• Ask around: If you have any friends that are experienced backpackers, see if they know of any accessible routes to do for your first time. You can also head to your local outdoor gear shop and ask their employees who might have some experience in the area. You can also always consult a hiking guidebook for the area you’re looking at exploring.
• Look at the distance: For your first time, it might be easiest if you find a trail that’s only a few miles round trip. There is no need to go on a 25 miler your first time with a heavy backpack on.
• Elevation gain: Along with distance, try and find a route that only has maybe a few hundred feet of elevation gain at that maximum. You’ll be surprised how much harder it is to hike uphill when you have a 30-45lb pack attached to you!
• Pick a route with a well-established camp: For your first few times, it will be nice to have a designated destination to reach instead of trying to find where to put your tent in both an ethical and logical way. This preparation will also help, so you don’t (usually) have to look too far for a water resource.

Get the Gear

Unfortunately, gear for backpacking can get pricey, so right away you might want to look into borrowing or renting equipment to get you by. The priciest gear is going to be the sleeping bag, the tent, and the sleeping pad. Assuming you are already into hiking, your hiking shoes/boots should be sufficient for any beginner backpacking trip. Picking gear can be a feat in and of itself, so here are some guidelines to follow for the essential equipment:

• Tent: If you’re going with others, the most economical option is to share a tent, usually in no more than a 2-3 person tent. Bring a tent that is rated for the season that you’re going in and make sure you choose the lightest option you can. The perk of sharing the tent with others is that you can split up the tent components to lighten the load.
• Backpack: Arguably the most critical piece of gear you own, it’s vital that you pick a good one. If you do end up borrowing or renting a pack, take the time to make sure it fits comfortably before committing. Put some weight in the pack and walk around for a bit to see how it would feel out on the rail. If you find it to be comfortable not only on the hips but also on your shoulders, it will be just fine for your first trip or two. If you do decide to purchase your own pack, make sure to get it professionally fitted in a store by a knowledgeable employee.
• Sleeping bag: You’ll want to look at the differences between down and synthetic fill type bags, depending on the weather that you plan on backpacking in. For your first bag, a synthetic is generally a good choice because it’s cheaper and more versatile, albeit a bit larger than down bags.
• Sleeping pad: You would be surprised about how important a sleeping pad is, but cushioning and insulation are crucial to a good night’s sleep. Research to find out which pad works best with what type of sleeper you are, as well as the temperature that you plan to come across while out in the wilderness.
• Stove: A single burner camp stove for backpacking should weigh less than a pound and not take up too much space. You’ll also want to take into account the fuel it will need and leave space in that pack for you too.
• Water treatment: Water is vital to any backpacking or hiking trip so you’ll need a method to find water in the backcountry and a way to treat it to make sure it’s safe to drink. Even pristine looking sources can hide things that you don’t want to be drinking, so it’s wise to treat all water you come across in the wild. The easiest option for first timers is chemical treatments, which usually come as tablets or drops that you can add to your water bottle to purify the water.

What to Wear:

The type of clothing you wear is just as important as the gear that you bring with you in your backpack. You’ll want your clothing to be comfortable, moisture wicking, and quick drying. Avoid cotton clothing if you can because they tend to hold moisture and odor. You’ll also want to think about the weather or possible trail conditions that you may encounter on the trail.

You might also want to consider wearing pants if you think that you’ll be in contact with a lot of bushes or poisonous plants and wearing long sleeves to protect against wind and run. A large hat will also help prevent against sun exposure.

Plan your Food:

For overnight backpacking, you’ll need to plan all your meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lightest and easiest item is going to be freeze-dried backpacking meals since you only need to add boiling water and wait a few minutes, but they can also be pricey. You can save money by going to the grocery store instead where you can find non-perishable items that will give you the fuel you need. It’s best if you can find high-calorie and high-protein snacks since you’ll be working hard all day long, you’ll also want to try and find all-in-one options that are easy to make like packaged noodles or rice entrees. Boxed meals can also be removed and placed in a plastic bag for easier packing. Try experimenting with some jerky, trail mixes, and dried fruit on your next hike to see what best suits your hiking palate!

Getting Ready:

You’ll want to take some extra steps, not only physically but mentally as well, to prepare for your first backpacking trip or two. You’ll be more successful if you add in an exercise routine that will get you in shape to not only carry your legs up the mountain but also back down, safely! Improving your physical fitness and maintaining it should include not only cardio but also strength training and maintenance exercises.

To get prepared mentally, familiarizing yourself with your gear is the best way to get started. Try pitching your tent, using your stove and filtering water before you have to rely on these skills in the wilderness. Learning basic first aid, and map and compass navigation, are also wise moves to make sure you’re prepared for any trip you take into the wild.

Overall, to really enjoy backpacking, you’ll want to do the proper research to get out there, but then you just have to go! It is a gratifying experience that not many people get to experience. Find the right gear, get yourself prepared, and head out there!