A little
beyond the busy trails and tourist destinations exists a rather immersive
experience; something you can only experience once you ditch the clichéd travel
agencies, car camping trips and day hikes. Yes, you got it right, backpacking
is the real deal.
It doesn't
matter if you're planning to enjoy the gap year after school or college or just
enjoying your time out of work, keep in mind that backpacking involves a much
stringent preparation than an everything-taken-care-of vacation. A smooth
transition from regular holidays to backpacking requires you to pay attention
to some specific details, and play it tough and smart.
When done
right, backpacking trips can provide you with richer, rewarding experiences and
who knows; you can even come back with a little money for your next backpacking
trip.
Mentioned
below are some backpacking tips for beginners which would help you get the most
of your trip:
Before
you leave
1.
Thorough research: You have your passport and tickets and double-checked your flight time,
that doesn't mean everything's sorted. Yes, backpacking, more or less, is about
spontaneity but a bit of prior research can come in handy when you're out there
in the wild, in an unexplored destination in a country you know nothing about.
Perhaps, a mere guidebook and hiking routes would suffice.
2. Pack
light: On a
long journey, even a straw weighs heavy - Spanish proverb - You'll be bearing
your load on your back for much longer than you are expecting. You'll get lost,
have muscle cramps, dehydrate, and each of such instances would ask you to
throw away the prized possessions you'd be carrying o your back. No one ever
went on a backpacking trip with 10 pairs of socks, 5 bottles of shampoo, and
what not. I mean, someone must have, but only to regret it later. Except for 2
pairs of socks, you do not need a spare of anything else. Remember this rule on
not duplicating, and you'll be good.
3. Invest
in a sturdy backpack: You
aren't just carrying stuff; your backpack holds everything that can bring you
out of the wild, alive. The money you spend on an actual hiking backpack is
well worth its cost and can make a lot of difference.
4.
Complete care of your feet: Get the right fitting shoes and socks and you'll not spend the trip
with blisters. Invest in a hiking shoe, preferably waterproof, and you'll thank
me later.
While
you're out there
1. Camp
out: If the
destination for the day allows and you find a comfortable camp ground, please
camp out. You'd save a lot of money camping which otherwise you'd have lost to
expensive hotels.
2. Don't
bother on each and every attraction: Not everything that falls on your route deserves your
time and money. Choose only the best and don't fall for tourist traps.
3. When
not camping, get a hostel with a kitchen: Hostels are super fun, not as much as your
personal tent, but much, much better than hotels. Also, see to it that you get
one with a kitchen. Buy local groceries, and cook for yourself. Eating out
every day would only put a dent in your shoestring budget.
4. Dress
neither to impress nor to express: Use clothes made of quick-drying fabrics. Clothing is a
separate system altogether, and you have to take it accordingly. You can come
across an extreme range of temperatures. For a regular hiking trip, you would
need:
-
Next-to-skin base layers
- Hiking
layers
- Waterproof
wear
- Sleeping
clothes
5.
Miscellaneous: Keep
your ego in check and carry along a first aid kit, insect repellant, sun
screen, UV protected sunglasses, hat, extra batteries, and lots of
biodegradable wipes that would help you not just with hands.
When done
right, backpacking trips can provide you with richer, rewarding experiences and
who knows; you can even come back with a little money for your next backpacking
trip. Know about more this, Click here.
Article
Source: Ezine Articles
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