Unplugged: Backpacking for beginners
With social media dominating the copious crazes of our generation, it has become trendy to be “adventurous” and “outdoorsy” online, and on many platforms, backpacking the great outdoors has become a fad — but are these internet travel influencers journeying into the mountains for the sake of an Instagram post or for the fulfillment of the experience?
What you see on social media is not necessarily what it seems; oftentimes, these people are tweaking their virtual ventures to appear more genuine than they are in reality.
For those true outdoor enthusiasts seeking a breath of fresh air, backpacking through the wilderness is a perfect way to escape the recurrent toxicity of this social media-obsessed era. Beginners looking to get into backpacking should adhere to these tips and tricks on what to expect for their first time.
When it comes to stuffing your pack, the key is to bring the essentials without making your bag too heavy. Remember you will be carrying everything inside on your shoulders for days at a time.
It is crucial to pack the appropriate apparel.
The three most important articles of clothing to carry with you are fleece, a wind breaker, and rain gear. Hike in layers since you can always strip them off or add them back on weather depending. Even on a warm day, the temperature when crossing an exposed ridge or turning in for night can go from chilly to freezing fast.
Backpackers can opt to tent camp, or for a more rugged experience, set up a tarp.
Even if you are roughing it, there is no shame in maximizing your comfort in the woods. Consider packing bug nets for your face and baby wipes for freshening up at night.
Plan on bringing more than enough water and food with you on the trip, and carry along a water pump for filtering drinking water on the trail in the case that you run out.
When taking multi-day trips, keep your food locked safely in a bear canister at least thirty feet away from where you are sleeping, unless you want to wake up to a surprise breakfast guest in the morning.
Absolutely ensure that the proper safety precautions are taken. Hikers should carry bear spray, first aid equipment, headlamps and flares in the event of getting lost.
It is never a good idea for backpackers to hike solo; tell someone outside of your trip where you are going as well as how long you intend to be gone.
On the whole, it should be noted that there is nothing inherently wrong with posting about your outdoor experiences online. The problem lies in when the adventure is taken for the wrong reasons, and the excursion becomes more about letting people know you did it than earning internal gratification from doing it for yourself.
As you prepare to set off on your own backpacking trip, there is one final preparation you have to execute before hitting the trails: devour a massive, delicious meal — it will be your last good one for some time.
Remember to have fun, be safe, unplug and forget about the real world for a little while.
