Planning a Week-Long Backpacking Trip

Once you have gotten the hang of the day hike and overnight hiking you may be looking for a longer adventure out in nature. Backpacking is a fun, cheap way to spend some time in nature and recharge your emotional batteries. It is also physically demanding and takes a lot of planning. Here is a look at how to plan a week-long backpacking trip.

The first thing you need to do when you begin planning for a backpacking trip is to decide where you want to go. One you decide on a location, you need to do some research. Get some trail maps of the area you want to be hiking in and map out your route and find out if you need special permits for camping along the way. Most state-maintained trails require a permit for overnight use so you will want to be sure you have all of the necessary permissions to be there.

Be aware of your physical fitness level and the difficulty of the trail as you prepare. Training for a hike this long would be smart. You don’t want to be stuck in the backcountry because you are too tired sore or injured to carry on.

Once you have that planned out you need to consider your gear. For hiking the two most important thinks you will need is appropriate clothing and hydration.

Your shoes will be your best friend on a hike this long. You will want to have sturdy, but light and comfortable shoes or hiking boots. You will also need several pairs of comfortable socks. Most experienced hikers strongly discourage wearing cotton socks and underwear because they absorb moisture and can chafe, you might want to look into wool or polyester socks or underwear for your trip. The rest of your clothing needs to be appropriate for the climate and the weather you will encounter. Of course, you need to remember it is noticeably colder in the mountains than down in the valleys.

You need to bring enough water for the first day with bottles that you can use the rest of the week. Backpacking for a week or so, you will need to have a way to purify water along the way. There are pills you can drop into your bottle for this or filtration systems you can use to ensure the safety of our drinking water.

Your backpack is something you need to consider carefully as well, it needs to fit well and be comfortable enough for you to carry every day. You really don’t want it to rub you wrong and leave you suffering with sores.

The next gear you need to plan out is for camping. For backpacking you will want a light-weight tent, a sleeping bag that will be warm enough for the nighttime temperatures for where you are going and a pad for sleeping on. It is important to be comfortable enough to get a good night’s rest while you are on your backpacking trip. Your energy levels will drop significantly if you are sleep deprived.

Cooking gear in next. You will not be wanting to eat cold food everyday you are out backpacking, you can figure out how to cook over a campfire (don’t forget the fire making supplies!) or you will need some kind of a stove and fuel. There are several options for this on the market.

As for food, be sure to make healthy and enjoyable choices that will give you a lot of energy for your hikes. Be sure to get plenty of calories and eat complex carbohydrates and some protein and to bring along snacks for the trail as well.

Enjoy your time out in nature, but be safe. Take a GPS and a compass along with your map and a guidebook if you can find one. Bring extra batteries for your flashlights and some lightweight protection against the rain and for warmth. Remember a thorough first aid kit and protection against the sun and the bugs as well.

Happy hiking.

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