Planning Your Backpacking Trip Venturing into the hard to reach places of the wilderness with nothing but what a person can carry on

their backs has long sense been an outdoor tradition of Americans. Backpacking into mountain lakes or

distant waterfalls and bring enough supplies to camp for a few days brings with it a pleasant escape

from the realities of a harsh work week for many people.

Outside they find a peace and beauty that cannot be found elsewhere and soothing to the soul that is

practically therapeutic. It is no surprise than that more and more individuals are exploring the

thousands of miles of backpacking and hiking trails that span the American landscape.

And for those who are beginning their adventures in backpacking, allow the following tips to be a basic

guide to start you down the path, wherever that path is leading you. Beginning backpackers will find

that, as with most things in life, a good backpacking trip will take a lot of preparation and planning.

Preparing for Your Backpacking Trip Preparing beforehand will ensure a pleasant and safe backpacking trip that can be properly enjoyed.

The first step in planning a backpacking trip is to decide where your feet will take you.

Deciding where to backpack will largely depend on the locations and sights that the group undertaking

the trip will wish to see. Multiple beauties and adventurous landscapes are available at locations across

the nation so making this decision should not

be difficult.

It should be here noted, however, that

choosing a place to hike and camp should take

into account the extreme weather can occur at

high altitudes. So if a group is considering

backpacking into the high mountains of the

western United States, the winter months

should be completely avoided and spring and

fall months should be considered with extreme

caution.

With the location decided upon, the group

planning the backpacking trip can begin to plan the details of the trip. This is the fun part.

The Importance of Planning in Advance A group should first break out the maps of the area they will be backpacking in and map out a detailed

route that they will fallow that will take them to the places they wish to see and that is safe for the level

of backpacking experience they have. Such considerations as bringing a fishing pole can here be

considered if the route includes a stay at a lake or stream.

Similar activates and plans can be made based upon the route of the trip and plans can be made to bring

the appropriate gear. Gear itself then becomes a planning priority for any backpacking trip.

The gear, clothing and supplies needed for the upcoming backpacking trip will need to be accounted for

and planned for. One great tip that seasoned backpackers have learned is to make sure and water proof

necessary gear items against potential damage.

One great way to ensure that such gear, such as a compass, GPS, cell phone, or other emergency gear is

water proofed is by using a vacuum sealer bag. Vacuum sealer bags, commonly used in kitchens for

food storage, provide a weather tight seal against water that will protect all necessary items.

By accounting for and planning ahead for the next backpacking trip, a group of backpackers can

thoroughly enjoy their next trip into the wilderness.