Backpacking Article

The term backpacking has several meanings around the world, but in the United States backpacking refers to the activity of hiking into the wilderness or backcountry to spend a few days or nights for the purpose of recreation. The term backpacking comes from the actual implement; the backpack. The backpack will have everything necessary to spend some time in the wilderness including food, water, portable shelter or some method of obtaining them. While most common backpacking trips last a weekend, more extensive trips that last for days or even months are possible. Backpacking emphasizes on a minimal impact on the environment. Backpackers are expected to stick to established trails as much as possible, and not to take anything back or leave anything behind in order to preserve the environment.

Backpacking requires you to carry everything you need on your person. Your backpack has to contain everything necessary to keep you safe and healthy while being lightweight and portable. Heavy backpacks cause fatigue, soreness and even injury, things which are doubly dangerous out in the wilderness. Because of this, backpacking equipment is usually optimally designed to be multipurpose, high quality, lightweight and as small as possible. Most pieces of equipment can be modified to fit these criteria without having to sacrifice any amount of usefulness.

But this usually comes at a greater price due to better design and materials used in the construction. In fact there is a large industry dedicated to creating gear that is specific to backpacking. Manufacturers reconstruct everything from the backpack itself to every item or tool you might need using cutting edge technology. Ingenious and out-of-the-box designs have made stoves and tents nearly unrecognizable from their traditional counterparts and also much more space and weight efficient.

As a reflection of this even backpacking campsites are very sparse and minimal. While more established backpacking trails such as the Appalachian Trail or in National Parks like the Yosemite offer shelters and huts, in general most backpacking camps are just bare patches of ground with perhaps a map or information signs. Usually suitable campsites must be chosen by the travelers themselves.

When it comes to backpacking there are a few key issues. One is the availability of clean water. Most backpackers will need from half a gallon to two gallons of water. Since a gallon of water weighs just over two pounds, carrying a lot of water is not practical so small water purifying methods are used to clean water you find on the trail. Another is food. Backpacking requires high energy food, with low mass and long shelf life. Some prefer to catch and gather food from the trail and prepare their meals using camp stoves.

Backpacking is a rewarding and unique experience. It takes you away from the world to see things that cannot be seen in any other way. Take the proper precautions and a backpacking trip will be one of the best things you have ever done.

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