Backpacking Essentials You Must Not Forget

There are many people that cannot stand to be indoors.  Any chance they get, they take advantage of it by enjoying time outdoors.  Laying on a beach is not good enough for someone like this.  They would rather be on the move.  If you are one of these people, then backpacking is the perfect activity for you.

When going on a backpacking trip, there are many backpacking essentials that you must not forget.  Of course these can vary, depending on if you are going backpacking though Iceland or backpacking through Europe.  It also can depend on which season you plan your backpacking trip for.

The first and most important thing you need to remember is food and water.  The amount of water you take depends on if you will be able to get more water throughout the course of your trip.  If you are going on a trip that lasts more than one day, you will definitely need to find a place to fill up your water supply.  Generally you want to carry something on your trip that allows you to have enough water for an entire day.  As far as food goes, it is generally a good practice to take one warm meal per day.  In order to prepare a warm meal, you are going to need something to start a fire with.  If you are staying in a hostel each night you can cook your meal there if you are trying to cut down on the amount of supplies you are taking.  It is good to take enough food so you have three meals per day, as well as snacks.  Make sure to take food that is rich in all of the nutrients you need but is lightweight enough to carry.

A first aid kit is a very essential item for your backpacking trip.  Other items you will need include a compass, flashlight, matches, and blankets or a sleeping bag.  If you plan on hiking somewhere with a cool climate then take the proper materials to keep you warm when it gets much cooler throughout the night.

Packing clothing is very important if your hike is going to be longer than one day.  If you are staying at a hostel, they provide a place to do laundry, so that allows you to cut down the amount of clothing you need.  You should be able to take one pair of pants and multiple shirts, since you can wash the pants every night.  Also, take a pair of shorts to sleep in.

Take some time to pick out the right backpack, as well.  You want something that is very lightweight.  Also, you want to make sure that you get something that will allow you to carry all of the essentials for your trip.  A fanny pack (or bum bag) is very helpful to carry your money and other small necessities in.

There are many backpacking essentials you must not forget.  Before you leave for your trip, it is advisable to make a list of everything that you will need.  This helps to prevent you from forgetting something very important.  It is advised to take your first backpacking trip for a day or two that way you learn a lot about what you need to take and what you do not need to take.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am and is filed under Backpacking Equipment, Packing Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.