How to Plan a Backpacking Trip

Planning is an essential component for a successful backpacking trip. Learn how to prepare with this article.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper and pen
• At least one other person to backpack with
• Access to the Internet to conduct research

1. Decide where you want to go. Do some online research. Write down the specific places you want to visit. Create a trip itinerary. Make note of any special places along the trail you want to see (petroglyphs, waterfalls, historic markers, scenic views).

2. Recruit others to join you. Be sure that the people you are planning to backpack with have the physical ability to complete the itinerary you are planning and that they can carry their own weight. Select the group leader.

3. Decide when you want to go. Take note of the average weather (highs and lows, rain) during the time of year you want to visit the location by looking at www.weather.com or other websites with historic weather data.

4. Make the necessary reservations and secure any permits you may need. Select the driver for your trip, ensuring the vehicle will have enough room for the participants and each person's gear.

5. Purchase any necessary equipment. Aside from the standard gear (pack, sleeping bags, tent, sleeping mat) a headlamp, a small gas stove and a water purifier are items you may want to consider bringing.

6. Plan a group meeting about a week before your trip will begin. Have everyone meet together, discuss the weather and types of clothing each person will need, items each person will bring to share with the group (maybe your group will only need one water purifier, etc.), make any last minute decisions and ensure everyone knows their financial obligations (cost for permits, gas, food, etc.).

7. The night before your trip, everyone spends the night together. Have everyone share what is in their pack. Evaluate each person's pack for missing items. Make sure everyone has brought the items they committed to that the group will be sharing. Go shopping to complete any last minute purchases and fill the driver's vehicle with gas.

8. Before you go to bed, pack the vehicle to ensure all of the gear will fit with room for everyone in the group to have a seat in the vehicle with a seatbelt. This will ensure that you will be ready to leave on time the next morning.

9. Get a good night's rest - you'll need it for your trip!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure everyone going on the trip can pull their own weight.
• Always backpack with a small first aid kit of basic supplies.
• Don't overpack.
• Plan for the worst.
• Bring a camera with an extra memory card and batteries.

[tocuriousgeorge]

on 2/4/2009 great tips!