So, you’re fed up with mediocre adventures and are ready to step it up in the hiking world. I see you. No matter if you’re ready to conquer small or big backpacking trips, I wanted to drop in today to talk about my favorite ways to prepare for them, as well as list off a handful of my favorite trails to do so! I swear I could add dreads to my hair tomorrow and go for days out into the wilderness. Give me a water filter and a JetBoil and I’ll be good to go. Being fully immersed into nature’s beauty is more than ever at the top of my priority list. I’m all in for making my days easier, more colorful and fuller with any adventure outdoors that I can get my toes in. Where do you stand?
Childhood Hikes to Adult Backpacking Exploration
I never grew up backpacking or having backpacking adventures. I didn’t even have a single clue about what it was until maybe 5-7 years ago. (I can’t remember the exact date we shopped for backpacks, but I do recall the exciting experience of fitting and finding the perfect pack. More about how to fit a pack later in the post!)
When I would go hiking with my parents as a toddler and adolescent, and as a young adult with my friends, I absolutely loved every minute of it. Looking back, I actually don’t think I realized just how much it was a genuinely loved part of my life.
I remember distinctly this one memory as a 15/16 year old. I had this tiny child sized colorful backpack that I stuffed full of peanut butter sandwiches (hold the jelly, please), and smarties. (Two of my favorite snacks to this day). My best friend and I actually stayed up all night so that we didn’t miss the sunrise. This has to be one of the first sunrises I actually remembering being present with and enjoying. It’s an amazing thing, our human memory, isn’t it?
My Tiny House
We started out of my playhouse (a cool little mini house that was more like a shed that my dad built for me near our home), early when the sun was rising. I can still feel that memory so strongly that I could paint you a picture of looking into my tiny home to make sure I remembered everything, pulling the door knob closed after I shut off the fan, and looking out to the east where the most beautiful colors began coming up on the horizon between the woods. I remember smiling to myself as we stepped off the porch into the shale, and started up the logging road to the beautiful nature behind my childhood home.
Only now can I recognize what an important part of this life that memory would be. If I had to choose a specific time and place where I truly felt in tune with my hiking aura, it would have to be this morning.
Although I have a ton of memories hiking with my parents beforehand, for some reason, going out on my own (with my friend of course), felt truly like it was the first of many to come as an individual. I love that memory. Do you have something similar?
At the time I didn’t realize I’d actually been halfass “backpacking.” I had even remembered to bring a safety and first aid kit, besides the snacks and water that I carried in my pack for my friend and I. We trekked out a ways until it felt like far enough, gathered some sticks and started a teeny tiny fire. I enjoyed my sandwiches around the smell of the fire (my all-time favorite smell to this day, ESPECIALLY in the morning), and made sure it was out before heading back down the trail. We were gone for hours. That was the longest of my hikes at that time, something I wish I would have made an effort to do more often as I grew into adulthood.
Where To Start and the Lessons I Learned
So aside from the sappy teeny me story, it’s that time in the post to share some tidbits about where and how you may consider starting your own backpacking journey. Let’s get into that.
I mentioned that about 5-7 years ago is really where it began to transform my adult life. It was at this time that my husband and I decided to start to travel more (for adventure, not for relaxation).
We were out in Arizona with our day packs (actually, I believe we had just camelbacks at the time, pssh, newbs…) and trekked down into the Grand Canyon a bit past Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab trail. I knew we could keep going, but knowing the dangers of the Canyon that a lot of people ignore, we made the choice to turn around and try again the next year with better preparation and training.
We also booked Angels Landing in Zion National Park (for a daytrip) in Utah the year after. We had Havasupai Falls scheduled as well, but with the flash flood that came through, caused us to reschedule (for two weeks from now, actually, yay!). (Check out the videos below to get a glimpse of the before and after). And we just finished backpacking the Napali Coast in Kauai this past December. Since then, we’ve learned that getting permits is hella hard, backpacking can be intimidating if you don’t plan properly, and preparing your body for carrying 30-40 pounds up a crap ton of elevation is MUCH harder than it looks on paper.
Check Out AllTrails for Your Adventure
Therefore, I recommend starting out small. Get the AllTrails app and find some fun trails near you that you can practice on. Check out your nearest outdoor store to get fitted for a pack, (something else I never realized you had to do!). Our favorite store is REI, but if there are none near your city, you’ll likely find a similar one around you, or you can just pop online to REI.com or check out their app to shop instead. They basically have everything you need for your backpacking adventures plus a little bit of things you didn’t even think about. Talk to the employees! Don’t be shy, these guys know their stuff and are more than willing to share any tips and tricks with you about your upcoming adventures.
Recently, we snagged some permits for hiking the Grand Canyon (bigger this time!). Instead of Rim-River-Rim like before, this trip will take us all the way from the North Rim to the South Rim on foot. I am SO excited. If you’re interested (and already experienced), just go to recreation.gov and apply for the “early access lottery” for backcountry permits.
Essential Packing Tips for Backpacking Adventures: What You Really Need to Bring
If you’re wondering what you should bring with you on these trips, make sure to watch a ton of videos on how to properly stuff your packs (trust me, it makes a difference!)…as well as read up on the previous tips and tricks that yours truly has already put together for you! 🙂
If you’re looking for a camping/backpacking adventures/hotel travel checklist, I got you covered with a downloadable checklist you can print out if you’d like. (I’m a checking-off-things kind of gal).
But for a quick go-to guide, here’s what I recommend starting out with:
- Get fitted for a lightweight overnight pack, my favorite is Osprey because they repair anything on their bags if you send them in, pretty good deal if you ask me! (Especially after having to drag them through mudslides last trip and toss them across creeks!) We even grabbed some of their luggage for our last adventure!
- After that, check out the cooking equipment and keep it simple. You don’t need crazy gear starting out and trust me, the ounces add up WAY faster than you may think. I always always always opt for the lightweight option, even if I like another option a little better. It’s just not worth the extra weight when it comes down to it. I love the dehydrated meals because that means I need only something to make hot water and basically one fork will do. (Check out the previous post for my favorite brands and meals!)
- Make sure you grab a water filtering system. This is something I wouldn’t skimp on from the start. We’ve gone through a ton of them already by not doing enough research beforehand, so I wish we would have just gotten the larger Sawyer squeeze filter to begin with that makes life way easier when trying to fill up your bladders.
If you’re just starting out, I wouldn’t bother will excess items such as pee cloths, cookware, too many snacks (you won’t eat as much as you think), but DON’T FORGET to bring electrolytes, salty snacks and protein-packed items. There are plenty of options, so choose wisely for weight’s sake!
Check back on the blog to hear more tips about traveling and backpacking adventures!
If you’re looking to take up this new hobby, I highly support that idea. Just make sure to prepare properly close to home and WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES! Don’t worry about going overboard here. When you’re sliding through the mud and gunk wherever you may be, you don’t want your skimpy shoes to be the reason you slide off a cliff. That would be no bueno.
My favorite trail runners are The Salomon Speedcross 6 Gore-Tex. This pair is actually what I’ll be upgrading to from my Speedcross 5 pair that are finally starting to fall apart after a good 5 or so years. They’re also hands-down the comfiest pair of shoes I own, AND they keep my feet warm and wet-free!
Check you later gator! Now get to planning!🌵🤙🥾
Thank You For Reading “Here’s A Few Ideas On Where You Should Start Your Backpacking Adventures”!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today’s article on my backpacking adventures and tips! I hope you found some helpful insights and inspiration for your own outdoor journeys. Happy hiking, and don’t forget to pack light and adventure often!
