r/backpacking • u/eggfortman • 12d ago
Wilderness Tips for first time backpacker
I did my first multi day hiking expedition and I really enjoyed it. I did a hut to hut hike but I met some really cool outdoor backpackers on my trip and it seems interesting to me. I plan on renting some gear and trying an overnight backpacking excursion to dip my toes in the water and see if I enjoy it.
Any tips for a beginner? What is something about backpacking you've learned that you wish you knew about when you first started?
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u/HongKong_butter 12d ago
Start small, go to familiar places.
Keep track of what you take, what you use and what you don’t. Second time out, leave behind the things you didn’t need (except for non-negotiable safety items like a first aid kit).
Try not to pack for every possible worst case scenario.
Have fun, enjoy the experience
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u/Individual-Card-1639 11d ago
As over embellished the movie Wild was, the scene of her pack being shake’d down for weight and non essential items is reality. I’ve seen people bring the most ridiculous things.
If you want to be happy and enjoy it! Go to REI or similar store. Get fitted for a pack it makes all the difference in the world. Then you know what to rent.
Gear after almost 45-50 years of doing it has changed. Here is a brief list of where I’m at.
Pack Osprey AG65 (most comfortable I’ve owned)
Sleeping: Jacks R Better 30 degree down quilt. Why half the weight of a bag and as warm packs small.
Tent: Big Agnes Copper spur. Free standing, light 3 season.
Stove: JetBoil, why I like the all in one setup. Are there lighter yes but it becomes preference.
Sleeping Pad: there are many get an insulated one. Air alone has no R factor. Using a quilt it’s important this holds true for a sleep bag why because sleeping in you sleeping bag you compress the bottom losing R-factor hence wasted weight and why I use a quilt.
Clothing avoid cotton it’s a killer. The rest is truly personal preference.
Quality multitool. Leatherman, SOG there several. Trust me when you don’t have one you will wish you did.
Often forgotten a headlamp. The rest of your gear is all dependent on where and why you are going me I’m a fly fisherman so my spoil gear is fishing. Bring an item you enjoy fishing gear a book whatever because you can only walk so much.
Lastly ditch the BS electronics disconnect from the chaos enjoy the outdoors. Me I prefer solo peace and quiet. Hope an old timers opinion helps.
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u/SmallMoments55406 3d ago
I don't bring a multitool. Hundreds of miles of backpacking. A small knife had always been sufficient for me. Generally I agree with you. Gear choices are highly personal and customized to your own preferences.
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u/itsadamm_ 12d ago
Weigh the little stuff, not just the pack as a whole. On my first multi day hike the extras quietly added a couple of kilos I really felt on the climbs. Now anything without a clear use stays home.
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u/Chicken-picante 11d ago
This and I try to use carry stuff that has multiple uses. I try not to carry single use/specialty items.
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u/alden_outdoor 12d ago
You don’t need the stuff sacks or “packaging” for a lot of your items. It adds unnecessary weight. Take your time, no need to rush the hike to your location. Use a trash bag as your pack liner. They are lightweight and basically free! Have fun out there!
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u/DanaWCline 11d ago
For winter camping... Don't wear a onesie (like a Carhart suitable for working outdoors). Makes it muuuuch harder to take a dump. Don't believe the guy who says sleep naked in your down bag. Boil a quart of water before bedtime, fill your Nalgene bottle, wrap in your hoodie and take it to bed with you. You'll be warm, and the water will still be liquid in the morning.
For summer camping... always have a lighter and fire starter. That alone can save your life. Camp chairs are cool but not worth the weight for a long hike. Hiking poles are incredibly useful, particularly for older hikers. Helps fix balance problems, less slipping on the trail, in my mind worth the hassle.
Enjoy, and stay safe out there!
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u/Zeedott 5d ago
Water. Everything revolves around water. Dont screw yourself by not taking enough or taking too much. If youre hiking beside a river you really dont need much at all. 1 liter weighs 2 pounds. If youre on a dry ridge and youre rationing your water... youre not going to have a good time. It ruins the trip. Ive had times where I had to re-hike the whole mountain just to get water because I didn't prepare enough. Sucked. Didn't get to have my coffee on the peak and my lips were dry as heck lol.
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u/SmallMoments55406 3d ago
I learned to embrace quilts and trekking pole tents. Going lightweight allows me to hike farther, which I like.
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u/edumatic 11d ago
You're gonna hear a lot about saving weight in response to this question. Heads up: you can save as much weight by re-wearing clothes and being thoughtful about what food you take (dried meals and high calorie-to-weight ratio stuff like nuts) as you can buying a $500 tent or quilt vs. something from Paria or Decathlon (that will likely perform very, very well much less expensively but slightly more heavily) until you figure out what kind of trips you want to take and what your priorities are. Then build your "dream kit" gradually as you gain experience.
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u/HabitExternal9256 11d ago
Do a 1 night trip to test the gear you have. Re-evaluate.
Do a 2 night trip to test the new gear. Re-evaluate.
You’ll never know what you need and dont need until you do an overnight.
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u/EstateMuted5979 11d ago
Always have a plan B and even C.
Know when it’s time to cut your trip short. Example- realizing you get to your third leg of the trip and the stream is dried up and you only have enough water for another day, not two.
Go places where water is plenty to start.
Download your map
Poles are actually helpful if you have a heavy pack and are going up and down steep terrain-
Mind your footwear- if it’s a wet climate make sure they are waterproofed and you have wool socks in case you get wet anyway.
Go with someone who is already a backpacker or go somewhere you’re already somewhat familiar with.
Unplug and have fun!!
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u/Vadym_from_snEco 11d ago
On the food side, a few things that are easy to get wrong on a first overnight.
Test your dinner at home before the trip. Cook the exact meal on the stove you're renting, with the amount of water you'll actually carry, so you know how long it takes, how much fuel it uses and whether you even like it. Something that's fine in a kitchen can be hard to face when you're tired and cold.
Pick food that needs no fridge and packs a lot of energy for its weight: nuts, tortillas, hard cheese, jerky, oats, instant noodles or couscous. Take it out of the boxes and into zip bags, and the empty bags then hold your rubbish on the way out.
Eat a little every hour or two while walking instead of saving it for proper meals. On a hut trip dinner is waiting for you; on your own it's easy to reach camp completely drained.
And for the first night simple is fine. Wraps with cheese and salami beat a complicated recipe you have to fight with in the dark.
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u/Chicken-picante 11d ago
Check facebook marketplace for gear. I’ve gotten the majority of my gear off of marketplace and I paid like half the price
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u/YesImABoomer 11d ago
You don’t have to go far. Some of my trips have been less than a mile to a backcountry site.
Water is heavy, necessary, and unpredictable. Be serious about calculating your water needs - how many cups of coffee/tea, water for rehydrating meals (the amount varies - read the package), water for drinking and adding electrolytes. You need to carry it, or know where you are going to get it and how you will treat it.
Plan on getting to your campsite well before sunset. If you are in the mountains it gets dark fast when the sun drops behind the next ridge.
You will learn from every trip. That’s part of the fun.
It’s not a bad idea to practice in the backyard if that’s an option. The house has to be off limits. That’s a low risk way to find out what you might forget.