Backpacker 101

Backpacking and camping require a great amount of planning and preparation, which is one of the things I like most about them. Who has not spend endless hours preparing your gear (and buying more!), imagining how you will use your gear to make the perfect campsite.

At first, I used to just “wing it” and throw a bunch of stuff into my pack that I thought I might need. Oh boy, I had a heavy pack with 80% of the stuff I would not need and 20% of the stuff I really needed for the voyage ahead.

Well, those days (thankfully) are over, as I chose to learn my lessons from those who have worked out ideal camping strategies over the years. I have found a great eBook to get you started called:

Beginner Camping Tips: The Beginner’s Guide to Getting You Started With Comfortable Tent Camping in 12 Easy Affordable Steps.

This guide is packed with hard-earned knowledge and advice from eleven experienced campers - which will allow you to get great ideas and avoid their mistakes along the way.

Avoiding the Beginner’s Camping Blunders

I have a sizable list of mistakes that I have made during my early years of backpacking and camping…some of which are funny…others downright miserable and dangerous. Many of my blunders resulted in aborting the trip or heading for the closest town and a comfortable motel room.

What I like about the Beginner Camping Tips Book is this: If you do some homework and take some advice from the eleven experts who have compiled this book, you can expect to have a much more enjoyable, successful and safe adventure. That alone is worth far more than the measly price of the book.

I suggest you go to their site (CLICK HERE) and check out this great camping resource. Worst case…they will refund your money if you are not happy with the information. It’s a no-brainer in my mind. Happy Camping!

Just like having proper fitting boots, buying the right backpack for your needs and body is vitally important for having a pleasant backpacking experience for many years to come. Each backpack has unique fit and features, so you will have to do some testing at your local gear store.

One of the major choices you will have to make is whether to buy an external or internal frame backpack. Most of what you will see on the shelf at your local outdoor gear store will be internal frame packs. They are more prevalent now because of their light weight, comfort and advanced features.

There are advantages and disadvantages for both internal frame and external frame packs, and we will explore them in this article. You can be sure that there are different opinions on what type of pack is the best…so you will have to read the information and make your own assessment.

External Frame Packs - Old School Practicality

External frame packs are easy to spot because they have metal or plastic frames on the outside of the pack. This was how backpacks were originally design and is somewhat a relic of the past. Imagine old boy scout outings from the ’50s and you get the picture. Your grandfather probably has one stashed in the attic.

External frame backpacks do have the advantage of being able to support lots of external things tied on to the frame. If you imagine attaching the kitchen sink to your pack, the external frame may be the answer. They are usually not quite as comfortable as internal frame packs, but are usually more indestructible.

If you need to carry odd-sized items that won’t easily fit into an internal frame pack compartment, the external frame might just be the ticket. For example, the porters we used in Peru carried full stoves and 5 gallon propane tanks using external frame packs. Those guys were so strong, I think they could have strapped me on the outside of their pack frames without wincing.

Internal Frame Packs - Sleek, Modern & Comfortable

Internal frame packs embed “stays” and other support structures inside the pack. This is the preferred way of designing high-tech packs today and provide the lightest support structures. When you go the the gear store, you will mostly see internal frame packs today.

Internal frame packs may use metal or plastic “stays” - which are just rods that form the backbone of the pack - or solid plastic sheets to form the entire support structure of the pack. The stays are usually sewn into the pack bag with high-strength threads. Both types of internal frame support work equally well, so you don’t have to chose a pack based on what type of internal structure they use.

When it comes to comfort, the internal frame packs are the winner, as they are designed to follow the natural contour of your back and for better weight distribution. I personally like the internal frame packs and cant imagine using an external frame backpack for any duration.

We are going to go into more details about the fine art of selecting the right backpack for your needs in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

We are going to go out on a limb today and state that we think that the most important gear items for backpacking are your boots. Many will say that the Gore-Tex Shell wins that award, but without your feet in working order, you can’t go anywhere!

Unless you like suffering, don’t run off and buy the latest, greatest pair of boots a month before your great backpacking trip (unless you plan to hike in them many times before your big trip). Of course, if you boots are ready to fall apart, you will need to buy and break them in quickly!

The most important aspects about boots are fit and being well broken in before any serious backpacking adventure. If you neglect getting proper fitting hiking boots or fail to break them in before your trip, your feet will painfully remind you of your poor judgment while you are on your trip. This is the easiest way to ruin your day!

The Art of Buying Good Hiking Boots

I have personally spent countless hours at my favorite outdoor stores trying on boots. It is essential to get in there and try on several pairs. Don’t just get your heart set on a cool looking boot with super duper features and expect your feet to adapt to the boot. The rule of thumb is that if it feels good at the store, it is probably good. If it doesn’t feel good, put it back on the rack!

If you normally wear orthotics (custom or SuperFeet insoles) in your boots or daily shoes, I would recommend that you take them to the store and put them into the new boots for testing. Orthotics can make a boot feel completely different - as well as constricting your feet in the toe box as well.

Make sure your boots have good lug soles, are at least water-resistant (if not water-proof), and provide good structural support.

Heavy-Duty Hiking Boots Are a Must for Backpackers

If you’re already a seasoned backpacker then you can appreciate the weight trade-off in a structurally sound pair of boots. Your feet will need more support for each pound of weight you carry on your back. Don’t just go for the lightweight boots because you think you will hike better or faster…not true.

