Seven Tips to Prepare for Overnight Backpacking Trips
Devil's Path: Rain gear comes in handy on the eastern portion of this strenuous Catskills trail.
For me, spring means planning and finalizing trips I’ve had brewing in my head all winter. It’s a chance to dust off backpacking gear, dig out summer clothes and get excited about spending time outside in beautiful weather! I’ve got some exciting overnight trips on my list for the upcoming months, but want to make sure I make the most of every wonderful summer excursion. Here are my top seven tips to help you do the same!
1. Get maps and get to know them.
Having a good map and knowing how to use it can be the difference between getting lost and staying on track. Topographic maps can help you pick out backcountry landmarks, water sources, camping spots, and anything else that might be useful on the trail. Most topo maps will have a key designating any established campsites, park offices and parking areas. You’ll also be able to determine elevation changes, which help you understanding how difficult the trail will be and estimating travel time. Detailed topo maps are available for popular backpacking destinations like the Adirondacks, Catskills and most National Parks. Topo maps are also available through USGS.gov.
2. Plan your route, then keep the route map safe and accessible.
Having a route plan is essential. Know how long the trail is, where your stopping points are, and where your bailout points are if things don’t go as planned. Bailout points and turnaround times are essential, even on local hikes. If you’re lucky, the topo map for your chosen destination might have your desired route planned for you, like the Batona Trail in New Jersey. But if not, using a highlighter to outline your route on a map can be very helpful. Try to match the color you use to outline the route with the blazes on trail you’ll follow. Then if the blaze color changes at a junction, it will be easier to see and remember. Fold the map so it displays as much of your intended route as possible, then put it in a plastic bag to keep it dry. Buy a waterproof map if they’re available.
3. Make a clothing and gear checklist…
Checking weather and knowing the trails is vital!
There’s nothing worse than getting out on the trail and realizing you’ve left something essential at home. Take the time to make out a list of all the clothing and gear you need. This can also be helpful when you’ve got group gear to divide among members of a party, like climbing ropes or tents. Check the weather and make sure you’ve got rain gear, warm layers and other weather-dependent items. Packwhiz is an incredibly handy tool for the uber-organized among us!
4. …But don’t pack too much, and pack efficiently.
SWS Mountain Guide James Brown (JB) told us that one of the biggest mistakes he sees among some of his beginner clients is over-packing. Though having a clean set of clothing for every day of your trip might sound like a great idea, carrying all of those outfits certainly won’t! Unless you’re carrying extra weight for a purpose, you shouldn’t pack more than you need. JB’s best piece of advice is to lay out all of the gear you didn’t use when you get home from a trip and decide if it’s worth taking next time. Once you’ve finalized your gear and clothing, pack it as efficiently as possible. Make sure trail snacks, first aid kits, water and your headlamp are easily accessible. Then when you reach for the trail mix, you won’t have to unpack everything!
5. Plan your meals.
My friend Dan packing our meals into the required bear canister for an Adirondack adventure
On Mount Rainier last summer, guides Melissa Arnot and Solveig Garhart told us to separate the snack food we’d brought for summit day into five “meals” prior to leaving camp on summit day. Rather than rummaging around in our packs for the right number of calories during every rest break, we had everything organized and separated in advance. Count the number of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks you’ll need on a trip, and lay out each meal separately to ensure you have everything covered. This can be especially helpful if you’re carrying a bear-proof canister; if you pack the meals properly, you won’t have to empty the canister at every meal to find what you need. You’ll also know that it all fits!
6. Make sure you’re intimately familiar with your gear and make sure it all works.
There’s nothing worse than getting deep into the wilderness only to find, for example, the canister of fuel you borrowed from a friend doesn’t fit your stove. Or maybe the canister does fit, but the fuel line in the stove is clogged and needs cleaning. Take the time to get to know your gear before you leave and to test it. Even brand new gear can malfunction.
7. Ensure you’ve covered specific requirements for the area you’re going to.
Do you need backcountry camping permits? Are bear canisters required? Are fires allowed? If so, are they allowed at all elevations in all places along the trail? These are just some of the questions you need to make sure you’ve answered in advance of a trip. Permits are there for a reason, usually to make sure rangers know where to look for you if you don’t return in time, or to make sure an area isn’t overused. Bear canisters are usually required because there’s a danger you’ll have an uninvited campsite visitor if you don’t use one. These things are important; make sure you’ve got them covered.
So, I hope you’ve got all sorts of adventures planned for the upcoming spring and summer backpacking seasons! Of course, most of these tips apply to any adventure at any time of year; take them with you on winter trips, climbing trips, and any other trip you’ve got planned. Happy adventuring!
[...] Seven Tips to Prepare for Overnight Backpacking Trips | Outdoor … JB's best piece of advice is to lay out all of the gear you didn't use when you get home from a trip and decide if it's worth taking next time. Once you've finalized your gear and clothing, pack it as efficiently as possible. [...]
Philip – agreed, #6 is so important! I had a similar incident with a borrowed stove…luckily, someone else in my group knew how to get it to work!
Rudy – Excellent point. Leaving information about where you’re headed is essential.
Excellent advice, follow Katie’s points and you’ll avoid some miserable situations. I keep a mental list of items that I will always need on a backpacking trip, such as knife, duct tape, first aid kit, rain gear, water pump, stove + fuel, etc. Preparing for a trip, I like to spread out everything I think I might need on the floor, then sort through and put away things I don’t want to bring. This helps me to pack my bag more efficiently (as Katie mentioned, with important things like snacks, headlamp, water easily accessible).
This a great “to the points” article, I would have made it “8 Tips”. I would recommend that you leave detailed information for your loved ones. This should included, but limited to your travel path, points of stopping off, camping and parking. If available, use a SPOT device, so they know that your okay and can track your progress. It will aid them in piece of mind.
Great advice Katie! I can’t agree more, especially #6. Practice with your gear so that you know it works in advance, especially with your shelter. The worst thing in the world is standing in the pouring rain, trying to figure out how to pitch your tent.