Paul Magnanti for Pmags.com, Special to The Denver Post Backpacking101
Dust o≠ your old pack or pick up some pointers for trying an overnight trip— again or for the first time.
In the world of backpacking, there seem to be two types of people: those who came out of the womb with trekking poles and Vibram soles on their newborn feet, and those for whom the act of carting around several days’ worth of essentials is daunting but worth a try. My friend Evelyn is the first kind. Say the word “camping” and within five minutes she’s piloting her Subaru to the nearest trailhead, backcountry bound. I, on the other hand, struggle. It’s not that I don’t like backpacking. I do. But getting from my couch to that pristine high-alpine campsite isn’t exactly intuitive. But it is worth the effort. And that’s why I’m committed to taking a page from Ev and dial in my backpacking game so I can pull off a few overnight trips this summer. ...
Backpacking geeks will insist on maximum weight savings. While it’s true that life’s a little easier when you’re not carting around a covered wagon on your back, you don’t have to spend thousands on new gear. Got a garage filled with old stuff? Use it! Afterward, you can decide what’s worth upgrading and what isn’t. Likewise, REI rents backpacks, camp stoves, tents, mountaineering gear and sleeping bags and pads. Let the experts there (or at your local specialty outdoors shop, or your university’s outdoor club) help you find the right stuff for your trip.
Food
Simple and lightweight is best. Ev likes instant oatmeal, energy bars, chocolate, summer sausage and cheese. Specialty stores sell freezedried backpacking food, or you can stock up on ramen, instant rice and dried beans and tortillas at your local grocery.
Hydration
This is the one place it pays to spend good money. Buy a good water purifier if you have any concerns about your existing one. Drinking untreated water is a great way to contract giardia, and that is one of the quickest ways to end your trip. Invest in a sturdy plastic water bottle that can hold hot (boiling) water and make sure to pack tea and cocoa. For coffee, instant options are remarkably good.
Clothes and footwear
A good pair of hiking shoes or boots will make the difference between fun and fury. Same with socks. Ev’s recommendation: wool socks and liners. Clothing should be quick-drying and breathable (i.e., not cotton), so if you have any sort ofworkout, ski, bike or yoga apparel, it’s probably fine for backpacking. Also bring awarm layer, a rain jacket and awarm hat and gloves.
Hygiene
Some people bring soap and a small towel. Others wouldn’t leave home without deodorant. Bandanas work great for wiping off the grime at the end of the day. When nature calls, some people bring toilet paper and others use what’s available— pine boughs, rocks— to clean up. Whatever you end up doing, pack it out.