I made the mistake of falling for the lightweight boots on a Patagonian trip, where I was only carrying about 25 lbs on my back. My feet were in such excruciating pain because of the lack of support. Big mistake.

When you go the store to buy boots, make sure you bring your loaded backpack (or take one off the shelf and load it up with sand bags at the store). Walk around the store “under load” for an hour and see how they feel in a real life scenario. Also, try just standing around in them to feel that load.

These pointers should get you pointed in the right direction for shopping and buying hiking boots. I would not recommend buying anything online until you have tested them out in the store. Happy trails!

Nothing will ruin your long-planned expensive trekking trip (and possibly the rest of your life) like contracting a disease or illness while on your globe-trotting adventure travels. Getting vaccinations are often overlooked in many people’s adventure trip planning process.

We in the United States are very fortunate to not have to worry about many dangerous diseases or illnesses - wherever we decide to explore in the states. That is what makes it easy for us to forget that the rest of the world is still battling diseases that we have overcome decades ago.

Because many diseases are still common in many parts of the world - even though they rarely occur in the United States - it is your responsibility to get vaccinations before going on your trekking trip.

Get Your Trip Vaccinations Early

It’s a good idea to contact your doctor anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks prior to your departure date to discuss your travel plans and receive the recommended (and sometimes required) vaccinations for the countries you will be visiting.

In addition, your doctor may be able to prescribe antibiotics which could be taken either preventatively or as a result of exposure to some nasty bacteria. Although many health authorities frown upon taking antibiotics for travel (because your body can build up resistance to them over time), we have taken them on a trip to Peru where nearly everyone was sick on the trail, except for us.

Check out the U.S. Government’s Center for Disease Control web site to understand more about which vaccinations are recommended or required.

So you’ve decided you are ready to take on your first trekking or backpacking journey - but are would like some “adult supervision”. You know where you want to explore, but you’d like to be guided and you have no idea how to select a trekking company. We have compiled to help you pick the company that will best suit your needs and ensure a satisfying and save adventure:

The Most Expensive Company May Not Be the Best

Being the most expensive agency does not automatically make them the best. We often get these fancy adventure trip catalogs in the mail. They look enticing, but you have to wonder who pays for the high gloss printing and huge staff that spans the globe. Consider looking beyond the flash and finding smaller trekking companies that can provide a great experience and personal care for less money.

Some companies specialize in treks in a certain region (such as Nullabor Traveller in Australia) and it is worthwhile to check into these but don’t rule out those who cover the continents (such as Tucan Travel).

Many Companies May Cover the Same Areas

If you do some research, you will find that many trekking companies follow the very same routes. The differences between them come from the level of personalization and quality of the gear and facilities.

Compare the different types and quality of lodging provided, the food provided along the trail (and off-trail), the age and quality of the gear (tents, sleeping bags, day packs), the treatment of the local guides, porters & pack animals, and the knowledge and experience of the guides.

Your guide (or guides) will most likely be local to the area you are visiting and often will not be a direct employee of the trekking agency. Most of the literature will show the guides as being part of the company, when in reality - they are usually subcontractors.

A List of Good Questions to Ask Trekking Companies

• Are sleeping bags and tents included? When were they last replaced and how often are they cleaned?
• Will I be responsible for carrying my own gear and food or will you supply porters and/or horses?
• For glacier trips, will crampons be supplied or do I need to bring my own?
• Is there a weight limit on what I can turn over to the porters to carry?
• What meals are provided on and off-trail? Do they provide snacks as well?
• Is the water safe to drink in the area, or will it be provided?
• What type of emergency response and first aid services are available?
• What is the target group size and number of staff per group?
• Are single travelers required to share a tent and hotel rooms?
• What procedures are in place in case of an emergency out on the trail?
• Will one or more “sweepers” be assisting the guide? (A sweeper is a staff member who hikes behind the last person in the group, making sure that no one is lost or in need of attention.)
• What is the highest altitude we will be climbing at, and what is the elevation gain/loss of the trip?
• What is the longest distance traveled in a single day and are there “easy” days in between?
• What are the qualifications and local certifications of the guide(s)?
• Will sufficient transportation be provided to and from the trail heads?
• What happens if my flight in is delayed or I miss the start of the trip? Is there a way to catch up with the group? (This has happened to me once!)

Do Plenty of Homework Before Selecting Your Trekking Company

We would suggest that you ask your “active” friends for first-hand recommendations as a starting point. As you narrow your list, we suggest that you ask for a list of references that you can call from your target companies. Make sure these references have been on the exact trip you are interested in.

It is also a good idea to check out popular travel site forums and adventure travel blogs (like this one) for recommendations and companies to avoid. Watch out for “ranters” who are just negative and trashing companies out there. More people will take the time to write a negative comment than a positive comment. Ask these “ranters” to give you more specifics if you want clarification.

Finally, after asking all of these questions and locating your dream trekking adventure, go with your gut and enjoy the experience to the max!

That should get you started in preparing to select a trekking company for your great adventure. See our sister site Savvy Travel Tips for more hard-earned travel advice to make your trekking adventure go smoothly.