A Little About Backpacking

By: Tanja Kelly

Backpacking is a fun hobby and sport. It is challenging and adventurous. It appeals to young and old, male and female. It is something anyone can do and there are countless options on how and where to do it. Backpacking is a great way to get exercise and have fun at the same time. Read on to learn more about what backpacking is all about.

Backpacking is the combination of hiking and camping. Backpacking trips involve hiking through wilderness areas and camping overnight. A backpacker carries everything they need on their back. A backpacking trip can last one night or multiple nights. The longer the trip, the more that must be packed and carried, so the planning for both packing and the trip is essential. Some areas that are very popular backpacking destinations will have camp sites set up.

They may simply have a fire ring and posted maps or they can have cabins. Other areas may have nothing at all and backpackers set up their camp wherever they find a good spot.

There is a community in backpacking. Everyone works together to preserve the wilderness that they love. There are certain accepted and unaccepted behaviors in backpacking. Backpackers try not to disturb or damage the area they travel in. They clean up all traces of their camp and never litter or take anything along their travels.

Backpacking requires a person to always keep safety in mind. There are many hazards in backpacking and a person who does not think about being safe is sure to fall prey. The backpack itself can pose problems if a person does not learn how to fit it and pack it properly. The physical activity can be strenuous and a person must be conditioned to handle walking through uneven and rough terrain. First aid and general wilderness safety is another thing a backpacker must know. It is easy to get lost and hurt in the wilderness, so every backpacker must have a good handle on staying safe.

People backpack for different reasons. Some do it for the excellent exercise. Some people like backpacking because of the adventure and love of nature. Others backpack as a way to learn and explore the outdoors. Whatever reason people backpack, there are large numbers of them and they continue to explore, love and walk through the wilderness with the common goal of a good backpacking experience.

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