Camping Resources

How to Plan a Backpacking Trip

Backpacking trips are gaining popularity as a great way to spend an afternoon, an overnight or even a few months. Regardless of how long you want to go for, there’s a lot of planning that goes into a backpacking trip. These simple steps can help you plan your backpacking trip and get you to the trail heads fast.

Determine what trail you want to hike and how long you want to go for. Websites such as hikingandbackpacking.com and backpacker.com are excellent places to start your search. They break the trails up into states and have all of the contact information for each trail. The Backpacker.com also has reviews from fellow hikers, which make picking a trip easier.
Find the right supplies for your trip. Regardless of how long your backpacking trip is, a lightweight pack is essential. Also acquire a lightweight sleeping bag and tent if you’re spending even one night on the trail.
Create a meal plan and cater for at least one extra meal. Even if you’re planning on a day hike, take extra food along in case you get lost or are hungrier than you thought you’d be. Keep your meals easy, quick to prepare and lightweight. Also, don’t forget to pack a stove if any of your food requires cooking.
Make or buy a first aid kit that includes adhesive bandages, matches or a lighter, a small knife, scissors, gauze bandages, rubber gloves, tweezers and a cold pack.
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a flashlight or headlamp on your backpacking trip. These aren’t essential to your survival, but you don’t want to be caught without them.
Pack extra warm clothing and water. In lieu of extra water, you can pack water purifying tablets and a water filter if you’re sure of finding water on your backpacking trail.

Tips & Warnings

Make sure that your sleeping bag is rated for at least -30 degrees if you plan to do any winter hiking or hiking in the mountains.
If you’re a beginning hiker, start with a short, day hike and work your way up from there. Also look for trails that are rated easy or moderate.

Backpacking Check List

On any trip in the great outdoors you have to plan ahead and make sure you leave nothing behind. Our list is a starting point for the thinking process in preparation for any trip. Make and modify your lists based on backpacking equipment, as well as:

How long the trip will be
Can you share common gear
Weather conditions (but be prepared for unexpected conditions, too!)
Weight of the pack after you finish loading
What doesn’t fit into the pack as you finish loading it that’s necessary
Sleeping Bag or light weight blankets depending on time of the year

Print the list out if it looks helpful to you and then customize it to your personal needs/preferences. But don’t take all of the following stuff!

Camping with Children

Baby Swing
Backpack carriers
Bottles/sippy-cups
Wipes

Emergency gear:

Mirror & whistle
Spare glasses
Waterproof/windproof matches
Compass/maps
Duct tape
Seam sealer
Emergency blanket
Solar battery charger
Spare batteries
Swiss Army knife
Flashlight & headband
Garbage bags (2) (tie type) (pack covers, etc.)

First Aid Supplies

Wilderness Medicine (First Aid book)
Small first aid kit
Gauze
Moleskin/molefoam
Q-tips
Anti-gas pills
Snake bite kit
Advil or Tylenol
Lip balm
Sun block (25)

If you fish:

Fishing pole/lures
Teflon fry pan
Filet knife

Health/personal toiletries:

Water filter
Water bottles
Toothbrush/toothpaste
deodorant/soap
Pack towels (2)
Trowel/TP
DEET repellent
Iodine tablets
Eyeglass strap
Medications/vitamins

Cooking:

Cook set
Pot lifter
Matches
Cup
Utensils
Stove
Spare gas/ cartridge
Trash bags (for toting out your garbage)

Sleeping gear:

Tent/ground cloth
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Mattress

Clothing:

Sweatshirt with hood
Water/wind-proof shell
Hiking shorts
T-shirts
Hat
Hiking boots/trail runners
Socks
Undies

Food Ideas

Freeze-dried food
Vegetables
Raisins
Bread/crackers
Apples
Candy/gum
Soup

How much and what should you carry in the pack?

Are you going out for exercise? Then carrying extra stuff is part of the “workout.” Are you going out to have a good time and take it easy? Then perhaps certain luxury items are just that — a luxury.

How much food do you want to eat or carry? Are you a minimalist or extremist? You probably don’t even know and won’t know until you’ve done a few trips.

How many miles will you be covering each day? Will the terrain be flat or involve some steep climbs? What condition are you in? How many are in your group to share common whole-group items? What will the weather probably be like? Will you encounter ice, a river or creek to cross?

Look at the checklist above again and scratch out stuff you obviously don’t need or don’t yet possess. Also add things you want. Then see if it all fits in your pack. If not (and it probably won’t the 1st time!) remove items until it all fits. Then try it on to see if it’s too heavy. Lastly,keep a written list of stuff you should have brought or should have left behind.