommended for starters.

Backpack: For a hired backpack, try it on to ensure it fits appropriately before embarking on any hiking trip. Put different items in it, ensure it weighs about 30 pounds and then goes for a long mountain climbing to ascertain if you would be comfortable with the backpack and its contents. But if you want to purchase your backpack, ensure an REI pack guru estimates your body physique to ascertain if the pack would suit it. Beginners shouldn’t go for an ultralight model.  A deluxe model is better because it is well padded and has a more supportive structure.

Sleeping bag: Before you purchase a sleeping bag, check out the merits and demerits of down fills and synthetic fills. The weather condition should also be taken into consideration. The synthetic bag is preferable for beginners because it is more flexible and cheaper than the down fill bags.

Sleeping pad: the Sleeping pad is essential for a splendid night’s rest. There are several kinds of sleeping pads; you have the insulated air pads, self-inflating pads, closed-cell foam pads. – A closed cell pad is more economical and essential for individuals who can sleep comfortably on hard surfaces. A self-inflating pad is the most comfortable sleeping pad.

Stove:  A single-burner camp stove is very light and appropriate for starters. Before purchasing any cooker, you should examine the fuel types. Most starters prefer the gas-canister stove because they are quite cheap and simple to use. Don’t forget to take along a container with the appropriate fuel for your stove.

3. Plan your food: Pack foods that are simple to prepare. Don’t forget to include snacks that would satisfy you.

Kitchen supplies:  Endeavor to go with enough kitchen utensils and feed adequately. Don’t forget to include soap and sponge for the plates. A small towel is also important.

Water treatment:  It is very important you purify the water in the wilds before making use of it. You could pack a very light filter or use chemical treatments to purify your water.

4. Be prepared for your trip: Ensure that you back all that is essential for your trip.

What kind of clothes to bring?

Pack clothes that you are very comfortable in, most especially clothes made of nylon and polyester that dry easily. Do not go with cotton clothes.

Your backpacking clothing should be grouped into layers: pack the following clothing into your backpack

• Next-to-skin: This kind of clothes keeps you warm the entire day.

• Hiking layers: This includes your pants, must be made of nylon, sun hats, and shirts, t-shirts.

• Insulation:  Turgid jackets, weightless bodysuit, mitten, and head warmers.

• Rainwear:  A raincoat is essential, and they are also good at prohibiting mosquito bites.

You could invite a friend who isn’t a beginner to accompany you. But the essence of this article is to assist you with or without your friend’s expertise. Going with a friend makes the adventure more interesting.

What Shoes to Bring?

Your shoes are essential for a favorable hiking trip. Your feet must be kept comfortable. Some individuals are more comfortable in over-the-ankle boots while some others prefer weightless track running shoes.

Clean your boots before hiking. Use socks made of synthetic or wool: pack extremely light shoes or water shoes for places where there is water.

This article is essential for starters.