Wilderness backpacking
Photo: Johnycanal, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- For information on travelling through urban areas via public transit, while sleeping in hostels and other budget accommodation, see urban backpacking.
Wilderness backpacking, also called trekking in many regions, is a form of self-reliant travel that affords opportunities to see sights available no other way. Carrying everything you'll need to get along for several days in the wilderness isn't everyone's idea of a "vacation", but if you don't mind including some physical effort and additional inconvenience in your travel time, it's an ideal way to truly "get away from it all", and hopefully see some truly majestic scenery.
UnderstandCaminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar Wanderer, there is no path, the path is made by walking A day hike is limited to however much ground you can cover before needing some form of sleep shelter.
Fees and permitsCheck with the landowners and local authorities for any fees, permits or permissions needed to hike and camp on your trail.
PreparePreparation is crucial for wilderness travels. Pack the correct clothes, sleeping gear, food and drinks, safety equipment and first aid kit in case something happens in the wild.
WearFootwear is one of the most important aspects of backpacking.
CarryThere are two basic kinds of backpacks used in wilderness travel:
EatYou'll want "light" meals, not in the sense of fat or calorie content, but in terms of how much the food weighs in your pack.
DrinkBe prepared to drink more fluids than you're used to. See dehydration for details.
SleepLightweight synthetic insulating materials have been developed for sleeping bags since late 1900s, but old-fashioned down remains a good option.
Stay healthyTake care of your feet: they're what's getting you home. If you start feeling "hot spots" on them, take care of them quickly before they develop into blisters.
Stay safeKnow the species of animals you might encounter in the wilderness.
Packe, above-freezing) conditions. You should make adjustments for your specific itinerary, as some destinations and seasons require more or less gear than this.
DestinationsBelow is a number of multiday wilderness trekking adventures. Many, but not all are found in National parks.
See alsoThere is some advice on Fording in Hiking in the Nordic countries, which should be applicable to mountainous terrain elsewhere.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Wilderness backpacking" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Johnycanal, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons